Messenger | May 1, 2024

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Deacons’ Spring Fellowship Dinner
• Service of Wholeness
• Register for VBS
• Rutter and Friends Spring Concert
• Woods Church vs. College Park Baptist
• Service for Brenda Beardmore

Pastor's Message

Dear Friends and Family of Woods Church,

Congratulations and welcome to our new members, newly elected church officers, and board members! Last Sunday was a full and meaningful day, signaling the promise of changes and new life all around. There is much to celebrate.

Our lectionary texts encourage us to love one another and to make joyful noises whenever possible in response to God’s love for us. One look at our world’s circumstances suggests that it is difficult to be joyful for very long about very much. It is perhaps providential that love and joy are focus points for this Sunday when all around us we are called to care and grieve and wonder at the many losses for our brothers and sisters around the globe. In our own country, we are witnessing scenes reminiscent of 50 years ago.

This Sunday is Commitment Sunday…the day when we bring forward our pledges and prayers to the Communion table; commitments that will sustain Woods Church and our ministries for the coming year. Please consider these prayerfully with an awareness of our current need for generosity. We have much to do this next year and we must do it together.

If you have already made your pledge online, please bring forward a blank pledge card and lay it on the table, a card that names prayers for others or yourself, and/or one of the many leaves that contain the names of those who have been witnesses for you in your faith journey. These are all part of our Clouds of Witnesses who have brought us to where we are: loving one another and making joyful noises in praise of God.

Blessings,

Pastor Nancy

Church News

Deacons’ Spring Fellowship Dinner

Save the date! All seniors 65 and older are invited to the annual Deacons Spring Fellowship Dinner to be held Friday, May 3, 5:30–7:30PM. Our very own Carolyn will be making an appearance to cook for her favorite guests! Enjoy dinner and entertainment. Prepare to share who your Cloud of Witness has been in your life. You can write that person’s name on a leaf and hang it on our tree.

Service of Wholeness

A Service of Wholeness will be held on Wednesday, May 15, 6:15PM, in the Sanctuary. The service of wholeness is a small, intimate, deeply spiritual gathering of prayer and laying of hands with pastors and Elders. They offer reassurance to those experiencing grief, illness, loss, or other physical/emotional concerns. The service also provides a special time to lift prayers of gratitude to God for blessings received.



Please RSVP if you would like to attend by emailing Maureen Adams at madams@woodschurch.org.

Thank You for a Quick Response

Thank you to Woods Church and Woods CDC for the quick and appropriate response to the temporary lock-down and hold in some of our local area schools yesterday. Fortunately there was not a credible threat, but it is reassuring to know that we are able to cooperatively apply safety precautions during these situations.

Education & Small Groups

New Adult Education Class: On Purpose

In On Purpose: Finding God’s Voice in Your Passion, authors Magrey deVega, Sam McGlothlin, Jevon Caldwell-Gross, and Susan Robb help us see God's purpose for our lives, how to open ourselves to God's voice, and how to take the first or next step to follow God's call.

Reading this book and exploring life choices alongside others, individuals will learn how to channel their passions, hear God’s voice, and live the life they were meant to live.

We’ll conclude our class on Sunday, May 5, 11AM, in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom.

Youth News

Getting Ready for WoodsWork

WoodsWork registration has closed, and we are excited to share that this summer, we are bringing a group of 84 amazing youth on our house-building mission to Roanoke, Virginia.

If you would like to support this summer's WoodsWork, we encourage you to donate directly to a Youth participant, as they are all fundraising towards the trip and will graciously accept your support.

Children's News

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. Register online using the button below.

Join the VBS Supper Club!

So many friends joined us for dinner last year during VBS. Let’s do it again! Reservations/tickets are available for friends and family through the Children’s Ministry website. Or call the church office for help. Join us July 15–18, 6:30PM, for dinner, Bible stories, and fun.



Let’s Pray in May!

Families of all sizes are invited to Pray in May! Children will receive a Pray in May cloud-path. Each day has a prayerful activity or topic. There are biblical citations for those families that want to add a bit of scripture to the practice. Maybe this is a nice breakfast buddy to start your day off? Additional copies are available upon request.



Need Help at Church?

Look for the blue nametags if you need help! Staff, Deacons, Elders and Children’s Ministry Volunteers have blue nametags. Look for the blue nametags if you need directions or if you have questions about our Sunday morning programs. Our volunteers are background checked and ready to help. Additionally, Miss Kat or Miss Frances are our Children’s Ministry staff members. One of them will be in the hallways on Sunday mornings at 10:30AM.

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's Continue the Conversation at Home from Sunday morning. We heard about "Clouds of Witnesses," of God's people. We heard that everyone matters in those clouds. That includes the ones who were here before, the ones here now, and the ones who are finding their way to our church. Those clouds of witnesses shower us with gifts, support, and encouragement.

Sunday School was a story about Jesus healing a little girl. Jesus showed us that the little girl mattered! Christian Robinson wrote a book called You Matter. He tells us that first and last, small and tall, happy or sad... everyone matters.

I wonder, how can you remind someone that they are important? How might you show someone that they matter? Do you remember that you matter? You are important to God and to your family and your friends.

Music News

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.

Church Family News

Service for Brenda Beardmore

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection for Woods member, Brenda Beardmore, will be held on Friday, May 3, 12PM, in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow.

Please continue to pray for Brenda’s family and friends.

In Our Community

Woods Church Takes on College Park Baptist

Softball season is underway! This week, we’ll take the field against College Park Baptist Church at Cypress #2 on Sunday, May 5, 2PM. 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.

Congregational Prayer

O Lord of Easter resurrections, I celebrate that you are alive, almighty, and present. By your grace, keep me fearless and sure as I look for the blessings that await me in the weeks ahead. I will weep with those who weep, rejoice with those who celebrate, and ever tell your story of Easter hope. For I know that the power of your endless love will surround and guide me from this day forth.

Alleluia! Amen.