Welcome to the Elder Update page! This page will be the space where you can find the latest news and important updates from our Elder Board. Check back regularly to see what they have to share.

Suggested Reading Material from VitalChurch
Many people asked about the books that VitalChurch suggested that would be helpful in developing a strong church family. The list below are some of the suggested book titles that have been recommended pertaining to conflict and healthy communication. These books have not yet been read and discussed by the board but are some of the recommended materials that we intend to use to help the church move forward in a healthy direction.
 
Recommended Resources in Learning to Develop Biblical Conflict Resolution:

• Making Peace: A Guide to Overcoming Church Conflict by Jim Van Yperen
• The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande

 
Recommended Resources in Learning how to Develop Healthy Communication Skills:

• Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, and Emily Gregory
• Honest, Direct, Respectful: Three Simple Words that will Change your Life by Dennis Adams and Sue Warner Schumann

Emergency Contact Information
In order to ensure that we are caring for the Wellspring community now that Pastor Rick has retired the Elder Board is establishing a team to handle emergency situations. The team will be Pastor John as first contact at 860-597-8030. Two elders will be on call as needed, they are Matthew McMahon at 301-452-2117 and Dawn Speer at 960-839-9763. Pastor Steve is supporting in an advisory capacity, but will not be a part of the team because it is not part of his job description as interim Pastor. If you have any questions feel free to contact one of us.

As Pastor Steve has been preaching on the Acts 2 church, he has reminded us of what it means to prioritize our worship of the LORD. It matters to God when we put Him behind other things in our lives. We are called to put God first and to have hearts and minds that are focused on Him and open to His Holy Spirit. We want to be a church where the culture – everything we do – points us in the direction of worshipping the Lord. This means being intentional in the practical things - our service start time, when we encourage fellowship and have beverages available, how we encourage people to join in worship, and establishing the sanctuary as a sacred space. These are all important as is how we each, individually, prepare our hearts for worship. We will be introducing practical ways to help us along this path – stay tuned!

Scripture is full of rich descriptions of both heaven and earth praising the LORD and declaring His glory. Rev5 Fridays are another opportunity at Wellspring to do just that - bring praises before the Lord's throne of grace. The focus is simple - to magnify the name of the Lord - much like the text in Revelation 5 describes. We want to join with the thousands upon thousands who are saying, "Worthy is the Lamb!" Come join us in the sanctuary at 8:30 am on Fridays. Our time together includes worship, intentional silence for prayer, reflection, and/or scripture reading as people are led, and taking Communion. Each gathering lasts 60-75 minutes. Come join us as we lift up the King!

Why do we collect returnable bottles and cans? Great question! Our long-term relationship with Hope of Life is the short answer. One of the things that Hope of Life does is Baby Rescues. They work with local people who live in the mountain villages near Hope of Life to rescue sick and malnourished babies. They help the family to get their baby to Hope of Life where he or she receives love and care to grow strong enough to return to their village. These rescues cost money and Bob Vujs's bottle collection efforts have raised $63,000 to date that goes towards these important and life-saving rescues. Wellspring has been happy to partner with Bob on this important project for many years. It started small, but has grown considerably. What used to be a few bottles is now often bags and bags of bottles!

We needed to make a change, so the bottle drop off location for the Guatemala Baby Rescue project has moved. We now have a brand new collection bin that is located on the side of the building near the back of the kitchen. Look for the sign that points the way to the new bin. There is even a paved sidewalk area so you can drive your car closer to the bin if you have a lot of bags to drop off! The rest is easy! Just unlatch and lift the lid. The hydraulics will keep the lid up while you put your bags in the bin. Please close and latch the lid when you are done dropping off your bottles. Please do not open the front doors of the bin. And, please do not drop off bottles in the old location - they block an emergency exit. Thanks for your help in making his change. If you missed the video of the Drama Club's presentation of this location change, check it out by clicking the video link above. For more information about Hope of Life, CLICK HERE.  

Have you ever been utterly disappointed in an outcome, or a season, or people, or yourself?  Peter the disciple seemed to be living an exciting, enlightening, and transformational 3 years with Jesus.  Then he denied Jesus and was crushed with disappointment in himself.  He may have felt like he could never go back to ministry.  His Lord was gone and he had nowhere left to go except for his former job as a fisherman.

