Messenger | December 13, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• An Advent Welcome: The Artistry of Woods Church
• Messiah Sing-Along/Play-Along
• Blue Christmas Service
• Christmas Joy Offering
• Christmas Eve Greeters Needed
• It’s Almost Christmas Pageant Time
• Woods Youth Christmas Party
  

Pastor's Message

Dear Friends and Family of Woods Church,

In a short book by Michael Lipson, I came across this three-line statement:

Plants grow.

Animals move.

Humans give.

There's a profundity in these concise statements. Plants, by their very nature, put down roots and stretch their stems heavenward, growing as there is light, soil and water to sustain them. Animals, by their nature, scamper around, search for food, hide from predators, and generally flourish by moving intentionally about the Earth.

But it is intriguing to imagine that our fundamental identity as humans may be tied to our ability to give. All of us have the capacity to share love, to act sacrificially, to intercede on behalf of someone else, and to provide out of our resources to lift someone out of need. Just as plants' identity is that they grow and animals' identity is that they move, we give, therefore we are.

Right now I can imagine that you are busy purchasing, wrapping, and organizing Christmas gifts for others. Yet as we are often reminded, the point of this season is not the material gifts themselves, but the spirit of giving that inspires them in the first place. We hand over a present—we look a loved one in the eyes—we hope they feel loved and valued. Now go one step further: Consider that in the moment of gift-giving, we are fully human. We give, therefore we are.

Giving should never be done in a way that depletes us; rather it is how we become more fully ourselves. In the same way, God's gift of the incarnation of Jesus Christ did not diminish God; rather, like an overflowing cup, it was generously given that all the world may be blessed. So be most fully yourself and be one who gives (and receives) with joy this season.

Peace in Christ,

Pastor

Church News

An Advent Welcome: The Artistry of Woods Church

In this installment of our "An Advent Welcome: The Artistry of Woods Church" series, Pastor Nancy Lincoln Reynolds talks about Matthew and Mark, whose bronze figures greet you at our church's west entrance.

Messiah Sing-Along/Play-Along

On Saturday, December 16, 3PM, we will sing Part I of the Messiah. No experience needed! Come and lend your voice, or come and enjoy in this beautiful music. The evening will be led by soloists from the D.C./Baltimore Area, a string quartet, and Roderick Demmings, Jr., on the organ and harpsichord. Have little ones? Come and play along to the music using fun costumes and activities with Kat Green and the Children’s Ministry.

For more information, email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Messiah Play-Along

Do you enjoy dancing, playing, and making holiday crafts? If so, join us for the Messiah Play-along at Woods Church on Saturday, December 16, 3PM. Adults may sing-along, but children of all ages are invited to "play-along" with Ms. Frances and Ms. Kat. We get to see the instruments play and the soloists sing...without having to sit still! Sign in at the WELCOME desk.

Note: There's a song about sheep, so you know what that means...

Blue Christmas Service

Blue Christmas is a service recalling legacies of love left to us in memory and experience. Certainly we may continue to grieve the loss of loved ones and mourn those situations of suffering throughout the world where God's people are hurting—even as the season of Christmas calls us to singing and joy. As a community of faith, we are not alone. We may companion each other by our presence, our words, and our worship of the One whose own legacy of love and comfort come to us in the word made flesh, Jesus Christ.

Please join us for Blue Christmas Service on Tuesday, December 19, 7PM, in the sanctuary.

Christmas Eve Worship Schedule

Join us for worship and to celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24. Our schedule is as follows:

• 9:30AM | Morning Worship (4th Sunday of Advent)
• 3PM & 4PM | Christmas Pageant
• 6PM | Contemporary Christmas Eve service
• 8PM | Traditional Christmas Eve service
• 10PM | Traditional Communion service

We’re also looking for extra greeters who are willing to help at our services. Contact Nancy Nolan at msmum@sent.com if you’re able to help.

The Chrismons Tree at Woods

Each year during the Advent and Christmas season, we turn our eyes to Bethlehem and celebrate the wondrous gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior.



God has blessed the Church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported by their communities as well. The Christmas Joy Offering addresses the support needed by our retired, present, and future leaders—including supporting leadership development for communities of color, and providing support for Presbyterian church workers in their time of need.

Consider supporting the Christmas Joy Offering. Click here to make a contribution.

