WELLSPRING HAPPENINGS – EARTH SUNDAY 2024

Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 21, 2024 ~ Virtual worship at 10:30 am at 5946 Mt. Gilead Rd.,  Centreville VA 20121 rooms 217-218

also livestreaming on Facebook

Preacher: Pastor Dr. Al B. Fuertes

Sermon:  Embarking on a Journey, The Story of Esau & Jacob

Worship Leader: Minister Myra Flemister

Musician: Adrian Chew; Technology: John Shen

April Pastoral Care:  Denise Kirkley-Cain 

CALENDAR

New book discussion beginning May 8: Wednesday May 8, 10:30 am:  Living the Questions group to discuss Bernard B. Scott, Religious History of Abortion.  Join us by zoom or in-person. Email for more info:afoltzva@verizon.net

NEXT Sunday, April 28, 10:30 am, virtual bilingual worship, with Rev. David Rocha preaching

May 10-11, Youth Retreat in Sabillasville MD (Central Atlantic Conference)

June 2, All-Church Retreat on Lake Linganore (MD)

PRAYERS

  • Please pray for those who are ill or recovering, especially Emily, Josie, and Denise. 
  • Special prayers for Helen and Hollie and all their family and friends in their loss. Also for the Rodgers family, in the loss of father. Pray for God’s strength to surround these families 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 and respect for life.
  • Take action by sending a message to Congress and the President. Hear this short message from Dr. Mitri Raheb, Palestinian Christian leader and theologian. Here is a new UCC denomination-wide petition for a cease-fire; it will be delivered by UCC members to national leaders in DC on Pentecost (May 19).  Your donations through Givelify to One Great Hour of Sharing also help with relief in Gaza and other areas facing war & famine.
  • 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 Global Ministry partners in Syria and Lebanon, where members of our partner churches continue to suffer tremendous hardships in both economic and physical safety, and in spiritual and emotional pain.  We thank God for those who minister to them as pastors, teachers and volunteers, and we ask for God’s healing and hope.  Click for more information and for introduction to a pastor and wife, Hyarir and Karineh Cholokian. 

GIVING with GRATITUDEEmoji

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.    This month (March-April) we ask for special donations to One Great Hour of Sharing, the annual offering that supports Global Ministries and disaster responses around the world. Our Global Ministry staff and international partners direct funds tto thosoe most in need, with no “overhead” or loss through corruption. On Givelify, you can direct your offering of any size to One Great Hour of Sharing. The “loaves and fish” are multiplied!

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.