Short and Sweet in 2010--Who Are We, Really?

 WellSpring in One Word:  Expectant

WellSpring in Two Words:  Walking miracle!

WellSpring in Three Words:  Prayer, Outreach, Discipleship

WellSpring in Four Words:  Thirsting for His Presence

WellSpring in Five Words: Word-and-Power Committed Church

 

        As 2010 is here, we anticipate new beginnings like never before.  We praise God for all who have come alongside, committed to seeing Him build His dream here, as we patiently march ahead, watching where He is at work and joining Him there.  We rejoice in the uniqueness of this church, knowing God is doing something here that He has not done or perhaps been able to do elsewhere.  He has specifically told us this, repeatedly, and we want all to be as empowered and excited by what He continues to reveal as we are!  It is extremely humbling to see Him doing what He only can do and choosing WellSpring for such a calling!

        We are learning that our greatest gift to Him as a body of believers is to continue to make sure He has the freedom at WellSpring to do the unimagined, because we are committed to making this HIS church on HIS timetable.  As we commit to respecting the work of His hands and His divine plan in accomplishing it, content to be the vessels only, we will see even more miracles.  Rushing Him, arguing with Him, trying to copy someone or someplace else, in essence belittling His fresh and unique work, is an affront to Him.

         This spring, the WellSpring family collectively read Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Pastor Jim Cymbala, of the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City.  We are seeking God's face as we begin united to invite the Holy Spirit to make us a true church of prayer, crying out for more of Him, less of us.  We exchange church marketing methods for church done HIS WAY, rare that it is in our time.  We ask for spiritual DEPTH as He creates the breadth.  Lord, forgive us as a Body of Christ worldwide as You have watched us do everything except ASK YOU how YOU would build Your Temple!  We have cheapened Your sacrifice and Your grace with our gimmicks designed to draw crowds; we have watered down Your truth and required so little sacrifice on our parts. Please pray that we would hear Him in unity, through community, with unequaled receptivity.  Come, Holy Spirit, transform! 

         We know by faith and by His promise that there is nothing God will not do through a body of believers that is committed to seeing His name glorified in Word and Power.  We are grateful for all He has done for us and shown us thus far; His track record is good and faithful.  Ours must emulate His.  "For the eyes of the Lord roam the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."  (2 Chronicles 16:9)  May He continue the good work He has begun in each of us and in WellSpring as a whole (Philippians 1:6).  May He add to our fellowship all who are equally thirsty for something more than "church as usual", those yearning to be set on fire in His service, eager for the abundant life promised to those who seek the Giver, rather than simply enjoying His gifts. We praise and thank You, Lord, for what You are doing in us, among us, and through us.

 

 WellSpring Summer Weekly Schedule:

WellSpring Sundays--

       Family Worship--10:30 A.M. (special children's activities during sermon-time; nursery provided for entire service for our littlest ones)

6:30 P.M. Evening Prayer Meeting

WellSpring Wednesdays--

for "kids" of all ages--6:30 P.M.

Overflow Youth (youth room)                 KidSplash(fellowship hall)

Adult Bible Study--line by line exploration of Romans,

facilitated by Dr. Michael Beale

WellSpring Thursdays--

Praise Team Practice--6:30 P.M.  As we build multiple teams, Matt is seeking additional singers and musicians, who see involvement on a worship team as a divine heart-calling to lead others into worship.  Quality musical gifts flow out of each participant's committed relationship to Christ.  Come test the waters if your heart is right and your fingers are yearning!

 

CALENDAR TIME!  

 

 1.  Danna's Monday Night Small Group's July Fellowship Night--Monday, July 19, at Danna's house!  We had so much fun at Chris Spink's house on June 21, we decided to get the next one on the calendar.  Then, come August, we will kick off the next Beth Moore study.  Monday night ladies, mark your calendars and join us at 6:30 P.M. with a finger food (swimsuit/towel optional, too) and enjoy kicking back and touching base!

 

2. Vacation Bible School, WellSpring WaterWorld, July 25, 26, 27 & 28--

that's  Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, from 6:00-8:30 P.M. Our Spirit-created curriculum is water-related in every aspect, because the Living Water is the only Source of permanent thirst-quenching in kids of ALL ages!  From Jesus calming the storm to the woman at the well leaving her most prized possession to tell everyone about her encounter with Jesus, children will soak in the truths of Scripture and see them brought to life thematically and hands-on beyond measure!  Photo scavenger hunts, watergames, water crafts, water snacks, water worship/drama, and wonderful waterful wisdom through God's Word await all who wade in to see for themselves! Children inside and outside WellSpring are warmly invited to bring a friend and GET WET in every way with us at WaterWorld this summer!!

 

3.  Enfuego 2010--"The Christian Woodstock"--Verbena, Alabama--Saturday, August 28.  As this is the day before Bring-a-Friend Sunday, all who are interested in going will meet at WellSpring at 12:30 for a quick set-up and decoration.  Then, around 1:00, we will leave for Enfuego in time to get a good spot by 2:00!  Featuring Kutless, The Robbie Seay Band, Pillar, and more, the festivities will last until around 9:00.  Stay for all or for part...but let's get a great WellSpring representation as we join our brothers and sisters in Christ in praising God as a "city on a hill" in the midst of His creation!  For more information, see Misty Smith or Tiffany Mims.

