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This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260.

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

Soar in the Spirit of God’s Love!

For more than three centuries, Cape May has been the region’s preferred destination for re-creation— literally to create again. We all want to creatively soar, like a kite! But when the kite disconnects from its tether the kite crashes! You and I are like a kite. We will only soar in the spirit when we are tethered to God’s love in Christ. As we gather around the virtual communion table this week on Trinity Sunday, we will hear the words of Paul from Scripture when he urged the cosmopolitan, creative, recreation-loving, citizens of Corinth to, “agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” Why? Because God wants us, all those who follow Jesus, to respect everyone, to promote peace, and to work for the reconciliation of the world. And when we do that, we will experience God’s love and peace!

Our nation is feeling pretty far from peace and love right now, like we are no longer tethered. Since March, our nation has been reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic that has left 106,538 people dead. Our prayer list includes many who are suffering in pain and other’s who are mourned. Restrictions are cautiously being lifted for many businesses while places of worship and other large group venues remain closed. Our nation is also reeling from racial injustice and police brutality again with the murder of George Floyd, who’s name is tragically added to a long list. How can the world, you and I, be so far from God’s love and peace?

We do not want to discount the many beautiful stories told in our pandemic and unjust world. But hopeful headlines do not offset the horrendous ones. In our Gospel reading, we realize that God wants us to breathe in the Spirit and hear Jesus say, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me!”

Who do you give authority to write your life’s story? In what ways this week can your spirit soar as you extend the love and promote peace of the Lord’s Table.

This Sunday, you will enjoy special music, improved audio, multi-camera video, and screen lyrics for our hymns, too. Engage your faith with two mini-messages rooted in the Great Commission. We will consider Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith, and then how the 3-braided tether will help our faith soar!

Ground your faith in love and let your faith and love soar as we experience God’s peace and love.

Pastor Kevin

Last Week’s Service May 31,2020

Worship Guide (v1) for June 07, 2020

Readings June 07, 2020

Notes to Share for June 07, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for June 07, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for June 07, 2020

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260. Password: 278951.

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

God Speaks Your Language

Numbers 11:24-34 (MSG)
So Moses went out and told the people what God had said. He called together seventy of the leaders and had them stand around the Tent. God came down in a cloud and spoke to Moses and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy leaders. When the Spirit rested on them they prophesied. But they didn’t continue; it was a onetime event. Meanwhile two men, Eldad and Medad, had stayed in the camp. They were listed as leaders but they didn’t leave camp to go to the Tent. Still, the Spirit also rested on them and they prophesied in the camp. A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!” Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ right-hand man since his youth, said, “Moses, master! Stop them!” But Moses said, “Are you jealous for me? Would that all God’s people were prophets. Would that God would put his Spirit on all of them.”

Connect To the Spirit’s Network

Acts 2:1-21 (MSG)

When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?

Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene; Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes; Even Cretans and Arabs!

“They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!” Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: “What’s going on here?” Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.”
That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: “Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen:

“In the Last Days,” God says,
“I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people:
Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters;
Your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams.
When the time comes, I’ll pour out my Spirit
On those who serve me, men and women both, and they’ll prophesy.
I’ll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below,
Blood and fire and billowing smoke, the sun turning black and the moon blood-red,
Before the Day of the Lord arrives, the Day tremendous and marvelous;
And whoever calls out for help to me, God, will be saved.”

Last Week’s Service May 24,2020

Worship Guide (v1) for May 31, 2020

Readings May 31, 2020

Notes to Share for May 31, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for May 31, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for May 31, 2020

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260. Password: 278951.

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

God is Shining On Us All!

Hello friend.

Memorial Day is a particular time to remember. We realize in this pandemic that God is present with us, offering hope, even as we experience discomfort, inconvenience, suffering, stressors, and losses. Our neighbors, nation and the world need hope, too. Join us for Worship Online and discover how God is shining on you, and shining through you to others. While we remember the sacrifices of those who have died serving our country, let’s remember that our country sacrificed not only for our nation’s freedoms, but we have always sacrificed so that others around the world could experience freed, too. God loves the world. Jesus said, “There is no greater love than this, that one lays down their life for another.” God so loved the world! 