John 21 AMPC
21 After this, Jesus let Himself be seen and revealed [Himself] again to the disciples, at the Sea of Tiberias. And He did it in this way:

2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, called the Twin, and Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, also the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples.

3 Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing! They said to him, And we are coming with you! So they went out and got into the boat, and throughout that night they caught nothing.

4 Morning was already breaking when Jesus came to the beach and stood there. However, the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

5 So Jesus said to them, Boys (children), you do not have any meat (fish), do you? [Have you caught anything to eat along with your bread?] They answered Him, No!

6 And He said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find [some]. So they cast the net, and now they were not able to haul it in for such a big catch (mass, quantity) of fish [was in it].

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, It is the Lord! Simon Peter, hearing him say that it was the Lord, put (girded) on his upper garment (his fisherman’s coat, his outer tunic)—for he was stripped [for work]—and sprang into the sea..
Oh, the joy in the disciples of seeing their Lord again.  Peter, in his characteristic boldness, leapt into the water to get to Jesus.  The miracle proved that it was indeed Him.

8 And the other disciples came in the small boat, for they were not far from shore, only some hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.

9 When they got out on land (the beach), they saw a fire of coals there and fish lying on it [cooking], and bread.

10 Jesus said to them, Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.

11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net to land, full of large fish, 153 of them; and [though] there were so many of them, the net was not torn.

12 Jesus said to them, Come [and] have breakfast. But none of the disciples ventured or dared to ask Him, Who are You? because they [well] knew that it was the Lord.

13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so also [with] the fish.

14 This was now the third time that Jesus revealed Himself (appeared, was manifest) to the disciples after He had risen from the dead.
Imagine the atmosphere at that meal.  The risen Christ appears, creates a miracle, and feeds them again.  This wasn’t just a sentimental visit, as Jesus always has divine purpose in all He does.  He was there to restore Peter as a disciple and leader in the soon-to-be formed church.  Peter had denied Him three times.  Jesus gave him the opportunity to speak his love to Jesus three times.

15 When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do—with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs.

16 Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep.

17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.
Jesus was asking Peter if he loved Him unconditionally (agape love).  Peter’s pride had been broken and humility had made him realize he was not as strong or as faithful as he could have been.  He had boasted of perfect love for Jesus.  Each time as he answers, he says to Jesus, I love you like a brother (fileo love).  He knew not to boast again.  Jesus responds to him each time with an assignment – feed my lambs, tend My sheep, feed my sheep.

18 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself [put on your own belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleased to go. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go.

19 He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And after this, He said to him, Follow Me!

20 But Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, following—the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper and had said, Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?

21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, Lord, what about this man?

22 Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay (survive, live) until I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of yours?] You follow Me!

23 So word went out among the brethren that this disciple was not going to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not going to die, but, If I want him to stay (survive, live) till I come, what is that to you?

24 It is this same disciple who is bearing witness to these things and who has recorded (written) them; and we [well] know that his testimony is true.

25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all recorded one by one [in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would be written.

Peter knew by receiving his assignment that there would be ultimately difficult and sacrificial.  He would indeed give up his life for the Lord.  And also for the others, instructions on how to fulfill God’s will in their lives.  Every word from the mouth of Jesus came to pass.  Jesus remained their friend, and would soon ascend to heaven and send the Holy Spirit to them to dwell within them.  Peter and the others were deeply disappointed, and then fully restored by the Lord.

Q:  When have you been deeply disappointed in something or even yourself?

Q:  How has God restored you, or how can you seek Him for restoration?

Prayer:  Lord, we thank you for the example of Peter being disappointed, humbled, and directed back to relationship with You for kingdom purposes.  We thank you that You have good plans for us and that You are always accessible.  Help us in our disappointments and mindsets.  Heal our hurts.  Show us how to reconnect with You and how to take the next steps.  You are good.  Heal us Lord, in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Praise be to the God who rescues us!  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  He made us right with God through His death, and we are saved through His life!  See Paul’s description of these miraculous blessings in Romans 5:

Romans 5:1-11 NIV
Peace and Hope
5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Paul mentioned glorying in our sufferings (for our faith) as it produces in us perseverance, character, and hope.  James echoes this in in James 1.  In our human nature, we often avoid any kind of suffering if we are able.  Again, to consider trials and sufferings pure joy, the joy must come from the Lord and His grace.  He matures us through difficulties and helps us grow into maturity.
 
