January 18th, 2021

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We are meeting in-person again, starting this week at 10 am.

 

Our LiveStream is still available on our YouTube channel.

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If you need help getting access to the LiveStream, zoom meetings, or handouts, please let your group leader, a deacon, or elder know and we would be happy to help get you connected. Contact us if you aren't sure where to start. 

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November 18th, 2020

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We are transitioning back to streaming services and will not be meeting at the building for the next few weeks. 

 

The LiveStream will still be available at 10 am on Sunday on our YouTube channel.

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Based on the governor's new lockdown restrictions, it looks like we will be unable to meet and sing together until at least mid-December. Because of this, we are planning on worshiping at home and encouraging people to use the congregation's live stream to facilitate your in-home worship. 

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If you need help getting access to the live stream, class, zoom meetings, or handouts, please let your group leader, a deacon, or elder know and we would be happy to help get you connected. 

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June 25th, 2020

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It is very important that you read all of this message, especially if you are coming to the building for worship this Sunday, June 28th. 

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We are very thankful that we are able to meet again in the building. Even though we can’t all come at the same time; it is still a blessing for the entire body.  We have prayed for guidance and have done our best to plan our first collective worship service.  The plan is based on state guidelines and congregational RSVPs collected by our Small Group leaders over the past 2 weeks.  In order to remain compliant with state requirements, we must all abide by our stated decision to attend in person or not.   
 
We will be having one morning service this Sunday, June 28. Here is what you need to know:

• Time: 10 to 11 am. 

• There will be no bible class. 

• We will have a service very similar to a normal worship service.  Our goal is to worship.

• Live Stream: We will support those staying at home by providing a live stream of our service.

  • Here is the link to John's Youtube channel which will stream this event.

  • If you "subscribe" to his channel, you will be notified when he goes live on Sunday. 

 
How Springbrook will comply with State Guidelines:

1. The number of brothers and sisters who plan to attend this week is right around 50, the maximum allowed by the state. 

   • In the coming weeks, if our numbers grow, we will go to two services.

2. If you are in the at-risk category, we recommend you continue to stay home and watch the live stream.

3. Seating in the building will be sectioned off to ensure the required distancing. We will have ushers to help people find seating. 

4. Please refrain from any handshaking or hugging. This may be very difficult since we haven’t seen each other for some time.

5. After the worship service is over, we ask that you continue your fellowship outside the building and maintain a safe distance.

6. Masks are required at all times.  Please bring your masks from home.  If you don’t have one, it will be provided.

7. We encourage you to use the hand sanitizing station when you enter and leave the building

8. Prepackaged communion cups will be provided and should be picked up as you enter the auditorium

9. The downstairs and nursery will be cordoned off to reduce the need for re-cleaning at this time.

10. We will clean the building after each service.

 
We are sure it will take extra effort on everyone’s part to not be distracted by all the restrictions.   We pray for patience and that we can maintain worshipful hearts as we begin this first step in being able to all meet together again. 
 
Grace and peace to each of you,
The Elders

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May 30th, 2020

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Hello Sisters and Brothers,

 

Bobby and I are constantly thinking about you and how you are doing. Our small group leaders are also doing an amazing job keeping us together and helping to keep everyone encouraged. What a blessing it is to have such a wonderful church family. I can’t imagine how lonely and disconnected people are without knowing that God and his church are with them.

 

Just a couple of things this week.

 

1. Our state government is making changes almost daily that will impact what we can and can’t do. We will let you know when we can get back together in loving face-to-face fellowship as soon as we can.

2. We haven’t had a chance to just talk in quite a while. Bobby and I are going to host an online Zoom teleconference this coming Wednesday at 7:00 PM and you are all invited.

   1. It will be an open agenda—we can talk about anything you like so don’t miss a chance to catch up with us and everyone else who comes.  If you wait to eat dinner until 7, we can call it a potluck.  

   2. We will send an invite to everyone on Monday.  Look to your email.

3. The prayer list is long and essential

 

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

 

Bobby and Damon

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May 1st, 2020

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To the church of God at Springbrook, to the sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints: Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ

 

We thank God!

We thank our God always for the grace he has shown us by taking care of us during this time of separation. We trust that in everything you all are enriched by our Lord in all knowledge, faith, and hope. We have come to know that He is with us and is keeping us each day. Hold tight to him and the loved ones he has put around you.

