Messenger | June 4, 2025

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Thank You for Supporting Our Mother’s Day Food Drive
• WoodsWork Carwash
• Songs of Hope Spring Concert
• Stephen Ministry Commissioning and Welcome for New Members
• Save the Date: Annual Holiday Bazaar
• Pentecost Trading Cards
• VBS Supper Club
• Register for VBS
• New Adult Education Class: The Reformation & the Republic
• Pastors’ Bible Study
• Softball Game vs. SP United Methodist
  

Pastor's Message

This Sunday is Pentecost, the Christian holiday celebrating the gift of the Holy Spirit to Christ’s disciples, just as he promised would happen, and which effectively created the Christian church as a movement. It’s a dramatic story that takes place in the second chapter of the book of Acts in the New Testament, and it begins with the sentence, “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.” In other words, the original disciples of Jesus had gathered in the same place, which was notable because they had spent most of the time after the resurrection of Christ in different places, scattered about as some hid in fear of the authorities who had executed Jesus, while others tried to return to their ordinary lives from before they started following Jesus. But on this day, they had all gathered together, perhaps to celebrate Pentecost itself. Pentecost is actually a word that got used by some Greek-speaking Jews to refer to the Jewish festival of Shavuot, which functioned as both a harvest festival and a celebration of the gift of the Law to Moses; Shavuot is still celebrated by Jews today for that. In any case, while the disciples were gathered in one place, the Holy Spirit descended on them, and they began pouring out into the streets to preach the gospel.

We are going to celebrate Pentecost at Woods this year by literally gathering in one place for a single Summer Worship Service at 9:30AM in the Sanctuary. We encourage you to wear something red, referencing how the Spirit appeared over the gathered disciples on Pentecost like tongues of flame, to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit not only to the early church, but to us here at Woods in guiding and energizing us as a congregation. I look forward to being with you on Sunday and experiencing the Spirit move in and through us!

Grace and peace,

—Pastor J.C.

Church News

Thank You for Supporting Our Mother’s Day Food Drive

Thank you all for contributing to the tremendous success of the Mother's Day Food drive for SPAN! Our donations have helped stock their shelves for a positive start to the summer. Hunger is a daily need, so please try to donate one or two items weekly to the SPAN bins located in the Church lobby behind the welcome desk. Thank you!



WoodsWork Carwash

Our annual WoodsWork Carwash Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, June 7! Come to the Woods Church parking lot between 9AM–1PM to get your ride cleaned spotless, and support our WoodsWork Mission Trip in the process! See you there!

You’re Invited to the Deacons’ Spring Fellowship Dinner

All seniors aged 65+ and guest are invited to join us! Please email madams@woodschurch.org to RSVP or call the church office at 410.647.2550.

Songs of Hope Spring Concert

On Saturday, June 7, 7PM, the Woods Adult Choir with a full orchestra will join forces with the choirs of Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church and Covenant United Methodist Church. We will present two beautiful works. The first is “These Ancient Words” by Heather Sorenson. This work is built on the foundational scripture passages that teach us and guide us in life: Light, Humility, Refuge, Rest, Worship, and Wisdom. The second is “A Journey To Hope” by Joseph Martin. This work is musically inspired by traditional spirituals and tells of the ministry, passion, and resurrection of Jesus.

This concert is free but registration is required. Register online. For questions, email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Stephen Ministry Commissioning
and Welcome for New Members

We are pleased to announce that four new Stephen Ministers will be commissioned this Sunday at our Summer Worship service, 9:30AM, in the Sanctuary.

We are also welcoming five new members into our church family. Please plan to attend to welcome all of them. Cake and drinks will be served in Fellowship Hall after worship.

