Messenger | December 4, 2024

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• •Baroque by Candlelight Christmas Concert
• Season of Giving
• A Place for Prayer and Reflection
• Caroling, Cocoa, & Community
• Remember a Loved One this Holiday Season
• Winter Relief is Coming

Pastor's Message

As you know, there have been a number of small gatherings over the past few months that have given me a chance to talk with many of you about your stories of coming to Woods, why you’ve continued to be active, and what your hopes are for our future together. One of the themes that has come up most consistently in those conversations is the strength of community in this congregation: people genuinely love and care for one another here, look forward to spending time together, and enjoy seeing each other on Sundays.

At the same time, many have noted that this very strength of community also can make it challenging for newcomers sometimes, and wondered how we could be more intentional about welcoming them. To that end, I want to offer a few initial thoughts and suggestions as we journey through Advent, which is often a time for newcomers to explore a church like Woods.

The practice of hospitality is one of the oldest and most basic Christian ministries. The gospels and the book of Acts are full of stories in which Jesus and/or his followers receive hospitality in ways that are transforming for the hosts themselves, and offer hospitality in ways that open the way for others to experience a transformative encounter with Christ. And the really good news is, this is VERY easy to do in the church!

First, when you come into worship or another program or time of fellowship, make a point of looking around to see who you do not know, and then greeting them and talking with them. When you do that, though, don’t ask, “are you new here?” That question can make newcomers feel identified as an outsider, and can sometimes lead to awkward conversations with long-term members whom you simply haven’t met yet! Instead, simply ask: “how long have you been part of Woods?” Then, whether they say “50 years” or “This is my first time,” you have a gracious way to begin a conversation. If they are new, a good follow up is, “What brought you here today?” That will give you a sense of what their interest and motives are, and you can respond with relevant parts of your own story or what you know about the church’s ministry in their areas of interest.

Second, if they are new, make sure you introduce them to someone else! It might be a friend standing nearby, or someone who’s active in their area of interest, or simply one of the pastors. This is actually a good time to connect with your friends and bring them into this important ministry of welcome. But in any case, try to connect them with at least one other person before you leave them. That helps them to have a larger sense of the congregation AND a sense that this is truly a welcoming congregation.

These two simple steps can make a world of difference to people who are feeling out whether Woods might be a welcoming community for them. Hospitality can bear surprising and long-lasting fruit sometimes: my own family have been members of the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, Georgia, for over 40 years because one woman in that church followed these steps when she saw us in the hall before worship and made us feel at home. So try it out in the coming weeks of Advent, and especially on Christmas Eve, and let’s see how God uses it!

Peace,

—Pastor J.C.

Church News

Baroque by Candlelight Christmas Concert

On Saturday, December 7, 7PM, come and join the Woods Adult Choir and a professional orchestra as we perform Christmas music from the Baroque and Renaissance eras, surrounded by candlelight. With works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Schütz, Buxtehude, Rutter—and some standard Christmas favorites—it will be a perfect beginning to your Christmas season!

This concert is free and no ticket is required, but a love offering will be collected to support the Woods Music Department. You can catch the livestream at woodschurch.org (click “Livestream”).

Email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org with any questions.

Season of Giving

‘Tis the Season to Give at Woods! While you are Christmas shopping, share the love of Christ and buy Christmas gifts that will change the lives of people who are the heart of God, while warming the hearts of those on your gift list. Help us spread the holiday joy in more ways than one starting this Sunday, November 17, in Fellowship Hall!

Sponsor Local Children from SPAN

This year, we hope to assist 35 children from 1–18 years old to have a few gifts to open Christmas morning. If you’re willing and able to help, please consider buying toys, clothing, or a gift card for local children referred to us by SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods).

Cards will be available for pick up in Fellowship Hall starting Sunday, November 17. Gifts are due back no later than Sunday, December 8, 12PM.

Gift a Laundry Basket of Household Necessities

Typically, the residents at Pinewood Village have a difficult choice to make during the holidays—a gift for their loved ones or the basic necessities for a comfortable life. While there are many programs that support their rent and utilities, we feel called to provide the 60 residents with these necessities during the Christmas season.

On Sundays throughout Advent, our youth will have a sign-up table set up for our congregation members to donate a laundry basket filled with these household necessities. Baskets are due by Sunday, December 8.

