Messenger is here!

February 18, 2026

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Ash Wednesday 6:30PM Service
• Lenten Devotional Now Available
• Download Our Lent Brochure
• Coffeehouse Concert, February 28
• The Prince of Egypt Tickets
• Lost & Found
• Children’s Ministry Lenten Activities
• Summer Activities for Kids
• Save the Date for WoodsWork 2026
• New Adult Education Offerings for Lent
• Opportunities to Serve During Lent
• Adult Mission Trip, April 20–25
  

Pastor's Message

For 23 years, the Rev. Nancy Lincoln Reynolds led the pastoral care ministries of Woods Church with wisdom, compassion, and love. With her retirement as our Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Evangelism, you might be wondering how our Pastoral Care Ministries will work moving forward, so I thought I’d take a moment to describe that so everyone understands how we will continue to be known as a congregation that loves and cares for its members, neighbors, and friends.

First, anytime you are feeling the need for a pastoral conversation or connection, you can reach out to myself or to Sarah Wilson, who is now serving as our Interim Pastoral Associate. Please do NOT think about how “busy” we might be or worry about “bothering” us; let me say very clearly that we are never too busy for pastoral care!

So, in addition to email (JAustin@WoodsChurch.org or SWilson@WoodsChurch.org), you can call the Church Office during office hours and leave a message. If one of us is not immediately available, and we will return your call as soon as we are able. But if you are experiencing a crisis and it is after office hours, one of the pastors is always on call for pastoral emergencies. We use a pastoral answering service for that purpose, which you can reach 24/7 by calling either the direct line at 410.288.8359, or the main Church Office line and following the voicemail prompts. Either way, the on-call pastor will return your call as quickly as possible when contacted by the service.

Second, one of Nancy’s signature achievements, as I told her many times, was creating a robust “pastoral care infrastructure” for Woods. That means we have a whole host of pastoral caregivers at work in the congregation whom the pastors have a role in equipping and supporting, but who are very much empowered in their own ministries. That begins with the Board of Deacons. In the Presbyterian tradition, if pastors are Ministers of Word and Sacrament, Deacons could be said to be ordained as Ministers of Compassion and Justice. Here at Woods, that means our Deacons are key pastoral caregivers in terms of ministering to people who are sick, homebound, or struggling in some way. They also organize opportunities for us to enjoy one another in community, such as our Senior Fellowship Dinners, recognizing that friendship and fellowship are gifts from God that bring both joy and healing.

For more specialized care, we have Stephen Ministers, members of the church who have undergone extensive training to provide emotional and spiritual support in a Christ-centered way, working confidentially and one-on-one with people going through a difficult experience, particularly some form of grief or loss.

We also have a Prayer Ministry that includes the pastors and volunteers who collectively pray for all prayer requests that are submitted to the church. If you want to submit a request, the best way is to contact Maureen Adams, our Pastoral Care Coordinator, by calling the church or emailing her at MAdams@WoodsChurch.org. Please indicate if you wish your request to be a private one (i.e., not mentioned in public worship).



Finally, I want to recognize and thank several key staff members, in addition to Sarah Wilson, who work very hard and very well to keep all our ministries supported and moving forward.

Maureen Adams, as I mentioned earlier, serves as our Pastoral Care Coordinator, who serves with great administrative skill and a tender heart. Steve Hilbert serves as our Continuity of Care Coordinator, a “volunteer staff” position that utilizes his profound gifts as both a pastoral visitor and community networker. I also want to thank Nancy Sullivan, the long-time administrator for the Woods Care and Counseling Center, who retired at the end of 2025 but was an integral part of the Woods pastoral care team for many years.

So, Woods Church is and will continue to be blessed with a strong ministry of pastoral care during this pastoral transition and into the future! Please let us know how we can support you, and if you have any questions about how we might do so.

Grace and peace,

—Pastor JC

Church News

Ash Wednesday Service

If you missed our Ash Wednesday service at noon today, February 18, we invite you to attend our evening service at 6:30PM.

