Messenger | March 1, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• "Into the Words" Mini-Podcast
• Lily Dedication
• Disaster Relief for Turkey and Syria
• Trip to Sancti Spiritus, Cuba

Pastor's Message

Dear friends and family of Woods Church,

This Sunday the gospel lesson will focus on the time Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. It's a fascinating passage and one of my favorites. There was the physical-economic temptation in which Jesus is tempted to turn stones into bread—to use his abilities for personal comfort and power. Then there was the political temptation—to have all the worldly nations bow down before him. Lastly there was a spiritual temptation—to overwhelm the crowds by proving his Messiahship by surviving a leap from the temple tower.

We tend to think of temptations as "negative" lures away from what is good. And many of them are—the temptations to lie, to deaden our senses through drug and alcohol abuse, to break our promises through adultery or theft. But there are also temptations that are "positive"—doing good but for the wrong reason. This was the angle that Satan used. If Jesus didn't take care of his physical hunger, how could he have the strength to preach to the people? And if his goal is to convert the masses, why not use some extra help or miraculous feats to accomplish this purpose? When we are tempted, it is important to ask ourselves, What would be lost or diminished if I give in to this temptation? Is it possible that in this case I will end up doing good "badly"?

In C.S. Lewis's great book The Screwtape Letters, one of the devils writes to another and says, "It is funny how mortals always picture us putting things into their minds, Our best work is done by keeping things out." During the season of Lent, spend some time asking "why do I do the things I do—both good and bad things." By exploring our motivations as people of faith and opening ourselves up to God's corrective spirit, we not only defeat temptation but actually live more fully into the life Christ calls us to lead.

Grace and peace to you,

Pastor Randy

Church News

Dedicate a Lily in Honor or Memory of a Loved One

 Every year, we decorate Woods' sanctuary with lovely lilies at Easter. The flowers are donated by members and friends to remember special people in their lives. If you would like to give a lily in memory or in honor of a loved one, the suggested donation is $25. Dedications will be accepted online from March 5–29 and in Fellowship Hall on Sundays, March 12, 19, and 26. Plants may be picked up after the 11AM Easter services.



Friendly Reminder from Noah’s Ark Ministry

 Lilies are beautiful and a wonderful way to adorn your house during the Easter season, but they can be very poisonous for cats and dogs, so please take care that your furry friends don’t get their paws on them!

“Into the Words” Mini-Podcast

 Check out our new “Into the Words” mini-podcast. In this coming Monday's episode, Pastor Randy discusses Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond.

CAT Survey

As part of our interim time Mission Study, the Woods congregation is requested to take an online Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT) Survey. This will provide important information as the church leadership names priorities for the coming months and qualities we hope to find in any called pastors.

You can read a letter from Pastor Randy and take the survey by clicking on the buttons below.

Thank you for helping shape our church's future!

Learning for Lent: Check Out our Library!

Now that Lent has begun, please stop by the Library to select a book to enhance your spiritual life. The library has several books about the last weeks of Jesus's life by Adam Hamilton such as 24 Hours that Changed the World, Final Words from the Cross, The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus, and 40 Days of Reflection. Maybe you would like Wonderous Encounters: Scriptures for Lent, Simon Peter, or Easter from the Back Side.

There is a display on one side of the library cart of adult books and on the other side, books for children. Some are on display throughout the library.

Come see what we have!

Greeters Needed

W.E.L.C.O.M.E. Ministry is in need of greeters for Easter Sunday, April 9, before both the 9:30AM and the 11AM services. If interested, please contact Nancy Nolan at msmum@sent.com.

Ministry Announcements

Lent Devotion Booklet

Read and consider ways of intentionally focusing on your faith at home. Whether it is a special place for prayer and play, or an activity to engage with the holy you will find various ways of being with God and each other in our Lent Devotion Booklet. Several children of Woods Church are featured on the pages. We pray you will find several new ways of listening for God’s directions through the season of Lent.

Click the button below to download a copy, or pick up a printed copy at the church.

Lent Brochure Now Available

A special Lent brochure is now available, which provides information about upcoming Holy Week and Easter services, special church events, and other news from the ministries of Woods Church. Check it out!

Disaster Assistance to Wilmington, North Carolina, April 23–29

"But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith." (James 2:18)

In September 2022, Hurricane Ian brought heavy rain and flooding to New Bern and Wilmington, North Carolina...and then Nicole hit in November. And believe it or not, there are still "finish repairs" needed to rectify the significant damage from the 2018 Hurricane Florence.

Thus, the Woods Disaster Assistance effort will again focus in New Bern while staying at Neuse Forest Presbyterian Church. But we need more volunteers. No experience necessary! Currently, we only have 7 volunteers...and we really are looking for 7 more. Depart by car after church on Sunday, April 23, and return either Friday, April 28 (after work) or the morning of Saturday, April 29.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the 2023 PDA trip, please contact Dick Moore at irpmoore@verizon.net!

Youth Ministry Announcement

Thanks to the hard work of our Youth Ministry team and some dedicated volunteers, we are offering a full slate of programming for our Middle School and High School youth. Every Sunday during the 9:30AM Sunday School hour, there are classes for Middle School (Room 208) and High School (Room 212). The Confirmation youth are meeting weekly (Room 212) on Sundays from 4–5:15PM.



We're also gathering bi-weekly in Fellowship Hall for Youth Group for both sets of students and their friends from 5:30–7PM. For more information contact Pastor Randy or the church office.