Then on Saturday, December 14, 12–2PM, our Confirmation Class will deliver the baskets to the residents at Pinewood Village, a subsidized apartment complex for elderly members of the Glen Burnie community.

Purchase an “Alternative Gift” this Holiday Season

Make your holiday gifts more meaningful! Check out how you can support our Mission Partners and those in need. Visit our Alternative Gifts table in Fellowship Hall on the Sundays in Advent or browse our online catalog.

This year’s mission partners are:

• Cecilia McKay Good Neighbor Fund
• Langton Green Community Farm
• Ministry of Hope - Malawi
• PDA Hurricanes Helene and Milton
  

The Sanctuary: A Place for Prayer and Reflection

The Woods Sanctuary will be open for personal prayer and meditation on Tuesday, December 10, 6–8PM. Advent prayer cards are thoughtfully provided to guide your reflections. You can find them in a prayer basket located at the back of the Sanctuary. Outside of the above times, the prayer basket will be available in the Schoener Chapel.

We invite you to experience the peace and stillness of this sacred space throughout the Advent season.

Homebound Communion

Woods Church will offer Homebound Communion on Sunday, December 1.

If you would like to be included or know of anyone in the congregation who would like to have communion brought to their home, please contact Maureen Adams at 410.647.2550 or madams@woodschurch.org.

Caroling, Cocoa, & Community

Join the Deacons, Music, and Small Groups ministries for an afternoon of singing and fellowship on Sunday, December 15, 3:30PM. We will meet at the church for carols, cocoa, and hot cider. Later, groups will walk to Sunrise to sing for the residents there, and others will caravan to BrightView and several local houses to serenade our most senior and homebound members.

All ages are welcome! Invite your neighbors! Carrying a tune is not necessary—only the desire to make a joyful noise.

In case of inclement weather, Fellowship Hall will be ready with warm beverages for warm hearts. Please sign up online to ensure we have treats and song sheets for all. Contact Sarah Wilson with questions.

Dedicate a Poinsettia for Christmas

Poinsettia in Honor or Memory of a Loved One. Every year, we decorate our Sanctuary with lovely poinsettias at Christmas. The flowers are donated by members and friends to remember special people in their lives. If you would like to give a poinsettia in memory or in honor of a loved one, the suggested donation is $25.

Dedications can be made online or in Fellowship Hall, and will be accepted until December 15. If you would like to take home a plant after Christmas, you may pick one up on December 29. Consider sharing the beauty of flowers this holiday season!

Light a Virtual Candle to Honor Someone Special
this Holiday Season

This holiday season, take a moment to honor someone by lighting a virtual candle on our website. Whether it’s for a loved one, a cherished memory, or a meaningful cause, your gesture can illuminate their importance in your life.

Lighting a virtual candle is simple yet profound, creating a space for reflection and gratitude during this special time of year. Visit our website to light a candle and share the warmth of remembrance and celebration with others. Let your light shine brightly this holiday season!



Visit the Columbarium of Your Loved One

Columbariums can be opened by calling the church ahead of time, or by stopping in during office hours. All columbarium’s will be open for our Blue Christmas service on Tuesday, December 17, 7–8PM.

You also can honor the memory of your loved one by visiting their columbarium from the comfort of your home. You can reflect, remember, and feel connected to their legacy. Our virtual Columbarium offers a serene space to pay tribute, leave a message, or spend a moment in remembrance.

Education & Small Groups

Adult Education Class

Join us on Sundays through December 15, 11AM, for our Adult Education book study featuring Making Room by Dr. Ed Robb.

Often, our Advent preparations have an inward focus as we prepare for the significance of God breaking into our world through the birth of Jesus. But in a closer examination of Advent, we quickly learn that the focus of the newborn king is outward. In his book, Dr. Robb explores the warmth of welcome at Christmas following interactions with Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the Magi. Just as Jesus made room in God’s kingdom for marginalized people, we too should be asking ourselves who we can invite at Christmas. The story of Christ’s birth encourages us to increase our sense of community and make room for others.

Books are on the office credenza. We’ll meet in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom.