Ash Wednesday is the traditional beginning of the season of Lent. It involves a worship service with times of confessional prayer and the imposition of ashes, which have long been a symbol of repentance, sorrow, and sacrifice. We remember that we come from dust and to dust we shall return; yet this life journey is both known byt God and redeemed by the love of Christ.

Lenten Devotional Now Available

Our Lenten devotional, Discipleship in a Divided Age, is available. Click here to download a copy.

This daily devotional helps to anchor us in scripture and guide our spiritual practices during this sacred season. This devotional follows the Gospel of Matthew and speaks directly into our moment. Through daily reflections, thoughtful questions and weekly visio divina practices, this resource invites us to live faithfully amid division and uncertainty.

Download Our Lent Brochure

Our Lent brochure provides information about all the worship services, programs, and special activities taking place at Woods Church during the Lenten season. We invite you to explore the many opportunities for prayer, reflection, fellowship, and spiritual growth as we journey together toward Easter.

For complete details on dates, times, and events, click here to download a copy or pick one up at the church.

The Prince of Egypt Tickets Are Now Available

On March 13–15 & 19–21, 7:30PM, & Saturdays, March 14 & 21, 2PM, Woods Church will present The Prince of Egypt, a sweeping, epic musical featuring music and lyrics by Grammy and Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz, with a book by Philip LaZebnik. This powerful story follows two brothers—one destined to rule as Pharaoh, the other called to rise up and free his true people. Both must confront a destiny that will change history forever.

The cost is $20 per ticket.

Important Notes:

• Due to the inability to fully blackout all windows in the performance area, matinee performances will have ambient sunlight entering the space.
• This production includes strobe lighting effects, loud noises, and scenes depicting fighting and stage combat.
• This show depicts intense situation and thematic elements adapted from the book of Exodus. While children are welcome to attend, parental guidance is suggested.

Lost & Found

Please check the Church Office’s Lost & Found for items that you are missing. Items will sit on the counter for one week and then will be housed in the sliding cabinet under the staff mailboxes. The collection will be donated at the turn of the next season, so please check the cabinet if you are missing something!

Water bottles, jewelry, and eyeglasses often turn up—have faith!

Youth News

Save the Date for WoodsWork 2026

WoodsWork 2026 will be held June 22–30. We are still finalizing our location, but we are hoping to open registration by the end of the year! Download the flyer for more details.

Children's News

Sunday Kindness Crossroads

Kindness Connection for Lent is back with Kindness Crossroads. Find Ms. Kat at the Sunday School crossroads, lower level, following the 9:30AM service to make your Kindness Connection at the crossroad of Sunday’s stories and your week. You can make a path from Ash Wednesday to Easter—because Kindness Connections count!

Summer Day Camps for Kids

This year, Woods will be offering more than one camp. You will select which camps your child(ren) would like to attend from the additional items selection. Please remember to print out the the attached below form(s) for the camp(s) you will be attending.

Register online and keep reading for more information on the programs that are available.

Art & the Bible

I Am Who I Am: God in Scripture and the Arts

From Monday–Friday June 6–10, children in K–grade 5 will participate in an innovative approach to Bible study to explore biblical images and names of God through the Bible, paired with their creativity and artistic expression. An Art Reception will take place Friday at 2:30PM, sharing the children's work with their friends and family.

The week-long day camp will include two snacks; participants will bring their own lunch. Water will be provided. The cost is $425/child. Scholarships are available. Registration is limited.

Questions? Please contact our Children's Ministry at children@woodschurch.org.

The program was developed by the Center for Excellence in Christian Education, Union Presbyterian Seminary.

Vacation Bible Study Day Camp

Be Strong and Courageous | Joshua 1:9

This year’s VBS program will take place Monday–Friday, July 13–17. Children in grades K–grade 5 will learn how God helps us to be strong and courageous. How does God encourage us? How is God with us? We will explore the sights, sounds, feels, and joys of Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” What does this look like in our community, in our times?

The week-long day camp will include two snacks; participants will bring their own lunch. Water will be provided. The cost is $425/child. Scholarships are available. Registration is limited.

Questions? Please contact our Children's Ministry at children@woodschurch.org.