 

A Mindset of Hope

Consider Paul when he was on trial before King Agrippa. At the beginning of his defense he says that he is being judged for the hope of the promise made by God (Acts 26). Today we are always on trial for our hope as well. We hope for what lies beyond the view of the world. Beyond the science of man. Our hope gives us strength and the ability to stand strong when the world would expect us to be weak. The Lord is clear that we are to glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope (Romans 5).

 

If you are feeling weak, reach out to the Lord and your brothers and sisters.

 

Online Bible Studies

The ladies are having an online weekly Bible study. Sisters, take advantage of this opportunity to be encouraged online.

 

Some of the brothers have mentioned that they too would like to have an online weekly Bible study. Please respond back to the elders if you would like us to start that up.

 

May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with a never-ending hope!

Amen and amen!

 

Another favorite song (turn the volume up): Praise & Harmony “Ivory Palaces”

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April 24th, 2020

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To the church of God at Springbrook, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

As you may have noted, the salutations in our communications to you all have come from the apostle Paul’s letters to the churches. As you can only imagine, Paul must have yearned for the time that he would be able to meet with his dear brothers and sisters, and took the opportunity to express his love for them and encourage and admonish them while he was away. What beautiful words Paul uses to describe the recipients of his letters, sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be his holy people.

This is a strange time for all of us. We intensely miss our time to be together in worship on Sunday. Of course we do. But we are called His holy people! It is during times like these, when we face trials, that we have the most opportunity to grow in the likeness of our savior Jesus. How do we challenge ourselves to look more like God’s sanctified? Colossians 3:12 states, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Here are a few suggestions for your outfit!

Study God’s Word.  Our desire for everyone is that they will be able to invest in studying their bible. Daily devotionals on the book of Acts are being sent out to all the congregation. Thomas and John are recording lessons that we hope you are listening to and growing from. I am sure both Thomas and John would love to hear feedback on what they prepare for us. 

Be Positive.  Of all people, we as Christians should be able to find peace in the midst of uncertain times. That doesn’t mean we won’t ever struggle with worries or doubts, but the more we turn to God for comfort the more peace we’ll find (Philippians 4:6-7). Let’s show the world that we have a deep and abiding hope that sustains us during these times. Let’s point people to Jesus through our words.

Be Empathetic.  One of the most insensitive things we can do is publicly tell people that the sickness is no big deal. Some have lost relatives or friends. Some are struggling with the sickness now. Be empathetic to the fact that there are undoubtedly people who have suffered from the virus.

Make Phone calls.  Work through your directory to make calls and check in on your church family members to whatever degree possible. No need to bombard people—just a call every now and then to check on them. Put special priority on the widowed and the single. Their interaction levels are likely very low and they need connection.

Pray.  Pray for your church family. Pray for an end to the virus. Pray for the authorities in our society. Solicit prayer requests by sending an email to Valerie. Keep note of prayer requests made by your fellow members so you can follow up when you call or text them. Please pray especially for our members who are working in the front lines of serving. We have so many that are daily at risk of exposure.

Give Generously.  Giving during this time is even more purposeful because our normal means of accomplishing this isn’t as easy. But the need is great. Many of the organizations that Springbrook supports have seen contributions and donations fall off. We have heard from two recently, Vine Maple Place, and Mountain States Children’s Home. Here are links for giving to Vine Maple Place and Mountain States Children’s Home. A few families in our body have also been impacted. If you are financially able, look for ways to help others. Sacrificial giving was a defining characteristic of the New Testament church.

Vine Maple Place

https://www.vinemapleplace.org/

Mountain States Children’s Home

https://msch.org/donations/

 

The grace of the Lord be with you,

Bobby and Damon    

April 18th, 2020

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To God’s holy people, our faithful brothers and sisters: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

We can endure all things!

Last week we reminded you all that in the world we will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, Jesus has overcome the world (Jhn 16:33).

We asked you to consider your mindset, and make sure that we continue to put the mind of Christ in us. That we set our minds on things above, not on things of the earth. For we have died, and our life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:1-3). Today we want to remind you of the strength we have from the Lord. It is real and it is free.

 

We have a Mindset of Strength

We can do and endure all things through him who strengthens us (Phil 4:13). We should not be afraid or dismayed, for we have a God and he will strengthen us, help us, and uphold us with his righteous right hand (Isa 41:10). We do not wait on the governor or the president, we wait for the Lord and he renews our strength. We do not grow weary or faint (Isa 40:31) for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love (2 Tim 1:7). We will trust and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is our strength and our song, and He has become our salvation (Isa 12:2). The Lord is faithful. He will establish us and guard us against everything this world has to throw at us. 

