It's so easy! After you watched the weekly message, use your smart phone to send a text message to the church phone # 352-683-2600. Text the word "CHECK" and send along, instantly you will be sent a link and if you follow that link you can check in yourself and any others in your household as having viewed the weekly message. This helps us stay connected to you and know that you are actively participating in the life of the church. Go ahead and save the number as a contact in your phone as there will be additional features available as well.

Pastor Greg is preaching on an Advent series, "Waiting for God". Dec 1st is "Waiting in Hope". Dec 8th is "Waiting in Love". Dec 15th is "Waiting in Joy", Dec 22nd is "Waiting in Peace". And, of course, Christmas Eve is a candlelight service @ 6 pm with the lighting of the Christ Candle and focus on the birth of Jesus. "For unto us a child is born." ~Isaiah 9:6

Just click the "Worship" link below and watch this Sunday's service in real time. You can find these, as well as sermons archived through the link below.

 “O Come, Let Us Adore Him” Sunday, Dec 15th at 4 pm in our Sanctuary.

Our annual Christmas Concert, directed by David Pletincks, features the SpringLife Choir, Instrumentalists, and Guest Soloists. This is a ‘free’ concert open to the public. Invite all your friends and fill up a pew or two. Doors will open at 3 pm. Our annual Christmas Concert is a beautiful gift from our Music Ministry to you, your friends and the community. 

*Children’s Storytime, Christmas Eve, Dec 24 @ 4 pm in bldg A. The Children’s Ministry will have a special interactive kids program.

*Christmas Eve Candlelight service, Dec 24 @ 6 pm. in the Sanctuary. A wonderful spiritual experience to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. "For unto us a child is born." ~Isaiah 9:6

Sunday Adult Class meets at 9 am, in the Sanctuary building:

Rock for All Ages in S# 2. All are welcome. We meet all year long! We meet every Sunday morning at 9:00 in Room #2. Our curriculum is Bible Studies for Life. We are a discussion group where we want everyone to feel comfortable contributing to the lessons.

Christianity Today in S#4. Our study is on the seven churches in the Book of Revelation. 

Lamplighters Bible Study Tuesdays : THIS STUDY IS CANCELLED FOR THE NEXT @ MONTHS as the leader is takes time to heal from surgery.

Pastor Greg's Wednesday Bible study on 1 Corinthians is taking a holiday break. More info to come on when it resumes.

Men's Apologetic's Bible study Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. Now meeting at Panera's on Hwy 19. Come join our group.

Men's Bible study meets Thursdays, at 8:30 am in Bldg D, classroom #3.

Woman's "Mary Martha" Bible study meets the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 pm in bldg D, classroom #3. Next meeting is January 21, 2025.

"Act Like Men"...Bible study meets the second Saturday of each month in bldg B. It runs from 8:30-10 AM. Next meeting is Janaury 11, 2025. As Proverbs 27:17 says "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." We have started a breakfast potluck "tradition" where each person brings asomeithing to share. Could be a casserole, bacon, pancakes, hash browns, fresh fruit, coffee, What would you like to bring? Come with Bibles ready. Hope to see you there!!

Pastor Greg's Wednesday Bible studies on line - The entire study of the Book of Hebrews has been recorded, and his current study on 1 Corinthians is also on-line. If you are unable to come evenings, miss a day, you're part of the Choir or Music Band, OR you just want to grow in a Bible study, this gives you the opportunity to watch them at your convenience. Click the link below for the youtube page to choose to follow along with Pastor Greg.

Our Children's Director is Tonya Stout. You can find her along with an amazing volunteer team each Sunday morning in Building C at 10:30. Entry is the west door with the catwalk leading to the Sanctuary. Join us for faith-filled fun for ages 4yrs- 5^th grade.

KIDS’ CHURCH—

Our doors open at 10:15 am on Sunday. This allows time for parents to check their kids in and get to church on time. Kids church worship begins at 10:30 am and is interactive with hands-on activities, Bible Stories, songs, crafts and more.

Pick up time for your kids is immediately following the service.

Our curriculum is Bible based. We love that our children are inquisitive and enjoy engaging in conversations about the Bible, the lesson, and sometimes challenge us with some of their thought-provoking questions requiring us to dig a little deeper or even research the answers.  

FIRST TIME GUESTS:

Check your child into building A. You will be greeted when you arrive. We will collect your contact information as well as your child’s information to provide the best experience possible for your child.

After the service, you return to the same space pick-up your child.

