Discover The Bridge - Sunday at 6 PM

If you would like to learn more about The Bridge Church, as well as have the opportunity to meet our staff and leadership team, I invite you to join me for three consecutive Sunday nights starting this Sunday at 6 PM at the church. In this hour-long class you will learn about our history, our mission, vision and values. At the end of these three sessions you will be given the opportunity to join the church, if you so desire.

There is a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Desk in the lobby, or simply respond to this newsletter if you plan to attend. If you need child care, please provide the number of children and their respective ages. I hope to see you there!

Trunk or Treat – October 31

On Halloween from 6-8 PM we will be inviting children from the community and their parents to come to The Bridge to receive candy and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. Last year hundreds showed up for this fun event. For many, this was their first exposure to our church. Here are ways you can participate:

▪	Between now and October 31st, bring bags of individually wrapped pieces of candy to the church and place them in the container in the lobby.

▪	To hand out candy, arrive at the church by 5:45 PM on Halloween and park your car in the designated area. You may wear a Halloween costume and/or decorate your car if you like. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes and best decorated car.

▪	Sign-up to help direct traffic or serve at the café during this event.

▪	Bake and bring cookies to the church on Halloween.

▪	And if you know how to make balloon animals (or are a fast learner) you may assist Chris and Janet Garner who last year developed blisters from twisting and tying so many balloons!

Teams in Ghana and Zimbabwe

Please remember to pray for our teams in Africa – that God will protect and keep them in health and safety and use them mightily for the kingdom of God. 
See you Sunday!

Bo

Help for Houston and Florida

Thanks to everyone who has brought items or donated financially to help with the relief efforts taking place in the Houston area and throughout the state of Florida. In a little over a week we have collected half of semi-load of cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, diapers, bottled water, food supplies and more that will be shipped to those suffering the consequences of these two major hurricanes. The Bridge will continue to serve as a drop-off center for Matthew 25: Ministries, which is playing a significant role in bringing aid to those affected by these storms. We also want to thank the Cincinnati Reuse Center for their help in getting the items we’ve collected to the Matthew 25: Ministries headquarters in Blue Ash.

Items can be dropped off at the church and placed in the container beneath the big “Houston” sign between the hours of 9 AM – 7 PM. For details about items needed or to contribute financially, go to the church website atwww.thebridgenky.com or to www.M25M.org.

Care Net 5K Run/Walk for Life

On Saturday, September 23rd Care Net Pregnancy Services of Northern Kentucky will be conducting their annual Run/Walk for Life. Once again, I have a surrogate runner (and a fast one!) representing me in this event. Also once again, I am asking you, friends and members of The Bridge to sponsor “me” in this run. If you missed the pledge forms that were passed down the rows this past Sunday you can still sponsor me by clicking on the link below and entering the amount you would like to give toward this great ministry. Since 2006 Care Net has seen 554 clients give their unborn child the gift of life. By taking part in this Walk for Life, you and I can help insure that Care Net will be there for women facing an unplanned pregnancy. Thank you for doing what you can!

https://runsignup.com/pastorbo

Connect Group Fair Starts this Sunday!

We have 35 new connect groups starting up in a few weeks! This is a great way to grow in your faith and to also meet some awesome people who are on a similar faith journey. Visit the church website to see what groups are being offered this semester. You can register online or in the lobby after services this Sunday.

With much love!

Bo

Help for Houston

In light of the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, The Bridge is partnering with Matthew 25: Ministries to help bring needed supplies to the Houston area. The Bridge is going to serve as a drop-off center for the items listed below. If you would like to help, please bring these specified items to the church between the hours of 9 AM and 7 PM Sunday – Saturday. These can be brought into the lobby, or left in the designated area beneath the overhang to the left of the front door.

• Non-Perishable Food: PULL TOP canned vegetables, fruits etc.; ready to eat dry goods such as nuts, peanut butter, dried fruits, granola and trail mixes, jerky, ready to eat snacks; bottled water; ready- to-eat meals or MREs, etc. 

• Personal Care Products: Antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion, etc. 

• Cleaning supplies: Laundry detergents, general cleaner, sponges, bleach (powdered form is preferred), mops, scrub brushes, buckets, rubber gloves, etc. 

• Paper products: Toilet paper, paper towels, etc. 

