Messenger | June 5, 2024

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Congregational Meeting
• Summer Worship Schedule Starts June 9
• Stewardship Update
• Welcome Our New Stephen Ministers
• Rutter and Friends Spring Concert
• CEDEPCA Intercultural Encounter Trip
• Mission Trip to Sancti Spiritus
• Youth Beach Party
• Register for Vacation Bible School

Pastor's Message

As we anticipate a new summer worship schedule with a single blended service on Sundays, June 9–September 8, 9:30AM, we also look forward to vacations and time away. Neither of these should indicate “less” worship but, rather, different ways of praising God and being grateful for what we’ve been given.

This awareness should call us to remember that worship is not about us, but about God. God rejoices in all of our attention, prayer, and joyful noises. I hope that as you are away from home that you will be curious about the ways you see and hear God being praised. Seashells on the beach revel in being cleansed by the waves and the sand. (If you hold a conch shell to your ear you can hear it echoing songs of God). Likewise, the mountains pray as they reach toward the heavens.

No matter where you travel or how you choose to worship over the summer, know that God is there with you. Joyful noises abound. Don’t forget to send us yours (visual and audio) and we’ll share them in worship at Woods over the summer!

Blessings,

—Pastor Nancy

Church News

Congregational Meeting

A special called meeting of the congregation of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church will be held on Sunday, June 16, following the 9:30AM service. A quorum being determined, the meeting will be called to order following a review by the PNC chairs of the candidate evaluation and selection process to:

• Vote on a recommendation from the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) to call the preaching candidate as Woods Senior Pastor and Head of Staff.
• Approve the terms of call
• Authorize certain church officers and members to execute the Baltimore Presbytery Certificate of Call form.
  

Stewardship Update

Join our Clouds of Witnesses this Stewardship season! We have received pledges totaling $1,077,257, which represents 70% 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.

Summer Worship Schedule Starts This Sunday, June 9

We will begin our summer worship schedule this Sunday, June 9, with one service at 9:30AM. It also initiates Second Sunday Fellowship following worship. Join us in Fellowship Hall for food and special activities hosted by our various ministries. There will be fun for all, featuring cotton candy to commemorate our Clouds of Witnesses!

Other dates are July 14, August 10, and Kick-Off Sunday on September 8!

Please Welcome Our New Stephen Ministers

Our new class of Stephen Ministers will be commissioned during worship on Sunday, June 9, 9:30AM.

Join us in welcoming Phyllis Beardmore, the Rev. John Benson, Randy Fisher, and Beth & Bill Hadley into service.

If you’re in need of a Stephen Minister, click the button below.

Rutter and Friends Spring Concert

If you enjoy choral and instrumental music, then join us for our Rutter and Friends Spring Concert on Saturday, June 8, 7PM! The adult choir, SEEK Band, and children’s choir with a full orchestra will present works of John Rutter and composers who influenced him such as Bach, Schubert, Beethoven, and even The Beatles. Rutter’s music is eclectic with influences of French and English choral traditions, and American classical songwriting.

It’s a concert for the ages—and it’s free! Come, be our friend, and enjoy this end-of-the year-concert! For more information, please email Dave Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

We're Looking for 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

CEDEPCA Intercultural Encounter Trip

A Baltimore Presbytery/Guatemala (CEDEPCA) Intercultural Encounter Trip is coming this fall. If you are interested, we would love to have you join us November 2–9, to see the wonderful work this mission partner has accomplished with our mission dollars. This trip will focus on immigration and how their new president, Bernardo Arevalo, is working really hard to bolster the economy—especially for the indigenous people, so they have a livelihood and means to stay in their homeland.

If you would like more information concerning this trip, email Sher at sheratkinson@earthlink.net or call at 410.647.4824. We will fly out of BWI Airport.

Mission Trip to Sancti Spiritus

Come meet our brothers and sisters in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, November 6–13! If you’re interested, please attend an informational meeting following worship on Sunday, June 9.



If unable to attend, or for more information, contact Marty Clayton at mclayton@breezeline.net.