Children's News

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's Continue the Conversation at Home from Sunday morning. We were talking about HOPE. We heard that hope is not "wishing" something will happen or "thinking" something will happen. HOPE is KNOWING something will happen. It changes how we live until it happens.

One of the wonderful stories of HOPE is the Christmas Story. God told God's people that a savior would be born. Jesus is the promised one. Jesus is the hope.

One way we give children hope is by making them storytellers! They tell the stories of hope from our faith. Barbara Robinson's book "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is a wonderful example of how being a storyteller can make an event more real, especially for the least likely of holy families.

We have several copies of the book at church. I hope you will check one our and read it with your family. It has seven chapters, so it is easily read between now and Christmas Eve.

Join us for the many ways we give children stories and allow them to be story tellers of God's love.

Children’s Sunday School Offering for Pinewood Village

The children of Woods are participating in the Pinewood Village Basket Project. If your child volunteered to supply an item, you will receive an email from SignUpGenius. If you would like to have your child participate, please sign up online for the item of your choice. All items need to be donated on or by December 8, during Sunday School.



We're All Ears

On Sunday, December 15, we will be all ears...that is donkey ears, cow ears, sheep ears. The children from Sunday School and the Child Development Center will have the opportunity to dress up as an animal. During the children’s moment, they will join Ms. Kat and Pastor J.C. to sing “The Friendly Beasts” about what the animals did to prepare the stable for the baby Jesus. Your child may dress up however they wish, or ears will be available at worship.

After the children’s moment, the children will have a celebration! It’s a Baby Jesus Baby Shower, complete with gender reveal. Don’t tell me. I don’t want to spoil the surprise! We will decorate cookies, sing Christmas Carols, and celebrate that Jesus is coming to be God Among Us (Emmanuel).

Save the Date for VBS!

Vacation Bible Study for all ages—smalls, talls, and all—will be held July 14–17, 4–7PM, with dinner at 6:30PM. More information coming in January!

Mission News

Trip to Greece to Walk in the Steps of Paul

We invite all interested parties to commit to joining us on an eight-day pilgrimage to Greece in late October 2025 to visit the places where St. Paul sought to spread Christianity in the first century AD. The deadline for committing to our pilgrimage is December 31—an extension from the original December 1 deadline. Click the button below for the itinerary details, reservation amounts, and where to mail your reservation checks.

Contact Elder Bill Hadley with any questions.

Winter Relief is Coming to Woods in January!

Winter Relief is coming January 20–27. Signups start Sunday, December 15, 9AM. You will be able to sign up to help after each Service in Fellowship Hall or online in SignUpGenius on the Church website. Signups will continue live until we start.

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, contact Scott Wiley at 410.353.1491 or wilecoy2us@gmail.com. Thank you for helping with this important mission.

Winter Relief Supplies Needed

The Winter Relief Shelter at Woods needs various supplies. Please donate new travel size toiletries: deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes. (We do not need soap, conditioner, or combs or brushes.) The shelter also is in need of new men’s and women’s underwear including panties, undershirts and underpants of all sizes. (We do not need socks or men’s large underpants at this time.)

The items can be dropped off at the church office marked “Scott Wiley/Winter Relief.”

Information Session for Malawi Summer 2025 Mission Trip

Join us on Sunday, January 12, 10:30AM, in Founders Room to learn about mission trip details, ask questions, and meet the team leaders. Over the past several years, dozens of Woods members have traveled to Africa to learn from and support our mission partner, Ministry of Hope. We would love to have you join us! Trip dates are still being formulated, and we welcome your input.

For more information, please contact Pat Johnson at paj10041949@gmail.com or Karen Bennett at MDKBennett@gmail.com.

In Our Community

Let’s Raise Some Dough

Grab a slice! On Thursday, December 12, 4–9PM, part of the proceeds collected at Squisito's Pizza in the Magothy Gateway shops (147 Ritchie Hwy E, next to Harris Teeter) will support our Music Ministry! Please mention the “Wood Church Music Fundraiser” when placing your order.

A Moment of Prayer

Gracious God, it is with much gratitude and a sense of hope that we come to tables of Thanksgiving this week. Whether we have abundance or simplicity we count ourselves blessed for we are all part of your Kingdom here on earth. Grant us glad and thankful hearts and the ability to accompany others wherever they may be as we begin the journey to Bethlehem.

Amen.