Celebrating lifts one’s soul. Celebrating tells His story. Celebrating is contagious.

Let’s celebrate our first ever “Friday Family Fun” event. It took place on Friday, October 21, 2022, from 6:30-8PM.

The Family Ministry team met, prayed and asked God what would be a fun family focus event for all families to be able to attend - that would capture our six (6) core commitments: warm relationships, best neighbors, Jesus message, prioritize everyone, key chain leadership and empathy. 

“Friday Family Fun” is an example of: “Doing life well. Together.”

“Trunk or Treat” event held on October 31 has been the event for many years. It has always been a fun, well-attended event- by church members, as well as our community. So, our team included many fun things from this event, and added a few fun things to our new event. 

There was a chili cook-off, carnival-like games to play, candy, hotdogs, popcorn, and a fire pit w/s’more fixings, plus Silver Bullet returned with yummy shaved ice. With church members’ help we added a hayride, a pie eating contest, a crafts table, and a goofy crow contest.

Let’s celebrate another year of being able to partner with ‘Operation Christmas Child’. Participation involved four ways: Take. Bring. Give. Join. - ‘Operation Christmas Child’ is another example of: “Doing life well. Together.”

EVERYDAY- there is something to celebrate! 
So. Celebrate!

I’d like to close with a few of my favorite CELEBRATION Bible verses:

Psalm 145:6-8 – Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, And I will tell of Your greatness. They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and merciful.

Isaiah 63:7 – I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us.

Psalm 147:1 – Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

Psalms 47:1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Psalm 71:8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

2 Samuel 7:22 How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.

Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Psalm 16:2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

Deuteronomy 10:21 He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.

I can only imagine how God must enjoy watching His children dance and sing in response to His love and goodness. When I look around I see all kinds of things to celebrate. Our Heavenly Father is the giver of good gifts.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

As children of a Father who gives good and perfect gifts, we have much to celebrate. He is working in our midst; around us, in us, and through us! He is planning an ultimate grand celebration unlike any the world has ever known, and we are invited! (Rev. 19:6-9) Until then, let’s thank Him for His gifts, large and small, and look for reasons to sing and dance, and celebrate all He is doing.

What can you celebrate today?

I’m celebrating the children who learned about Jesus this month at the  Mission Placerville VBS service project ! 

I’m also celebrating our time together at the Pool Party Sunday!

And I’m celebrating what God is doing every Sunday in the KidsWorld Elementary and Early Childhood areas, and in the rest of the church!

Keep celebrating His goodness! -Charlotte 

As this sermon series unfolds, I’ve found myself relating, sympathizing and being in awe of Nehemiah’s rebuilding efforts. The relating and sympathizing comes from my personal journey of rebuilding my life in the last five years: standing on my own two feet post-divorce, my mom’s death, being the sole parent of a challenging teen boy, dating after 20 years! Many times have I felt that my city walls were destroyed and all I had in front of me were piles of rubble. The immensity of rebuilding was even more personal as I recently stood on one of these ancient city walls in the medieval city of Hondarribia, Spain (see picture). Ancient city walls like the one I stood on and are referenced to in the book of Nehemiah truly are massive! The desire to rebuild something this massive is daunting, to say the least. It takes will, energy, and more than anything faith.

It is faith that continues to carry me as I continue my rebuilding journey and leave this beautiful community of Placerville, my home for the last 16 years. Mady, Ashton and I will be building a life in San Diego County in a couple of months. Mady will be attending & living at UCSD while Ashton and I settle nearby. At times this move feels drastic. I am uprooting from a place where my kids and I are comfortable and steady. I’m choosing to leave a tight-knit community where I’m a known entity. 
Is rebuilding daunting? Yes. 
Is rebuilding possible? Definitely.

The stress of the long list of unknowns is appeased with the knowledge that I’ll be a short drive from Mady if college life gets overwhelming. And I’ll also be a short drive from my dad, two sisters, nieces and nephews (including a newborn niece!). Lastly, God has gone before me and opened up the door with a job at an online fashion retailer who’s core value is to generously give back to the artisans of mostly third world countries! I’ve already had the pleasure of dealing with an artisan in a remote village in Guatemala and quickly discovered that she loves Jesus!

Leaving my church family here at Cold Springs Church is the most bitter sweet. You have taught myself and my kids the meaning and value of “chosen family”. You all have shown me love and acceptance beyond understanding. So much so, that I foresee myself visiting soon and often. Because, as the Cheers theme song goes:

🎶“Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name
And they're always glad you came
You want to be where you can see
Our troubles are all the same
You want to be where everybody knows your name” 🎶

So if you see me before I leave, I ask for no “goodbyes” please, but rather “see you soon”.
Much love and gratitude, 
Theresa

Behold, I do a new thing…
As of July 1st, I am stepping down as Women’s Coordinator.   As some of you know, my husband recently retired and we have had a desire to do marriage ministry for years.  We are taking this next year to see what God would want us to do with this desire.  As of now, we are still in the area and will be attending Cold Springs Church. 
Bible study and life groups for women will continue and the women’s blog will still be posted weekly. Events will happen as God calls women in our faith family to step into areas of passion. Pastor Esther Tress continues to be a resource to equip, encourage and empower women. 