We ask that you notify us of any allergies and/or other pertinent information we may need to know about your child.

The Youth Group meets each Sunday evening from 5 pm - 6:30 pm in building A inviting all teens to join us for an hour filled with Bible teachings, food, games and Jesus. Mike Conway is our Youth Minister. Each week we begin with a fun time, usually a game of modified volleyball. Then we come together for a lesson and time for discussion. If time permits, we conclude the evening with a little more fun. We would like to encourage all of the youth from sixth grade to twelfth grade to come and join us for an evening of fun and growing in our faith, understanding, and knowledge of our Lord.

We are committed to building stronger generations of faith, hope and love through Jesus Christ. From Biblical teaching and group discussion to wild games and fun, SpringLife is the place for youth to be.

NOTE: The Youth will not meet Dec 29th and Jan 5th during winter school break. Have a blessed and safe Christmas and New Year!

KIDS CHURCH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

 SpringLife Kids ministry is dedicated to building stronger faith foundations for our children.  We are looking for volunteers to help us expand our ministry to give our kids opportunities to experience God and His love through different media.  

  There is a place for everyone…..here are just some of the places we could use your help. We are looking to expand our ministry to give our kids opportunities to experience God and His love through different media.  

1.    Sunday mornings- Volunteers to be extra hands with lessons.  Includes assisting with fun activities- no teaching involved. Commitment of 1 time per month at 10:30.

2.    Game Leader- Looking for 1-2 volunteers to lead special game 1 time a month / or every 2-3 months (flexible).   Volunteers can create their own game or we can work together.  

3.    Music – Looking for volunteers -someone who would like to lead a special music activity 1 time per month/ 3 months. This can be a hand motion song, ribbon activity, etc. 

4.    Special Crafts- Holiday/ series based/ special occasion- Volunteer/ assist with special larger scale craft a few times per year.

5.    Special Event Volunteer- Look for volunteers willing to help with extra events like Kids night out/ Advent/ Lent/ Etc. 1-3 times per year. This does not include VBS.

6.    Snack Divas- Volunteers willing to make special treats for the kids a few times per year. Can be done from home.

7.    Prep Specialist- Volunteers who are willing to cut or package materials for lessons this can be done from home.  

Contact Children's Ministry, Tonya Stout for more information.

VOLUNTEER Requirements for Children's Ministry:

·        Complete Background Check

·        Training / Orientation

Tuesday dinner is the Mission of the Month for December. We fed 80 guests with a deliciously prepared Holiday feast a week before Christmas. Jan Griffioen gave a timely devotion and Glenda Dry led everyone in singing "Silent Night". A wonderful festive time was had by all. Healthy dinners are served Tuesdays are for people who live alone or have low incomes or going through a hard time. It has been proven that most groceries have gone up 25% or more in the last year. The dinner is a great place to have fellowship with others. It's a time to make friends and get out of the house for a little while. We also have excellent volunteers who share God’s love by showing people who Christians really are.

In order to be a light in our community we need money to buy these meals. Please consider donating to the Tuesday Dinners so we can continue this mission. You can donate through the link below.

Brooksville Christmas Parade, Thank you to our volunteers and Outreach Team. SpringLife Church was represented by about 20 people busy giving out thousands of bags of candy with our church info along the route!

Foodie Tour's... where friends meet friends!

The first Foodie Lunch Tour of 2025 will be held on Jan 9th at the Silverthorn Community "Club". Join us at “The Club” located at the Silverthorn Community off Barclay Ave (across from Salishan) on Jan 9th at 11:30 a.m. There are 4 selections to choose from (a)Reuben sandwich $15.00; (b)Caesar Salad with chicken $17.00; (c)Fish and Chips $17.00; or (d)Hamburger $16.00. Sandwiches include choice of fries or onion rings. Sign up on the Central Hub and select your choice of meal. Reservations are due no later than Jan 6th. Mention you are with Spring Life Church at the gate for entrance. 

Foodie Dinner Tour is held the third Thursday of each month. More info to follow on our January 16th location.

Women's Fun & Fellowship meets the third Friday of each month. We invite women of all ages to join us Friday, Dec 20th at 7 pm in building A. Wear your red & green. Come decorate your own pine cone tree, while enjoying Christmas music, Grinch Punch and a variety of Christmas cookies (No fruitcake). It's going to be a festive, fun for all, and we'd love to have you.

GriefShare is 13-week sessions, each of which have self-contained guidelines to help you along your journey. Sign up on the Web to participate in our next group of sessions. We will be offering this again beginning January 16, 2025.