 

May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Amen and amen!

 

Another favorite song: Praise & Harmony Just As I As – I Come Broken

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April 10th, 2020

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To God’s holy people, our faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

 

Be of Good Cheer!

This week our aim is to focus on encouraging you all as we face more weeks of separation and uncertainty.  When we need encouragement, we look to the scriptures that teach us the value of praying, reading scripture, and singing hymns to God.  One such scripture is found in Acts 16, when Paul and Silas were imprisoned.  It reads “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25).   What an amazing mental picture we have of Paul and Silas singing while chained up in a dark prison uncertain about their fate on earth, but certain about their ultimate deliverance. 

We see throughout scripture that setting our minds and hearts on the right things strengthens us and brings us peace. It is a gift of the Spirit that the world does not have.  In the world we will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).

 

Mindset that leads to action – brings peace

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus to be a humble servant, obedient to death (Phl 2: 5-8).  Let us set our minds on things above, not on things of the earth.  For we have died, and our life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:1-3).  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Phi 4:8-9).

 

Confidence and Assurance from the Word and our Songs

In uncertain times, we find confidence, assurance, and comfort in scripture and the songs we sing.

 

Colossians 3:16 instructs:  “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

 

1 Corinthians 15:19-20 says “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.  But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

 

We have many songs we sing that remind us of this.

He Lives:

I serve a risen savior, He’s in the world today; I know that He is living, whatever men may say;

I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer, And just the time I need him He’s always near.

He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

Burdens are Lifted at Calvary:

Days are filled with sorrow and care, hearts are lonely and drear;

Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.

Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary;

Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.

 

Matthew 11:28-29 says “Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

 

We sing.

Does Jesus Care?

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth and song;

As the burdens press and the cares distress, And the way grows weary and long? 

O yes, He cares; I know he cares!  His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.

 

There is something wonderful about how God made us respond to singing.  If you have a song to share, we would love to hear from you. 

 

“The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”

 

Amen and amen!

 

One of my favorite songs: Praise & Harmony Recording Singers “Oceans”

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April 4th, 2020

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To all God’s holy people, holy in Christ, grace and peace to you from God and Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

 

It is our prayer that God is blessing you and keeping you and yours safe during this challenging time. COVID-19 is testing all of us in our daily lives. This is not an easy time. While the challenges we now face were almost unimaginable just a few months ago, our beloved congregation has risen together to show true love to one another. It is our prayer that we will all continue steadfast in our love for the Lord and one another.

 

What has changed?

Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday announced an extension of his emergency stay-home order through May 4 to halt the spread of the new coronavirus.  The extension means the entire stay-home order will remain in effect a full six weeks, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 4. That makes Tuesday, May 5, the first day we will be able to return to some sort of normalcy. We will continue to obey the orders of the state and remain in our small groups until then. 

 

Help Needed

It is a blessing to be in Christ and have the privilege to approach our God in prayer with all our needs. We know that whatever we ask of him, he hears, and he answers. Prayers for all are still needed especially as we continue to be apart and unable to reach out to those of us who are spiritually and physically hurting. Attached is our most recent Directory. Please go through the list of your brothers and sisters. Send up a prayer, make a phone call, or send a note. We need each other more than you can imagine.

 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit.  Amen.

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March 27th, 2020

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To all God’s holy people, grace and peace to you from God and Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

Paul began many of his letters in this manner, to audiences of people whom he longed to be with and missed so much. It has now been a number of weeks since we have been able to meet together as a body, and I believe we are all feeling that longing. In 2 Timothy 1:1-4, Paul, writing from prison, wrote sweetly to Timothy, “Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.” We are already imagining the day, hopefully soon, where we will be able to meet together again as a body.

But in the meantime, we face this trial, that God promises will produce perseverance. And from James we know that this perseverance will grow and shape us to be more mature and complete. Our hope is that our eyes can be opened to how God and the Holy Spirit can work in our lives to shape us more in His image.  

We are so pleased to hear how our small groups are working. Our desire is that the small groups will help us grow more connected, and that we can grow spiritually together during this time. Our goal is that they also serve the purpose of ensuring that anyone in need during this time is being looked after. The elders and group leaders are meeting each week online to talk about how the week went and if there are any specific needs that people may have. Our hope is that each of you as a member of a small group, will take the time to reach out to others and check in on them.

A few scriptures to keep in mind:

•    Colossians 4:2  “Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
•    Philippians 2:14-15  “Do everything without grumbling or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”
•    Philippians 4:4-7  “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit.  Amen.