Messenger | April 10, 2024

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• A Note From Pastor Randy
• Congregational Meeting
• New Adult Education Class: On Purpose
• Savvy Seniors’ Insights for Aging: Lessons Learned
• Register for VBS
• We’re Looking to Fill Two Administrative Positions
• Service for Sue Brayman

Pastor's Message

Dear Friends and Family of Woods Church,

This week, the moon's position between the Earth and the sun cast a shadow on North America. Moving from west to east, the media tells us it traveled at more than 1,500 miles per hour. Where one was located determined the best time to see this eclipse. Did you experience it?

Where we are located in our personal spiritual journeys determines what and how much of God's plan for our personal life paths we see. We were told that special eclipse glasses were required to look directly into the sun on Monday. Spiritually, one only needs to use the lens of faith to look directly into the Son; and, what you see is dependent upon where you are located on your faith journey.

At Woods Church, we have an opportunity to experience spiritual and faithful lives both individually and together. All are invited to come, regardless of where we are. No special glasses required, for God is visible always. Just look up!

See you Sunday!

—Pastor Nancy

Words of Thanks

Many thanks to all who helped put together the meaningful worship service and farewell reception for Pastor Randy this past weekend. The expression of gratitude and outpouring of love and care for him and his family was clear.

The gifts and offerings from Woods' congregation helped to convey our blessings and prayers for him as he pursues another position.

—Pastor Nancy

Church News

A Note From Pastor Randy

Thank you for the wonderful send-off given to Beth and me last Sunday. The outpouring of affection and the generosity of the gifts was extremely touching and much appreciated. We love the array of presents—the quilts, books, Maryland crab picking “tools,” flowers, church watercolor, and other gifts—and we are humbled by the generosity of the Love Offering provided by the congregation.

As I’ve often said, Woods Church is an exceptional congregation, committed to faithful witness, caring pastoral ministry, creative worship, generous mission, and Christian education for all ages. During the coming weeks, continue to pray for the Pastor Nominating Committee in their ongoing search process. But also keep your eyes open to the ways God is calling each member of Woods to support the church’s “transformative” mission and actively join the vibrant “cloud of witnesses” of this congregation.

You will be in my prayers as you move into the summer season. Beth and I will be transitioning to Milwaukee in the coming days and I’ll begin my interim work at Immanuel Presbyterian Church on April 14. If I can be of help or offer words of support or advice, we can stay in touch through my personal email address, revrandykbush@gmail.com. But I too look forward to when you welcome new leadership and the next chapter for Woods Church begins in earnest.

Godspeed, God bless, and thank you again.

—Randy and Beth Bush

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.

Support the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering

At Easter time, we are encouraged to support the One Great Hour of Sharing denominational offering. It's the single largest way that Presbyterians come together to work for a better world.

Each gift helps improve the lives of the suffering and the vulnerable through three life-saving programs: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), providing relief form natural disasters; Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP), providing food for the hungry; and Self-Development of People (SDOP), providing support for the poor and oppressed.

Click the button below to support the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Remember, if we all give a little, it adds up to a lot!

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 April 28, 11AM, in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom. Participant books for the series will be on the church office credenza.

Savvy Seniors’ Insights for Aging: Lessons Learned

On Tuesday, April 16, 1–2:30PM, Steve Hilbert, a Woods Church Deacon serving as the Continuity of Care Coordinator, will lead an “across the kitchen table” discussion focusing on lessons learned through personal experience walking with aging parents, honoring their wishes, as they made significant decisions framed in the context of legal matters, advancing chronic illnesses, transition from independent to assisted living, and palliative-hospice care.

Steve is a retired MD PhD who served as a chaplain intern at AAMC while attending seminary and is currently pursuing national board certification as a clinical and pastoral care chaplain.

Youth News

WoodsWork Registration is Open

WoodsWork 2024 Registration closes on Sunday, April 21! 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 from June 18–26.

Children's News

Alleluia Joy Noise!

Fellowship Hall was ringing with joyful noise Easter morning! Over 200 children and adults worshipped during the Interactive Family Service at 9:30AM. The Sunday School Children led worship with singing, prayer, and so much excitement. Pastor Nancy welcomed us. The children reprised a Children’s Choir Anthem. Plato the puppet helped us hear Matthew 28:1–10. The Property Ministry decked the halls with all of the colors of Alleluia feelings.

Together, we remembered that when someone leaves, who has made it feel like church, we have to follow their example. Then we will meet Jesus along the way. Jesus promised! So, we will do the things he taught us and care for each other, but we will not forget to look for Jesus to meet us along the way in unexpected places. That is the Easter Joy! Meeting in Fellowship Hall was a new thing, but it was familiar, too. It was Pancake Supper familiar. It was VBS familiar. It was Sunday Morning fellowship familiar. We were standing on Easter Soil in the Garden!

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 from Sunday morning. Big feelings happen! Jesus' friends were probably sad and hurt after he died. So they went fishing, but not even that went right. They didn't catch anything! After awhile, a man from the beach told them to try casting their nets over the other side. So they did. They caught so many fish that their nets almost broke! Peter realized this man was Jesus, so he jumped in the water and rushed to be with him.

Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman wrote a book called Big Feelings. It helps us think about when things go wrong or we don't feel quite right. It is important to be able to identify those feelings. Then, we can wonder about what would make us feel better. Is it being with friends? Talking it out? Is it trying something new?

Peter and the disciples tried all of those!

Sometimes, when we are sad or hurt, it is hard to remember the things Jesus taught us to do. We might do whatever we "used" to do, hoping it will make us feel better. I have a "can do" cube that reminds me of what things Jesus taught us to do. That way, when I need a nudge to "cast my net over the other side," I can toss my "Can Do Cube" and do whatever lands side-up.

I wonder what you would put on your "Can Do Cube?" What are the things that you do to follow Jesus' example?

Church Family News

We’re Looking for Two Administrative Positions

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church is seeking a Coordinator of Finance—someone to maintain the various church funds and accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the church’s Financial Policies and Procedures Manual. This is a 32-hour per week position. Knowledge of accounting software, REALM, and Microsoft Office applications required.

We also are seeking an Administrative Assistant—someone to support our Property Ministry and general pastoral/church office work. This is a benefit eligible, 32-hour per week position. Basic computer skills are required.

If you are interested in either position, please contact John McLaughlin at 410.647.2550 x335 or jmclaughlin@woodschurch.org.

Service for Sue Brayman

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection for Woods member, Sue Brayman, will be held at Woods Church on Thursday, April 11, 11AM. A reception will follow.

Please continue to keep Sue’s family and friends in your prayers.

Church Family News

Watch At the River

First Presbyterian Church (171 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis 21401) is inviting other Presbyterian congregations to a showing of a remarkable film called At the River, on Sunday, April 14, 7PM., in their Fellowship Hall. It is a moving film about the challenges faced by Presbyterian pastors in the South during the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. Here is a short description:

It is the 1960s, and times are changing. Black people are protesting being treated as second-class citizens, petitioning for the right to vote and for integration in all parts of daily life—schools, neighborhoods, restaurants, movie theaters, retail stores and transportation. Push back was happening all over America, but nowhere was that opposition more pronounced than in the South. Many white Presbyterian ministers preaching to congregations in rural communities throughout the South and Southeast joined the Civil Rights movement for equality and justice for all. At the River is based on more than 100 hours of interviews. The film tells their stories about what actions they took and what consequences they faced.

Below is a link to First Presbyterian's David Richardson talking about the film briefly—his mother was one of those interviewed in the film.

The event is free, but space is limited. RSVP by emailing movie@annapolis-presbyterian.com.

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.