James 1:2-11 NIV
Trials and Temptations
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Through every trial, every test, every bit of suffering, God’s love is always there.  He is always good.  He calls us, He conforms us into the image of Christ.  He calls us, justifies us (just like we had never sinned), and He glorifies us.
 
Romans 8:18-30
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Q: How do you feel God’s love and presence during trials and suffering?

Q:  How can we increase our joy in difficult times?

Prayer:  Lord, we are so grateful that You have rescued us and loved us even when we were sinners.  Thank you that You refine us into Your likeness – that we can be encouraged in our tests and trials that You are increasing our character as we trust You.  Grant us courage, grace, and joy as we walk through this life in good times and in difficult times.  You lift us up, You teach us, and You help us in our time of need.  Praise be to Your glorious name.  Amen.

Have you ever gotten to a checkout line in a store only to realize you don’t have enough money to pay for what you need?  Or have misplaced a credit card? Or didn’t realize how much something cost?

Disappointment, shame, frustration, and sadness may follow an incident like this.  You may wish that someone kind would come along and pay the bill for you.
700 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah the prophet prophesied that such a Person would come and pay the price for our sin, our mistakes, our shame, and our suffering:
 
Isaiah 53:4-12 NIV
4 Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

What a debt we owe to the One who willingly became a perfect sacrifice for us.  What confidence we can have to be reconciled with the Father Himself, able to approach His throne with love and joy.

John the apostle received a revelation from God 95 years after the birth of Christ, 62 years after Jesus’s death and glorious resurrection.  God sent messages to 7 churches – one of them being the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3.

Revelation 3:14-22 NIV
To the Church in Laodicea
14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

We could never pay for our own salvation.  We could never pay for our own freedom, our own faith, our own fervor for Him.  Not only did Jesus sacrifice Himself for us, He made us and then bought us back to Himself.  He has redeemed us!  He also disciplines us in love.  He shows us what true riches are – Him!  He counsels us to buy from Him gold refined in the fire – our refined purity and Christ-likeness before Him.  What a treasure He is, and in Him, we become rich through His own life, death, and resurrection.  We are indeed redeemed.

Q:  Do we still hide from God when we have sinned?  What do these passages tell us about accepting His redeeming work in our lives?
Q:  Do we think that we are in good standing with God with our sometimes lukewarm spiritual lives?  What would happen if we asked God to bring a fire on the inside of us for cleansing and excitement for Him?

Prayer:  Lord, may we never take Your perfect love, effort, suffering, and intercession for granted.  You are the reason we are here, and You are the reason we have a way to forgiveness and life.  Draw us closer to You, fill our hearts with grateful thanksgiving for all that You are and all that You have done for us.  We thank you that You never give up on us.  We thank You that You are always available to us and that your faithfulness never ends.  We bless your name, Jesus.  Amen.

There is good news!  Even if situations around you have been heavy or confusing, the good news of the Gospel stands strong.  In fact, in the midst of our earthly trials and tribulations, the good news of the Gospel is the BEST NEWS.  Jesus gave Himself up as a perfect sacrifice, was raised from the dead, and reconciled us to the Father.  We have a living hope and a belonging to the never-ending perfect kingdom.

See what the apostle Peter says:
1 Peter 1:18-25 NIV
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Now that this great truth has been made plain, what is our part in living in this truth?

22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25  but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.
How do we live as people who love one another deeply?  

Peter continues:
1 Peter 2:1-7 NIV
2 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.”

As we approach this Holy Week, we have the opportunity to set our minds on the great and perfect sacrifice of Christ and His glorious resurrection.  Join us as we ponder and celebrate Jesus our Messiah.

Q:  Where can you make time to remember and honor Jesus this coming week in your quiet time and in our gathering times?
Q:  What does Jesus’s death and resurrection mean to you?  How have these truths guided your life?

Prayer:
Father, we thank You for your perfect plan to redeem all people to Yourself.  Thank You for your grace and mercy toward us by making a way through your perfect Son Jesus.  Please stir up your Holy Spirit in us so that we would read your Word with understanding.  Draw us into worship and prayer.  We lift grateful hearts to You for all You are and all You have done for us.  Amen.

