Messenger | February 14, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Ash Wednesday Service
• Lent Brochure Now Available
• New Members Class
• Service of Wholeness
• Souper Bowl of Caring Thank You
• #TeamChicken

Pastor's Message

Dear Friends and Family of Woods Church,

Today marks a funny juxtaposition of Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday. One is a secular holiday, focused on love and romance. The other is a sacred holiday, starting the season of Lent with a reminder of our mortality. Yet as different as these days may appear, the pairing of the two actually has real spiritual value.

Being told on Ash Wednesday that we are of dust and to dust we shall return can be a weighty message to hear. The world around us insists that being healthy and happy is all that matters, even though every one of us inevitably goes through times of sickness, sadness and struggle. Receiving a smudge of ashes on our foreheads frees us from the burden of having to be perpetually upbeat. It lets us acknowledge that we're not fully in charge and 100% well, while at the same time insisting that we don't let those facts define us.

This happens because the ashes come to us, not as a mark of dishonor but as a gift of love. Every gift comes from a gift-giver, and the ashes come to us from a Savior who still says to us, "Come to me, all you that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest."

Receiving the ashes reminds us that there is always one beside us, whether we dance or whether we grieve. There is one anxious to pick us up when we stumble and welcome us home, no matter how long we've been prodigals. There is one who conquered death, so that we need not fear the tomb. The one who gifts us with ashes also gifts us with life abundant and life eternal.

That is an amazing gift of love from Christ to each of us. And what better day to receive this gift than on February 14—Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday.

Thanks be to God!

Pastor Randy

Church News

Ash Wednesday Services

Join Pastors Randy and Nancy on Ash Wednesday, February 14, 7PM, as we begin our Lenten journey. Our service will include the imposition of ashes.

New Members Class

Woods will be hosting the next New Members Class this Sunday, February 18, 11AM, in Founders Room. If you have an interest in learning about membership, please feel free to stop by or you may pre-register by contacting Kathie Hamlett at khamlett@woodschurch.org.

President's Day Office Closure

The Woods Church offices will be closed on Monday, February 19, in observance of President's Day.

Service of Wholeness

Join us in the Sanctuary for a Service of Wholeness on Wednesday, February 21, 6:45PM. This is a deeply spiritual service of prayer, laying on of hands, and anointing by the pastors and elders for those experiencing emotional or physical concerns. If you would like to attend, please contact Maureen Adams at 410.647.2550 or email her at madams@woodschurch.org.

February Special Offering: Cecelia McKay Good Neighbor Fund

This past year, many of you have been extremely generous in listening to the Holy Spirit within you and providing funds to help those who request our help to prevent eviction and/or utility cut off. When they come in to our “Church on the Hill”, they are humbled and embarrassed by the circumstances which have led to their reaching out in hope…

• A mother of 3 whose spouse has passed away or is sick with cancer
• A widow/widower whose spouse was killed in a car accident
• A restaurant worker where flooding closed the restaurant and is temporarily out of work

At times, a person comes to Woods without any idea of where to turn for help….AND WE DO!

In the 2023 calendar year, through your blessed generosity, the Cecelia McKay Good Neighbor Fund provided 94 individuals / families with financial assistance to keep them from getting evicted or having a utility shut off (averaging 8 a month)! Our guidelines say we can assist once a year; and only 17 of the 94 have ever asked for our help sometime in the past. There were a total of 318 requests for assistance, but our financial help (averaging $253 per request) was to those who were within (or close to) our designated boundaries (Arnold, Severna Park, Millersville, Pasadena) and some others who were the most needy.

The Cecelia McKay Good Neighbor Fund is not a budget item; it relies on directed donations from you! This is an important Woods Outreach to our close by community! No donation is too small.

"If there is among you anyone in need. You should open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need." (Deuteronomy 15: 7–8)

Education & Small Groups

Savvy Seniors

The next Savvy Seniors gathering will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 1–2:30PM, in Fellowship Hall. The topic for discussion is "Physical, Mental and Spiritual Health," featuring Doctors Judith and Kevin Rossiter, Rev. Nancy Lincoln Reynolds, and Elder Bill Daniel. Friends are welcome; light refreshments provided.

Youth News

Souper Bowl of Caring

We are excited to announce that Woods Church raised over $1,500 for SPAN through the Souper Bowl for Caring, in addition to many canned goods donated. Thank you for your generosity!