• Baby and infant supplies: Diapers, wipes, diaper rash ointment, baby wash, baby shampoo, baby lotion, etc. 

• First-Aid items: Bandages, gauze, pads, first aid tape, antiseptic creams, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, latex gloves, instant cold packs, etc.

Monetary Donations*: You can give online to Matthew 25: Ministries by going to www.m25m.org or by mail by sending checks to Matthew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242.

*Donors to Matthew 25: Ministries who would like to designate their financial gifts for Hurricane Relief may do so by writing “Hurricane Relief” in the memo line of their check or by typing it in the “in honor of” field of the online giving form. 100% of donated funds designated for Hurricane Relief will be used for the purpose intended.

If you would prefer to donate to Matthew 25: Ministries through The Bridge Church, just be sure to designate on your check or when giving online that you are giving toward “Help for Houston.” You may give through the church website by going to www.thebridgenky.com.

Let’s all do what we can to bring aid to this hard-hit area. Matthew 25: Ministries is a great local ministry that has been meeting needs around the world since 1991. If you would like to volunteer your time by serving at Matthew 25: Ministries you may sign-up via their website at www.m25m.org.

In addition to meeting physical needs of people living in the Houston area, let’s also remember to invite God to comfort and uphold those who have suffered such loss, while also drawing them to Him.

With much love in Christ,

Bo

Celebrating our One Year Anniversary in Alexandria!

Can you believe we have been in our new building for one year? I continue to be so grateful to God and to so many of you, His people, for making it possible for us to have made this big move. And what a great year it has been. As I shared this past Sunday, over the past year we have added 88 new members and baptized 74! In the same time we have gone from an average of 606 in Sunday morning attendance to an average of 909! (I still can’t believe we managed to get 600 people in our little warehouse each week!). 

Equally exciting is the ministry that is taking place each week in our new facility. From Kid’s Camps to Connect Groups to Student Ministry and more, ministry is taking place almost seven days a week at the church. 

I’m also happy to report that even with a $14,000 a month mortgage payment and the added expenses of maintaining a 45,000 square foot building, that we are meeting our financial obligations. While it is true that there is not a lot left over at the end of each month, we are at least keeping up! While keeping up is definitely better than not keeping up – there are things we would like to do if we just had as much as a 10% increase in our weekly offerings. If you have not yet made regular giving to the church a part of your life, allow me to encourage you to begin doing so. Not only will the church be helped, but God will bless you for prioritizing His kingdom with your finances.

From Death to Life and from Bondage to the Throne 

This Sunday we will continue our study of Paul’s marvelous Epistle to the Ephesians. This week we will be talking about how God has not only forgiven us of our sins – but has actually brought us from death to life and raised us to be seated with Christ in heavenly places. We will also explore the influence demonic forces have on human behavior in a fallen world – and what God has called us to do about it. Don’t miss this Sunday at The Bridge!

With much love,

Bo

This week at The Bridge

Parent's Night Out

Don’t forget to take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a night out – while at the same time help our Student Ministry Summer Mission Trip. The Bridge Student Ministry will be providing baby sitting at the church June 23rd - Friday from 5-10 PM at a cost of $20 per child or $30 per family. There is no pre-registration required.

New Series starts Sunday 

Beginning this Sunday we will be embarking on a new series on the book of Ephesians. This book, more than any other New Testament epistle, reveals the riches of the salvation we have in Jesus. Here the Apostle Paul reveals the wonderful mysteries of “in Christ” realities. If you don’t know what is meant by the term “in Christ,” you won’t want to miss this important study. If you do know about “in Christ” truth, you will enjoy being reminded of who you are in Christ, what is yours in Christ, and what it means to live out your faith in Him. 

See you Sunday at The Bridge!