God created us with a deep need for Him.  We need Him for our very existence.
Sometimes life gets difficult beyond our ability to process it.  Those who remain resilient do so because of hope.  If there is no hope in the Lord and His goodness, our outlook and resilience perish.

Even Job, in the midst of inconceivable tragedy, says this:
Job 13:15 NIV
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
I will surely defend my ways to his face.
He knew God’s character and his own following of God’s ways.
 
David writes often in his psalms about the benefits of putting his hope in God.  He finds truth, learning, and relief from shame.

Psalm 25:3 NIV
3 No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
Psalm 25:5 NIV
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
The sons of Korah remind us that we can speak to our soul.  We can tell our soul to align itself with God and find hope in Him.

Paul names Him the God of hope.  As the God of hope, He has the ability to overflow us with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!  He tells us that trusting Him opens the door to this overflow.
Romans 15:13 NIV
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter describes God’s great work in us and for us.  We are given a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

1 Peter 1:3-9
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

As Holy Week approaches, let’s put our hope in the One who gives us all we need to live our new lives with that living hope!

Q:  What area of your life needs a new and living hope?
Q:  How can we understand and apply the truth that God has given us a new life full of the living hope of Christ’s resurrection?

Prayer:  Lord, we are so grateful that we can trust You.  We praise You as our living hope.  We ask you to fill us with more hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Amen.

On Sunday, April 5th, come and join us for our Sunrise Service for a short time of worship and reflection as we witness the first light of the day and celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. The service will be held at Klingberg Family Center located at 370 Linwood Street in New Britain beginning at 6:00 am. Follow the signs when you arrive at Klingberg to find our gathering on the back patio area.

Join us on Sunday, April 5th at 10:00 am in the sanctuary as we celebrate our risen Lord!

On Good Friday, April 3rd, Wellspring will host a solemn service from 12:00 -3:00 pm.  An intentional time of silence before God, we will seek to deepen our relationship with Him and listen to hear His voice.

People who wish to participate should not feel obligated to attend the entire service. There will be short Gospel readings every half hour and they are intended as breaks in the service and opportunities to refocus our prayers. Please join us as the Spirit leads you for a time of remembrance, quiet reflection, hope, and reverence in the presence of our Lord.

     

Maundy Thursday is a sacred observance of Holy Communion during Holy Week.  The  word "maundy" comes from the Latin and is from the same root as our English word, "mandate."  Jesus instructs or "mandates" his followers to partake of Holy Communion.  We do so in remembrance of Jesus and his suffering and death on the cross for our salvation.  Maundy Thursday service at Wellspring is a solemn service of remembrance of Jesus' passion and we partake of the elements of the communion table, remembering all that Christ has done for us.  Please join us on Thursday, April 2 at 7:00 pm for a service of readings, song and Holy Communion as we observe this holiest week of the church calendar and prepare for Resurrection Sunday!

At this 10:00 am service on Sunday, March 29th we celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem which marks the beginning of Holy Week. The Kids Drama Club will have a special presentation during the service. 

I can be easily distracted.  I know I’m not alone in this, as we live in a society that provides one distraction after another.  If it’s not constant news or social media, it’s advertising, entertainment, and problems of all kinds.  We live in an unprecedented age of informational overwhelm.

In the midst of it all, God provides focus for us.  My first pastor used to say, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”  In other words,  Jesus is our focus.

Jesus Himself remained focused on His Father and His mission while on earth.  He maintained closed communications with His Father as He demonstrated how the Father is and what He does.  He exemplified love and embodied grace and truth.  He finished His mission to be the perfect sacrifice for the sin of humanity (past, present, and future).  He sent His Holy Spirit to us so we could have Him in us and with us.

So to be focused and Christ-like, He gave us instructions to help us along.  The first is a summary of God’s commandments:

Matthew 22:34-40
The Greatest Commandment
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[a] 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

As the resurrected Christ left the earth, He gave his disciples clear, focused instruction.  What do we do with our salvation and infilling of the Spirit of God?  We aim to fulfill the Great Commission:

Matthew 28:16
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In our everyday lives, we have the opportunity to speak with people about our life-giving, saving Jesus in a spirit of humility and deference to God and His power.  Paul writes:

 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NIV
Christ and Him Crucified
1And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

Join us as we ask for God’s grace to help us focus and to “keep the main thing the main thing.”

