Women's Newsletter - Fall 2023

Prayer ~ Study in God’s Word ~ Community

By Jill Sprik

“The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (1 Peter 1:24-25)

The calendar is telling us that autumn is here, and tangible signs of the changing seasons are all around us. Summer flowers are fading. Green leaves are turning to shades of red and gold. Cool nights are warmed by hot chocolate and s’mores. And pumpkin spiced coffee has arrived!

One of my favorite signs of autumn is the beginning of a new season of Women’s Wednesday Morning Bible Study at Springton Lake Church. After more than a decade of participation in this ministry, I always look forward to our first meetings in September with great anticipation. The faces have changed through the years, but the buzz of activity that fills the church building on Wednesday mornings remains the same. There is the smell of fresh coffee in the air while conversations echo in the halls, and then the women gather in their small groups throughout the building to pray, learn from God’s Word, and experience connection and community with sisters in Christ.

I’m often told that the dedicated time that we spend sharing our needs and then praying for them is a favorite part of our mornings together. As wives, mothers, neighbors, caregivers, and friends, we need the counsel of the Holy Spirit to navigate the life to which He has called us. In our confidential prayer for each other, we ask the Lord for guidance in our relationships, health concerns, decision-making, and other areas where we especially need His help. This component of the morning is a beautiful segue to the Bible study that follows.

Through our digging into God’s Word, we are continually reminded that the story of redemption connects us to each other, and to a heritage from the beginning of time of men and women who walked by faith. Recurring themes of God’s holiness, grace, mercy, and provision are revealed to us as we open His unchanging Word. Every week, the Lord teaches each of us new nuggets of truth with personal applications from both the lesson and the insightful discussion it generates. Through our sharing together, we become better equipped to live God-glorifying lives.

These mornings in prayer and in God’s Word soon lead us into a feeling of connection and a sense of community in the group. Within a few weeks, the knowledge of being in a place of belonging where it is safe to talk about spiritual things lends itself to sincere sharing in both the prayer and study times. Questions are asked. Stories of God’s provision are told. Encouragement is given. And sometimes, tears are shed. There is no judgment or perfection here – only Christ-followers who want to know more of Him and His ways.

The doors are now open on Wednesday mornings for a new season of learning from God’s Word, and being in fellowship. Would you like to learn along with a community of women who pray and study God’s Word together? As the seasons change from summer to fall, we welcome you to join us anytime as we enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or pumpkin spiced coffee, and enter into a shared desire to grow in our faith based in God’s unchanging Word. It’s a wonderful way to begin a new season in life.

Women’s Bible Studies This Fall

Wednesday Morning Bible Studies meet weekly from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., with coffee, tea and childcare available each week. This fall we have three study options:

	Studying: 1 Samuel Meets in Classroom 7. For more information, contact Jill Sprik: Jillsuzannesprik@gmail.com
	Studying: The Epsisles of John, using the LifeGuide study Meets in the Conference Room and on Zoom. For more information, contact Janet Albrycht: j.e.albrycht@gmail.com
	Studying: 1 Peter using the Daily Grace Co. study for Moms (with kids from crib to college) Meets by the Fireplace in Fellowship Hall. For more information, contact Amy Singer: singer.amy@outlook.com
	Wednesday Evening Bible Study meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at the home of Nyla DiGiorgio from 7:15-8:45 p.m. They are studying Hebrews.Contact Nyla DiGiorgio for more information, 610-990-1836
	Thursday Evening Bible Study meets in the Conference room from 7:00-8:30 p.m. This year, they are studying Exodus, using the LifeGuide study. For more information, contact Becki Marshall, 484-343-5499