Upcoming Youth Events

On Friday–Sunday, February 23–25, high schoolers are spending the weekend skiing at Ski Sawmill Family Resort! 9th-12th graders are invited to join us for a weekend of fun and fellowship. We will leave from the church on Friday, 5PM, and return on Sunday, 6:30PM.

WoodsWork registration is open! All rising 8th graders through graduated 12th graders are invited and encouraged to join us on our building trip to Roanoke, Virginia, June 18–26.

Children's News

Getting Ready for Lent

Kat has several copies of Glenys Nellist's book, ‘Twas the Season of Lent. It is a lovely picture book with a story and short prayer for every day of Lent. The publisher made them available to the Baltimore Presbytery Educators for a reduced rate. They are $12 while supplies last. Please see Kat Green or Frances Carty if you are interested in having one of the books.

#TeamChicken

Which came first, #TeamChicken or the egg? They are both coming soon! Are you #TeamChicken? Children’s Ministry waits through Lent for our eggs to hatch. It reminds us of the Easter message of new life. Every spring, nature shows us that God is present and at work in the world. Children of all ages enjoy the weekly “Peep Reports” as we watch and wait.

Spoons at the Ready!

Pretty soon it will be CRUNCH time! Captain Crunch that is. Jammies and Jesus will be back for the spring/summer/fall sports seasons. Are you traveling or hitting the ball field? Did you catch the bug going around school? Don't worry! Our online Sunday School class is coming back on April 7, 8–8:15AM. We pray, eat breakfast, hear a Bible story, and tell a silly joke or two. Then we say the Lord's Prayer and finish with a dance party!

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's Continue the Conversation at Home about Jesus welcoming children. Not only did Jesus let the children come to the center of things and be with him, Jesus told all of the others that they have to be like the children. The children are the example of how to see the world in God's way.

Something, Someday by Amanda Gorman and Christian Robinson reminds us that adults are a little too sure that something will not work, and that things are just too hard. However, children have the innate gift of hoping. They are present; they do not live in the past or fret about the future. Gorman tells us that "You make a promise to each other. You say: 'There is a problem, but it's our problem together; so we can fix it together. This problem is big, but together, we are bigger.’"

Sunday, we collected soup in honor of Souper Bowl Sunday. We wanted everyone to have something to eat. It is a big problem, but we collected A LOT of soup. I wonder, what is one thing you can do to help a big problem? Is there someone you can ask to help? Be sure to include Jesus and as many friends as you can find.

Save the Date for VBS

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. Register online.

Missions News

Guatemala Intercultural Encounters Trip

Are you interested in participating in the Guatemala Intercultural Encounters Trip with the Presbytery of Baltimore, April 6–13? Intercultural Encounters designs and facilitates experiences of encounter, reflection, dialogue, and mutual service between people of the U.S. and members of Central American communities in search of a more just, tolerant, and equitable world.

If you’d like to sign up or want more details, contact Sher Atkinson at sheratkinson@earthlink.net ASAP.

Music News

The Secret Garden

Come and experience this beautiful musical, March 8–10 & 15–17, 7:30PM! This is a truly poignant and uplifting story about love, hope, and finding one's home. The story follows that of 12-year-old Mary Lennox, and her journey in finding her home: The Secret Garden. Within the church, we will use the imagery of a garden to represent our church and church community, as we nurture one another, grow and learn together, and guide each other along the way. We have incredible vocalists from the surrounding area, professional choreography, and beautiful lighting!

Tickets are $15; doors open at 7PM. For more information, please visit our ticket website at www.woodstix.org.

In Our Community

New Art Gallery: A Stitch in Time

The Woods Quilters art exhibit will be up through Monday, March 18. On Sunday, March 17, after the 9:30AM service, members of the Quilters group will be available in the gallery to discuss their work.

The Woods Quilters group was founded approximately 25 years ago and meets at the church on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 10AM. No skills are required except the love of fabric and fellowship. Our Quilters have aided in the making of the paraments that hang in the Church. Together we share new techniques, patterns, talents, and endeavors.

Congregational Prayer

Gracious and listening God, you are with us in all things and we are grateful for your presence. Support us in our times of joy and in challenge so that we are assured that we are not alone. We pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who are in need of the same sustenance as us, and we ask that you would guide us and call us to be your servants to them whenever possible. Grant us all security and peace together.



Amen.