New Art Exhibit

Stop by the Gallery to view a new art exhibit, titled We Partner with Others, Near and Far, to Share Christ’s Love with All, and enjoy photos of Woods’ mission partners from around the world.

The Mission Ministry works to offer immediate assistance, long-term development, love, and encouragement to all, as well as to advocate for justice and speak out against the exploitation of “the least of these.” We are a missional, servant church, and through the Missions Ministry, we strive to inspire, equip, and connect the congregation of Woods Church to go into the world and serve as the hands, feet, and heart of Christ in accordance with his teachings. The ministry is responsible for allocation and oversight of 11% of the total contributions received at Woods, which are designated for Mission Outreach.

Education & Small Groups

New Adult Education Class: Wrestling with Doubt

Woods is offering a new Adult Education class on Sundays through June 23, 11AM, in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom, featuring Wrestling with Doubt: Finding Faith, by Pastor Adam Hamilton.

Everyone has doubts. Where is God when bad things happen? Does God hear our prayers? Is there a Heaven? How can we know? Often, we treat such questions as the enemy of faith. But uncertainty doesn’t mean our belief is lacking. Doubt can be a path to a deeper, richer encounter with God.

Study books are available on the office credenza.

Youth News

WoodsWork Car Wash

Thank you to everyone who attended the WoodsWork Car Wash last Saturday to support our 2024 WoodsWork Mission Trip to Roanoke, Virginia! We are happy to announce that we raised right around $5,000 this year! If you weren't able to attend the car wash, and would like to support WoodsWork, click the button below to make a donation online. We also appreciate your prayers as the trip rapidly approaches!



Youth Beach Party

On Sunday, June 9, 4PM, youth in grades 6–12 are invited to celebrate our fabulous year and the beginning of summer—with a Beach Party at Pines Beach Pavilion!

Contact Oliver Page, youth director, for more details at opage@woodschurch.org.

Children's News

Register for Vacation Bible School

VBS 2024 will be held July 15–18, 4–7PM, for all children 3-years-old to 5th grade. Come explore how Jesus practices justice, model’s kindness, and walks humbly with God. Children will explore lessons on mercy, compassion, generosity, and encouragement through songs, art, gardening, and story time.

The cost is $50 per child with a maximum of $100 per family. Dinner is included for registrants. Register online using the button below.

Join the VBS Supper Club!

Friends and family are invited to join us for dinner, Bible stories, and fun July 15–18, 6:30PM! Tickets are available on the Children’s Ministry website or by calling the church office.

Continue the Conversation at Home

Do you remember what Oliver’s Children’s Moment and the Sunday School class had in common? They both talked about listening. When Oliver walked away from us, he showed us how distance can make it hard to listen. He and your Sunday School teachers shared the story of Samuel from the Bible. Samuel listened when God spoke to him in the middle of the night! Your teachers will share how Samuel turned to Elli for help learning to listening to God.

During worship, there are lots of noises to hear. Sometimes people cough and whisper and crumple paper. Maybe you can hear a parent trying to comfort a crying baby. We can hear beautiful music, Bible stories, the sermon, and prayers. God is talking in all of those sounds. I wonder, can you listen for a message for you in all of that noise?

At home, do you have a favorite spot where you play quietly? Is that the same spot for story time? Taylor, the little boy in our story by Cori Doerrfeld, builds a tower of block in his favorite spot. Then when it falls down, Taylor has lots of animals visit him. The animals tell him what to think, what to feel and do. But none of these spoken thoughts make Taylor feel any better. Taylor’s friend, the rabbit does something different. He sits next to Taylor and simply listens. He listens as Taylor shares all of the things he’s been told, he listens to all of Taylor’s feelings, and he listens to all of ways Taylor was told to rebuild the tower. He even listens when Taylor happily shares his new ideas for tower building.

I wonder, how can you be a better listener for your friends and family?

I wonder, who you can help by listening?

In Our Community

Woods Church Takes on SP United Methodist

This week, we’ll take the field against SP United Methodist at Cypress #1 on Sunday, June 9, 3:30PM. 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

Merciful God, thank you for bringing joyful noises to our lives through all Creation. Let us join you in that creative process in all that we do.

Amen.