The program was developed by Kat Green, national spokesperson for children and Biblical Literacy and Director of Children's Ministry at Woods Church.

VBS Express

During VBS week, kids 2 years old through grade 5 are welcome to join us at VBS Express from 4–6 pm. It’ll be all aboard to travel through Bible stories with songs, movement, art, and fun! You’ve got wings!

The cost is $50/child with a $100 family max. VBS Day Camp registration includes participation in VBS Express. No meal will be served, but a snack will be provided to all participants.

Education & Small Groups

Passed Our Limitations: The Power of Community

I’ll Push You is the story of two friends who embark on a spiritual journey across the Camino de Santiago. What makes their pilgrimage remarkable is that one friend pushes the other who is confined to a wheelchair. Their book provides insights into friendship and community while exploring spiritual truths that remind us to embrace life even when we experience limitations.

Like the themes in the book, the emphasis during Lent is self-reflection, simplicity and spiritual discipline. Join us on Sundays, February 22–March 22, 11AM, as we explore spiritual disciplines that push past our limitations and draw us closer to God.

Class will be held in Room 208 and on Zoom.

Incarnated Spirituality: Integrating Heart and Head

Our society compartmentalizes life on multiple levels. We have mental health and physical health. There are entire schools of psychology that focus on emotional health, and millions of pages have been written about spiritual health. But life is messy and in reality, these multiple facets of our life are intimately related. Affliction in any one area affects the others. Purposeful-focused walking is one of the best ways to break the barriers between mental, physical, and spiritual health. Walking helps the body and the mind to become synchronized so that through self-reflection we can draw closed to God.

For five Sundays during Lent, we will incorporate walking, spiritual practices and other experiential lessons to focus attention inward. Through this process we can recognize the holy places that feed our spirit.

We will meet on Sundays, March 1–29, 3:30PM, in Founder’s Room, for brief instruction on the day’s walk and meditation. We will walk for about an hour (4–5PM) at various locations and return to Woods around 5PM for fellowship and sharing the experience. Participants unable to walk for an hour will have an experiential lesson at Woods.

Weekly Bible Study

Lead Pastor JC Austin and Sarah Wilson, our interim pastoral associate, offer a weekly Bible Study on Wednesdays, 11AM, to examine the upcoming Sunday’s scripture readings before they are presented in worship.

Join us on Zoom and gain a new understanding of scripture and enhance your worship experience.

Mission News

Opportunities to Serve During Lent

During the season of Lent, our Missions Ministry is encouraging you to serve our local and international communities in two ways.

• Serving People Across Neighborhoods (SPAN): Continue to fight hunger during Lent by stopping by the Missions Table behind the Welcome Desk on Sundays, February 22–March 22, and pick up a blue SPAN bag with an attached list of needed items. Fill and return your blue SPAN bag on or any time before 3/22/26. The attached list also has a QR-code to order from Amazon and ship directly to SPAN. Thank you for your continued support of SPAN!

• Cuba UPDATE: Please pray deeply for the people of Cuba during this Lenten season. Unfortunately, the planned Mission Trip to Cuba has been canceled due to a severe fuel crisis that has led to the suspension of international flights. As a result, Cuba will no longer be receiving the much-needed supplies that were to be delivered during this trip.
  

Save the Date: Adult Mission Trip

Woods adults are welcome to join us on a Mission Trip, Monday–Saturday, April 20–25. We will travel to Richmond, Virginia, and work with the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity affiliate. We are looking for 10+ volunteers.

Click the button below to download an informational flyer. Contact Tom Lerario at txlerario@gmail.com or Scott Rundle at srundle69@gmail.com with questions and/or to sign up.

Church Family News

Everyone is Welcome in Worship at Woods

Sometimes little ears are sensory sensitive. Therefore, the Children’s Ministry has noise dampening headphones available on Sunday mornings. See Kat or Lindsey to sign out a set of headphones. Return them after the service. The headphones are cleaned after each use and ear guards will be changed.

This is one way that Woods Church works to be inclusive of all from the tall to the small!