What do you remember about this Memorial Day? Give thanks to God for freedoms here at home and around the world. For freedom in Christ! God is shining on you! That is something to remember every day!

Thinkable for this week: Sometimes, we may think God is frowning on us. But the Good News is that in Jesus Christ, God’s love, forgiveness, and hope set us free! 

1. How do you experience God’s smile on you?
2. What new blessings do you want to thank God for right now?
3. In what ways does your life shine on others? What will you do today to let your light shine even more!

Last Week’s Service May 17,2020

Worship Guide (v1) for May 24, 2020

Readings May 24, 2020

Notes to Share for May 24, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for May 24, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for May 24, 2020

UPDATED Worship Guide v2 below.

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260. Password: 278951.

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. Once you and your family are ready, share the picture with us by posting to Facebook #ColdSpringChurch or Instagram #coldspringchurchnj. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

Wake up, Everybody!

What’s new? Our pandemic news cycles are informative, but stressful. All of us have been affected by the escalating counts of the sick and the dead. Lockdown orders keep us safe while our lack of sleep, interrupted wellness routines and isolation darn our energy. Working from home, working on the front lines in healthcare or service businesses, or not working at all, we all need hope! But we have hope within us. Christ is no the foundations or our hope, Christ is our hope!

While our lockdown experiences may seem as novel as the coronavirus itself, there are many lockdown stories in the Scriptures. But lockdowns can keep us safe until the new day has downed. Remember Noah? Locked down in that ark, God kept the family dry and secure from the threats outside. Even the disciples on that first Easter morning were locked down in fear, trying to keep the threats at bay. This Sunday’s worship online will awaken your faith. My message from Acts 17 will help us wake up and engage our local context because our faith was made for times like these!

Wake up, everybody! Christ is our hope!

Sincerely,

Pastor Kevin

(Background Photo credit: Sunset Beach, ©Christine Cloer)

Worship Guide (v2) for May 17, 2020

Readings May 17, 2020

Notes to Share for May 17, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for May 17, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for May 17, 2020

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260. Password: 278951.

Happy Mother’s Day

Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate! – Proverbs 31:31

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

From Fragile To Antifragile Faith

Cape May County, like every other region of the country, seeks a holy grail of achieving both population safety and economic health and a return to normal. Our neighbors across the street and friends across the pews can struggle with their faith. Robust individuals and businesses resist the pandemic’s worst consequences, and resilient ones try to bend but not break under the severe stress. But fragile populations and organizations weaken and too often, tragically break.

We may feel fragile. Our faith may appear fragile. While fragile systems break, the opposite of fragile, antifragile systems benefit from shocks and thrive and grow when exposed to volatility, stressors, and uncertainty. This week, Pastor Kevin’s message from Acts 7:55-60 invites us into a new reality, from fragile to antifragile faith as we look at disciple Stephen whose faith first appeared to be robust, but once arrested and tested, resilient was all that was hoped for, a return to normal. But to his persecutors like Saul (aka Paul), Stephen’s faith appeared fragile as he was crushed to death under the stones of hatred and fear. Find out how a fragile faith can be transformed into an antifragile faith. everybody’s story is different. Stephen. Saul. You, me. Everyone.

God is not a routine. Jesus is not a cliché. Faith is not a franchise. Years later, Paul (formerly Saul) wrote, “There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next (Romans 5:3-5). 

Let’s discover what Go is doing next. We can engage our pandemic world, and our search for safety and prosperity, with a faith in Christ that goes beyond robustness or resilience to an antifragile faith: growth in stress. See how our lives can be strengthened and create a new reality, full of hope.

Last Week’s Service May 3, 2020

Worship Guide (v1) for May 10, 2020

Readings May 10, 2020

Notes to Share for May 10, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for May 10, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for May 10, 2020

Worship Guide (v1) for May 3, 2020

Readings May 3, 2020

Notes to Share for May 3, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for May 3, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for May 3, 2020

This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online and communion. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have interest access, use your phone to listen by dialing: +1 (301) 715 8592. Enter passcode: 277 095 8375#.