 

4.  "Bring-a-Friend-Sunday" will be Sunday, August 29, just in time for Back to School!  Be praying now...God is working on the hearts of many in your midst who are considering giving Him or what He's up to at WELLSPRING a try.  Keep your eyes open!

 

Praises!

 

 1.  Prayer Meetings have begun...each very special, each very different.  God does not usually show up the same way twice!  This past Sunday, we stood in the gap for all God would gather from the north, the south, the east, and the west...children who need to return to Him.  Please read Isaiah 43 to see what He says regarding His presence with us and His tendency to woo His lost children home.

2.  The Fountain of Information area is up and running, right as you walk in the door of WellSpring!  Look for sign-up sheets, the latest events, and an ongoing developing directory of our core team's pertinent information. 

3.  The burden to pray and the realization of the power of prayer are deepening at WellSpring.  There can be no greater praise than this!

  

WellSpring's Sunday Evening Prayer Meetings, begun on Father's Day, continue on Sunday nights for all who wish to seek God--OUR FATHER'S--face as we cry out to Him on behalf of our needs, as well as those of the community, our nation, and the world at large.  These meetings are times for us to admit our need for His help and guidance in all areas as we turn our face and our hearts toward seeing life from His perspective.  However God wishes to teach us, we are willing.  Our prayer meetings are designed for brokenness and humility, not for sensation-seeking.  Scripture says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will  humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  As with WellSpring, prayer meetings are not about God's gifts or even His signs and wonders...they are about HIM being Who He is, with our attention squarely upon Him, and us getting on His agenda.

 

Do You Have a Prayer Need?  E-mail us at welcometowellspring@yahoo.com and we will lift you up during Prayer Meetings on Sunday nights. Better yet, come join us!  WellSpring is a place of healing and restoration, as we each come as we are.

 

       What's Our Unique Niche in God's Kingdom?

The term "community church" means different things to different people. 

Join us in discovering what WellSpring has been set apart by God to be and to do

through taking the plunge!

 

DIVE (Discipleship, Inspiration, Vision, and Experience) continues! WellSpring is committed to providing opportunities for people to DIVE deeper into spiritual discipleship.  This pursuit will include a series of four ongoing classes throughout the year, designed to take each of us to a new level of depth in our walk with God through Christ as well as build spiritual leadership in our fellowship.  Each one builds upon the other; therefore, we all start with 101 and move on through.  These classes will be held in the fellowship hall on Sunday afternoons for those who are interested in earning their DIVE certificate.  Our core team are encouraged to make a commitment to attend these classes in order to develop and grow as Christian disciples.

WellSpring 101 - (3 hours total - two sessions) - Introduction to faith, WellSpring's core values, and the spiritual life.

WellSpring 201 - (6 hours total - four sessions) - Introduction to spiritual disciplines and the spiritual gifts inventory.  Examine your SHAPE!

WellSpring 301 - (18 hours total - twelve sessions) - Experiences in prayer; exploring prayer and your personality through a variety of prayer approaches.

WellSpring 401 - (18 hours total - twelve sessions) - Spiritual leadership, including leading small groups, mission teams, and evangelism.

Sign-up lists for 101 will be available when starting dates are announced.  As a group moves from 101 and the next classes get rolling, each will likely meet twice a month rather than every week so that two may run concurrently!

*Three 101's are a wrap, for God's glory!  Our first WellSpring 201 DIVE Class  is now complete and another is on the docket for July! 

Come fall, we're on to 301 and 401, as each newcomer gets assimilated into what God has revealed for WellSpring in all aspects of ministry!  

 

A Few Reflections from Church in the Park

 Sunday, May 2, 2010!

  

"Church in the Park turned out to be a huge success. It was nice to get out and show people that church does not need to be within the walls of the church."  --  Mike Arilotta

 

"My touchable friends, My family...WOW!!  What an AWESOME day at the park!  There are so many words that can describe the AMAZING time that my family and I had today!!  The food, the fellowship, the music--the worship, the message---ALL of it glorified God---something that keeps coming to my mind tonight as far as the service today--the WIND--how it blew--you know, if you know anything about fire, then you know that if the fire dies down, you can fan it or blow on it to rekindle it---sometimes it takes a little wind, sometimes it takes a lot---and today the wind blew a little and at times it blew harder---were our spiritual fires being rekindled today?  I think so---some of us have hot coals that only need a little wind----while some of us may need a strong gust of wind to ignite our spiritual fires again.  How AMAZING that we have the opportunity to "be on FIRE" for GOD!!  Our God is an AWESOME God, He reigns from Heaven above, with Wisdom, Power and Love!  Our God is NOT too small!  Glory to God!"  --Shea Jackson

                               

"Church at the Park was awesome!  I could visualize Jesus sitting at the steps of the stage teaching God's word to His people."    --James Smith