It’s a delight each year to recognize university graduates who we get to know over the course of several years during their time in Waco. These are the most amazing students and people. Congratulations to all graduates and to all who are finishing this semester today. You’ve been through a totally unprecedented experience over the last year. We’re so proud of you all and pray for deep breaths in the days to come!
Since the Covid pandemic altered worship for us in many ways, Samuel Moore has been leading us in music in worship. For many months he was singing alone as the congregation sang along (Right? Right??) from their sofas at home. In more recent months, he’s led us to begin singing with him outdoors with masks, and now as of last week, finally, for many of us mask-free. His consistent and prayerful presence in worship planning and musical and spiritual leadership has been a gift to us. This is Sam’s last Sunday with us for a while. He heads to work at the University of Notre Dame this summer. We’ll miss him while he’s gone this summer, but look forward to his return this fall as we (hopefully) begin to move in the sanctuary for worship.
Please see the notes below on an opportunity to visit the Creech Farm and San Antonio Mennonite Church next weekend. The short trip brings together two important spiritual threads in our life right now—restorative relationship with creation and hospitality with immigrants. We can take a few more people. You’ll love it if you’re able to go.
Please also see notes below on serving with children this summer and Pastoral Associate opportunities in the fall.
Finally, here’s a poem for a season of budding trees and spring flowers and worshipping outside, and of being lost and found again.
Lost
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes besides you
Are not lost. Wherever you are in called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
- David Wagoner
God’s peace to you all,
Eric
This Week's Schedule
Wednesday, May 5
9:00 am Centering Prayer
Stokes Chapel
6:00 pm Evening Prayer
Youth Gathering
DaySpring
7:00 pm Youth Parent and Student Meeting
DaySpring
Beginning June 6, we are reopening Worship Care for our babies - 3 year olds. Please consider serving children and their families by signing up here to serve one Sunday. Our childcare staff will support you by maintaining the schedule, knowing individualized needs, and cleaning and disinfecting the room. We are committed to being Covid safe and will publish our risk reducing measures soon.
Centering Prayer
Join Candy and Les Neugebauer on Wednesday mornings in the Stokes Chapel at 9:00 am. In Centering Prayer, we have a short reading followed by silence. After a 5 minute break to stretch, we hear the reading again followed by more silence. We conclude with a short benediction prayer. If you have not experienced centering prayer before, we will offer a brief introduction and share sources for you to explore. For questions, contact Les Neugebauer.
Wednesday Evening Benediction
All members of the DaySpring family are invited to join members of the DaySpring choir Wednesday evenings at 9:00 pm for our Evening Benediction, a special blessing for the closing of the day. This shared time will be a gathering for prayer, scripture, confession, and silence, and will also include listening to a choral piece you might recognize as one that the choir has sung in worship. Please join us for a meaningful ending to the day.
On June 6, we are reopening extended worship care for babies - 3 year olds. While we can't ensure physical distancing, we can limit the number of children per classroom with your help. Please fill out this form to ensure we have the correct information for your child and to know whether your child will attend extended worship care and/or Sunday school this summer. Thank you!
Summer Sunday School Teachers and Subs
We only need 1 additional teacher to complete our summer roster! If you're willing to serve in the Kindergarten/1st Grade classroom with Naomi King, please email Amy, amy@ourdayspring.org. If you're unable to commit to teaching the whole summer, please sign up here to join our sub list and help our teachers travel with the peace of mind that their class is covered and kiddos cared for. We are committed to being Covid safe and will publish our risk reducing measures soon.
Children and Family Newsletter
To stay up to date on children’s formation, including Sunday school zooms and content, please sign up for the Children and Family Newsletter here:
Our Adult Spiritual Formation classes meet Sundays, online and in person. These classes provide an opportunity for you to get to know others in the congregation while also attending to your own spiritual growth and relationship with God. For more information on each class, visit the website listed.
All undergrads are invited to join a small group meeting this Sunday at 10am. Usually the group will meet in person when the worship service is in person. Contact Hannah Vassar with any questions.
Weekly Bible Studies
Men's Bible Study
Join Pastor Eric and the men of DaySpring on Tuesdays at 9am for a weekly Bible study on the book of Hebrews.
Women's Bible study is taking a break for the summer.
Lectionary Breakfast
Join DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast on Fridays from 8:00 to 9:00 am. Bring your favorite breakfast beverage to the Zoom call and enjoy an hour of scripture, discussion, and laughter.
