Messenger | April 17, 2024

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• New Members Class
• Congregational Meeting
• A Thank You Note From CEDEPCA
• Register for VBS
• Rutter and Friends Spring Concert
• Softball Season is Almost Here
• Best Wishes to Karen Jackson
• Prayers for the Family of Tawes DeWyngaert

Pastor's Message

Dear Friends and Family of Woods Church,

It seems that we are experiencing warmer days and signs of spring at the same time that we are launching into Stewardship Season. Perhaps there is a metaphor to be had there…a correlation between blessing and service. Clouds of Witnesses are appearing everywhere from flowering things and bees to more visitors at Woods in worship and other events. Thank you all for your continuing commitment and support.

This is a time of being challenged to balance responses to the world around us in general. In a few weeks’ time, we have heard and seen rumors of war daily, witnessed the collapse of two historic entities (our own Key Bridge and, now, a historic building and its artistic contents consumed by fire in Denmark), the loss of several individuals in our faith community, and more. It is difficult to hold that news in tension with the blossoming world around us. Bad news. Good news. A persistent life balancing act.

And then, this past Sunday, like one of those tiny buds that have been emerging from the ground upon which we walk, a young person approached me. “Pastor Nancy,” she said. “I want to be one of those people that you talked about in the sermon. I want to be a witness,” she told me. That’s the message of Good News that goes higher than any 400-year-old spire on a historic building and deeper than any body of water supporting a bridge. It is the telling of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Together we are great Clouds of Witnesses. So let’s get started…not just with our financial resources but with our voices, our hearts and our faithfulness.

Come. Join our Clouds of Witnesses!

Joyfully,

—Pastor Nancy

Church News

New Members Class

Our next New Members Class will be held this Sunday, April 21, 10:45AM. If you have any family, friends, or neighbors who you'd like to invite, please contact Kathie Hamlett at khamlett@woodschurch.org.

Congregational Meeting

On Sunday, April 28, 10:25AM, we will have a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing new church officers and nominating committee members.

Mission News

A Thank You Note From CEDEPCA

Education & Small Groups

New Adult Education Class: On Purpose

In On Purpose: Finding God’s Voice in Your Passion, authors Magrey deVega, Sam McGlothlin, Jevon Caldwell-Gross, and Susan Robb help us see God's purpose for our lives, how to open ourselves to God's voice, and how to take the first or next step to follow God's call.

Reading this book and exploring life choices alongside others, individuals will learn how to channel their passions, hear God’s voice, and live the life they were meant to live.

We’ll meet on Sundays through May 5, 11AM, in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom. Participant books for the series will be on the church office credenza.

Youth News

WoodsWork Registration is Open

Sunday, April 21, is the last day to register for WoodsWork 2024! We already have more than 70 youth signed up for this incredible mission opportunity for high school youth, but we would love to bring even more!

If you are a rising 9th grader through graduated 12th grader, you are eligible to join us on this house-building mission to Roanoke, Virginia, this Summer, June 18–26.

Children's News

VBS Registration is Open

VBS 2024 will be held July 15–18, 4–7PM, for all children 3-years-old to 5th grade. Come explore how Jesus practices justice, model’s kindness, and walks humbly with God. Children will explore lessons on mercy, compassion, generosity, and encouragement through songs, art, gardening, and story time.

The cost is $50 per child with a maximum of $100 per family. Dinner is included for registrants, and we welcome family members to come share a meal with us at 6:30PM. Extra meal tickets will be available for additional family members for $5 per person per night.

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's Continue the Conversation at Home about tending Jesus' sheep. Sunday, we heard the story of Jesus telling Peter that all of the sheep need help. The lambs need food! The sheep need guidance (shepherding). Jesus said, "Peter, tend my sheep." Then he reminded us that young and old both need special kinds of help.

How can we help? One way is by seeing each sheep, I mean person, and appreciating who they are and what they need. Matt de la Pena wrote Last Stop on Market Street about a boy and his grandmother who take the bus to help in a soup kitchen. At first CJ, the boy, could only see that others had things he did not. However, his nana helped him see the people and beauty around him. That attitude of gratitude reminds us that instead of being "better," things can be "different."

In the end, CJ was glad that he had taken the bus to the end of Market Street. With a grateful heart that appreciates the world around him, he was able to serve others. I think he was part of the Cloud of Witnesses, or folks who share the good news of living a life the way Jesus served. Certainly, CJ and his nana were feeding Jesus' sheep. I wonder how will you tend the sheep this week?

Music News

Rutter and Friends Spring Concert

If you enjoy choral and instrumental music, then join us for our Rutter and Friends Spring Concert on Saturday, June 8, 7PM! The adult choir, SEEK Band, and children’s choir with a full orchestra will present works of John Rutter and composers who influenced him such as Bach, Schubert, Beethoven, and even The Beatles. Rutter’s music is eclectic with influences of French and English choral traditions, and American classical songwriting.

It’s a concert for the ages—and it’s free! Come, be our friend, and enjoy this end-of-the year-concert! For more information, please email Dave Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Church Family News

Best Wishes to Karen Jackson

Congratulations to Karen Jackson in her new employment opportunity with the Anne Arundel County Police Department. While her departure is a loss for Woods, her technology skills will be a tremendous asset for the AACP.

Karen's last day with us will be April 24, and she will have a couple days of overlap with her replacement who we will welcome in next week's Messenger.

Thank you, Karen, for your continuing witness and service at Woods Church!



Prayers for the Family of Tawes DeWyngaert

It is with sadness that we share the death of Tawes DeWyngaert. Tawes was a member of Woods Church since 2011 and served as a Deacon, a Rehabber, and a member of the Men’s Bible study. Tawes was the spouse of the Rev. Dr. Susan DeWyngaert, former Senior Pastor.

He will be remembered at a Service of Witness to the Resurrection at First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota (2050 Oak Street, Sarasota 34237) on Saturday, April 27, 2PM.

A basket for communications to Dr. DeWyngaert is in the front office. We will be sending these to her through the end of April.

Please keep Susan, their daughters, Rachel and Sarah, and their family and friends in your prayers.

In Our Community

Softball Season is Almost Here

The Greater Severna Park Coed Church Softball League is once again entering its spring season. No experience required and you already made the team! We only ask that you bring a smile, and be at least 16 years of age by December 31, 2023. No full-time commitment is necessary. Come check it out!

We’ll take the field against St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 28, 2PM, at Cypress #1. If you are interested, contact Andrew Wiley 443.867.8803 or wileyas1@gmail.com.

If you are thinking… "there's no way I can participate... I am way out of shape..." then don't worry, you'll fit right in! Although the GSPCCSL may sound super legit, it's actually just a bunch of post-prime athletes working to stay young. You'll have fun

Congregational Prayer

O Lord of Easter resurrections, I celebrate that you are alive, almighty, and present. By your grace, keep me fearless and sure as I look for the blessings that await me in the weeks ahead. I will weep with those who weep, rejoice with those who celebrate, and ever tell your story of Easter hope. For I know that the power of your endless love will surround and guide me from this day forth.

Alleluia! Amen.