Messenger | March 12, 2025

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
• Service of Wholeness
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame
• New Lenten Study: Remember
• New Adult Class on Dietrich Bonhoeffer
• WoodsWork 2025
• Get Ready for VBS!
  

Pastor's Message

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent, one of the most important seasons of the Christian year. But unlike Advent, Lent tends to have some real variety in practices between different traditions in Christianity. So I thought I’d review some answers to common questions that often come up about Lent, and hope to see you Sunday as our Lenten journey gets underway! Please pay particular attention to the final question and answer, as it describes some of the particular Lenten opportunities at Woods this year.

What is Lent?

In the early Christian church (starting about the 4th century), Lent was developed primarily as a period of preparation for people seeking to be baptized into the Christian faith. This is why Lent was characterized by themes and practices of repentance, fasting, self-examination, prayer, Bible study, and so on. People would then be baptized on Holy Saturday and take Communion for the first time as part of the Easter celebrations. By the end of the first millennium, when most people were born into the Christian faith, this practice began shifting to be an act of general repentance and spiritual reflection and renewal for the entire church.

What do Presbyterians think about Lent?

Presbyterians are part of the Reformed tradition, the stream of theology and church life that originated in the Protestant Reformation in 16th century Geneva, led by John Calvin. Calvin and his followers were suspicious of many of the new practices that had emerged in the medieval Catholic Church, and Lent was no exception. In particular, they felt that many of the observances of Lent had less to do with deepening one’s own faith and more to do with a sort of spiritual competition to demonstrate one’s holiness (especially compared to others). They also disliked the idea of making such observances mandatory, because they felt that this encouraged formal obedience without spiritual commitment. So they argued that if one chose to observe Lent, one should do so in a way that was both voluntary and focused on deepening your own practice and understanding of the faith.

What should I give up for Lent?

Actually, Presbyterians have not historically encouraged “giving something up for Lent,” mainly because of the concerns described in the previous question. However, we haven’t specifically opposed it, either. Rather, we have emphasized “taking something up for Lent”—engaging in deeper spiritual disciplines and practices such as additional Bible study, worship, and prayer; acts of service; additional giving; and so on. Practices such as these go directly to enriching one’s own faith, and continue to be the heart of Lenten practice for Presbyterians.

Okay, how is the church going to help me “take something up for Lent,” then?

I’m glad you asked! In addition to the regular ministries that the church offers, there are three ways we are trying to support your Lenten disciplines.

First, we are beginning a special Lenten sermon series this Sunday that I’m calling “Good Company.” It will focus on some of the ways in which we are called to accompany others in Christian faith and service, as our 2025 church theme of “Accompanying Others” reminds us.

Second, we are beginning a series of spiritual reflection gatherings on Wednesdays throughout Lent that would be a great opportunity for you to use in taking on an additional spiritual discipline. These gatherings will center around the theme, “Finding Community in Chaos,” playing off of the famous question the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. asked in a book title during a particularly tumultuous period of U.S. history in the late 1960s: Where Do We Go From Here? Chaos or Community.

And third, the Adult Education Committee has distributed a Lenten Devotions book that you can pick up any time at the church. It has daily devotional exercises to help you build a more consistent spiritual practice and connect with the season of Lent more intentionally and powerfully. I hope you can make these part of your Lenten discipline this year!

Peace and blessings,

—Pastor J.C.

Church News

It’s Time to Spring Forward

As a reminder Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 9. Remember to set your clocks ahead by one hour. We’ll see you bright and early for worship!

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner

The Deacons of Woods Church invite you to a fun-filled St. Patrick’s Dinner with great food, laughter, and fellowship. Wear your green and bring your appetite—we can’t wait to entertain you with story time and fun activities for our children, bag piper and kilt demonstration, dancing, music, sing-a-longs, and more!

Ticket prices are $20 adults, $10 for children 12 and under, $60 max per family. Tickets are available after worship in Fellowship Hall or online.

Service of Wholeness

Woods will host a Service of Wholeness on Wednesday, March 19, 6:15PM. Services of Wholeness with pastors and elders are small, intimate, deeply spiritual gatherings of prayer and the laying on of hands. They offer reassurance to those experiencing grief, illness, loss, or other physical/emotional concerns. The services also provide a special time to lift prayers of gratitude to God for blessings received.

