March 2022 Announcements
/March Mission Partner: The Restore Network
17,000 children are in foster care in the state of Illinois. 475 more will enter the system this month due to abuse or neglect. Beyond the sheer number of children placed in foster care in Illinois, more than a third of them shuffle homes four or more times while they’re in care. They are placed in group facilities or homes with the nearest empty beds, not necessarily the homes best suited to help them heal from their trauma. This is a problem we can fix. Fostering can be hard. So, The Restore Network partners with the local church to make it easier for more families to say “yes” to the vulnerable children who need them. We each have a part to play in the solution. Check out The Restore Network to learn more about how you can get involved in this important ministry. The Bridge will match up to $500 in donations to The Restore Network in the month of March. Indicate in the memo of your check or online donation that your contribution is for The Restore Network.
Communion: 3/13
February Memory Verse:
Fliers with the monthly memory verse are now available at child check-in. Each week our Bridge Kids will work on the verse in class, but memorizing scripture isn't just for kids! The best way to commit the verse to memory is practicing throughout the month. You can find a song to help in The Bridge Kids Amazon and Spotify playlists or on YouTube.
Intro to The Bridge: Whether you are brand new or have been attending for a while, if you would like to learn more about The Bridge, this meeting is for you. Pastor Steven will share more about our mission, vision and core values, as well as ways to connect in community and plug in to serve.
Lunch will be provided. Childcare will not be available, but you are welcome to bring your children along. Reservations are required and the meeting is limited to 15 adults. Register on Church Center.
Restore Network Banquet: Please join us for a virtual viewing of the annual Restore Network Banquet on Thursday, March 24, 2022 in The Bridge Fellowship Hall. We will celebrate how God is moving to care for children in foster care, share stories from The Restore Network ministry, and have a special performance from our Restore Kids. All banquet costs are underwritten by businesses, so 100% of every dollar given will go to help children in foster care! Dinner begins at 6, and the program at 7. Register on the Church Center app.
Church Center: There's an app for that! Download the Church Center app, make Bridge to Grace your church and stay connected. This app will house our calendar, directory, enable you to register for classes, pre-check your kids in for Children's Ministry, send you push notifications for events, and so much more! Need help navigating this app? See Natalie Runyon.
As a church that is for our city, we want to encourage those who call The Bridge their home to check out and support local events and live missionally in our community.
March 5: The Three Rivers Project's Seed Swap @ Old Bakery from 11:30am-2:00pm
March 5: Towata : A Celebration of Art // Closing @ Jacoby Arts Center
March 8: "A Moonlight Concert" presented by the Alton High Conservatory 7pm @ Community Christian Church
Welcome Team: Those on the Welcome Team are the first point of contact for people as they enter the building. We are looking for friendly greeters to serve once a month. Contact Nikki Fiedler if you would like to shadow and learn more.
Nursery Subs: We have been blessed with lots of babies at The Bridge, and we are in need of a few more people to care for the smallest members of our Bridge family. If you can rock and pray over babies, please talk to Jill Adam.
Youth Group: Everyone loves a good story and, as Christians, we have been gifted with the greatest story ever told: God's story. OUR story. Beginning Sunday, March 6th, the Middle School and High School Youth will begin to explore the Bible as a continuous, chronological story. We'll begin at 6:00 with a time of interacting with scripture in a way that helps us fully engage with God's story and our place in it. Echo the Story will take place 6-8 on Sundays for 12 weeks (excluding Easter Sunday & Mother’s Day) March 6th-June 5th. We hope you'll plan to join us for this special storytime!
Women's Bible Study: Interested in studying the Bible with other women? Now is a great time to join us as we begin our study of Exodus, using Jen Wilkin's book God of Deliverance. Study begins on Monday, March 14 at 10 AM. Talk to Martha Pfister or Jennifer Brown for more info.
Men's Bible Study: Tuesday mornings from 7-8, the men of The Bridge meet to study and discuss the upcoming week's sermon text. Coffee and donuts are provided.
Community Groups: Interested in connecting with a Community Group? Email jon.davis@bridgetograce.org for more information about community group opportunities.