In this issue:

• Youth Challenge Conference Envelope Fundraiser
• Memorial Day (Office Closed)
• Children and Youth Programming Update
• Ladies Bunco
• Pastor Tom's Retirement Open House
• FBC (Family Bible Camp)

1 Peter 3:15a ESV:"...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you..."

With the state of our sin-sick world, anyone looking at the news, social media or even the bumper sticker on the next car would be unlikely to describe what they see as "hopeful". Even amongst the people of God, we often hear the term "church hurt" as a reason for not engaging with other believers, and can't help but expect the worst from every encounter. If we are expecting to find hope in the things of earth, then all of these responses are not only understandable, but sensible. The world and the things in it are broken by sin. Things are not as they should be. To put hope in something that will not last is to set yourself up for disappointment. So where should our hope be placed?

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul makes a comparison of the earthly body we have now, and the heavenly body we'll have when we enter God's presence. He directs our hope to the joy of eternity with God, a place where all of the partial things we see here are brought to their perfect fullness in God's presence. What a joyful thought! All of our struggles overcome, our infirmities corrected, our relationships restored. The hope we have is to see all of the good things we catch glimpses of in this broken world made complete in eternity, and that hope is built on the foundation of Christ's work on the cross. As the hymn writer Edward Mote said:

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.


Youth Challenge Conference Envelope Fundraiser || Now through 5/31
Summer is coming quickly, which means our Student Ministry is preparing for our trip to Challenge Conference (a nationwide youth conference with the EFCA)! We'll head to Kansas City, MO the week of July 13th-18th for an amazing week of worship, service, and prayer. We will have our Envelope Fundraiser available through May 31st in the church lobby to help with the group expenses for the group to go to this impactful conference (transportation, hotel cost, gas, chaperones, etc.). Would you support our group through prayer, and also consider taking an envelope to give towards our trip? Whether a gift of $1 or $100, anything would be a blessing to our students as they are poured into and also invest in others!


Memorial Day || Offices Closed || 5/25
The Springs Offices will be closed Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day.


Children and Youth Programming Update

• This Sunday, May 24 (Memorial Day weekend), there will not be any K-12th programming; families may worship together in either the 9:00 am or 10:30 am service. Childcare will be available for Infant-Pre-K.
• We will start our summer schedule on May 31, where there will be Kids Church offered for K-4th grade children during the 10:30 am service. The 5th/6th Preteen Class and the 7th-12th Youth Class will also meet during the 10:30 am service. Childcare will be available for Infant-Pre-K during the 9:00 am and 10:30 am services.

Ladies Bunco || 5/30/26 || 7:00 - 9:00 PM || The Springs Room 124
Come and enjoy a fun ladies night out at The Springs Church hosted by our Women's Ministry. Feel free to bring guests!

• When: Saturday, May 30th
• Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
• Where: The Springs Room 124
• Bring a snack to share!

Pastor Tom's Retirement Open House || 6/6/26 || 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Everyone is invited on Saturday, June 6th, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at The Springs for a retirement open house honoring Pastor Tom and Patti Semmelbeck. This will be a meaningful opportunity for us, as a church family, to express our sincere gratitude for their 26 years of faithful ministry, care, and investment in our church.

In keeping with Tom and Patti’s wishes, this will be a simple and relaxed time together. We look forward to this time of encouragement, appreciation, and warm fellowship as we thank them for the many ways they have served our church through the years.

A basket is available in the Lobby for anyone who would like to share a card or note of gratitude and blessing with the Semmelbecks. We would also like to bless them with a monetary gift. If you would like to contribute to this, please simply make a note for "Semmelbeck Blessing" whether giving via check or online.


FBC (Family Bible Camp) || 6/16 - 6/18 || 6:00 - 8:00 PM
June 16 - 18: Suit up for FBC (Family Bible Camp) in the evenings (6:00 - 8:00 PM), where we will learn about putting on God's armor and being "Knights of the Kingdom." Join us for 3 nights of VBS-like fun, family discipleship, and outreach as we explore Ephesians 6:11-18 and become ready for battle. Registration for Infants - 5th grade is open! Register here: FBC 2026 Registration. Also, we are still in need of more volunteers to serve in the kingdom! Please visit the FBC table in the lobby to register or sign up here: FBC Volunteer Form.