Messenger | December 20, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• An Advent Welcome: The Artistry of Woods Church
• Christmas Eve Worship Schedule
• Christmas Joy Offering
• New Year’s Eve Worship
• Come Enjoy Our Christmas Pageant
• Youth Winter Break
• Winter Relief Sign-Ups

Pastor's Message

Dear Friends and Family of Woods Church,

In a few days we will celebrate Christmas again with carols, candlelight services, and sharing once more the good news of the baby's birth in Bethlehem. Every family seems to have their own Christmas traditions—the ways they celebrate this holiday that are unique and special for them. What I always find intriguing is how relatively recent our Christmas traditions actually are.

Even though the birth of Christ occurred over 2,000 years ago, it took almost 400 years before the church began celebrating this holiday. The season of Advent, prior to Christmas, was a fairly austere church period and a time of fasting for people of faith. Only on Christmas Day would the fast be broken and celebrations could start then for a period of twelve days, leading up to the visit of the magi. Our Presbyterian-Puritan forebears were not keen on Christmas celebrations, nor on the drinking and festivities associated with the Twelve Days of Christmas. They would only sing metrical psalms—no Christmas carols—and skipped all the holiday parties.



Much of what we associate with Christmas comes from the 19th century, things like Clement Moore's A Visit from St. Nicholas and Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It is then that the most famous Christmas carols were written and people began gathering in homes with family and friends around decorated trees and tables laden with feasts.

Think about the ways you celebrate Christmas now. How does the good news of the Christ child's birth still touch you? Are there traditions that need to be adapted so that the hope, peace, joy and love of this season can truly be felt? What things do you hope the children and grandchildren in your life will still be doing decades from now?

Time passes. Christmases come and go. But we believe that the light of the world has shown upon us and no darkness can overcome it (John 1:5). Let us go forth as Christmas light-bearers from this day forth.

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Randy

Church News

An Advent Welcome: The Artistry of Woods Church

In this final installment of our "An Advent Welcome: The Artistry of Woods Church" series, Pastor Randy Bush tells the stories of Luke and John by examining our church's bronze figure door handles.

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.

New Year’s Eve Worship

As a reminder, there will only be one service on New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31, 9:30AM. Join us for worship and enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends.

Christmas Joy Offering

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.

Youth & Children's Ministries

Come Enjoy Our Christmas Pageant

You’re invited to hear the retelling of Jesus’ birth at our annual Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 24, 3PM & 4 PM. Come join us for the special event!



Youth News

Winter Break

Youth Group, Sunday School, and Confirmation Class are all taking a short break for Christmas and New Years! Enjoy the holidays with your families, and we will return on Sunday, January 7, at our normal meeting times. Merry Christmas!

Missions News

Winter Relief Sign-Ups

Winter Relief is coming January 22–29, 2024. During this time, our church serves as a shelter for people who are housing insecure. Please sign up to donate a meal or volunteer at the shelter below or going to Fellowship Hall after services on Sundays, January 7 & 14. There are many ways you can show Christ's love to our neighbors in need. We need assistance with meal prep, brown-bag lunch prep, snack donations, evening and overnight chaperoning, driving, and escorting guests to showers at the community center. There are volunteer opportunities for youth and Stephen Ministers, as well.

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.



Congregational Prayer

Lord, I give thanks for the blessing of this day as we celebrate your coming to us in the Savior born in Bethlehem. I give thanks that you have become one of us, that we may become more like you. May I serve you faithfully, follow you humbly, and sing of your love all the days of my life. In Christ I pray.



Amen.