Bo

A New Ministry at The Bridge

I have been greatly blessed by the response to my sharing this past Sunday about the man who informed me that he would no longer be able to attend The Bridge because he does not drive and the possibility of forming a ministry to meet these kinds of needs in our church family. The next step will be to meet and brainstorm about what this ministry could look like and how we can best meet needs within our church. If you are interested in being a part of these early planning sessions, please join me this Sunday at 7 PM at the church. Child care will be provided. Please email me at bo.weaver@thebridgenky.com and let me know if you plan to attend this first meeting for what we are tentatively calling Needs and Seeds. Also please include the number of children and their ages for which you will need child care. Thanks! Bo

Photos and Videos from Mother's Day

We had a great day at The Bridge on Mother’s Day! If you had your picture taken, you can see it on the website under Media – Mother’s Day Pictures. To see more video of kids answering the question: “What does your Mommy do?” Go to Media – Mother’s Day Videos. thebridgenky.com Thank you Harold Hay and Lara McDowell for all your hard work! Bo

Jubilee Market

Most of you are aware of how when we started The Bridge, just over ten years ago, we determined that we were going to be an outwardly focused church. I’m happy to say that I believe we have done a pretty good job of keeping an outward focus, while still tending to the ministries that help grow people as followers of Jesus. One of the early ministries we had a hand in starting is Reset. Reset is a Christ-centered, voluntary residential program for men and women who desire to radically change their lives. Many of those who take advantage of this awesome ministry are coming out of incarceration and/or addiction issues. While The Bridge has been a major supporter of Reset, it has always been Reset’s goal to become more and more self-sufficient. This month Reset is taking a big step toward self-sufficiency by opening a thrift store in Cincinnati called Jubilee Market. Jubilee Market will be able to employ Reset residents, while also helping providing revenue for the ministry. Here’s how we can all help. Go through your closets and select gently used clothing items that you no longer need or wear and bring them to church this Sunday to be placed in the big box truck we will have in the parking lot. Items can include, shoes, belts, hats, or just about anything that can be worn. You will be cleaning out your closets while also helping fund a ministry that is helping to change lives. What could be better than that? Baptism June 11 If you have not been baptized in water since making a decision to follow Jesus, we will be conducting baptism services at both our 9 and 11 AM services on June 11. Pick-up a baptism brochure at the Welcome Desk, fill it out and get it to us as quickly as possible. There is also a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Desk. Please provide your name and contact on that, as well. Play Ball! We had a great response to the sign-up for a co-ed softball team this past Sunday, so we will be fielding a team this year. There was not as good a response for the men’s team, so as of right now it does not appear we will have a men’s team. If you would like to be included on the co-ed team, you may sign-up at the Welcome Desk this Sunday or email the team coaches, Daryll and Dawn Collins at daryll@daryllcollins.com. Games will be played at the ball field near the old Plum Creek Church approximately 10 miles south of The Bridge in U.S. 27 (on the left). The first game is this Tuesday so get in shape as quickly as possible! The team will wear our Bridge T-shirts, so if you do not yet have one, be sure to stop by the Welcome Desk and ask for one. There is no charge for the T-shirt, but there is a $15 registration fee per player. You can either put the $15 dollars per person in the offering basket on Sunday (please indicate what it is for), or turn it in to “Coach Daryll” or “Coach Dawn” on Tuesday, or to someone at the Welcome Desk. See you Sunday at The Bridge! Bo

The Greatest Day in History!

The day Jesus rose from the dead is without a doubt the greatest day in the history of the world. This momentous event accomplished at least these four things:

1. Validated every word Jesus spoke about Himself, the Father and the whole of Scripture – as in His earthly ministry Jesus referenced virtually every major theme and person of the Bible including creation, Adam, the flood, Abraham, Moses, David, Jonah and much more.
2. Broke the hold Satan had on this world and restored authority to Jesus.
3. Secured the forgiveness of sins for all who would place their faith in Him.
4. Overcame the power of death and became the first-fruits of the resurrection; insuring that all who believe in Him would one day share in a bodily resurrection.

See why I call this the greatest day in the history of the world?

And since Easter is the greatest day in history, we are going to do our best this Sunday to celebrate it in the best way we possibly can. First, we are going to glorify God in song with some of the best music you will find anywhere. Second, we are going to proclaim God’s Word and seek to understand how Jesus really was guilty of the crime for which He was tried, convicted and executed (this is a teaser regarding the theme of Sunday’s sermon). Third, we are going to give people the opportunity to place their faith in the risen Lord.

In addition to these very serious matters, our kids, after hearing an age-appropriate message about the resurrection, will get to join in an Easter egg hunt and take home a bag full of Easter eggs filled with candy. You won’t want to miss this great day, nor do you want miss out on the opportunity to invite someone to church for this very special day.

Please note the special service times for Easter Sunday:

8:30 AM, 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday at The Bridge!