Christmas Eve Greeters Needed

We’re looking for extra greeters who are willing to help at our services. Contact Nancy Nolan at msmum@sent.com if you’re able to help.



Help Nourish Our Staff & Volunteers on Christmas Eve

We are looking for elves for food donations for our Christmas Eve services to keep our staff and volunteers nourished during the many hours that they work on Christmas Eve.

If you are willing to help, click here and add your name to the list and what you can bring. All donations can be dropped off at the church office on Christmas Eve, 3PM. If you have any questions, please reach out to Maureen Adams madams@woodschurch.org.

Youth & Children's Ministries

It's Almost Christmas Pageant Time

Christmas Pageant Practice | Our annual Christmas Pageant is is a great way to “put on” and “enter into” the story of Jesus’ birth. It is a wonderful family experience! We’ve got shepherd and angel costumes in all sizes!

• Adults will practice on Monday, December 18, 5PM.
• There will be a dress rehearsal for all participants on Tuesday, December 19, 5PM.
• The Christmas Pageant will be on Sunday, December 24, 3PM & 4 PM.

And join us to celebrate Jesus’ birth at our Christmas Eve services on Sunday, December 24.

• Contemporary Service, 6PM
• Choir and Instruments, 8PM
• Instruments, Soloists, and Communion, 10PM
  

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's continue the conversation at home about Peace. On Sunday, we saw that we can say, "Peace" in so many languages! We want there to be peace for everyone, everywhere. Maya Angelou wrote a poem called Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem. Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher bring us her poem in a beautiful children's book. The language is a little older than our usual resources, but it has important vocabulary to have. It talks about "hope" and "light" and how those bring peace. Peace doesn't mean that the hard parts of life disappear, but it does mean that God breaks into those hard parts with joy. Those "joy breaking in" moments happen when we say "YES" to God. The young children heard about how Mary said "Yes" to God. Have you seen the MinisTREES yet? They are full of ways that we say "YES" to God and work to bring hope, light, and peace to our world in Severna Park, and beyond!

I wonder, how can you work to bring hope, light, and peace to your family, neighborhood, or school? I wonder if you can say "Peace" in more than one way, or in more than one language? I hope you will see the lights in Advent and feel the peace of God's love for everyone

Youth News

Woods Youth Christmas Party

Youth are invited to a Christmas Party on Sunday, December 17, 5:30PM, at Dee Robinson’s home. Bring a gift for the white elephant gift exchange and a snack or dessert to share.

Email Oliver Page at opage@woodschurch.org with any questions. See you there!

Missions News

Save the Date for Winter Relief

Winter Relief is coming January 22–29, 2024. Sign-ups begin December 17, 9AM. At that time, you will be able to sign up to help after each service in Fellowship Hall or on the Church website. There are opportunities for meal prep, brown bag lunch prep, evening and overnight chaperones, drivers, shower escorts, Stephens Ministers, laundry support, youth volunteers, and snack donations.

Please help us help the homeless. If you want more information about Winter Relief and how you can help, please contact Scott Wiley at 410.353.1491 or email wilecoy2us@gmail.com.

New SPAN Donation Location

SPAN donations can now be dropped off in the bins outside Zimmerman Hall. Help us help our neighbors! We’re always collecting:

• Canned & Boxed Foods
• Paper Towels
• Laundry Detergent
• Dishwashing Liquid
• Depends
• Bathing Wipes
• Diapers: Sizes 4, 5, & 6

Church Family News

We’re Looking for a Kitchen Coordinator

Woods Church is seeking a kitchen coordinator who will assist with food ordering, preparation, and serving meals for the Child Development Center and church events. This is an hourly, full-time position and the person is eligible for Woods health insurance coverage.

To apply, submit information to John McLaughlin, director of operations, by emailing jmclaughlin@woodschurch.org.



Prayers for the Family of Reinald Carter

It is with sadness that we inform you of the death of Reinald Carter. Reinald was a member of Woods Church since 1972 and served as an elder.

A Family Service will be held in the summer of 2024. Please keep his wife, Maribelle, and his family and friends, in your prayers.

Congregational Prayer

Thank you God for the gift of life today. I give thanks that your face shines upon me—for you are my salvation. During this Advent season, lead me like a shepherd. Strengthen me for whatever lies ahead. Grant me the spiritual gifts of peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness that I may faithfully show your love in word and deed to others. In Christ's name.



Amen.