Trip to Sancti Spiritus, Cuba

From March 22–29, 2023, Iglesia Presbiteriana de Sancti Spiritus and Woods Church will have their first visit since January 2020. We will spend a week participating in all activities in the daily life of this active congregation: visits to shut-ins, worship services at the church, and—at two mission locations—assistance in the food project for the elderly and with the water project, as well as meeting with the Session of Sancti Spiritus Church.

The members of Woods Church have supported this partnership with their donations to the Season of Giving in December, and we are currently using those funds to fill the requests of Sancti Spiritus. Those representing Woods Church are Lee Laque, Renee Mackey, and Mark and Marty Clayton. Renee is a retired pastor, and she will be preaching on Sunday, March 26.

Please pray for safe travel, no COVID interruptions and a time of Christian love and blessing for this partnership.

Winter Relief

Winter Relief is coming Monday, March 13, through Monday, March 20. Sign-ups will start this Sunday, February 12. You will be able to sign up to help after each Service or online in Signup Genius. 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, please contact Scott Wiley at 410.353.1491 or wilecoy2us@gmail.com.

Supplies are Needed for the Winter Relief Shelter Guests

The Winter Relief Shelter at Woods is in need of various supplies. Please donate NEW travel size toiletries: deodorant, soap, shampoo, and brushes/combs (conditioner, toothpaste and toothbrushes are not needed this year). The shelter is also in need of men’s and women’s underwear and T-Shirts of various sizes and socks, both dark and white. The items can be dropped off at the church office marked "Scott Wiley/Winter Relief."

Upcoming Events

Matthew 25 Lenten Book Study

Knox Presbyterian Church and Govans Presbyterian Church invite all congregations to participate in their 2nd Lenten Book Study which will take place every Thursday in March, 7PM.

In keeping with their Matthew 25 commitment to dismantle structural racism, they will read Burying White Privilege: Resurrecting A Badass Christianity. The author, Rev. Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre will join them for the first session on March 2. Click the button below to learn more about the distinguished speaker and author.

All sessions will take place on Zoom. Please register for the study by email to Andy Wilson at wilson@govanspres.org. A limited number of books are available at Govans and Knox. The book is also available for download to Kindle devices. For hard copy, we recommend supporting Black-owned businesses.

Raising Funds Tastes Great

Join us at Ledo Pizza for a fundraiser to support Woods Child Development Center on Tuesday, March 7, 11AM–9PM. Bring in the flyer linked below or use the code "Fundraiser" when ordering online.

Ledo Pizza is located at 552 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD 21146.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church presents Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice's rock opera tracing the last seven days of the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of contemporary, modern storytellers. Come and experience legendary hit music and dynamic choreography as performed by local musical theater talents. The production includes flashing lights and loud noises, and may not be suitable for young children. Tickets are $15, doors open at 7PM.

Performance Schedule

Friday, March 24 | 7:30–10PM

Saturday, March 25 | 7:30–10PM

Sunday, March 26 | 7:30–10PM

Friday, March 31 | 7:30–10PM

Saturday, April 1 | 7:30–10PM

Sunday, April 2 | 7:30–10PM

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.woodstix.org. Click here to learn more about how Woods will be presenting the show.

St. Patrick's Day Dinner

The Deacons at Woods are bringing back our St. Patrick’s Day dinner! This event will take place on St. Patrick's Day, Friday, March 17, 5:30–7:30PM at the Severna Park Community Center! Dinner and Entertainment included! Keep an eye out for more information.

Woods St. Patrick's Day Dinner is back! Join us at the Severna Park Community Center in the gymnasium on Friday, March 17, 5:30PM, for Irish food, music, and fun! The Crawford Family Celtic Dancers, Irish music and leprechauns will entertain us!

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children (12 and under), $60 max/family. Register online by Sunday, March 12

Coming Soon to the Woods
Counseling & Care Center

Caregivers Support Group

If you are a caregiver to a family member or friend, this group provides an opportunity to share experiences with those in similar situations. Meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of each month during 2023, 1–2:30PM, in the large group room of the Woods Counseling & Care Center (8 Cypress Creek Road).

 Meetings will be facilitated by Teri Hocking and Jean Clarke, both long-time educators and facilitators of groups for youth and adults. To register, email Nancy Sullivan at nsullivan@woodschurch.org.

Seven Lessons for the Living

This is a seven-week seminar for those interested in nourishing their spirituality and addressing what really matters in life. We meet on Thursdays through April 6, 4–5:30PM, at the Woods Counseling & Care Center. The seminar also will be offered on Zoom, date and time TBD.

Discussion will center on the book, 7 Lessons for the Living from the Dying, by hospice physician Dr. Karen Wyatt. To register, contact Bill Hocking at billhocking100@comcast.net or Nancy Sullivan at nsullivan@woodschurch.org.

Congregational Prayer

We boldly address you, O Creator of heaven and earth. But we come into your presence mindful of all the disasters we call “natural” and the inhumane destruction caused by war and terror and brutality. Lord have mercy.

We boldly address you, Jesus the Lord of our life. But we come into your presence having divided the world into good and bad, friend and foe, us and them. Christ have mercy.

We boldly address you, Living and Holy Spirit. Be we come into your presence at times feeling lost, disregarded, ignored and unappreciated. Lord have mercy.

During this season of Lent, draw us close again to you. For you are our home, our maker, our lover, our deepest hope… and we are Yours! Amen.

From Walter Brueggemann, “Prayers for Justice.”