Ladies in Faith Together "L.I.F.T."

Our compliments and thank you's to the LIFT Board for hosting a Christmas Tea on Monday, December 9th . Everything was wonderful - the food, the decorations, a touching devotion, fun trivia and Q&A's, prizes, and a Pick-a-Gift. We were blessed by several ladies who brought in their beautiful treasured china sets for the tea. You all made everyone there feel so special and loved. Merry Christmas to the LIFT Board ladies and volunteers, and all the ladies that graced our tables. It was fun.

Christmas Eve... Dec 24th the Children's Ministry will have a special interactive Storytime at 4 pm in building A.

Our CandleLight service will be at 6 pm in the Sanctuary.

SpringLife Food Pantry Notice: Due to "Farm Share" not making deliveries on the Thursday's after Christmas and New Year's, our pantry hours will change:

The Food Pantry will be open on Monday, Dec 23^rd from 9am–2pm for your convenience.

It will be closed on these 3 Wednesdays: Dec 25, 2024, Jan 1 and 8, 2025.

We will resume the Food Pantry distribution on Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025 from 9 am – 2 pm.

A word from the Mission Team on the Foster Children's Party: The Mission team would like to say a special thanks to all those who turned out to help by volunteering to be servers, wrappers, greeters, decorators, in short whatever was needed to make the Foster Children’s Christmas Party happen. Even a Santa. A special thanks to Angie McCoy and her kitchen crew who prepared a delicious meal for the Foster Kids and families. And oh what a cookie baker, Jackie Potter! Thanks to Kathy Welch for organizing the volunteers for the event, helping Ruth and I shop—something we haven’t done for kids of those ages for a long time. Thanks to  Melissa Rogers for bringing the YMCA in... who, if you hadn’t heard, offered free Y memberships to all the Kids and families. Thank you Pastor Greg for doing a way better job of praying than I would have. I hope I haven’t missed anyone. Oh yes, the office staff: Lorenda, Joanne, and Theresa who helped us coordinate all this by taking and funneling phone calls, inquiries about volunteering, and teaching us how to purchase all the gifts properly! Thank you all, bottom line, for helping us keep this tradition going when Mariann became unable to manage it this year. God richly blessed those of us who got to help make this happen in 2024!            ~Bill Gamlin

Prayer Requests Ministry

Almost 50 Prayer Partners receive updates on all prayer requests via email, to pray over and intercede for requests each week. You may wish to be included as a prayer partner so call Lorenda in the office to add your email to the group. Submit prayer requests through our website or call the church office. We celebrate Praises and answers to prayer also. Prayer requests, updates and praises are shared each week as the Prayer list is updated and sent to all in the Ministry weekly either via email and on the printed copy found in the Sanctuary lobby each Sunday.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Did you know the ladies of this ministry make more than just prayer shawls and baby blankets? The ladies will the thrid Wednesday of the month at 10:30 am in building D, classroom #1.

If you like to knit or crochet, the office will still accept your finished shawls for Pastor to bless during the summer. It's very important to follow the size guidelines. We have found these sizes to be best… For Baby Prayer Blankets: approximate size 29” by 29”. NO fringe please, and also solid soft colors are preferred. For Adult Prayer Shawls - please keep them to this size: 26” by 60” (no fringe), or 26” x 55” (with fringe). This adult size is very important—if they are too short, they don’t wrap around an adult comfortably. If they are too long and have extra fringe, they can get caught in the wheels of a wheelchair and create a safety hazard. Please bring completed Baby Blankets and Shawls to the office and Pastor Greg will bless them. ~Jackie Stout

LIBRARY MINISTRY—

Do you love to read and be around books, lots of them? If you are looking for a place to volunteer, but are limited in time, maybe the library is the place for you. You could serve on a rotation schedule. We will train you on the check in / check out process and feel certain you will enjoy your time serving. You can also visit with patrons as they stop in to look for specific items or just to say hello.

Volunteer Opportunities:

·       Tuesday mornings from 10 – noon, on a rotation schedule.

·       Sunday mornings 10:00 – 10:30 and 10:30 – 11:45 on a rotation schedule.

·       We can discuss additional opportunities if it better suits your schedule.

Library circulation remains active. We appreciate donations and we evaluate each one for cataloging into the library, to offer them on the “free shelf” or to donate to other entities depending on condition, topic, and if the item is currently available in the library. We have a vast collection of books cataloged on the web for you to check out.

