Messenger | July 31, 2024

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Second Sunday Book Swap
• Tuesday Night Thrive
• Ushers Needed
• Stewardship Update
• Sing with Our Summer Choir
• Film and Faith
• Woods Words Quadrathalon
• Softball: Woods Church vs. SP United Methodist Church

Pastor's Message

The month of August is just around the corner! How quickly the summer and time itself seem to move. Are we ready for a change of seasons?

Watching the Olympics this week calls to mind the importance of “preparation” and getting ourselves (and our lives) ready for what comes next. Olympic athletes train for years for events that last sometimes just a few minutes. We, in the church, are also in training—preparing our hearts and minds for faith and service that last a lifetime.

As Christians, we go through personal seasons of our lives, each one requiring new training, adjustment, and routines. I suspect it is helpful to know the faith routines that work best for us and, as seasons come and go, learn new trainings, make adjustments and develop new routines.

Coming into fall, it is perhaps time to consider removing or adding routines: join a Christ Care group, attend the spirituality education seminars at the Care Center; join the choir, the Gardeners, the Rehabbers, the Stephen Ministry. The possibilities are many. You will be able to learn more about all of the ministries at Woods at Kick-Off Sunday, September 8, following worship.

The question we ask ourselves is, “Are we fit and ready for the Kingdom of God?” Woods Church is a great place to train!

Peace,

—Pastor Nancy

Church News

Second Sunday Book Swap

We all have books on our shelves that we have read (or intended to read) that we would love to pass on to someone else benefit from and enjoy. For our Second Sunday Fellowship on August 11, the Adult Education and Small Groups Ministry will host a "Book Swap" table in Fellowship Hall immediately after our service. These will be (mostly) Christian-themed books, but not exclusively.

Bring a book that you are finished with and/or take a book that looks interesting to you. No need to bring one to take one! For bonus points, slip a card in the book with a sentence or three about why you liked the book. Books can be dropped off before the service at the table, ahead of time in Sarah Wilson's office, or simply when you come to the table.

We hope you will participate in granting new life to these shelf-dwellers and new fodder for your mental and spiritual growth.

Tuesday Night Thrive

On Tuesday, August 13, 6PM, gather with us for a time of praise and prayer followed by food, friends, and fun in Fellowship Hall.

We encourage everyone to stay and continue the fellowship and food with us, but please RSVP by Friday, August 9. See you all at Tuesday Night Thrive.

Ushers Needed

We are in need of additional ushers to assist during worship. If you are interested in being a part of this important ministry, please reach out to Paul Self at paulself239@gmail.com.



Sing with Our Summer Choir

Come and sing with us on these summer Sundays: August 11 and 18, and September 1. Members of the Adult Choir will meet at 8:45AM in the Sanctuary to rehearse an anthem, and then sing it for worship!

It’s fun, easy, and a great way to lend your voice over the summer! For more information, please email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Summer Worship Schedule

Join us for worship on Sundays this summer for a blended service at 9:30AM. This single-service will continue through Kick-Off Sunday, September 8.

Stewardship Update

This Stewardship season, our Clouds of Witnesses have pledged $1,326,441, which represents 86% of our $1,540,000 goal. Thank you so much for your continued support of Woods missions.



If you have not done so already, please make your pledge online at woodschurch.org or fill out a pledge card in the front office.

We’re Hiring an Accountant

Woods Church is looking to hire an accountant—someone to maintain the various church funds and accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the church’s Financial Policies & Procedures Manual. This is a benefit eligible, 40-hour per week position. Knowledge of accounting software and Microsoft Office applications required.

If you’re interested in this position, please contact John McLaughlin at 410.647.2550 x335 or jmclaughlin@woodschurch.org.

Mission News

Mission Trip to Guatemala

Are you interesting in participating in a mission trip with Baltimore Presbytery to the Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America (CEDEPCA) in Guatemala, November 2–9? The trip will focus on causes of immigration, as well as visits to CEDEPCA programs that support women and families, efforts to reduce emigration and domestic violence, and projects to provide sustainable employment within the country.

If you would like more information, email Sher at sheratkinson@earthlink.net or call at 410.647.4824.

Youth News

Film and Faith!

All high school youth are welcome to join us at our new Bible Study, Film and Faith! will be meeting throughout the summer, every Tuesday night , 7PM. Each week, we will be looking at scripture through the lens of some of our favorite movies! (We’ll gather immediately following Tuesday Night Thrive!). We hope to see you there!

For more information, contact Oliver Page at opage@woodschurch.org.

Children's News

Woods Words Quadrathalon

We are going to learn some of the words of our faith! Athletes train their bodies and minds to be ready for competition. This summer, athletes from all over the world are competing in the summer Olympics. They have worked hard to be ready for some hard moments when they will be tested. We are prepared by faith to be God’s people. Athletes learn skills through practice and training. The church has prayer, scripture, and confession along with a family of faith to help us through challenges.

Olympians work for medals, but every day our “metal” can be tested. Enter your team to join the Woods Words Quadrathalon. The Woods “Quadrathletes” will learn and recite four faith statements that have been treasured by all ages throughout the ages.

Gather as many folks for your team as you want. Give them a snappy name. Turn them into Kat and recite John 3:16, and you are in! Reach your goal by demonstrating that your team knows the faith statements below, and finish the course by completing all four challenges. A mission activity of outreach or care adds extra points!

Scripture: John 3:16; Psalm 23

Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer

Confessions: The Apostle’s Creed

“Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

—Philippians 3:12

In Our Community

Woods Church vs. SP United Methodist

This week, our softball team will take the field against SP United Methodist Church at Elvaton #1 on Sunday, August 4, 2PM. If you’d like to play, contact Andrew Wiley at 443.867.8803 or wileyas1@gmail.com.

No experience required! Players must be at least 16 years of age as of December 31, 2023. Play as your schedule permits.

A Moment of Prayer

Loving God, you created us in your image to serve others in love and to foster peace on Earth. We pray that your Spirit will guide us and lead us to be peacemakers regardless of the differences among us. We pray this day for all of your children and to encourage us to be citizens of free and peaceful nations.



Amen.