Bo

Sprucing up at The Bridge!

April 6, 2017 We want to get our church grounds looking as nice as possible for Easter, so this Saturday at 9 AM we will be spreading mulch in the parking islands and planter areas. Remember two years ago when we endeavored to clean out the parking lot islands and it took about eight Saturdays, a backhoe, a wood chipper and a lot of hard work? This won’t be like that. Because of all the hard work, some of us did then (yes, I was there – a time or two!) – this will only require 15-20 people, some rakes, shovels and wheel barrows if you have one and just a few hours. Saturday is supposed to be a beautiful day, so come out and enjoy some fun in the sun! If you have any questions, you can contact Chris Mitchell at 859-653-3173 or by email at chris.mitchell@thebridgenky.com. 6,000 Easter Eggs are Ready! Because of the great response to our request for candy for the Easter egg hunt and some very fast workers after the first service this past Sunday, we now have 6,000 Easter eggs ready for our Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday. The Easter egg hunt will take place during each of the three services with three different age groups that will include Pre-school through 5th grade. Let’s not miss this opportunity to invite family and friends to what will be a fun and exciting Easter. If you have already bought Easter candy and you don’t want to eat it all yourself, you may still bring it in and we will make sure kids leave with plenty of candy. Easter Service Times will be 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30 AM If you are able, try to come to the 8:30 or 11:30 AM service as I believe the 10 AM service will be the most heavily attended. Please be praying that God will open hearts to the gospel! See you Sunday! Bo

Candy for Easter Eggs!

We will be filling 6,000 Easter eggs with candy for our first ever Easter egg hunt at The Bridge this Easter. We are requesting everyone to pick-up a bag or two of individually wrapped pieces of candy that we can place inside the eggs. There is a container in the lobby where you can deposit your donation. 'What do Easter eggs have to do with the resurrection of Jesus?' you might be wondering. Absolutely nothing – but kids love candy and we want to attract kids – along with their parents to come hear the life-changing message of the resurrection. It’s the same reason we offer coffee and donuts every Sunday at the café. People like donuts and many of us NEED coffee in the morning. We don’t think there is anything wrong with making church a pleasant and even a fun place to come hear the most important message on the planet. So, that’s why we will be conducting an Easter egg hunt in conjunction with each of our three Easter services this year - and you can help by bringing in candy! Bidding Farewell to Two Dear Servants of God This past week, two dear members of our church graduated from this world and are now in the presence of our Lord. On Saturday, Shannon Underwood, after a long battle with cancer, received her perfect healing and joined her mother in heaven. There will be a Celebration of Life service for Shannon this Saturday at the Alexandria Fire House located at 7951 Alexandria Pike. All are invited to celebrate Shannon’s life beginning at 4 PM, with a service taking place at 7 PM. The family asks that everyone wear bright colors (no black, please) because this is going to be a true celebration of a wonderful person who filled our lives with love and light and who definitely has no regrets about being with the Lord she loves. On Tuesday morning, Paul McIntire said goodbye to twice weekly dialysis sessions and a number of other health problems and stepped into the presence of God. Some of you may remember seeing Paul sitting at a table in the lobby during services listening to the message. Paul’s vision problems made it difficult for him to be in the services. And despite Paul’s health issues, he would sometimes sit in with the middle school class during their meetings on Sunday. The young people loved Paul – and he loved them. Please remember Paul’s wife, Brenda in your prayers as she adjusts to life without her precious husband. In both of these rather sudden departures, I was blessed to see, or hear about how so many of our Bridge family reached out to support the families of these two saints. Thank you so much for being the kind and loving church that you are. Jannie and I are proud and blessed to serve such a wonderful church! With much love,

