TIME TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION IN OUR BRIDGE COMMUNITY
Now through January 31st
Every year, we ask members to update the information through our church database, The Bridge Community. Please follow this link: https://thebridgereno.com/community. This is where you will access your giving records for 2021. If you need any help logging in, we have a tutorial prepared for you at https://thebridgereno.com/help.

ANNUAL CELEBRATION
Sunday, January 30th @ 11:45a
Our Annual Celebration will be Sunday, January 30th at 11:45 am in the Worship Center after the second service. We will review what God did through The Bridge in 2021, we'll reflect on our Mission & Vision, and vote on the 2022 Budget and Board of Trustees. This meeting will be in-person, so the Face Mask Mandate will apply. This meeting can also be seen live online through The Bridge App and our website, https://thebridgereno.com. The Bridge App can be downloaded at https://thebridgereno.com/app.

FOOD PANTRY
Thursday, February 3 from 8:00 - 10:00 am
Our mission is to distribute free food to anyone who needs it, without prerequisites such as needs tests or letters of referral. Our faith compels us to reach out to those in need and this is one way for us to do so. Our address is 1330 Foster Drive. For more info, fill out our Connection Card here, https://thebridgereno.com/connection-card

WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES
Saturday, February 19 from 9:00-11:00a.
Join us on Saturday, February 19th, as more than 600 people from our community gather early in the morning to make the one-mile walk to our homeless campus on Record Street. We do this to experience the same walk our homeless brothers and sisters make many times a day to receive services at the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission and the organizations dedicated to serving the homeless and those in need. Get more information at https://subspla.sh/9jhc9s6/.

BLOOD DRIVE @ THE BRIDGE
March 20 from 9:00a-12:00p
Our community is currently experiencing a critical shortage of blood. This means we have less than a two days supply of key blood types. The best thing you can do as a donor is to book your appointment early to help with plans to build a steady supply in the weeks ahead. In keeping with updated CDC guidance, masks will be required for all donors, staff, and guests, at all Vitalant blood drives and facilities regardless of vaccination status. Thank you for your understanding. COVID-19 vaccinated? Great! You are ABSOLUTELY allowed to give blood or platelets if you meet all general blood donation eligibility criteria. All donors, regardless of vaccination status, are needed for blood, platelet, and plasma donations. Reserve your donation time now at https://thebridgereno.com/donateblood and help our community rebuild our blood supply.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
You can support our mission using the Give Button in our App or online at https://thebridgereno.com/giving.

Pastor Bill West
January 30, 2022

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  
Recognize God’s Presence in Your Life.Accept Fear and Take the Next Step.

Keep Eyes on Jesus not your Circumstances

1. Do you think of yourself as a risk taker or not?  What are some of the biggest risks you have taken?  What happened?  Do you take more or less risk today than in the past?  Why or why not?

2. Read and Discuss Matthew 14:25-29:  How did Peter see an opportunity that the other disciples did not? Why did he ask Jesus to “command” him to come to him?  What would you have done?

3. Is God getter bigger to you right now or smaller or staying the same?  Was there a time in your life when God seemed bigger or more real to you?  What has happened to change that?  

4. In what area of your life do you need discernment to know if you’re being called to get out of the boat?

5. What is your view of fear? What is something that causes you to experience fear?  What have you learned about fear?

6. Do you agree or disagree that we need to learn to accept fear as a part of growth in our lives? How do you feel about that?

7. Read Matthew 14:30-32: Why did Peter sink?  What did Jesus say to Him?  Do you think Peter failed or not?  What is your view of failure?

8. What are some things that have helped your faith to grow?

9. What’s the one risk you can take now that can help your faith grow?