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December 31, 2025

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• A Prayer for the People of Venezuela
• Service of Wholeness, January 21
• New Members Class, February 1
• Adult Mission Trip, April 20–25
• Important Scam Alert
• Sunday Fellowship Help Wanted
• Middle School Tubing Trip
• High School Ski Trip
• Save the Date for WoodsWork 2026
• New Adult Ed Series
• Weekly Bible Study
• Music Ministry is Tuning Up
• Urgent Food Drive for SPAN
• Funeral Service for Robert R. Smith, III
• Medical Professional Volunteers Needed

Pastor's Message

This Sunday will be a particularly special one at the 11AM Contemporary Service, because we will not only be confirming six high school youth who have completed our special high school Confirmation Class this year, but we will be baptizing three of them in the process! This also is fitting because this Sunday is Baptism of the Lord Sunday on the Christian liturgical calendar, on which the church remembers and celebrates Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist, which also marks the start of his public ministry in the gospels according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. So I hope you can make plans to participate in this service in person or online, and I thought I’d take the opportunity to remind us of why Presbyterians believe Baptism is such a crucial and sacred part of the Christian life.

In the Reformed theological tradition (of which Presbyterians are a part), we don’t believe that our salvation is contingent on being baptized. We believe we are baptized because we are saved, not saved because we are baptized. Our tradition is relentless in its emphasis on the sovereignty and grace of God, which essentially means that God has both the first and final say on things. That, in turn, means that baptism is a response to God’s grace, not an acquisition of it. Instead, we talk about baptism as a sign and a seal of God’s saving grace. In baptism, we recognize and respond to that saving grace with gratitude and a commitment to a life of following Christ in our words, actions, and spirit. And so baptism is both our formal inclusion in the church, the body of Christ, and our commissioning as Christ’s disciples and ministers; every Christian is called to ministry through their baptism. That is what is “different” about us after baptism. Those who are called to ordained ministries have specific responsibilities in the church, but those are in addition to the baptismal call that we all have.

The question about baptizing infants or young children versus adults often arises in the conversations. As you probably know, some Christian traditions will not baptize infants at all, while others (like ours) do. The reason for those differences is a theological one. Because of our emphasis on God’s grace, we don’t believe baptism is a conscious “decision for Christ” like Baptists or some other traditions do, which is why they require people to be old enough to make such a conscious decision in order to receive Baptism. We, on the other hand, baptize infants because we believe that God’s grace is already at work before we are even aware of it or capable of any understanding of it. So for us, there’s nothing different about baptism, per se, between infants and adults. What’s different is that youth or adults being baptized also are able to declare their faith in Christ and their intention to follow Christ as a disciple and a member of the church, as our three youth this Sunday will do. Those who are baptized as infants have to do that when they are old enough to do so in order to be full members of the church, which is what our other three youth will do this Sunday; that’s where the tradition of Confirmation originated.

Finally, in the Reformed tradition, Baptism is never a private experience, but an act in which the whole church participates. That is why we always do baptisms as part of a regular worship service, because the congregation as a whole both witnesses and participates in the sacrament. In fact, you are even asked a direct question about nurturing the person being baptized as they grow in their faith, whether they are an infant, child, youth, or adult. That’s because, again, Baptism is the formal beginning of a life of Christian faith, and we spend the rest of our lives growing in that faith, regardless of how old we are when we are baptized.

So, I hope you will be here on Sunday to both witness and participate in this sacrament, and in welcoming these youth into a new role in our life and ministry together!

Peace and blessings,

—Pastor JC

Church News

A Prayer for the People of Venezuela

God of mercy and sovereign of all nations,

We lift up the people of Venezuela in this time of turmoil and fear. Amid reports of conflict, political upheaval, and uncertainty, we pray for the safety of

all who are caught in the midst of power struggles

and strife.

May your spirit grant wisdom to leaders in Venezuela and around the world that they may seek peace, uphold justice, and protect human dignity. Where there is violence, bring calm; where there is suffering, bring relief; where there is division, bring unity and reconciliation. We pray especially for the vulnerable: children, the elderly, families displaced or in danger, those hungry for stability and hope.

May your grace sustain them with compassion and strength. Guide international responses toward compassion over conquest, dialogue over discord, and humanity over hostility. May the cries of the affected not go unheard, and may the global community pursue paths that honor life, compassion, and peace.

In this moment of crisis and complexity, give us the grace to listen deeply to the voices of our neighbors, and to meet with courage the difficult challenges of these times. Teach us to pray for understanding, not animosity; to act with empathy, not indifference; to practice compassion, not complexity; and to labor for a world where true justice and peace embrace.

Amen.

“Mercy and truth met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”—Psalm 85:10

Winter Relief

Winter Relief is coming quickly, and we still need a number of volunteers. Areas include dinner prep, evening and overnight chaperones, shower escorts, and laundry support. We’re also in need of high school youth volunteers. You may sign up on the church website or in Fellowship Hall on Sunday Mornings. 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 email wilecoy2us@gmail.com.

Thank you for helping with this important Mission.

Service of Wholeness

There will be a Service of Wholeness on Wednesday, January 21, 6:15PM, in the Sanctuary. 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 madams@woodschurch.org.