Q:  Where do I waste time every day?
Q: What specifically can I do instead to grow closer to Jesus and to be like Him?

Prayer:  Lord, we submit our days and our time to you.  We realize our own need for Your presence as well as the need for others to know You.  We ask for Your grace to help us focus on You and your way.  Show us where to go, what to do, and how to present You to others in love.  Amen.

Questions?  Email me at lauriemccarty@wellspring,net.  I’d love to hear from you,

We are made in the image of God.  God is complete in His nature, including a full range of emotions. We see that range of emotions in Jesus.  He laughed, He cried, He got angry.  Jesus also told us that if we’ve seen Him, we’ve seen the Father.  He tells us, “I only do what I see my Father doing.”

Somehow, the modern church has made emoting a negative experience.  We are taught to have faith, trust the lord, and move on.  The sentiment is that of showing a perfect exterior while the inner life is suffering. Perseverance is a good thing but consistently hiding or “stuffing” emotions is not.  In fact, it’s not biblical.

God listens to and honors His people who bring their laments to Him.  Lament means a passionate expression of grief.  It is not complaining or blaming.  It is an honest reflection of pain because of great loss.

The book of Job explores the theme of the suffering of the righteous.  Job loses his wealth, his children, and his health very suddenly.  In the midst of his suffering, Job does not blame God but brings his lament to the throne in prayer and tears.

Job 1:20-22 NIV
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

After Job’s friends sit with him and offer their opinions and personal wisdom, God speaks to Job from a whirlwind.  God reminds Job that He is in control and that His wisdom and knowledge are beyond measure.  Job sees and understands the greatness of God in a new way.  His worship is pure before God.

Job 42 NIV
42 Then Job replied to the Lord:
2 “I know that you can do all things;
 no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
 Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
 things too wonderful for me to know.
4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
 I will question you,
 and you shall answer me.’
5 My ears had heard of you
 but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
 and repent in dust and ashes.”

Epilogue
7 After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. 8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.

Why was God angry with Job’s friends?  They spoke ABOUT God and not TO God.  They spoke like ones with wisdom apart from pure relationship with God.
 
Look at the restoration God provides to Job!  God saw his righteousness and heard his pure lament:

10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. 11 All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.
12 The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. 15 Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers. 16 After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. 17 And so Job died, an old man and full of years.

So indeed, lament has its place in the life of this grieving believer.
 
David, the king and great psalmist, wrote several psalms of lament for his own personal pain and suffering.  The personal lament psalms include Psalms 3, 4, 13, 22, and 56. (The group or national lament psalms include Psalms 12, 44, 74,79, and 137.)

Note here how David states his case by describing his situation.  He does not continue in his lament but switches to words of worship and faith.  This lament turned to faith is a hallmark of David’s psalms.  He was a man after God’s own heart.

Psalm 13 NIV
A psalm of David.
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.

Mixed into the lament in Psalm 56, we see David petition God and speak faith and imagery amid this great trial.  He even speaks of God recording his tears in the scroll of his life.  He ends this psalm with thanksgiving.  He speaks this in the past tense, as his deliverance is assured in God.

Psalm 56 NIV
Of David. When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.
1 Be merciful to me, my God,
for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
all day long they press their attack.
2 My adversaries pursue me all day long;
in their pride many are attacking me.
3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4  In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
5 All day long they twist my words;
all their schemes are for my ruin.
6 They conspire, they lurk,
they watch my steps,
hoping to take my life.
7 Because of their wickedness do not let them escape;
in your anger, God, bring the nations down.
8 Record my misery;
 list my tears on your scroll -
 are they not in your record?
9 Then my enemies will turn back
when I call for help.
By this I will know that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise—
11 in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can man do to me?
12 I am under vows to you, my God;
I will present my thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered me from death
 and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
 in the light of life.

Indeed, our understanding of lament can help us process grief and distress.  God wants us to communicate with Him in times of trial.  He is near.

Question:  Which of these Scriptures helped you the most?
Question:  How has your perception of grieving and lament changed by reading these passages?

Prayer:  God, we worship You.  You have given us everything we would need to live a victorious life.  We know life is neither perfect nor easy, but we have You.  Lord, help us bring ourselves to you in healthy lament, petition, and thanksgiving.  Bring comfort to all who mourn by the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Show us how to rest on You, in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Questions?  Need to talk?  Feel free to email me at lauriemccarty@wellspring.net.