A little help needed Saturday morning, May 8, beginning at 9:30 am. We will dig holes and plant new shrubs in sanctuary flower bed. If you can volunteer for an hour or so to get them in the ground please call Susan Perdue at 254-780-6356.
Take Two---June 5th
Save the Date! The next Take 2 Workday will be Saturday, June 5th, as we prepare to open classrooms for Worship Care and Children's classes. Watch the newsletter for more details.
Visit San Antonio: Learning about Ministry to Immigrants
A small group of DaySpringers will be traveling to San Antonio on May 14-16 to visit San Antonio Mennonite Church and La Casa de Maria y Marta, a hospitality house for asylum seekers. We are still finalizing plans for the weekend, but if you are interested in coming, please contact Amber McKinney. We will be staying at the Robert and Melinda Creech's farm.
Night at the World Hunger Relief Farm
The World Hunger Relief Farm is hosting "Night at the Farm" on June 3 which includes a chef-prepared meal with food from the farm. The WHRF practices sustainable agriculture and seeks to empower communities both home and abroad to alleviate food insecurity and address hunger. If you would like to learn more, support the farm or attend the event, visit the Farm's Website.
Foster Village Monthly Gathering
Foster Village Waco will have their monthly Support Gathering next Tuesday evening at Dayspring. They are looking for childcare volunteers to come play with some amazing kids.
Sunday, we recognized DaySpringers who have earned university degrees.
Present and listed left to right:
Jeff Strietzel, Jana Heady, Anna Beth Mann, Trey Honeycutt,
Matthew Fuller, Chase Jensen, and Kingsley East
Graduate Recognition
Congratulations to the following college graduates:
Kingsley East Truett Seminary - Master of Divinity
Matthew Fuller Truett Seminary - Master of Divinity and Certificate in Spiritual Direction
Jana Heady Baylor University - University Scholar
Trey Honeycutt Tarleton State University - Master of Curriculum and Instruction
Chase Jensen Truett Seminary - Master of Divinity
Anna Beth Mann Truett Seminary - Master of Divinity
Jonathan Pinto Truett Seminary - Master of Divinity (December) and Certificate in Spiritual Direction
Jeff Strietzel Baylor University (December) - PhD- Higher Education Leadership
Monty Suffern McLennan Community College - Associates in Audio Engineering
Elijah Tanner Truett Seminary and Baylor University- Master of Divinity and MBA
Directory Update
A new, updated directory is available! Contact the church office to be sent a digital directory or to have a printed directory mailed to you.
Pastoral Associates, 2021-2022
Pastoral Associates are an important part of the ministry of DaySpring, serving on the church staff in a variety of roles. You get the full experience of the life of ministry staff while you experience serving the church in meaningful ways. Typically, 2-3 Associates, often Truett students or graduate students, serve each year beginning in August, usually giving around 5 hours per week. A small stipend is provided.
If you are interested in serving DaySpring as a Pastoral Associate beginning in August or in the future, please contact Eric@ourdayspring.org.
Member Encouragement
Click below to read reflections written by DaySpringers.
Tonight, all parents are asked to attend an important meeting at 7 pm. I have important information to share with your youth and with you about the upcoming season of the life of the youth group. I’d like to share it in person with as many of the youth and parents as possible.
Students will meet at 6 pm like our regular Wednesday schedule. Parents please either stay for Evening Prayer or return to DaySpring for our meeting at 7 pm. I hope to see as many of you there as possible!
Camp Eagle Sign Ups
This year, the youth group will be going to Camp Eagle from June 18-22. The cost for students to attend is $300.
We have currently filled all of our prepaid spots for camp, but we have 6 spots available for purchase from camp—three boys and three girls. Spots will be filled exclusively on a first-come-first served basis, so do not complete any sign up forms until Joe has confirmed that one of these spots is still available. In order to claim one of these spots, please email Joe as soon as possible.
If you have any financial concerns in regard to camp, please email Joe, and we can work together to find a way to send your student to camp.
Wednesday Night Youth Gathering
The youth group will meet in-person at the church Wednesdays from 6:00-7:15.
Students will be required to wear masks for the duration of the time we are in person, and a seating area will be provided so that students are spaced out appropriately when we are all gathered together.
We will be using Wednesday nights as a time to strengthen connection with one another by practicing prayer and scripture-reading together, and I hope your students can make it!
If you have announcements or prayer concerns that you'd like included in the DaySpring News,
please send them (press-ready, if possible) by noon on Wednesday to dayspring@ourdayspring.org
DaySpring Baptist Church
7900 Renewal Way
Waco, Texas 76712
phone: 776-9988 www.ourdayspring.org
