Messenger | March 27, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Completing Our Lenten Journey
• Joy & Laughter Sunday
• One Great Hour of Sharing
• April 4th Advocacy Day
• An Update from Arundel House of Hope
• Register for VBS
• We’re Looking for a Coordinator of Finance

Pastor's Message

Dear Friends and Family of Woods Church,

We go through our days expecting the usual things to happen—lights to come on when we flip the switch; cars to start when we turn the key; planes to take off and land without incident. And then one day, without warning, something else happens—something tragic like a bridge collapsing near where we live. A bridge that we've all driven over and seen as just part of our usual commute into Baltimore.

As I write these words, our prayers are with the families of those directly affected by the accident—anyone who was on the bridge at that time; all who are frantically working to rescue people, repair the damage, and re-open the channel. (Out of the depths we cry to you, O Lord: Hear our voice and answer our prayers. —Psalm 130)

This terrible accident causes us to think about all the ways our daily routines could turn into tragic events. What if, for us or for a loved one, there was a car accident, a freak injury, a drastic medical diagnosis? We would undoubtedly feel shock and likely struggle to make sense of it all. At such times, our prayers are not profound; they're mostly just our attempt to find comfort in words that are familiar. (The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. —Psalm 23)

This essay was supposed to be on an Easter theme. But the Key Bridge tragedy reminds us that Good Friday preceded Easter. A cross and darkened sky over a crucifixion came before the Sunday sunrise and the empty tomb. Sometimes our expectations of the "usual things" are disappointed and the unusual ends up happening. (God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. —Psalm 46)

We have been reminded this week that life is fragile—and unexpected and tragic things do happen on a daily basis. But as we pray, may we also resolve to do our part to make life less fragile for everyone, even in small and personal ways. May we keep our eyes open both to danger and to moments of joy, since no day is utterly devoid of both. And even when Good Friday darkness comes our way, it cannot negate the reality of Easter sunrises—and the strength that comes from the latter is ultimately what sustains us when we endure the former. (I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. —Psalm 121)

We remain people of resurrection hope, children of God's grace and mercy that is with us even to the end of our days. Go forward this day trusting in the light and the new life of the Lord!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Randy

Church News

Completing Our Lenten Journey

Join us during Holy Week as we complete our Lenten journey together. And worship with us on Easter Sunday as we celebrate the good news of Jesus’ Resurrection.

Maundy Thursday, March 28 | 7:30PM

Join us "in the Garden" in the sanctuary. The three disciples who accompanied Jesus (Peter, James, and John) will be present and will offer their explanations of what occurred. There were many questions following Jesus' arrest that night...questions that continue to this day. Please submit any of your own questions so that the disciples may address them.

Good Friday, March 29 | 7:30PM

This meditative service moves into darkness as we remember the final hours of Jesus's life as they were spent on a wooden cross. Pastor Randy will speak about the enduring symbol of Christ's cross, and special music will be interspersed with readings of Jesus' seven last words.

Easter Sunrise, March 31 | 6:30AM

Holy Grounds Amphitheater

Easter Sunday Services | March 31

• 8AM Traditional Service
• 9:30AM Traditional Service
• 9:30AM Interactive Family Service
• 11AM Contemporary Service

For more information, click the button below to view our Lent brochure.

Joy & Laughter Sunday

It is a Woods Church tradition to celebrate the first Sunday after Easter with a special service that includes moments of levity, jokes, and good humor. The resurrection of Jesus Christ fills us with joy so it is appropriate to have a Joy & Laughter Sunday on April 7!

Congregation members are encouraged to send along your witticisms to Pastor Randy and Pastor Nancy (rbush@woodschurch.org; nreynolds@woodschurch.org). There will only be a single service at 9:30AM that Sunday, followed by a reception to acknowledge the conclusion of Pastor Randy's time at Woods as our interim pastor. Come join in this special day!

Support the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering

During Lent, we celebrate that God connects with us through Jesus' resurrection, and connects us with "those who have the least." One Great Hour of Sharing is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together to work for a better world.

Each gift helps improve the lives of the suffering and the vulnerable through three life-saving programs: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), providing relief form natural disasters; Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP), providing food for the hungry; and Self-Development of People (SDOP), providing support for the poor and oppressed.

Click the button below to support the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Remember, if we all give a little, it adds up to a lot!

Mission News

April 4th Advocacy Day

Join us at the Maryland State House (100 State Circle, Annapolis) on Thursday, April 4, 9:30AM–1PM, for our last statewide advocacy day of the year. We will meet with legislators to make sure the bills we support get across the finish line in the strongest way possible.

• EmPOWER Reform (HB864)
• Housing Expansion & Affordability Act (HB538)
• Renter’s Rights & Housing Stabilization Act (HB693)
• “Good Cause” Eviction (formerly "Just Cause" Eviction) (HB477)

Parking is available at John Whitmore Parking Garage, (37 Clay St.). Make sure to bring your ID so you can get in the State House building.