Jesus had a way of teaching through parables that taught, enlightened, convicted, and brought revelation better than any direct quote.  Those whose minds were against God were often unable to understand the lesson but those who had pure hearts toward God were able to hear and understand.

In this portion of Scripture, Jesus was presenting parables to the people concerning money and righteousness – in the hearing of the Pharisees:
Luke 16:10-13 (AMPC)
10 He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little thing is dishonest and unjust also in much.
11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the case of unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), who will entrust to you the true riches?
12 And if you have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another (whether God or man), who will give you that which is your own (that is, true riches)?
13 No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by one and be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon (riches, or anything in which you trust and on which you rely).

I get it.  We all need money to survive.  This is not what Jesus is talking about here.  He’s talking about the love of money.  He’s asking if we love money or earthly things more than Him and His kingdom.  The true riches described here include our eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by His grace, and His eternal kingdom.

He’s also letting us know that small deviations in our faithfulness toward God and mankind reflect a condition of the heart that enables us to have large deviations in our faithfulness.
Also, if we choose to love and serve mammon over loving and serving God, we effectively put ourselves in a position to despise God!  We may not even be aware of what we’ve done.  Over time, we make choices that reinforce our decisions.

See how the Pharisees responded:
Luke 16:14-15
14 Now the Pharisees, who were covetous and lovers of money, heard all these things (taken together), and they began to sneer at and ridicule and scoff at Him.
15 But He said to them, You are the ones who declare yourselves just and upright before men, but God knows your hearts.  For what is exalted and highly thought of among men is detestable and abhorrent in the sight of God.

The questions for us today:

• What might I love and cherish more than God? 
• Have I “cut corners” in my faithfulness toward God or others?
• How can my heart be healed in this area?
  

Prayer:
            Lord!  I am in great need of Your forgiveness and Your cleansing power.  I repent for worshiping something other than You.  I ask for Your grace, Your power and Your forgiveness.  I ask for cleansing and healing.
            I ask for your help as I choose to follow You and to remain faithful and devoted to You.  I need your grace to move forward in making decisions that honor You.  Lead me in your way.  I ask these things in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

The Flower Committee would like to invite you to help fill the sanctuary with lilies for Easter. Each plant costs $10 and can be ordered by filling out the form at the Welcome Center. Give the form and your payment to the person at the Welcome Center. Please make checks payable to Wellspring Church and write "Lilies" in the memo line of your check.
You can also order online by CLICKING THIS LINK.  
Deadline to sign up is Sunday, March 22.

More on the Kingdom of God
Last week, we saw that Jesus brought the kingdom of God with Him as He came to earth in human form.  He brought the love, truth, restoration and all that is God’s kingdom.
He told His followers that the kingdom was in them and around them.  They watched the repentance, healing, and miracles that followed.

1. The questions are, how do we live in this kingdom?  How do we seek it and find it?  Jesus knew the peoples’ needs and their hearts.  He spoke plainly to them and to us about how to go about our earthly lives while connected to the kingdom of God.Jesus talks about a life of faith that focuses on God and His provision, His love and care for us, and the elimination of worry.
 
Matthew 6:31-34 NIV
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

2. The traditional prayers could be long and hard to understand.  Jesus simplifies prayer into direct communication with God that includes the kingdom in its framework:

Worship
Invitation of God’s kingdom and God’s will
Submission
Petition
Repentance
Protection

Matthew 6:9-13 NIV
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’

3. Paul encourages the Roman church (and us) to keep our eyes on God and His kingdom instead of being continuously wrapped up in daily, temporal needs; the kingdom is more than any earthly thing.  Righteousness, peace, and joy are the fruit and benefit of living in accordance with the kingdom of God.
 
Romans 14:17-18 NIV
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

4.  The temporary things of this world will indeed pass away, and what will be left is God, His Word, and His kingdom.  All unnecessary things will be shaken off, and the real will remain.

Hebrews 12:26-29 NIV
26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Q:  What distracts you from keeping your eyes on God and faith in Him?
Q:  How can you apply these Scriptural truths to your life today?