Bo

This week at The Bridge

Don’t forget to move your clocks forward tonight! Yes, it’s that time of year when the grass is beginning to green, the birds can be heard singing and it can snow, rain, be sunny and warm – all in the same 24 hours! It is also time to move our clocks ahead one hour before we go to bed tonight. If you just can't handle the thought of being at church when your body knows it’s really 8:00 AM, just join us at 11 tomorrow and you’ll be fine. I’ll be there for both services of course, whether my body likes it or not! Service Schedule and Easter Egg Hunt for Easter We will be adding a third service for the first Easter in our new facility, so the service times will be 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30 AM. We will also be conducting an Easter egg hunt for the kids following each service (outside if weather permits, inside in the event of bad weather). Either way, we will be hiding 6,000 Easter eggs for the kids to find! You can help by bringing in individually wrapped pieces of candy and placing them in the container in the lobby. Six thousand is a lot of Easter eggs to fill – so please be as generous as possible. Discover The Bridge Sunday Night at 6:00 PM If you would like to learn more about The Bridge, or if you feel God is leading you to become a member, I want to invite you to our Discover The Bridge class that kicks-off tomorrow at 6:00 PM. This class is two sessions long, this week and next, and will let you know what The Bridge is all about as we discuss our mission, vision, values and more. Currently we have forty people signed-up to attend. Please add your name to the list located at the Welcome Desk, or just join us at 6:00 PM tomorrow and next Sunday. Child care is provided for children up to five years old (or is it through five? I can’t remember). Anyway, we won’t ask for proof of age! I hope to see you tomorrow at The Bridge! Bo

Prayer and The Church

Jesus said, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18), and yet, He has called us, His people, to co-labor with Him. In the building of the church there are things for us to do – and things only God can do. This Friday evening at 6 we will be gathering to pray for our church, as well as for our community and the nation. I hope you will join us if you can. If you can’t make it to this particular prayer gathering, please print the guide below and take some time each day to pray for at least one of the items on this list. I believe God wants to do amazing things through our church – but prayer holds the key to our seeing this come to pass. And don’t miss the final installment of our Blindsided series this Sunday. The concluding message to this series is very important. Nine Things to Pray for our Church 1. That God would draw people to Jesus, convict of sin and open hearts to the gospel “No one comes to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws Him…”  - John 6:44 “And when He (the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…” _ - John 16:8_ “Now a certain woman named Lydia… The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.”  - Acts 16:14 2. That God would give to us (His people), the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him “… after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe …”  - Ephesians 1:15:19 3. That God would fill us with His Spirit “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit…”  - Ephesians 5:18 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”  - Luke 11:13 4. That God would give us boldness to share the gospel and that He would confirm the Word preached with signs following “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”  - Acts 4:29-31 5. That we would be conformed to the image of Jesus and that holiness and righteousness would characterize the people at The Bridge “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”  - 2 Corinthians 3:18 “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord…”  - Hebrews 12:14 6. That the kingdom of God would come to our community, our nation and the world “Your kingdom come.  Your will be done  On earth as it is in heaven.”  _ - Matthew 6:10_ 7. That God would meet the needs of His people and that by giving each of us a spirit of generosity all needs of the church would be met “Give us this day our daily bread.”  _ - Matthew 6:11_ ”So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” _  _ - 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 8. That we grow in our love for God and each other “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”  - Matthew 22:37 9. That we be delivered from temptation and protected from the evil one “And do not lead us into temptation,  But deliver us from the evil one.”  _ - Matthew 6:13_ God bless,

God's Miracle Working Power

The Gospels record Jesus performing something like 37 specific miracles during the three years of His public ministry on the earth. There were, of course, many more than this as there were times when Jesus healed all who came to him, without the actual number of miracles being noted. John concludes His Gospel by saying: “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25). We know that one reason Jesus performed so many miracles of healing was to help people know that He was sent from heaven and was God’s Son. But we also find places where Jesus healed people simply out of compassion. The question asked by many is, “Does God still heal today?" While I don’t claim to understand why everyone who petitions God for healing is not healed, I am convinced that God does in fact heal people today.

This Sunday as we continue our Blindsided series, we will hear the testimony of someone who was brought back from certain death by a miracle of healing. No matter what you might be facing in your life, I’m sure you will be encouraged by this amazing testimony.

Yours in Christ’s love,

Bo

Join us for Super Bowl Sunday!

This Sunday at The Bridge we are going to have a Super Bowl-themed day that will include hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, soft drinks and more following both the 9 AM and 11 AM services. Wear the jersey of your favorite NFL team (if you have one) and plan to join in the fun. We will also be kicking-off (pun intended) a new teaching series called Blindsided: What to do when life knocks you down. Just like in football, everybody gets knocked down at some point. The key to living an overcoming life is learning how to get back up after you’ve been blindsided. This will be a great day to invite a friend to church as they will have the chance to see you can have fun in church and also hear an encouraging message. See you Sunday! Bo