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime. You may want to subscribe to our weekly Connections email newsletter. Sign up here!

New Reality

South Jersey’s growing COVID-19 case count reminds us every day how upended most aspects of our lives are. We are acutely aware that the global coronavirus pandemic is now a local crisis – everywhere. But hope is alive because Jesus is alive, and all of us in Christ are alive, really alive, as well! That’s why we worship God. Gather. Pray. Give. Serve. Hope. Repeat.

This Sunday, May 3, plan to join our grand worship online when we celebrate at the Lord’s Table virtually. Yes, virtually! (If you’d like to participate, look for simple instructions in the Worship Online Guide, and you do not need a Facebook account or log in to watch the service.) The Good News message from John 10 will provide fresh ideas that will help us move forward into our new reality, and Jesus is the Gate!

We hear the word “unprecedented” a lot these days – and for a good reason. But don’t let fear or anxiety get you down. We have experienced “unprecedented” many times during our 306 years of community ministry serving greater Cape May. The Risen Christ is still leading us into a brighter, better, and different way ahead.

Are you looking for that new reality? Know that we’re here to provide spiritual resources today, tomorrow, and every day after that. Let’s open the Gate together this Sunday as we virtually 6-1gather around the Lord’s Table. Hope is alive!

Sincerely,

Pastor Kevin

Worship Guide (v1) for May 3, 2020

Readings May 3, 2020

Notes to Share for May 3, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for May 3, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for May 3, 2020

This week is the perfect time to join in our grand celebration for the Third week of Easter. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate. Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have interest access, use your phone to listen by dialing: +1 (301) 715 8592. Enter passcode: 277 095 8375#. And, we have a special request of the children this week.

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime.

Connect and Serve

We believe that everyone deserves to experience God’s love in relevant and authentic ways, while keeping themselves and the community safe, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our thriving faith community puts God’s love into action to help make greater Cape May a better place. We joyfully love and serve God and our neighbors through the power of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ. Thank you for joining us!

“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again’” (Luke 24:6-7).

Below are resources that can be used before, during, and after our 10:30 AM worship experience. Share them with others, too!

“Wherever two or three are gathered, there I am…” Jesus.

Worship Guide (v1) for April 26, 2020

Readings April 26, 2020

Notes to Share for April 26, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for April 26, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for April 26, 2020

This week is the perfect time to join in our grand celebration for the second week of Easter. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate. Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have interest access, use your phone to listen by dialing: +1 (301) 715 8592. Enter passcode: 277 095 8375#. And, we have a special request of the children this week.

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime.

Connect and Serve

We believe that everyone deserves to experience God’s love in relevant and authentic ways, while keeping themselves and the community safe, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our thriving faith community puts God’s love into action to help make greater Cape May a better place. We joyfully love and serve God and our neighbors through the power of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ. Thank you for joining us!

“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again’” (Luke 24:6-7).

Below are resources that can be used before, during, and after our 10:30 AM worship experience. Share them with others, too!

“Wherever two or three are gathered, there I am…” Jesus.

Worship Guide (v2) for April 19, 2020

Readings April 19, 2020

Notes to Share for April 19, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for April 19 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for April 19, 2020

He Is Risen!

You have found a place to encounter God and people who care about you – just as you are, right where you are, anytime.

Connect and Serve

We believe that everyone deserves to experience God’s love in relevant and authentic ways, while keeping themselves and the community safe, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our thriving faith community puts God’s love into action to help make greater Cape May a better place. We joyfully love and serve God and our neighbors through the power of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ. Thank you for joining us!

“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again’” (Luke 24:6-7).

Below are resources that can be used before, during, and after our 10:30 AM worship experience. Share them with others, too!

“Wherever two or three are gathered, there I am…” Jesus.

Worship Guide (v1) for April 12, 2020

Readings April 12, 2020

Notes to Share for April 12, 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for April 12 2020

Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for April 12, 2020