Prayer:  Father, we love You and appreciate all You are and all You have given us.  You have given us everything we would need for a victorious life.  We ask for Your grace to keep our eyes on You, to trust You for everything, and to follow You all the days of our lives, in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Questions?  Email me at lauriemccarty@wellspring.net

The Kingdom of God

Often the term “kingdom of God” is used hoping that everyone knows what it means.  It took me a while to study and to understand the realities and the nuances of what Jesus meant when He spoke to His followers.  The richness and understanding available to us today cannot be overstated.  Let’s explore together.

1. Every kingdom has a king.  Jesus is the King of God’s kingdom, and He rules and reigns forever.  His kingdom has no end.

Daniel 7:14 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
14 And there was given Him [the Messiah] dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom is one which shall not be destroyed.

2. Jesus would declare, “The kingdom is near” whenever miracles happened, the Gospel was preached and received, people repented, people were healed, and where God was given glory.  God’s reign and authority entered human history through His presence on earth.

Mark 1:14-15 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
14 Now after John was arrested and put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ([a]have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel).

3.  Jesus used similes, metaphors, and parables to explain what the kingdom of God is like.  He chose natural everyday items and situations that the common person would know and understand to make His point.
 
Luke 13:18-21  AMPC
18 This led Him to say, What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?
19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the wild birds found shelter and roosted and nested in its branches.
20 And again He said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21 It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of wheat flour or meal until it was all leavened (fermented).

Matthew 13:44-47 AMPC
44 The kingdom of heaven is like something precious buried in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field.
45 Again the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a dealer in search of fine and precious pearls,
46 Who, on finding a single pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it.
47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet which was cast into the sea and gathered in fish of every sort.

Mark 4:26-29 AMPC
26 And He said, The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground,
27 And then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases—he knows not how.
28 The earth produces [acting] by itself—first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
29 But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth [the reapers] and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready.
All of these examples describe the properties of the kingdom of God – that small things become great things, growth happens by the power and presence of God, not because of the effort of man.  He explains that the kingdom is so precious that everything else in life can be sold or given away to attain the precious kingdom of God and all that it represents.  The kingdom gathers people to God and produces a harvest – a bountiful advancement of God’s kingdom on earth.

4.  Jesus tells the those who would hear, “The kingdom is within you.”  That was a giant leap, making the kingdom personal and powerful.  What He was saying was that a present, real, spiritual kingdom was accessible on the inside of every believer.  No longer was their spiritual life a series of observances from the sidelines.  They could live in and participate in a relationship with God and live in His goodness and glory.

Luke 17:20-21 AMPC
20 Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He replied to them by saying, The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display,
God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].

5. When we receive Christ, we have received the Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We have access to all we would ever need from God because of His presence in us and around us.
 
Colossians 2:9-10 AMPC
9 For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature].
10 And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].

Q: What did you learn from these Scriptures?
Q: How can you apply this knowledge in everyday life?

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the truth of Your word.  I ask you to give me grace as I learn more about You and Your kingdom.  Lead me by Your Spirit.  Amen.

Thanks for joining us on this biblical exploration of the kingdom of God!  I pray these 5 points and clarifying scriptures have helped you grow in your understanding of God’s kingdom.
If you have questions, feel free to email me at lauriemccarty@wellspring.net

Freedom Prayer at Wellspring is a biblically based personal prayer ministry designed to help recognize and resolve hindrances that keep us feeling stuck. In a trusted and safe environment, you will meet with a team of trained prayer ministers to foster a closer relationship with God and remove obstacles that keep us stuck.

Make an appointment anytime by calling or emailing Kathy at 860 225-0661 X123 or Freedomprayer@wellspring.net. You can also make an appointment by using THIS LINK.

For those interested in learning more or attending Freedom Prayer training, there is a two-day training event coming up on March 27-28. Stay tuned for more details and the link to register. 

The Nominating Committee has been prayerfully at work the past few months and has presented the following candidates for the Elder Board. Please review these candidate bios, presented in alphabetical order, to familiarize yourself with these individuals. Active members of the congregation will vote for this slate of candidates. Please plan to join us at the upcoming Congregational Meeting on February 1st at 6:00 pm.

I grew up Catholic but fell away from the church in my 20’s. Twenty years later, at the persistent invitation of friends, I attended their church where I met Jesus for the first time. It seemed rather cultish to me how friendly people were, but I realized that these people truly loved and served one another, and I knew I wanted to do the same. I served in junior high youth ministry and altar guild and went on several mission trips. Unfortunately, that church split up, and then closed.