“I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

I want to thank the people who walked this journey with me…

• My family who loved and supported me in 1,000 different ways – your sacrifice goes beyond measure. Te quiero.
• The church staff for countless hours of coaching, training, encouraging and loving me.  What I take away is more than I have given.
• The leaders of ladies’ connections, Bible study, Embrace Grace, the Leadership Cohort, Freedom Writers and the Ladies Retreat, for co-creating and collaborating on some beautiful “God dreams”.  It’s amazing to see what He did with our loaves and fishes.
• All the ladies who volunteered their gifts and time for Spring into Beauty, Evening of Inspiration and the Ladies Tea – it takes the whole body of Christ to fulfill His purposes and you all rose to meet that need.

Words cannot describe the joy I have had in seeing God’s faithfulness in our personal growth, outreach to needs in the community and the annual invitations for women who came through our doors for annual events.

Challenge and Encouragement:
Remember that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert, and while we logged some of those hours, there are plenty more!  If you have an idea and passion for something that God has laid on your heart, I encourage you to pursue that passion with the church leadership and bring about the “new thing” that God has for this season.

With Much Love & Gratitude,
Christina

A Tradition…
Women’s Ministries at Cold Springs has been putting on a Spring Tea long before I started attending.  As the lady’s connection team planned for this year’s activities, the tea took its rightful place in May.  Hostesses were recruited (some who have done this for years, and some venturing the task for the first time), tables were set up, beautiful place settings were created, and the lady’s team prepped. In the prepping, we decided to do things a little different – let’s create small group discussion around the tables!  

The day arrived, Ginger Miner greeted and sat people, hostesses and team leaders served, the beautiful surroundings set the mood, and prayer reminded us of God’s Spirit with us.  I’ve heard that you can tell when people are in community when there is laughter and tears. On Saturday, May 7th, ladies laughed, cried and lingered – confirming that God’s Spirit was experienced.  I am so grateful for the women who prepped, the women who attended, and the women who shared of their lives, making this an event to remember.  We celebrate when we share life.

A Life…
The city of Placerville lost a faithful servant this month, Yvonne Link.  Yvonne served in the community.  She served in church.  She served in Women’s Mission Fellowship.  And she served anyone she met.  What I remember most about Yvonne is her sharing her mother’s collection of quotes, scripture, and words of wisdom.  Every time we spoke, she told me about something her mother used to say, or she would read something her mother had saved.  She was a hostess for every tea up until the age of 97!  We celebrate her life.

A Savior…
We celebrate the person of Christ present to make every person, every event, and every circumstance a celebration!

With Love,
Christina
*Remember, Jesus loved you! 

Fellowship sounds like a “churchy” word, doesn’t it? But it’s biblical and essential to living as Jesus followers— with God and “fellow” believers. From the beginning God intended humans to commune with him and each other (Genesis 1-3). 

Last month I had the opportunity to celebrate fellowship with our association of churches, Transformation Ministries (tmchurches.org). The event was an annual 2-day celebration. This year was extra sweet because though I serve on TM’s Board of Directors, I connected with people I hadn’t seen since prior to Covid.

A personal blessing came the final hour of the event. During a time of worship, there was opportunity for people to receive individual prayer. I was one of the pastors praying for those who came forward. This is the thing about praying together—  the one who prays is often just as blessed, if not more so, than the one who is prayed for. 

There is a 3-way connection in those moments… a unity in fellowship formed: between God, the pray-er and the pray-ee. And guess who shows up in his all powerful glory? Yep! God’s Spirit flows over the moment. 

And blessings linger. Because his presence does (Acts 1:8). Through tears and smiles, we experience the unity of the Spirit through God’s amazing love (John 17:23, Ephesians 4:3)! 

Prayer brings us closer to each other and Heaven’s door because it’s where our spirits come alive with his. It’s why many get emotional during prayer. We encounter Jesus… and he changes us.

So when you have the opportunity to be prayed for, or perhaps you’re moved to pray for another… remember, prayer unites people. The Holy Spirit is ready to rain down blessings upon you and through you. 
​
Will you take that step? Heaven will celebrate with us!