The library is open whenever the church is open. If the librarian, or volunteer, are not available, you can check out books by writing your name and the complete date on the card and leaving the card on the desk. You will find the card in the back of the book, CD, or DVD.

Thank you for your continued interest and support in the SpringLife Church Library.   ~Lois Johnson, Librarian

Congregational Care Report- Monthly Report

“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Care Companions

We currently have 7 active Care Companions.

We have seen some recent changes in need and could benefit from a couple of NEW Care Companions who could call on our members. 

Tuesday night dinners. You need to register on-line for this dinner each week. We offer dine in only. Our Purpose: We serve in Jesus’ Name to share and fellowship all He has set before us, providing food for the body and spiritual support for the soul. We are averaging 60-70 dine-in meals each week. We give a devotion, offer prayers, and share Christ through the dine-in experience. We can always use a few more volunteers. ~ Jan Griffioen 

Note: there will be no dinners on Dec 24th and Dec 31. We will be closed to allow our volunteers to have time off.

The Food Pantry hosts Cup of Faith. Our time of coffee, brunch and fellowship is held in bldg B, the third Sunday of each month after the worship service. Cup of Faith has become a well attended, fun time to socialize after church. So much so, we are asking you to please sign up each month your intentions to join us. This serves a three-fold purpose: (1) it helps our chef to prepare enough food, (2) it allows you to help out, and (3) you can let us know if you would be bringing a special dish to share.

The drive-thru Pantry is open every Wednesday from 9 am to 2 pm in the back parking lot.

For our Wednesday pantry news:Thank you for your monetary donations . With your help, we are able to purchase items in quantity and at a lower cost than what is displayed on grocery shelves and fliers. Your generous contributions are quickly turned into food for our clients. The products received from Farm Share have decreased due to their funding which in turn has caused our expenses to increase. God Bless , ~Larry & Rose Milks

Note: Our Food Pantry will be CLOSED on Dec 25, 2024, Jan 1, & Jan 8, 2025, due to the gov't food trucks will not be running.

End of Year 2024 Donation Statements

Checks- deposited in the church offering in January of 2025 cannot be deducted in 2024, even if it is backdated to 2024. Only checks that are mailed and postmarked in 2024 are deductible in 2024, though they may not be received until 2025. 

Text message- Contributions made by text message are deductible in the year the donor sends the text message if the contribution is charged to the telephone or wireless account.

Credit card- Contributions charged on the donor’s bank credit card are deductible in the year the   donor makes the charge.

Pay-by-phone account- Contributions made through a pay-by-phone account are consider  delivered on the date the financial institution pays the amount. This date will be show on the statement the financial institution sends the donor.

Please note– Donors may not be able to deduct individual contributions of $250 or more if you file a tax return before receiving a qualified contribution receipt.         ~IRS Publication 526 (adapted)

5th Sunday Potluck... Thank you to our Chef Angie, her helpers, and several youth! They put on a wonderful German themed October luncheon. A variety of delicious German soups and dishes were served. It was a great turnout, with hardly a seat left. Please remember to sign up for the next one in March 2025.

The Bible on Video

Some of the most beautiful passages of the Bible can be found in Psalms. And the first four books in the New Testament are filed with the spoken words of Jesus. Many of our SpringLife members and guests have recorded chapters and whole books for your listening enjoyment. All New Testament books are available, as well as many of the Old Testament favorites. Accessing them is easy - go to the home web page and click "Watch" at the top, then click Video Bible Readings. From there you will have your choice of Books to watch, and even chapters. We would love volunteers willing to help us finish recording the Old Testament books (filled with challenging names). If you are up to the challenge, call the office. We'd love to complete the Bible. As Pastor Greg says You may not know how to pronounce the names, be as Pastor Greg says, “Be bold and no one will know the difference.” Be a fool for Christ. Sign up to read Bible chapters.

12/18/24

Next week is Christmas and there are parties to attend and special services happening. We as a staff want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! It's our privilege to serve this congregation and be a part of what God is doing in the lives of His people here and we look look forward to seeing where He moves in 2025.

10/17/24

There's lots going on to be a part of this fall. Between outreach events like Trunk or Treat and Men/Women's groups meeting, 3rd Sunday Fellowships and Foodie Tours and swoon it will be the season of Advent and preparing for Christmas time.

Finance Update thru :

Operating Expenses: $604,214

Operating Income: $577,566

Mortgage Expenses: $52,875

Mortgage Giving: 45,372