Messenger | February 8, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• CAT Survey
• Souper Bowl
• Disaster Relief for Turkey and Syria
  

Pastor's Message

Dear friends and family of Woods Church,

There's an old joke that Presbyterian sermons invariably include three points and a poem. In truth, there are a host of ways in which a Sunday morning sermon can be organized. But in my experience, most sermons fall into one of four categories.

There are expository sermons, which dive deeply into a particular passage to provide both historical context and contemporary relevance. There are thematic sermons, which focus on a specific doctrine of the church (e.g., baptism, atonement, repentance) and use scripture to help flesh out its characteristics and applications. There are story sermons, which use either fictional stories or biographies to explore the interplay of faith and daily living. And there are topical sermons, in which a single topic is explored by using scripture, doctrine, church history, and other appropriate resources.

This Sunday I'll be delivering a topical sermon on the theme of Christian pacifism. It is a complex topic, but one that has been pondered by people of faith throughout the centuries. Topical sermons can be difficult to write and to hear. Church members may ask "Why are we talking about pacifism (or capital punishment or abortion or homosexuality)?" But if we don't find time to discuss important topics in church as people of faith, we are suggesting that such themes lie beyond the purview of how God calls us to live and act. We may not always agree on how to respond to difficult topics, but that is no reason to avoid faithful conversations.

One of the best ways for Woods Church to prepare for a new pastor is by being informed "sermon listeners." At their best, sermons are actually dialogues, even if only one person has the microphone. Sermons are meant to raise questions, offer comfort and challenge, and elicit follow-up conversations so that both the preacher and the listener can continue growing in their faith. Feedback after a sermon is always preferable to a silence that suggests nothing memorable was shared on Sunday morning. And if you are only receiving a steady diet of one type of sermon, it is appropriate to ask the preacher to shuffle up the "menu" occasionally and try out different styles.

I find the Woods congregation to be made of thoughtful, attentive, and engaged "sermon listeners." That is a blessing to me as a preacher and it is one of the many strengths you offer to whomever God is calling to continue the journey with you.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Randy

Church News

Apportionment is Due

Woods Church is part of Baltimore Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) denomination. The way our congregation supports the ministries of the wider church is through paying our annual per capita apportionment. For everyone listed as a member of Woods at the end of 2021, we are asked to contribute $40. These funds go to the General Assembly ($9.85), Synod ($1.15), and Presbytery ($29) branches of our denomination.

In order to maintain a balanced budget, we are asking each member and/or family (with confirmed youth and adults) to contribute the cost of the $40 apportionment.

On behalf of the staff and leadership of Woods Church, we thank you for your generosity and continued support.



Service of Wholeness Wednesday, February 15, 6:45PM, in the Sanctuary

Services of Wholeness with pastors and elders are small, intimate, deeply spiritual gatherings of prayer and the laying on of hands. They offer reassurance to those experiencing grief, illness, loss, or other physical/emotional concerns. The services also provide a special time to lift prayers of gratitude to God for blessings received.

Please email Maureen Adams to RSVP for our next wholeness service.

Ministry Announcements

Kat’s Corner: Update from Children’s Ministry

Will you BEE ready this Summer? VBS is going to BEE amazing. From 4–7 pm, Monday–Thursday, children in Pre-K through 5th grade will BEE learning about God’s love! Start the buzz now! Registration begins in March. The registration fee will include dinner.



How will you BEE part of this event? Tell a story! Play a game! Take a hike! Play along!

VBEES is the Best! Mark your calendar. Tell your friends. It’s a date… June 26–29.

–Kat Green, Director of Children’s Ministry

Winter Relief

Winter Relief is coming Monday, March 13, through Monday, March 20. Sign-ups will start this Sunday, February 12. You will be able to sign up to help after each Service or online in Signup Genius. 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, please contact Scott Wiley at 410.353.1491 or wilecoy2us@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events

St. Patrick's Day Dinner

The Deacons at Woods are bringing back our St. Patrick’s Day dinner! This event will take place on St. Patrick's Day, Friday, March 17, 5:30–7:30PM at the Severna Park Community Center! Dinner and Entertainment included! Keep an eye out for more information.



Coffee House Concert

Join members and friends of the Woods Praise Band on Saturday, February 11, 7:30PM, for a free evening of popular acoustic music in Fellowship Hall. Coffee and refreshments will be available.



Coming Soon to the Woods
Counseling & Care Center

Caregivers Support Group

If you are a caregiver to a family member or friend, this group provides an opportunity to share experiences with those in similar situations. Meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of each month during 2023, 1–2:30PM, in the large group room of the Woods Counseling & Care Center (8 Cypress Creek Road).

The group will begin on Wednesday, February 8. Meetings will be facilitated by Teri Hocking and Jean Clarke, both long-time educators and facilitators of groups for youth and adults. To register, email Nancy Sullivan at nsullivan@woodschurch.org.

Seven Lessons for the Living

This is a seven-week seminar for those interested in nourishing their spirituality and addressing what really matters in life. In-person meetings will begin on Thursday, February 23, 4–5:30PM, at the Woods Counseling & Care Center. The seminar also will be offered on Zoom, date and time TBD.

Discussion will center on the book, 7 Lessons for the Living from the Dying, by hospice physician Dr. Karen Wyatt. To register, contact Bill Hocking at billhocking100@comcast.net or Nancy Sullivan at nsullivan@woodschurch.org.

Congregational Prayer

O God, help us in our lives and all our attitudes to work out this force of love, this controlling power that can solve every problem that we confront in all areas. Oh, we talk about politics; we talk about the problems facing our (modern) civilization. Grant that all people will come together and discover that we can solve the problems before us - the international problems, the nuclear problems, and yes, even the race problems. Let us join together in a great fellowship of love and bow down at the feet of Jesus. Give us this strong determination. In the name and spirit of this Christ, we pray. Amen.

Prayer by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., November 17, 1957, after a sermon on "Loving Your Enemies"