Any meetings now being held in the church building will be required to:

1. Keep a record of everyone who attends

2. Use hand sanitiser on the way in

3. Keep 1.5m distance between people

4. Stay home if sick

5. Serve food and drink in a safe way

6. Clean up and wipe down all surfaces.

7. Ensure your meeting is in the church calendar with your contact details.

See the attached document for more information, or contact Vicki at admin@wellspring.org.au for any further information.

See attached the Diocesan Roadmap and State Government documents that will help govern our regathering plans.

We also have a survey for you to fill in, which will help us in planning how and when we regather in person.

https://wellspring.elvanto.com.au/form/8375b95b-5f04-493c-95b1-384da392477d

HOPE: from the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit

Apr-May 2020

8am and 10am congregations

The three letters of John (1, 2, 3 John) are rich with insight and encouragement for our current coronavirus climate.

We will follow the below programme; Growth Group questions are also below.

1 John 1:1 - 2:2

1 John 2:3-27 & 2 John 6

1 John 2:28 - 3:24

i. When you imagine yourself as a "son" or "daughter" of God "the Father", which words or images immediately leap to mind? Why do you think this is so?

ii. According to this passage, how would you answer the question, 'Who are the children of God?' 

iii. According to this passage, how would you answer the question, 'What do the the children of God do?' 

iv. What does it mean that (3:6), "everyone who remains in Jesus does not sin"? Start by exploring what that does not mean.

1 John 4:1-6 & 2 John 7-11

1. If you have them, tell of two experiences when you (or someone you know) 'heard from a spirit': one positive, one negative.

2. Compare 4:1-6 to 1 Corinthians 12:1-3. In what kind of circumstances can you imagine this 'Jesus test' being significant?
3. Re-read the entirety of 2 John. What about it has links to 1 John?

4. In what ways would you like prayer to appropriate 4:4 to your life now, in the midst of coronavirus? 

Sorrow and hope are intermingled on Good Friday, in the cross of Jesus Christ, where both find truest expression.

Wellspring is invited to join together in a Day of Prayer and Fasting, calling out to God both to lament the pain and suffering our world is going through, and to remind ourselves of His presence amidst it.

Jesus expected prayer and fasting to be rhythms of life for his followers. In Matthew 6, Jesus taught his disciples that "when" (not 'if') they pray and fast, it ought to be to seek God alone. Fasting is much misunderstood. In short (as John Piper says), when we fast, we are hungry enough for God’s leading to say it with the hunger of our bodies and not just the hunger of their hearts. "We want you and we want your leading, O God! O Holy Spirit, what is your will for the mission of this church? We want to see you and follow you more than we want to eat.”

If you are new to the rhythm of fasting, have a read of this overview and guide.

Our day will comprise 3 parts (Morning, Midday, Evening). 

For our Midday section, we will gather via Zoom at 12pm Good Friday, to pray and hear from God's word (click here to join).

For our Evening section, you are encouraged to follow the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus' teaching in Luke 11:5-13, and Paul's instructions on the armour of God in Ephesians 6:10-18. Take a posture of 'contending prayer', ie. for God's kingdom to come and will to be done on earth as it is in heaven; as spiritual authority as God's sons and daughters amidst spiritual warfare; and for God's Spirit to break out in revival power.

For our Morning section, you are encouraged to use Psalm 27 for personal prayer and reflection. The below guide, prepared by Julius Kim, is designed to lead you through the Psalm's progression, stopping and praying at various points:

I. Remember and rejoice in the character of God.

Reflect and meditate on the character of God: he is all powerful, all knowing, never-changing, ever-present, full of loving-kindness, mercy and grace toward all who call on his name.

Psalm 27:1-2

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.

II. Pray about your specific fears.

Express your fears, anxieties, and concerns to the Lord. Pour out your heart to him. Seek his face and ask for him to hide you in his shelter during this time of trouble.

Psalm 27:3-5

3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.

III. Sing a song of praise to God.

Sing or listen to a hymn, song, or psalm. As you do, reflect on the Lord’s goodness, and ask him to help you trust him with your fears.

Psalm 27:6

6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

IV. Pray for your community and world.

Pray for the needs of the world around you: family members, neighbours, medical workers, governing officials, those who are suffering financially, and those who are sick. Ask the Lord to sustain, provide, heal, and guide. Ask him to give his people endurance, wisdom, and hope.

Psalm 27:7

7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!

V. Pray for those who do not know the Lord.

Consider those in your life who do not know the Lord. Pray that they would seek the Lord during this pandemic. Ask the Holy Spirit to open their eyes, ears, minds, and hearts to His truth. Pray that they would turn to the Lord and find salvation, refuge, and help.

Psalm 27:8-10

8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.

VI. Ask the Lord to teach you and protect you.

Pray for protection—both physically and spiritually. Ask the Lord to use this time of crisis to draw you closer to him and teach you more about His ways.

Psalm 27:11-12

11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.

VII. Ask the Lord for endurance.

We do not know how long this trial will last. Pray that the Lord will conquer this virus quickly. Also pray for endurance to stand in the midst of the trial, however long you maybe called to endure.

Psalm 27:13-14

13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Spend some time meditating on what you’ve been learning through this trial. What is God’s Word teaching you? What truths about God are comforting your soul? How is this experience changing you to be more like Christ?

8am Congregation
with Noel Bowditch

Congregational Response
The leadership team of our 8am community has met and taken the following steps.

• Organised members of the congregation into pastoral groupings, with a convenor designated to each.  This person will be in touch with you in the near future.  The aim of these groupings is to ensure that people are being cared for and to maintain a strong sense of Christian community.
• Appointed Keir Steedman as our prayer coordinator for the coming months.  She will communicate prayer needs to the convenors of the pastoral groupings for sharing with others.
• For those with internet access at home, arranging for a ‘virtual meeting’ to take place at 8:30am each Sunday from March 29.  (If you do have internet access and have received this notice in printed form, it means that we have no record of your email address – so please email it to me directly as soon as possible.)  Within the next few days those with email addresses will receive information about how to participate in this.  

Individual Response
The fact that we are unable to gather in St Peter’s at 8am on Sundays does not mean that our faith should take a break.  I encourage you to make sure you continue or put in place time for regular prayer and Bible reading in the coming season.  Click here for some suggestions for prayer:

• Pray for people with special needs and situations that are of special concern to you.
• Pray for government leaders and health workers in their response to COVID-19.
• Pray for church leaders as they seek to guide the church through uncertain times.
• Pray for one another, that we may grow deeper in Christ in the present circumstances.
• Begin your Bible reading with systematic reading the Psalms, Gospels and/or Romans.
• Keep in contact with other members of the 8am service.
• If you want access to any of the resources of our Anglican prayer book, please let me know and I will make sure you receive them.