March Announcements

IF: The Bridge- For over a decade, IF:Gathering has been about one thing: women gathering to know God and make Him known. In 2026, we’re coming together for IF:One Night—one powerful evening of worship, teaching, and prayer. Come here from speakers like Jennie Allen, Matt Chandler, Francis Chan, Christine Caine and more. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Register at https://thebridgealton.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3366385

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. Reservations are required, and the meeting is limited to 15 adults. Register by 2/26 on Church Center or at https://thebridgealton.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3458041

Salvation Army Lunches- We’re serving lunch at the Salvation Army food pantry every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 1:00–2:15 PM—and you can help! This is a great way to connect with our community and show God’s love in action. Sign up to bring food or volunteer through the Meal Trains below.

March 5- Pasta: https://mealtrain.com/6ygr0k

March 19- Sloppy Joes: https://mealtrain.com/y0lkmm

Grief Support Group- If you are experiencing grief from a loss, we invite you to join our grief support group- a bridge of hope, for those who are suffering. NOW OFFERED IN THE EVENING, the Grief Support Group meets the first and third Mondays of every month from 6:00-7:30 pm, in the Adult Education Room. For more information, talk to Eileen Cheatham.

Alton Mission: March Mission Partner- “Our mission is to put love at the center of everything we do, offering belonging to those living on the margins and watching as it helps them heal. We’re a community where you’re loved when you’re here and you’re missed when you’re gone. Our little experiment of a church welcomes about 50 people each Sunday, over half of whom are unhoused in Alton and about 3/4 of whom live in poverty. We’re learning the difference between being a church for the poor and a church of the poor. It can be fragile and fleeting, but by practicing belonging and genuine fellowship, we have moments together when another world seems not just possible but present.” Come hear more from Peter Hough, Pastor of Alton Mission, on Sunday, March 22, as he shares his heart for ministering to those on the margins. We will be matching the first $500 in donations designated to Alton Mission in March. You can give online at https://app.aplos.com/aws/give/BridgetoGrace/general - be sure to select Alton Mission from the drop-down menu.

Bridge Kids Check-In: For the safety and well-being of our families, every child attending Bridge Kids must be checked in and wearing a name tag prior to attending class on Sunday. Parents or guardians should keep the corresponding tag to be shown when picking their child up after class. Thank you for helping us!

Young Adult Bible Study (Ages 18–30)- Tuesday nights just got better 🙌 Join us from 6:00–8:00 p.m. in the Garden Lounge at The Bridge as we dive deeper into God’s Word, connect with friends, and wrestle with the same Scriptures we’re hearing on Sundays. Come as you are, bring your questions, and be part of the conversation. Want in or need details? Miranda, Chance, or Carmen can get you plugged in!

Palm Sunday Children’s Choir- All children Preschool–5th grade will wave palms during the service, and Kindergarten–5th grade are invited to join the choir and help lead us in song. If your child is in Kindergarten–5th grade and would like to sing, rehearsals begin March 1 and will continue for four Sundays, immediately after church in the Fellowship Hall and will last about 20 minutes. Palm Sunday is a special celebration, and we can’t wait to worship together as our children joyfully lead the way! Questions? See Eddie Hitchcock. 

Feast- A Bridge Women’s Ministry Event: Dive into the Theme of Sabbath at This Year's Feast Virtual Event. For the people of God in ancient times, Sabbath wasn’t just about a day off—it was a table set by the Lord, a sacred space of rest, presence, and provision. It was a feast of stillness in the middle of a striving world. God is still setting the table for us today. Join Kristi McLelland at Feast—an event where we gather to feast upon God's Word and rediscover the beauty of Sabbath as God intended. Join us for a full day of teaching, worship, and fellowship on Saturday, April 25. Cost is $15. Lunch and snacks provided. Register at https://thebridgealton.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3484385

Trivia Night- Trivia at The Bridge- It’s time for Trivia Night at The Bridge. Gather your friends for an evening of fun and enjoy ten rounds of trivia emceed by Jeff Maynard. Tickets are $25 a person or reserve a table for 8 people for $200. All proceeds from the evening will help our Bridge Students attend MFuge- a mission trip serving St. Louis. Save your spot by registering at https://thebridgealton.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3428505

Are you a business that would like to sponsor a round or donate items for the silent auction? Please talk to Eddie. Thanks for your support!

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 7, 7pm: OWL Trivia Night at The Great Rivers Ascend Hotel

March 13, 5pm-7pm: Anniversary Party at Honeybee Vintage

March 21, 9am-3pm: Alton Spring Fair at Alton Middle School

Serve with Bridge Kids! We’re looking for passionate, caring volunteers to join our Children’s Ministry team! Bridge Kids serves children from Pre-K through 5th Grade, and we need teachers and helpers to serve just once a month on a rotating team. This is more than childcare—it’s an opportunity to help shape young hearts and grow in your own faith as you prepare to teach. Volunteers commit to one year at a time, making it a manageable and meaningful way to invest in the next generation. To ensure a safe and welcoming environment for our kids, all volunteers must complete The Bridge’s “Five Safety Steps” before serving. Ready to make a difference? Talk to Natalie Runyon.

Safety Team: Our Bridge Safety Team needs 2-3 volunteers who have a heart for security, an eye for detail and the gift of discernment. If this is you, please talk to Doug Cheatham for more information. 

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.

Women’s Community Group- Each week we study the upcoming sermon text together with women from The Bridge and the community. We meet from 6-8 pm at local homes. For details, contact Brenda Wooff or register on Church Center.

Esther- A beautiful queen, her courageous cousin, a foreign land, and a murderous adversary—the book of Esther has all the elements of an epic drama. The story unfolds at a time when the people of God are split between nations with an uncertain future. While the name of God may not be mentioned in the book of Esther, its pages highlight His work among His people and foreshadow Jesus’s very ministry to us—darkness to light, mourning to celebration, death to life. Although our time looks different from Esther’s, our God is just as active and faithful today, and He has called you for such a time as this. You’re invited to join us for this 7 week study that begins on March 11 at 9:30 am. Childcare is provided. Participants will need a copy of the study guide, available on Amazon. Register on Church Center or at https://thebridgealton.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3484358

Messy Spirituality- Do you ever feel like you don't pray enough, read your Bible enough, share your faith enough, love God enough . . . and ultimately that you're not a very good Christian? Welcome to the club. Messy Spirituality was written for the silent majority of us who are convinced we just don't do Christianity right. Join us for this 9-week book discussion, led by Mike Solomon. Participants will need a copy of the book Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli. Register on Church Center or at https://thebridgealton.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3428609

The Way of Jesus: Learning to Follow Christ in Our Everyday Lives- What does it really mean to follow Jesus today? In a world full of noise, distraction, and opinions, Jesus still invites us to walk His way. Join us for a five-week study as we explore what it looks like to follow Christ in our everyday lives—right where we are. This study is open to anyone who wants to grow deeper in their faith and better understand what discipleship looks like in today’s world. Register at https://thebridgealton.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3429889

Community Groups- There are a variety of Community Groups that meet throughout the year. To find a Community Group that’s right for you, or to learn more about leading or hosting a group, see Pastor Jon.