I church hopped for about 4 years and came to Wellspring occasionally. In 2016, I had a lot of life altering changes happening, and I felt like I’d really made a mess of my life. Something (or rather, Someone) told me to come back to Wellspring. The second I walked through the doors, the Presence of God was so overwhelming, it felt like coming home after a long time away. It was the only solid ground I’d stood on in a long time. That morning, the Pastor gave me “a word from God”. I knew God had heard my prayers, and this would be my church home. I surrendered completely to God, and I was baptized a few months later. Wellspring is truly a place of transforming grace! My prayer is that anyone who walks through our doors feels the same overwhelming Presence of God that I did, and know this is home.

While I love attending the amazing classes we have that have helped me learn and grow in my spiritual walk, praying with and for people, worshiping with dance and flags, serving in Children’s Ministry and Altar Prayer, coordinating our CT Prays team, and being involved in Alpha (all of which I consider places where God pours into me) last fall, I felt a pull to start pouring out where He leads me, even if He takes me out of my comfort zone. I’m so humbled to be nominated to be an Elder, and this is quite outside of my comfort zone, but I wish to serve God and my Wellspring family in whatever way He leads especially in this transitional time.

Outside of Wellspring, I’m a retired Transportation Engineer and am currently working for Prior Memories Online Auctions. I’m a 4-year graduate of the Firehouse School of Supernatural Ministry’s 2 year program and currently serve as the administrator for school’s Jesus Nights and am a member of a First Fruits of Zion Torah Club run by the Well Church in Plainville.

Hello, my name is Dawn Marie Speer. I am married to Scott Speer. We have a loving, persevering, growing marriage of 32 years. Scott has always supported the roads the Lord has led me down. We love to travel and explore new places. I especially love meeting the creator in his creation. I am learning to watercolor paint nature scenes. I also spend days caregiving my great niece and nephew. A gift and a joy!

I became a Christian in this church 41 years ago. This has always been my home church. From the beginning I have always been involved with youth and children. I have a master's degree in education. As I finished my degree in 1995, I became deacon of Christian Education. As I served over years it became a full-time position as Children’s Pastor. I stepped down in 2010 and then served in the Big L ministry to the Mount Pleasant housing project. I also served as Greater Hartford Coordinator with an outside church organization called Fresh Air Fund, which placed NYC children in homes for a summer experience. I have served various ways and on other committees over the years here at church.

I believe the Lord has prepared me for this nomination of elder in a couple of ways. I began to feel a stirring in my spirit last year that I was to step into something new. I kept floating ideas by the Lord, but none stuck. I began to think, maybe it is for a time in the future when we have a new Pastor. When I was told I was nominated to be an elder I knew quickly that this is what the Lord had in mind. Another way is I felt a couple of times the Lord’s love for our congregation. The first time I felt it was about a year and a half ago as the congregation was coming out of a difficult time. During worship I felt the Lord’s love and he had me look around at the congregation and I heard “I am well pleased with their hunger and thirst after me.” I am honored to be nominated to serve this congregation as an elder. I am also excited for what the Lord has for our congregation in the coming years. My prayer and hope for the dearly loved people of this congregation is that of Paul’s from Colossians 3:14 “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derive its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God.” I look forward to the ways I can assist the Lord in helping all who walk through the doors of Wellspring know the Fathers great love for them, their identity in Him and the authority He has given them when they come to know Christ as savior. God bless you.

Vital Church Ministry - Important Survey Update!
The Wellspring Church Vitality Survey from Vital Church Ministry is now open! The QR code to access this short online survey will be available on Sundays throughout the cafe and an email with a direct link invitation to participate in the survey has also been sent out. The survey closes THIS SUNDAY, January 25th! We have not yet reached our goal of 60% participation; please take a few minutes to complete this important survey. 

CLICK THIS link to see a message from Pastor Rick. 

 Wellspring’s Care Team Needs Your Help!
 
Wellspring’s Care Team is looking for someone to lead the visitation team.  This person would go on visits as well as schedule visits for other members of the team.  What a blessing it is to visit those who are home-bound, recovering from surgery, and in need of a cheerful visitor!

If you would like further information, please contact Keith Eves or Jess Peronace at careteam@wellspring.net.