Messenger | March 22, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• "Into the Words" Mini-Podcast
• Communion at Home
• Last Sunday to Order Easter Lilies
• Jesus Christ Superstar
• New Life Purpose Course

Pastor's Message

Dear friends and family of Woods Church,

The month of March is drawing to a close, but our time of interim study and reflection is picking up speed. Over the past several weeks, 340 of you filled out the CAT Survey. This is a great response, allowing us to collect the thoughts and opinions of more than 1/4 of the entire church. A consultant will present a summary report about the survey findings to some church leaders on March 28. This will lead to additional small-group gatherings and conversations about the gifts and challenges present in our church today.

In addition, at the last Session meeting, a motion was passed to request the Baltimore Presbytery Commission on Ministry (COM) for permission to create a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) so we can begin the search for a new Senior Pastor. Because of the Easter holidays, COM will likely consider this request in mid-April. The church's Nominating Committee has been working hard to prepare a slate of elders and deacons to be elected at our April 16 congregational meeting. It appears that as soon as that work wraps up, they will dive into the task of finding nominees for the PNC.

here will only be one worship service on Sunday, April 16 (9:30AM). Following that, we will hold our annual Congregational Meeting to nominate elders and deacons for the Class of 2026, hear a summary from the CAT survey, and learn more about "next steps" in our Interim Mission Study process. It appears likely that a second, brief congregational meeting will be called in May to elect the members of the Pastor Nominating Committee.



There is a lot going on—"Jesus Christ Superstar" rehearsals prior to opening night March 24; preparations for Holy Week and Easter services; and important conversations about where God is leading our church during this interim season. Be in prayer for our congregation, for its leaders and staff, and for the well-being of the world around us. May all we do be pleasing to God and serve Christ's gospel of justice, compassion and peace.

All the best,

Pastor Randy

Church News

“Into the Words” Mini-Podcast

 Check out our new “Into the Words” mini-podcast. In the most recent episode, Pastor Randy discusses works by humorist James Thurber.

Communion at Home

We will be offering communion to those who are homebound on Sunday, March 26. If you would like to receive the elements of Communion to participate virtually from home, please contact Maureen Adams by calling the church office at 410.647.2550 or by emailing madams@woodschurch.org.

Joy & Laughter Sunday

We are excited to celebrate Joy & Laughter Sunday on April 16! Join us to continue the celebration of Easter. Send your jokes to jokes@woodschurch.org.

New Members Class

Our next New Members Class will be held on Sunday, April 30, 11AM. If you have any family, friends, or neighbors who you'd like to invite, please contact Pastor Nancy.

Ministry Announcements

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!

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.

Kat's Corner

The Chickens are Coming! The Chickens are Coming!

Ok, we're actually talking about eggs, but they're here and nestled in their incubator! We are excited to celebrate the new life the eggs represent as we also celebrate the resurrection new life of the Easter season. Watch for more updates on the Children's Ministry Facebook page!



Kat's Corner

Where will YOU "bee" June 26–29? From 4–7PM BEE with us at VBS!

We hope it will be fun for your children and you. Adults, do you want to lead a game? Tell a story? Help in the garden? The more volunteers we have, the more children we can invite from the community.

Let's be sure every child hears about how much God loves them. Parents are welcome to join their children and the volunteers for dinner each day.

Sign up is right around the corner, or check with Frances Carty!

Last Sunday to Order Easter Lilies

   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 in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, March 26, and online through Wednesday, March 29. 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!

Greeters Needed

We are looking for greeters to help welcome worshipers to our Holy Week and Easter services. Volunteers are needed on:

Maundy Thursday | 7:30PM

Good Friday | 7:30PM

Easter Sunday | 9:30AM & 11AM (multiple locations)

We also could use some people who are willing to assist at the Hospitality tent, as well as directing traffic as parking lot attendants.

If you can assist with any of these roles, please contact Nancy Nolan (greeters, hospitality) at msmum@sent.com, or John McLaughlin (parking helpers) at jmclaughlin@woodschurch.org.

Upcoming Events

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.

Stylist Help Needed

If you have a background in or are interested in helping with hair and makeup for our Jesus Christ Superstar production, please reach out to Dave Merrill at dmerrill@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.”