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10 More Reasons To Visit Wellspring UCC This Sunday
<Pssst ... And Discover Centreville's Best Kept Secret!>
10. What if church is like vegetables ... ?
You know, like something that you hated as a kid but you love as an adult because you eat it in ways that suit you much better. Guess what? A lot of people have the same sort of experience with church ... At Wellspring United Church of Christ (UCC), things are often quite different and worth checking out. Just like vegetables are good for you, we are here to enrich your life spiritually.
So how would you like Wellspring to enrich your life this Sunday?
9. Variety ...
We are represented by a wide variety of expressions, musical traditions, and values that have integrity and purpose. From conservative to liberal, we're not short on variety. Just like a great Sunday potluck or social hour (and we have plenty), everyone brings something different to the table and there is always something for everyone to enjoy -- conversation, food, and friends.
What will you be enjoying at our next Sunday potluck or social hour?
8. No apologies ...
You are who you are .. and so are we – we like ourselves just fine. Come to Wellspring UCC and be nurtured and challenged to grow. Our diversity in expression of thought and our Sunday sermons filled with engaging dialogue and inquiry into what it means to be Christian strengthens our Belief and Faith in God. No question is ever too stupid to ask because questions only clarify our Faith.
What questions will you be asking about this Sunday's sermon?
7. No waiting ...
At Wellspring, there is never a wait to get to the front of the line. Everyone here is always at the front of the line at our church, whether or not you do decide to be in the scene or on the side. You don't have to join to be active in our church. If you want to get involved, we help you find your place to fulfill your need to lead.
So will you be in the scene or on the side at this Sunday's service?
6. No boxes ...
Except for those bearing food or gifts for giving of course! God can blow the lid off any box, unfold it and turn it into a dance floor. The United Church of Christ (UCC) tends to be the "out of the box" people. Among the many "out of the box" firsts, the UCC was the first mainline church to take a stand against slavery (1700), the first to ordain an African American person (1785), the first to ordain a woman (1853), the first in foreign missions (1810), and the first to ordain openly gay lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons (1972). We value education for all people. UCC founded Harvard and Yale, as well as, many historically black colleges, six of which remain affiliated with UCC to this day.
Will we need to send the Wellspring bus this Sunday to get you "out of the box" and haul your body, mind, and soul here?
5. One God, One Faith, One Baptism for All
When we baptize you into our community, we promise that we will never take it back – no matter what you discover about yourself or what others discover about you along life's journey. We believe that baptism places each of us into the "body of Christ" and lasts forever. Some are baptized as infants, others as adults. Some are sprinkled. Others are immersed. Some reclaim their baptism from a previous church life. For each of us, however, baptism is big enough, cleansing enough, and strong enough to last forever. We believe that everyone – old, young, straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, physically or emotionally challenged, rich or poor, sure or unsure, lost or found, Democrat or Republican has a place in the body of Christ. Baptism is like a badge that says, "you're a full member of the church and no one can take that away from you." Just like Baptism identifies you as one of God's people, everyone at Wellspring UCC wears badges so we can relate to each other on a full name basis.
So will we be welcoming you by name?
4. Good News People
We believe that No. 5 is good news!
Are you ready to discover what the Good News People are all about?
3. "Party" Church
God is having a party and we are all invited. At God's party, our spiritual hungering is fed and our thirsting is satisfied. At God's party, we get community support, stamina, and strength that helps us through the tough times that come to everyone. Feeding our spiritual hunger helps reduce those, "I can't believe I'm so stupid" moments – but we'll never eliminate them all. That's why we need friends and companions and not judges (no offense to judges) for the journey.
So what will you be wearing at this Sunday's service? That 70s outfit that's so hip again or those 80s animal logo sport shirt cleverly matched to those similarly logo marked pants? Of course, Hawaiian shirts are always welcome!
2. Spiritual Guidance ...
It's not about commandments. It's about relationships – even with God. The most important relationship is our relationship with God. Second most important is our relationships with the rest of humanity. In balance, these relationships produce justice amid injustice, kindness in the face of mean-spirited-ness, and the humility of self acceptance that comes as we sense the presence of a God who knows our innermost thoughts and loves us unconditionally – just as we are. Spiritual journeys can be like the exercise equipment we buy and leave under the bed. Without coaches and workout partners, most of us don't stick with it. We're the "Journeys Wanted" people ...
Will you bring IT this Sunday or are you all brought out?
1. We're waiting for you.
What are you waiting for?
Don't make us send the Wellspring bus! Of course, if you need a ride to Sunday worship anytime, you can always count on the Wellspring bus.
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