An Update from Arundel House of Hope

As spring approaches, we are happy to share some good news from our mission partners at Arundel House of Hope. They recently completed 22 weeks of Winter Relief, sheltering men and women struggling with housing insecurity by working with houses of worship throughout Anne Arundel County. Over the last 2 months, they successfully found housing options for 24 individuals. These include transitional, permanent, rehabilitation, and group homes. And they anticipate more placements very soon.

Thirty-two houses of worship partner with Arundel House of Hope each winter to serve and significantly impact the lives of their clients and our community. The Woods Mission Ministry wants to again thank Scott Wiley and all the volunteers who take part in hosting these vulnerable neighbors with compassion and love.

Mark your calendars for Winter Relief at Woods the week of January 20, 2025!

Youth News

WoodsWork Registration is Open

WoodsWork registration is open! All rising 8th graders through graduated 12th graders are invited and encouraged to join us on our building trip to Roanoke, Virginia, June 18–26.

Children's News

Notes from Ms. Kat

Spring is here! Easter is coming! Actually, Easter is right around the corner. We hope that you are planning for your family to be part of the celebration!

THIS WEEK, if you need a "something to do" during Spring Break, you might stop by the church and sign our Children’s Thank You banner. It will be available on Easter Sunday and April 7 as well. This is one way to say “Thank you” to Pastor Randy for being a wonderful pastor to the children and families of Woods Church.

Sunday School children are invited to help lead the family worship service. We will practice on Saturday, March 30, 10–11AM. An Easter Egg Hunt will follow practice. Bring a basket!

On Sunday, March 31, mic check is at 9AM; worship is at 9:30AM in the Garden of Fellowship Hall. Sunday School will meet for the "Easter Journey Game!" at 11:15AM. We will retell the Easter Story (your children will know it SO WELL after this day!) The Puppet Show will do an encore. We have a craft and then the game. Parents are welcome to drink coffee and visit or join us for all of the fun.

Lastly, Sunday April 7, is Pastor Randy's last day. He has been an amazing servant of the children. He has agreed to be with us at the restart of Jammies & Jesus at 8AM. Bring your “dad joke” and a "Thank You” sign to hold up at the end. Jammies & Jesus is a 15-minute moment to play, pray, and hear a Bible story. It allows you to take a worship moment with you to the swim meet, ballgame, or on vacation.

Peep Report | Week 5

Continue the Conversation at Home

Before we get to Easter Joy, we have a lot of emotions to navigate. Sometimes it seems easier to just jump from Palm Sunday processions to Easter Joy, but the week is an emotional rollercoaster. It is important to share these stories with your children and to give yourselves time to name and talk about the emotions that go along with them.

Holy Week: An Emotions Primer by Danielle Hitchen is a book that refers to the Holy Week stories and names the emotions that go along with them. I wonder if you can think of times in the last five years that you were "excited" or "thankful" or "overwhelmed" or "sad?" Ignoring these feelings can SEEM like a good thing, but by squashing them down, they put pressure on our hearts and minds! Instead, naming these feelings and identifying what they look like and feel like can help us move through them. Do you know what is on the other side of those feelings? We can be surprised and joyful!

Older children might pair Hitchen's book with A Kids Book About Emotions... by Nakita Simpson. With gentle questions and lots of doodle space, you can talk through times that are happy and sad and everything in between.

So, as you move through this roller coaster week of emotions, remember that you are LOVED, you are ENOUGH, and you are NOT ALONE.

VBS Registration is Open

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, and we welcome family members to come share a meal with us at 6:30PM. Extra meal tickets will be available for additional family members for $5 per person per night.

Church Family News

We're Looking for a Coordinator of Finance

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, is searching for a Coordinator of Finance. This position maintains the various church funds and accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the church’s Financial Policies and Procedures Manual.

This is a part time, benefit eligible, 32 hours per week position. Knowledge of accounting software, REALM, and Microsoft Office applications required.

If interested, please contact John McLaughlin at 410.647.2550 x335 or jmclaughlin@woodschurch.org.

Prayers for the Family of Marjorie Roxburgh

It is with sadness that we inform you of the death of Woods member, Marjorie Roxburgh. Marjorie was a member of Woods Church since 1951.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be announced in a future email. Please keep Marjorie’s family and friends in your prayers.

Prayers for the Family of Brenda Beardmore

It is with sadness that we inform you of the death of Woods member, Brenda Beardmore. Brenda has been a member of Woods Church since February, 2023.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be announced in a future email. Please keep Brenda’s sister-in-law, Phyllis Beardmore, and all family and friends in your prayers.

Congregational Prayer

Lord Jesus, in your passion and resurrection, you show me there is no place you have not been and no place you fear to go. Each day may you awaken me more deeply to this truth. Then send me into the world with the courage and wisdom to be a faithful witness to your loving reign.

Amen