Please RSVP to Maureen Adams at 410.647.2550 or madams@woodschurch.org.

Parents & Caregivers: Start Your Engines

On the way to Sunday School pick up during Lent, stop by the bench by the joke buttons at 10:30AM for a quick “3-Point Pit Stop! “Hear what the story of the week is and get three talking points to use throughout your week to Walk With Others.

Walk with Others Weaving Station

How are you walking with others, accompanying others, this Lenten season? Add a prayer, a ribbon, or a found object to the Weaving Station near Fellowship Hall. Weave our worship and our words and our walk together during Lent.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Tickets on Sale Now

Woods Church will present The Hunchback of Notre Dame the weekends of March 28–30 & April 4–6.

What makes a monster and what makes a man? Step into the heart of Paris and experience the powerful tale of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This evocative musical, inspired by Victor Hugo’s classic novel and the acclaimed Disney animated film, brings to life the story of love, acceptance, and heroism set against the backdrop of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. Join us as we follow Quasimodo, the gentle bell-ringer of Notre Dame, and his journey to find acceptance and love in a world that shuns him. Alongside the courageous Esmeralda and the conflicted Claude Frollo, the story unfolds with themes of compassion, justice, the resilience of the human spirit, and finding your sanctuary.

Purchase tickets at www.woodstix.org. Questions? Email Pam Ward at pward@woodschurch.org.

Mission News

Adult Mission Trip to Richmond

We are looking for 10+ participants for a mission trip to Richmond, Virginia, to work with the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity affiliate, Monday–Saturday, April 28–May 3.



Education & Small Groups

New Lenten Study: Remember

Adult Education is offering a Lenten study on Sundays, March 9–April 13, 11AM, featuring Remember by Rev. Susan Robb.

God’s covenants throughout the Old Testament show the character of God’s promises to the people of Israel. Rev. Robb discusses the covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, followed by the new covenant established during the Last Supper. The Lenten story culminates with a look at the cross as another example of God’s promise for a new world.

Join us in the Office Conference Room or on Zoom.

New Adult Class on Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Please join Adult Education for a six-part series, Sunday, March 9–April 13, on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The twentieth century produced many interesting and provocative theologians. Among the most influential is Dietrich Bonhoeffer of Germany. He lived concurrently with Adolf Hitler and was among Hitler's most insistent critics. He was imprisoned in January 1943 and hanged on April 8, 1945. In 1937 he wrote his most famous book, Discipleship, which has two central themes: Grace and Obedience.

Please join us as we take a look at this remarkable man and his understanding of theology. Classes will be led by Greg Hubert and held in Room 208 from 11AM–12PM. No registration is required.

Presbyterian Women Circle: Economic Climate Justice

Our Presbyterian Women Circle Bible Study will be meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 10AM, in Room 212. This month’s study is titled, Economic Climate Justice. Please plan to join us.

Questions can be directed to Bev Haines at 410.551.8412 or bhaines2218@gmail.com.

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.

Youth News

WoodsWork 2025

WoodsWork 2025 is headed to Nelsonville, Ohio, this summer and all high school youth are invited! This house-building mission trip will be June 19–27, and registration is open now! Click the button below to sign up! For more information, download the flier!

Children's News

Get Ready for VBS!

Register today for Vacation Bible Study! This year’s program will be held July 14–17, 4–7PM, with dinner at 6:30PM.

Music Ministry

Let’s Raise Some Dough

Grab a slice! On Thursday, March 20, 4–9PM, part of the proceeds collected at Squisito's Pizza in the Magothy Gateway shops (147 Ritchie Hwy E, next to Harris Teeter) will support our Music Ministry! Please mention the “Wood Church Music Fundraiser” when placing your order.

For more information, email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Church Family News

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

A Moment of Prayer

Loving and all present God, we are thankful that you see the big picture of our world and our lives. We know that you have plans for each one of us and we pray that we may know them and follow faithfully where you lead us. Let us reflect your love in Christ in all that we are and all that we do.

Amen.