To talk/pray: esther@coldspringschurch.net 

Celebrate Growth!
growth
noun
the act or process, or a manner of growing; development; gradual increase.
size or stage of development
completed development.
development from a simpler to a more complex stage:
development from another but related form or stage
something that has grown or developed by or as if by a natural or Spiritual process: 
origin; source; production: 
​
adjective
of or denoting a business, industry, or equity security that grows or is expected to grow in value over a long period of time: adjective.
of or denoting a business, industry, or equity security that grows or is expected to grow in value over a long period of time:

If you are growing, your organization, your ministry, your circle of influence is growing because each one of you contributes to the whole organization, the whole ministry, the community.

The “Big Mo,” momentum, is an individual’s and organization’s best friend. Depending on which way it’s heading, it either puts the wind at your back…or in your face. And it follows that age-old-rule that an object in motion tends to stay in motion, unless specific actions are taken to change its direction.  If your organization or you have momentum, then you need to intentionally put “the pedal to the metal” and continue to ride on that momentum.  If an organization or you as an individual are not moving forward, the organization or individual is most likely going backwards.

​verb (used with object), cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing.
to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities:
to make known publicly; proclaim
to praise widely or to present to widespread and favorable public notice, as through newspapers or novels
to perform with appropriate rites and ceremonies 

verb (used without object), cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing.
to observe a day or commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities.

My six-year-old daughter is small in stature but makes up for it in confidence and competitive juices.  There is no greater time of celebration around the Cole household than when we stand Maci next to the door jam and measure how much she has grown in the last three months .  She loves to grow, she loves the results of growth, but mostly she loves the childlike excitement Dad and Mom express about how much she has grown.  There is a little kid in each of our leadership development journeys that loves the significance of progress.  If you don’t celebrate your growth or drive excitement around your team’s growth, you are missing a key element to its sustainability.

CELEBRATING THE EVENING OF INSPIRATION
On the first Thursday in December, the lady’s ministry team of Cold Springs Church has put on an event called “Evening of Inspiration”.  The event includes decorated tables, a potluck dinner, a gift drawing, carols, a Christmas message and an ornament exchange.  Cold Springs ladies give of their time, resources, creativity, and hospitality to insure every person who walks through our doors feels welcome.  FUN!  And a wonderful way to welcome in the Christmas season.
This year, we had the pleasure of hearing Pam Cooke share about her experience with embracing the way God chose to bring about our redemption.  She asked “Why Jesus?”  She heard a response – “Why not Jesus?” 

He came – “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:  Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14.

He loved – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends.” – John 15:13

He showed us The Father – “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power.  After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high.  - Hebrews 1:3

He left The Spirit – “But I tell you the truth – it is better for you that I go away.  For if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.  But if I go, I will send Him to you.”
​
Why do women decorate tables every year, why do they invite others, why do women come to the event who have never set foot in our church, and why do women return year after year?  Jesus.  “Why Jesus?”  “Why not Jesus!”  
Our prayer from lady’s ministry is that you would experience the fullness of Jesus in this glorious holiday season.

With Much Love,
Christina

Celebrating lifts one’s soul. Celebrating tells His story. Celebrating is contagious. There’s so much to celebrate:
 
Let’s celebrate the KidsWorld team members. Ministering to His children, TOGETHER, with such a talented team of people is my number one celebration. I celebrate and I thank God for His bringing us TOGETHER. Each of us individually, graciously bringing our gifts and talents that He has blessed us with to create, to equip, and to impact. It is glorious!
 
Let’s celebrate Sunday mornings. The previous KidsWorld director always said, “every Sunday is a miracle.” I see that! That’s why on Monday mornings we begin with prayer and praise for what He did.
 
Let’s celebrate the completion of our church’s most recent giving project, Operation Christmas Child. Last year fifty shoeboxes were sent, and this year God more than tripled that number – over 170 shoeboxes were packed and sent! Yay God. I celebrate because the number of shoeboxes increased. Yes. Wow.

I celebrate, too, because Operation Christmas Child was done TOGETHER. “It was AMAZING!” Church team staff members made shoeboxes. Many church members took a shoebox, filled it, and returned it.  Some brought items to fill the shoeboxes. Some gave money towards shipping expenses and/or items to purchase for the boxes. Some participated in the packing party and packed boxes until the supplies ran out. Cold Springs Church people were generous – with their money, their time, their energy, and their love.

There is so much to celebrate! Plus, celebrating is FUN!
 
I’d like to close with a few of my favorite CELEBRATION Bible verses:

• Psalm 145:6-8 – Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, And I will tell of Your greatness. They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and merciful.
• Isaiah 63:7 – I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us.
• Psalm 147:1 – Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
• Psalms 47:1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
• 1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
• Psalm 71:8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.
• 2 Samuel 7:22 How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.
• Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
• Psalm 16:2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”
• Deuteronomy 10:21 He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.