Messenger | January 8, 2025

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Winter Relief is Coming
• Winter Relief Supplies Needed
• Service of Wholeness
• New Adult Education Class
• New Israel-Palestine Series
• Middle School Tubing Trip
• High School Ski Trip
• Funeral Service for Elaine Soderlund
  

Pastor's Message

One of the more disorienting parts of watching a TV show, especially if you’re bingeing it on a streaming service, is when the show takes a “time-jump.” This is when the entire show suddenly jumps forward a significant period of time—months or even years—before picking back up again. New characters may suddenly appear without explanation, while old ones are gone. Characters start referencing plot developments that you haven’t seen depicted. Locations may have shifted, and the circumstances in which the characters find themselves may have become very different. If you’re not paying close attention, it can be pretty disorienting. But the end result is almost a new show, which is part of the point: we skip the ordinariness of what’s been going on during the intervening time and jump right into the action again.

The Sunday after Epiphany is the big time-jump in the story of Jesus. We go from all the birth stories of Christmas and a few snippets of childhood straight to his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Luke tells us in his third chapter that Jesus is about 30 years old, so it’s a pretty significant time-jump from when the Magi were visiting him and even when he was a young adolescent giving his parents the slip to hang out in the Temple! The point is, though, Luke told us at the end of that latter story that Jesus went back to Nazareth with his parents and was obedient to them, which is good to know, but probably doesn’t make for many interesting stories between then and now!

In this passage and on this Sunday, though, we jump into a new time in which Jesus is about to begin his public ministry. It’s an engaging story and an important one for us; I hope to see you in worship as we explore on Sunday why that is and what it means for us today!

Peace and blessings,

—Pastor J.C.

Church News

Winter Relief is Coming

Winter Relief is coming January 20–27. Sign up to help after each Service in Fellowship Hall or online on on the Church website.

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, contact Scott Wiley at 410.353.1491 or wilecoy2us@gmail.com. Thank you for helping with this important mission.

Winter Relief Supplies Needed

The Winter Relief Shelter at Woods needs various supplies. Please donate new travel size toiletries: deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes. (We do not need soap, conditioner, or combs or brushes.) The shelter also is in need of new men’s and women’s underwear including panties, undershirts and underpants of all sizes. (We do not need socks or men’s large underpants at this time.)

The items can be dropped off at the church office marked “Scott Wiley/Winter Relief.”



Service of Wholeness

There will be a Service of Wholeness on Wednesday, January 15, 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, contact Maureen Adams at 410.647.2550 or madams@woodschurch.org.

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

Education & Small Groups

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.

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?
  

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

Save the Date for VBS!

Vacation Bible Study for all ages—smalls, talls, and all—will be held July 14–17, 4–7PM, with dinner at 6:30PM. Registration opens February 1!

Mission News

Information Session for Malawi Summer 2025 Mission Trip

Join us on Sunday, January 12, 10:30AM, in Founders Room to learn about mission trip details, ask questions, and meet the team leaders. Over the past several years, dozens of Woods members have traveled to Africa to learn from and support our mission partner, Ministry of Hope. We would love to have you join us! Trip dates are still being formulated, and we welcome your input.

For more information, please contact Pat Johnson at paj10041949@gmail.com or Karen Bennett at MDKBennett@gmail.com.

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.)
  

Church Family News

Funeral Service for Elaine Soderlund

Please keep Elaine’s husband, John, and children, CJ and Jamie, and all of their family and friends in your prayers.

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.