Annual Holiday Bazaar

Save the date for Woods Church’s Annual Holiday Bazaar, Saturday, November 22, 9AM–1PM. Keep and eye out for things you would like to bring in the fall. We are looking for new or gently used: children’s clothing from infants to youth size 10, jewelry, books, records, CDs, DVDs, hats, gloves, games, puzzles, artwork, toys, musical instruments, dishes, glassware, kitchen utensils, small working appliances, lamps, collectibles, holiday items, and clean linens. (For safety reasons we are unable to accept: baby strollers, children’s high-chairs, car seats, cribs, electronics and furniture.)

Proceeds from the Bazaar will benefit the Missions Ministry of Woods Church. Questions? Email Pam Blumenthal at mblumenthal1941@gmail.com or Delia Edelmann dedelmann30@gmail.com.

Volunteer Librarians Needed

Do you have a passion for books? Woods Church is seeking volunteers to share the position of the church librarian, which had been cared for since 2006 by Woods member, Barbara Gosnell. Barbara is happy to pass the torch and train those interested in taking over.

Contact Pam Ward at pward@woodschurch.com for more information.

Children's News

Pentecost Trading Cards

The Children’s Ministry is inviting all our children and Sunday School students to create Pentecost trading cards! Several of our staff members will have their trading cards on hand Sunday and will be ready to trade with children before and after the service.

The trading cards will feature a picture of our baptismal font and will have a place for your child’s name on the front. On the back, they can add their favorite Bible verse or story and they ways they have been gifted by the Holy Spirit.

If your child will be attending Woods this Sunday and would like a trading card, we can print them on site with Ms. Kat’s handy phone printer. Or, if you know ahead of time you’d like a trading card for your child(ren), please feel free to email Ms. Kat at kgreen@woodschurch.org or Ms. Lindsey at lmiller@woodschurch.org and we will have the cards ready for you! You can also send in a picture if you’d like to use it instead of the baptismal font.

After the 9:30AM service, the children of Woods are invited to help pass out Pentecost cupcakes, “made to order” with the choice of yellow, orange, or red frosting! See Ms. Kat on Sunday if your child would like to help with our cupcake station during fellowship after the service.

VBS Supper Club

Join us for supper during VBS, Monday–Thursday, Jul 14–17, 6:30PM. Hear about the children's day and enjoy food and fellowship. Register online. Meals are $5/person.

Register for VBS

We need to make our lists and check them twice. Sign up for songs, skits, games, fun, and friends! Monday–Thursday, Jul 14–17, 4–7PM, including supper. The cost is $50/child with a family cap of $100. The more the merrier!

Education & Small Groups

New Adult Education Class: The Reformation & the Republic

Pastor J.C. will be teaching an exciting new class, titled “The Reformation and the Republic,” on Sundays, June 15–29, 11AM.

Presbyterians made up a significant percentage of delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 which laid the foundation for the United States as a republic and Presbyterian values and processes from John Calvin and the Genevan Reformation were many of the key building blocks of that foundation. This class will explore the theology behind those principles and give us a chance to reflect on how they shape and guide us today.

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.

In Our Community

Game Day vs. SP United Methodist

Game On! This Sunday, June 8, 2PM, we’re taking the field against SP United Methodist Church at Elvaton #1.

No experience required and you already made the team! Qualifications include: you must bring a smile, and be at least 16 years of age by December 31. No full-time commitment is necessary.

If you are interested, contact Andrew Wiley at 443.867.8803 or wileyas1@gmail.com.

Church Family News

Woods Seeks Custodian

Woods is seeking a part-time custodian to work Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The position description includes hours and required tasks. Interested candidates should contact Jason Jackson at jjackson@woodschurch.org.

A Moment of Prayer

Gracious and loving God, as we remember and celebrate Pentecost, we thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. We ask that your Spirit may guide our steps, fill our hearts with love, embolden our souls, and empower us to live according to your will. Help us to be open to your guidance, to hear your voice, and to follow your ways. Strengthen us to overcome challenges and to be witnesses to your saving grace. Make us instruments of your peace and ambassadors of Christ's coming kingdom. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.