Messenger | February 21, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Lent Brochure Now Available
• Service of Wholeness
• High School Ski Trip
• WoodsWork Registration is Open
• Jammies & Jesus Returns Soon!
• Save the Date for VBS
• Prayers for Carolyn Watkins and Family

Pastor's Message

Dear Friends and Family of Woods Church,

Miguel de la Torre teaches at the Iliff School of Theology and has shared this story. He tells about getting ready to go on a trip to Las Vegas. In preparation he took off his wedding ring, gave it to his wife for safekeeping, and told her he wasn't going to wear it on the trip because they already have a personal relationship and they didn't need some public sign of their relationship. You can imagine his wife's reaction! She reminded him that their relationship was much more than just a personal one; they shared a public relationship too. Wearing a ring was the outward expression of their inward commitment—a symbol publicly announcing their commitment to one another. (From his book, Reading the Bible From the Margins)

De la Torre told this story in response to students who come up to him and ask if he has a personal relationship to Jesus Christ. He would answer them, "No, I have a public relationship with Jesus Christ." He insists that confining Jesus to our personal life is the ultimate act of religious selfishness. Even though our American culture highly values individualism and personal piety, I believe de la Torre is right in insisting that our faith (like marriage commitments) is both private and public.

Christianity is never just a private affair. Such types of faith are overly focused on the individual when the real message of faith prompts us to live out what we believe through our public witness and acts of compassion in the world. Jesus himself said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

Some people talk about giving things up during Lent. Other people suggest we "take up" something during Lent—commit to do something that embodies our faith values. I encourage you to try the latter. Learn more about our excellent Mission partners (like the Ministry of Hope in Malawi or other regional programs) and consider ways to support or volunteer with them. This Lent live into the wisdom of the old hymn, "And they'll know we are Christians by our love."

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Randy

Church News

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

Lenten Journeys: From Grief to Gratitude

The Camino de Santiago is one of Christianity’s oldest pilgrimages, dating back to the tenth century. Millions of pilgrims have traveled this route to connect with something larger than themselves. They seek healing, redemption, understanding, and grace. With the Camino as the backdrop, this course explores the journey one pilgrim has taken, from grief to gratitude.

At 11AM on Sundays, through March 24, Woods member Kathy Lohff will share personal experiences from her journey on the Camino de Santiago while reviewing the nature and lure of spiritual pilgrimages across time. Join us in Room 208 or on Zoom. Please note, the 5:30PM session has been canceled.

For more information, please contact Kathy Lohff at kathylohff@msn.com or Sarah Wilson at swilson@woodschurch.org.

Youth News

High School Ski Trip

This weekend, February 23–25, our High Schoolers are spending the weekend at Ski Sawmill Family Resort in Morris, Pennsylvania. It's not too late to come along! Please register ASAP, and reach out to our Youth Director, Oliver Page, with any questions: opage@woodschurch.org.

WoodsWork Registration is Open

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

The Egg Came First at Woods Church

The Children's Ministry answers the age-old question of which came first...for Woods Church it is eggs. Children's Ministry's #TeamChicken remembers once again that "Easter is Coming" by hosting a clutch of eggs to hatch into chicks. We can't help but cluck about it. The children of Woods Church and the children of the CDC have counted down the days to Easter by watching and remembering that Spring. We can watch daffodils sprout and bud. We look for Lenten roses to burst into bloom. AND we count down the days to chickens hatching from eggs. Then, the eggshells are broken open and empty, but that lets out a new life! Remember, Easter is coming!

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's Continue the Conversation at Home about Lent. You know Easter is coming! But first we have six weeks of waiting and watching. In Sunday School, we watch how Jesus lives on Earth, and how he takes care of people. He tells stories and feeds people and helps them whenever he can.

Spring is when the Earth that looked dead comes alive again. Easter is when the followers of Jesus thought he was dead, but they found out he is alive and still with them. It is good to remember that spring is coming when we have cold, wintery days. AND when we are sad and feeling alone, it is good to know that even if we feel alone, Jesus is still with us.

Is wonder, what would you see if you took an "Easter is Coming" walk each week. Would you see signs of new life and spring? Would you see nests in the trees? If you come by my office, you will see eggs in an incubator waiting to hatch into chicks.

Keep your eyes open! Watch for seeds. Watch for the brown Earth to turn a "hopeful" kind of brown full of possibilities. Watch for signs of new life. Remember, Jesus isn't dead. Jesus is alive.

Jammies & Jesus Returns Soon!

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!

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.

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.

Church Family News

Prayers for Carolyn Watkins and Family

Our thoughts and prayers are with Carolyn Watkins, and family, as her sister, the Rev. Veronica Wells, died on Tuesday, February 20. If you would like to send a card sharing your condolences for Carolyn and her family, please drop them off at the church office, or mail them to the church at 611 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park, MD 21146.

Congregational Prayer

God of ancient covenants and present-day promises, your steadfast love and faithfulness are still new every morning. During the gift of this day, help me to treat others—family, friends, coworkers, classmates, and even strangers—with love and mercy in our encounters. Open my eyes to the places, people, and circumstances in which your kingdom has truly come near. Renew a right spirit within me this Lenten season, in the name of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ.



Amen.