Messenger | February 12, 2025

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Honoring Black History Month
• Get Ready for VBS!
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame Tickets on Sale Now
• We’re Looking for a Director of Operations
• WCDC Seeks Preschool Teacher
  

Pastor's Message

There is a famous quote by Meister Eckhart, a medieval German mystic and priest, that says, “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘thank you,’ it will be enough.” That’s a strong statement from someone whose “day job” was being a scholastic theologian, but perhaps that only highlights the truth and power of it. Gratitude is one of the most basic spiritual practices of being a Christian. First and foremost, we are thankful for the blessings of God’s grace in creating, redeeming, and sustaining us, of course. But the practice of gratitude helps us recognize God’s grace moving all around us in our daily lives. When we see the Holy Spirit at work, the only appropriate response is gratitude, thanking God for all the gifts that we receive, and doing our best to share them with others.

With all that in mind, there will be a wonderful opportunity to practice gratitude this Sunday between our worship services when we gather to say “thank you!” to John McLaughlin, our retiring Director of Operations. John’s service has been exemplary in so many ways, from overseeing our ministries of finance and property, to being the first person to grab a mop or broom when the need arises, to being one of the most popular visitors ever among the children in the Child Development Center. So, at 10:30AM (immediately following the 9:30AM service), I hope you will come to Fellowship Hall to help us thank John for his years of faithful service to this church as he retires. See you there!

Peace and blessings,

—Pastor J.C.

Church News

Honoring Black History Month

February is dedicated as Black History Month, honoring the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout U.S. history.

This February, we will be honoring Black History Month through gospel music. On Sunday, February 23, we welcome gospel singer Carla Sullivan to sing with the Adult Choir an anthem, titled “He Never Failed Me Yet.”

Let's Raise Some Dough

Grab a slice! On Thursday, February 20, 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.

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

A Valentines Thank You

Thank you to the many hands—both young and old—who created beautiful Valentines. Kat Greene organized volunteers who made and delivered notes of love that brought kindness and joy to the hearts of our homebound to remind them they are cherished.

Homebound Communion

Homebound Communion will be offered on Sunday, March 2, following our 9:30AM service. If you would like to be included or know of anyone in the congregation who might enjoy having communion brought to their home, contact Maureen Adams at 410.647.2550 or madams@woodschurch.org

Adult Mission Trip to Richmond

We are looking for 10+ participants for a mission trip to Richmond, Virginia, to work with the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity affiliate, Monday–Saturday, April 28–May 3.



Education & Small Groups

New Israel-Palestine Series

Please join Adult Education in February for a four-part series on the Israeli-Palestinian Confrontation led by Dr. Bill Hadley, an expert on the subject. The sessions will be held from 11AM–12PM in Room 208.

• February 16: The Nature and Significance of Israel’s Settlements in the West Bank
• February 23: Where is This Confrontation Headed?
  

New Adult Class This March

Please join Adult Education for a six-part series, Sunday, March 9–April 13, on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The twentieth century produced many interesting and provocative theologians. Among the most influential is Dietrich Bonhoeffer of Germany. He lived concurrently with Adolf Hitler and was among Hitler's most insistent critics. He was imprisoned in January 1943 and hanged on April 8, 1945. In 1937 he wrote his most famous book, Discipleship, which has two central themes: Grace and Obedience.



Please join us as we take a look at this remarkable man and his understanding of theology. Classes will be led by Greg Hubert and held in Room 208 from 11AM–12PM. No registration is required.

Pastors’ Bible Study

Lead Pastor J.C. Austin and Associate Pastor Nancy Lincoln Reynolds offer a weekly Bible Study on Wednesdays, 12PM, to examine the upcoming Sunday’s scripture readings before they are presented in worship.

Join us on Zoom and gain a new understanding of scripture and enhance your worship experience.

Youth News

WoodsWork 2025

WoodsWork 2025 is headed to Nelsonville, Ohio, this summer and all high school youth are invited! This house-building mission trip will be June 19–27, and registration is open now! Click the button below to sign up! For more information, download the flier!

Children's News

Get Ready for VBS!

Register today for Vacation Bible Study! This year’s program will be held July 14–17, 4–7PM, with dinner at 6:30PM.

Music Ministry

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Tickets on Sale Now

Woods Church will present The Hunchback of Notre Dame the weekends of March 28–30 & April 4–6.

What makes a monster and what makes a man? Step into the heart of Paris and experience the powerful tale of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This evocative musical, inspired by Victor Hugo’s classic novel and the acclaimed Disney animated film, brings to life the story of love, acceptance, and heroism set against the backdrop of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. Join us as we follow Quasimodo, the gentle bell-ringer of Notre Dame, and his journey to find acceptance and love in a world that shuns him. Alongside the courageous Esmeralda and the conflicted Claude Frollo, the story unfolds with themes of compassion, justice, the resilience of the human spirit, and finding your sanctuary.

Purchase tickets at www.woodstix.org. Questions? Email Pam Ward at pward@woodschurch.org.

Church Family News

Employment Opportunity

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church has a staff opening for a Director of Operations. The new position is responsible for overseeing the property, finance, and human resource functions of the church. Candidates must have skills/experience in property management, basic accounting/bookkeeping, organization/communication, and information technology.



For more information and to apply, please visit woodschurch.org/jobs.

WCDC Seeks Preschool Teacher

Woods Child Development Center is seeking a passion

ate and dedicated preschool teacher to join our educational team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in early childhood education and a commitment to fostering a nurturing and stimulating learning environment for young children. This role involves developing and implementing age-appropriate curricula that promote childhood development, while also ensuring the welfare of each child in our care. The ideal candidate will have completed the 90-hour pre-service training and have experience with preschool-aged children. This full-time position provides a pleasant working environment with generous benefits.

Please contact Roxann Bartone at rbartone@woodscdc.org with questions.

Support Our Bagel Ministry

In the 2025 new year, please consider supporting the Woods Bagel Ministry. The ministry offers bagels every Sunday after each service. You can honor or celebrate a person or special occasion of your choice. It is supported through your generosity and donations are $100. Your financial gift allows us to welcome all into fellowship.

To request a date, please email Kathie Hamlett at khamlett@woodschurch.org or stop by after worship on any Sunday.



"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."—Matthew 18:20

Counseling & Care Center Offerings

Life Purpose Course 2.0 Offered in March 2025

We are offering the Life Purpose Course again this year. At times, all of us must make some choices about what to do next. This may happen around retirement, or kids leaving the nest, or a career change, or after the loss of a loved one.

This program helps one find their passions. We’ve all experienced the fulfillment that comes from doing something we are passionate about. We explore values, interests, spirituality, and energy (consciousness). We look at how others see us when we are passionate. You are then able to combine the feedback from the tools and assessments with small group discussions. We learn from each other.

This year we are adding a segment on energy. We all have positive and negative energy, and the interplay between them affects how we see the world. Some things to consider:

• Do things beyond your control create stress?
• What would it be like to be able to create your own joy?
• Often awareness can be generative and create positive energy

We’ll start the program on Sunday, March 2, 4–6PM, in the large meeting room of the WCCC. We have received a grant from the Center to cover the costs of assessments. There is a nominal $25 fee for administrative items. No one is turned away.

To sign up, email Maureen Adams at madams@woodschurch.org or contact Bill Daniel at bill@billdaniel.org or 410.570.8500.

A Moment of Prayer

Loving and all present God, we are thankful that you see the big picture of our world and our lives. We know that you have plans for each one of us and we pray that we may know them and follow faithfully where you lead us. Let us reflect your love in Christ in all that we are and all that we do.

Amen.