WELLSPRING HAPPENINGS
Second Sunday of Lent, Feb 25, 2024 ~ Bilingual worship at 10:30 am
livestreaming on Facebook
Preacher: Pastor David Rocha, streaming from Colombia
Sermon: “How can losing our lives for the Gospel, save our lives?””¿Cómo perder la vida por el Evangelio puede salvarnos la vida?”
Scripture: Mark 8:31-38
Worship Leaders: Becca Shen, Stefany Carrillo
Musician: Emily Chen; Technology: John Shen; February Pastoral Care: Myra Flemister
CALENDAR
Sunday, February 25, 10:30 am worship from Centreville VA livestreaming on facebook (click for the connection)
Sunday, 2/24, 1 pm: Meeting of Transition Committee (Zoom)
Monday, Feb 26, 6 pm: Transition Committee meets via zoom with pastoral candidate
Wednesday Feb 28, 10:30 am: Living the Questions group to discuss Bernard B. Scott, Religious History of Abortion. Join us by zoom or in-person (Frederick) discussion. Email for more info:afoltzva@verizon.netNEXT Sunday, March 3, 10:30 am, in-person worship with CommunionWellspring worships in-person at St. Johns Church, 6649 Mt. Gilead Rd., Centreville VA #217-218
PRAYERS
- Please pray for those who are ill or recovering, especially Emily, and Denise.
- Special prayers for Helen and Hollie and all the family and friends who cared for Heather, beloved daughter, sister, partner and friend to many. Heather died at home on February 16. She is remembered for her love of life, her care for the natural world, and her gifts of caring for her friends and students. Heather’s obituary. Pray for God’s strength to surround her family with love and Light that never ends.
- We pray for all the victims of the war in Israel and Palestine/Gaza. The violence is horrific, and we pray for leaders to act with wisdom and commitment to peace, justice, and respect for life.
- Take action by sending a message to Congress and the President. Here is a suggested form from UCC Global Ministries; it can be used to ask for a cease-fire and aid for health and rebuilding. Hear this short message from Dr. Mitri Raheb, Palestinian Christian leader and theologian.
- We pray for our EARTH, which sustains us even as we damage it with pollutants and use of fossil fuels that damage air, water, plants, and animals. We pray with hope for future generations! Check the UCC Principles for Environmental Justice, relevant for generations!
- Prayers of joy for the reuniting of the Cobo family from Guatemala (Jacinto, Elena, Sindy, Diego) joining their sons and brothers, Marvin and Edgar, after separation at the border 6 years ago. Please let Alice know if you can offer occasional transportation. (arranged at your convenience!)
- We pray for peace in Ukraine. We pray that our gifts will reach and give them hope even in these dark times. Give through the UCC Ukraine Relief Fund.
- We pray for the many victims of gun violence in too many times and places: share a message and prayer from leaders of the UCC, with a call for gun reforms. Wellspring has long supported reforms in gun control, and supports groups lobbying for changes that save lives.
- We pray for Wellspring’s partners in Colombia, especially for Pastor David in Ibague and for our sister church in Zambrano. We pray for the growth of peace and justice across Colombia. We pray for the work of our partners in mission through Justapaz and the UCC-DOC Global Ministries, Martin, Pablo, Xiomara and Alex.
- We pray with our partners in Ecuador, the United Methodist Church of Ecuador and FEDICE, an ecumenical social services group that provides opportunities for indigenous communities. Click on the link for an inspiring story of a woman’s use of a micro-grant to establish a business to help her family.
GIVING with GRATITUDE
Contribute to the on-going work of Wellspring through Givelify! Help us to grow and to share God’s message of welcome! Wellspring is Open and Affirming to all, wherever we are on life’s journey. We speak for God’s justice and love for God’s whole creation. Our ministry is multi-racial, multi-ethnic, and caring for all God’s children, through our prayers, offerings, and actions. Donations can be designated for specific mission projects, including support help our sponsored immigrant family get started in their life in our community.
Mission & Vision Statement 2022
Wellspring strives to express God’s boundless love through affirmation, transformation, and discovery.Wellspring’s mission is to seek and affirm relevant Christian faith for the 21st century,to build a transformative community that nurtures and heals, and to discover and work for social and environmental justice and peace.