New Members Class

We would love for your to join our family! Our next new members class will be held on Sunday, February 1, 10:45AM, in Founders Room.

If you have questions or would like to RSVP, contact Kathie Hamlett at khamlett@woodschurch.org.

Save the Date: Adult Mission Trip

Woods adults are welcome to join us on a Mission Trip, Monday–Saturday, April 20–25. We will travel to Richmond, Virginia, and work with the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity affiliate. We are looking for 10+ volunteers.

Click the button below to download an informational flyer. Contact Tom Lerario at txlerario@gmail.com or Scott Rundle at srundle69@gmail.com with questions and/or to sign up.

Important Scam Alert

We have been made aware of fraudulent emails and messages circulating that falsely use the name of our Head Pastor, JC Austin, and others to solicit donations or financial assistance.

Please be advised that our Pastor and church leadership will never request donations, gift cards, wire transfers, or personal financial assistance through email, text messages, or direct messages.

All official giving opportunities are communicated through our verified church platforms and our secure giving channels only.

If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from our Pastor or church, do not respond, do not send money or gift cards, do not open links, or share member information (we have seen requests to share our directory). You can always call at the church at 410.647.2550 to inquire.

Thank you for helping us protect our church family and community.

Youth News

Save the Date for WoodsWork 2026

WoodsWork 2026 will be held June 22–30. We are still finalizing our location, but we are hoping to open registration by the end of the year! Download the flyer for more details.

Children's News

Everyone is Welcome in Worship at Woods

Sometimes little ears are sensory sensitive. Therefore, the Children’s Ministry has noise dampening headphones available on Sunday mornings. See Kat or Lindsey to sign out a set of headphones. Return them after the service. The headphones are cleaned after each use and ear guards will be changed.

This is one way that Woods Church works to be inclusive of all from the tall to the small!

Education & Small Groups

More Than Time: Measuring Days in Wisdom

“Teach us O’ Lord to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:12

NOT a class about time management, NOT a class about New Year’s Resolutions...

• What is a “heart of wisdom?”
• What is the role and purpose of time in God’s creation?
• The difference between a busier life & a better life
• How does a person measure their life?

Led by David Lohff, whose eclectic journey as a pastor, hospice chaplain, business owner, and fitness instructor may be helpful to point out scenery as we observe life together.

Join us on Sundays, January 11–February 19, 11AM, in Room 208 and on Zoom.

Weekly Bible Study

Lead Pastor JC Austin and Associate Pastor Nancy Lincoln Reynolds offer a weekly Bible Study on Wednesdays, 11AM, 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.

Music News

Music Ministry is Tuning Up

Be a part of our Music Ministry at Woods! For questions about our choirs, bands, or arts offerings, email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Adult Choir

Rehearsals resume on Thursday, January 8. Come join us as we sing and lead worship through all styles of music. All are welcome to come and sing! We rehearse Thursday evenings at 7PM in the Choir Room. We look forward to having you with us!

Children’s Choir | Grades 1–5

Our Children’s Choir resumes on Sunday, January 11, 10:30–11AM, in the Choir Room. Wahoo! Any child in grades 1–5 is welcome to come sing!

And yes, we have CANDY!

SEEK Band | Grades 6–12

Do you play an instrument, enjoy singing, or just love music? Then come on out! Any youth in grades 6–12 can join our SEEK Band. The SEEK Band offers music for worship regularly, with many wonderful solo and musical opportunities.

Rehearsals resume on Sunday, January 11, 12:15–1PM, in the Choir Room.

Praise Band

Rehearsals resume on Thursday, January 8, in the Sanctuary. Do you want to lead worship with your voice or an instrument? Then come out and join us! Our Praise Band leads our 11AM Sunday worship service and rehearses on Thursday nights at 7PM.

Reach out to Sarah Kent with any questions at skent@woodschurch.org.

Mission News

Urgent November Food Drive for SPAN

Did you know 1 in 9 Marylanders may no longer receive SNAP benefits due to impending stoppage of federal food aid? This will have an immediate effect on food requests above and beyond our typical needs.

Please donate canned vegetables, canned meats and fish, beans, pasta, rice, instant potatoes, broth, bouillon, canned fruit, laundry detergent, dish soap, deodorant, and toothpaste. Place donations in SPAN bins behind the Welcome Desk in the Church lobby.

Church Family News

Funeral Service for Robert R. Smith, III

A Service of Witness to the resurrection for Bob Smith will be held on Saturday, January 17, 1PM, at Woods Church in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.

Please keep Bob’s wife, Dixie, and all of their family and friends in your prayers.

Medical Professional Volunteers Needed

Woods is looking for members who are either physicians, physician's assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, anyone in the medical field, who would be willing to note their presence in a particular worship service or church event (musical production, etc.)—in the event there is a medical emergency—and would be able to help assist until the EMTs arrive.

A notebook and sign will be placed in the Narthex just outside the Sanctuary (to be monitored by the head usher) for the above person(s) to note their name, cell phone number, and presence in the service or particular event being held in the Sanctuary.

Email Jason Jackson at jjackson@woodschurch.org for more information.