Messenger | January 22, 2025

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Adult Mission Trip to Richmond
• New Art Exhibit
• New Israel-Palestine Series
• Middle School Tubing Trip
• High School Ski Trip
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame Tickets on Sale Now
  

Pastor's Message

It was wonderful to join our dedicated team of Winter Relief volunteers on Monday as we began this important week of hospitality and service. As you may know, Woods hosts unhoused neighbors as overnight guests within our building every year for at least one week. Zimmerman Hall and the Founders Room are both transformed into dormitories where guests can spend the night in warmth and safety, while a delicious dinner is served buffet-style in Fellowship Hall for both guests and volunteers. On multiple nights during the week, guests are able to use the showers in the Community Center. Stephen Ministers are present to provide spiritual care for anyone who wants it, while other volunteers tend to the specific needs of guests. It is an extraordinary ministry of care that is also a powerful witness to Christ’s expansive welcome, compassion, and love for all peoples, but particularly those who are experiencing poverty and marginalization.

I want to thank all the volunteers who have shown up to welcome our guests this week in so many ways. I also want to especially thank the leaders of the Missions Ministry and Scott Wiley, in particular, for not only ensuring that Winter Relief works like a well-oiled machine in terms of logistics, volunteers, and service, but that we create an atmosphere of personal warmth, dignity, and care for our guests.

I am proud that we at Woods are loving our neighbors in this way, and if you have yet to experience Winter Relief first-hand, I urge you to reach out to Scott or contact the Church Office to ask what you might still be able to do to help.

Peace and blessings,

—Pastor J.C.

Church News

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.



Let’s Grow Together with the Young and Old Art Exhibit

Visit the Art Gallery to enjoy photos of Woods’ Youth and Children’s Ministries. Woods Youth Ministry serves young people in grades 6–12 in our community by providing a safe space for them to connect with each other and explore big questions, grow closer to God through service and study, and experience new things in a supportive environment.

Our Youth Ministry consists of many different programs such as Sunday School, Youth Group, Confirmation Class, SEEK Band, and WoodsWork—all of which come together to make up the special community that is Woods Youth.

Woods Children’s Ministry serves the children, and their families, from birth through grade 5 with Sunday Morning programming, summer Vacation Bible Study, and seasonal events.

Our programming builds biblical literacy and participation in the life and work of the church. Families feel part of the community, are visible, and know that they are welcome at Woods.

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 2: The Nature of Israeli-Palestinian Hatreds/The Current State of Fighting
• February 9: Who Are the Israeli Hardliners and What Do They Want?/What Are HAMAS’ Aims?/ What Are Iran’s Objectives?
• February 16: The Nature and Significance of Israel’s Settlements in the West Bank
• February 23: Where is This Confrontation Headed?
  

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.

New Adult Education Class

Adult Education is offering a new study on Sundays through January 26, 11AM, featuring Which Way Lord by the Rev. Rob Fuquay. As Christians, we hunger to know and live out God's purpose for our lives. But how do we know for certain which way to go? This study aims to help you understand God’s direction for your life. Your guide for this journey is Paul, the missionary hero of early church history.

Through many detours, adversity, and time spent thinking about his life, Paul completely reoriented his understanding of faith and God’s purpose for his life. God placed Paul in a community that shared God’s love with him, and Paul underwent several years of training in his quest to follow Jesus and ultimately follow his call to be an apostle.

We will meet in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom. Books are in the office.

Youth News

Middle School Tubing Trip

Our middle school students are going tubing on Saturday, February 8, at Whitetail resort in Pennsylvania. All youth in grades 6–8 are welcome. We will meet at Woods at 9AM, and return around 5PM that same day. The cost is $40 per participant. We'd love to have you join us!

Reach out to our Youth Director Oliver Page at opage@woodschurch.org with any questions.

High School Ski Trip

Our annual ski trip for high school youth will be held Friday–Sunday, February 21–23. We are going to Ski Sawmill Family Resort in Pennsylvania for a weekend of skiing and fellowship! The trip—equipment rentals included—is only $50 per person. All Youth 9th-12th grade are welcome. We'd love to have you join us!

If you have any questions, email our Youth Director Oliver Page at opage@woodschurch.org.

Children's News

Register Today for VBS!

Registration open Saturday, February 1, for this year’s Vacation Bible Study! This year’s program will be held July 14–17, 4–7PM, with dinner at 6:30PM.

Music Ministry

2025 Music Notes

Mark your calendars today for these 2025 Music Ministry events.

• Squisto’s Music Fundraiser | Thursdays, January 23, February 20, March 20, 4–9PM
• Coffee House | Saturday February 8 (FREE!)
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Show dates are March 28–30 & April 4–6. Tickets are $20 and will available in the New Year.
• A Night at The Opera | Saturday May 10, dinner starts at 6PM. Tickets are $25 and will be available in the New Year.
• A Journey to Hope Concert | Saturday June 7, 7PM. (FREE but a reservation will be required.)
  

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.

Calling All Who Sew

Costumes is looking for a few people who can sew and would like to help with some fairly easy sewing projects for The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Fabric, pattern, and notions will be provided.

If you can help with these sewing projects, contact Susan Bohlman at susanrbohlman@gmail.com or David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org. If you don't sew but would like to help with costumes, we would love to have you. There are many other ways that you can help out.

Church Family News

A Note of Thanks

Thank you to the many Deacons and Elders who’ve been so kind in sending cards and flowers over the past four years since I’ve been back from Colorado.

—LouAnn Henne

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

A Moment of Prayer

Creator God of all things new, we give you thanks for this year so recently past and for the many blessings received. We ask your blessing on 2025 and pray that we may help to usher in times of hope and peace in our world. Grant us good discernment and courageous ability to advocate for and to accompany others on their journeys. May we all be guided by your Word and Spirit.



Amen.