Messenger | May 15, 2024

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Celebrating Pentecost
• Summer Worship Schedule Begins June 9
• Support WoodsWork Youth
• Register for VBS
• Woods Church Takes on Saint John’s
• Let’s Raise Some Dough
• We’re Looking for an Accountant

Pastor's Message

The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus who had gathered together for Pentecost and Passover must have been quite a surprise….both miraculous and terrifying. A thing can be both at once and emotions range from gratitude to fear and back again. Wind and tongues of fire represented the movement and presence of God among them. These followers had been told by Jesus to stay together and wait for God’s arrival. And they did…about 120 of them.

As we wait for the return of Christ, should we not emulate these followers’ examples? They were gathered openly in Jerusalem where all could see and were welcomed to join them. They were no longer hiding out in fear but bold in their proclamation of faith. They were continuing “business as usual”: Passover, Pentecost, Shavot, and regular worship attendance. They were waiting at the same time that they were expectant and hopeful. They believed Jesus’ promise of return and salvation.

We, likewise, may anticipate the descent of the Spirit of God in signs all around us. Trusting that God’s Spirit is present with each one of us, we may expect to be surprised by God and, therefore, vigilant and looking for signs of the Spirit. When we see them, we may listen for the call to us to proclaim the Good News.

See you Sunday at Pentecost. Don’t forget to wear red!

Blessings,

—Pastor Nancy

Church News

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.

The Baltimore Presbytery Visits Woods Church

Woods Church will host the Baltimore Presbytery meeting on Thursday, May 16, 10:30AM–12:30PM.

Many thanks to all of you for your help in preparing our Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall for our guests. As always, your prayers are appreciated for all the attendees and business to be conducted. As representatives for the significant environmental care and outreach of Woods Church—and our amazing preservation team—Woods will give a Jeana Garden Phlox to our guests.

Celebrating Pentecost

Pentecost is Sunday, May 19! Woods will be hosting The Baltimore Presbytery on Thursday, May 16, and our sanctuary will be prepared and decorated for our Pentecost celebration.

Remember that—recalling "tongues of fire" experienced in the New Testament—you are invited to wear something red on Pentecost Sunday! See you then.

Stewardship Update

Join our Clouds of Witnesses this Stewardship season! We are now almost 60% of the way to our goal. Please make your pledge online at woodschurch.org or fill out a pledge card in the front office. We will give a new update at Pentecost!

Summer Worship Schedule

On Sunday, June 9, we will launch single-service on Sundays, 9:30AM, throughout the summer. It also initiates Second Sunday Fellowship following worship. Please join us in Fellowship Hall for food and special activities hosted by our various ministries—there will be fun for all!

Our first Second Sunday Fellowship will be on June 9 and will feature cotton candy to commemorate our Clouds of Witnesses! Other dates are July 14, August 10, and Kick-Off Sunday on September 8!

Commissioning Our New Stephen Ministers

We will be holding a special ceremony during worship on Sunday, June 9, 9:30AM, to commission five new Stephen Ministers: Phyllis Beardmore, the Rev. John Benson, Randy Fisher, and Beth & Bill Hadley. We encourage everyone to attend and to welcome these Stephen Ministers into service.

These five Stephen Ministers also will be recognized in a graduation ceremony in church at 11:30AM, in recognition of their successful completion of 50 hours of training.

Mission News

New Art Exhibit

Stop by the Gallery to view a new art exhibit, titled We Partner with Others, Near and Far, to Share Christ’s Love with All, and enjoy photos of Woods’ mission partners from around the world.

The Mission Ministry works to offer immediate assistance, long-term development, love, and encouragement to all, as well as to advocate for justice and speak out against the exploitation of “the least of these.” We are a missional, servant church, and through the Missions Ministry, we strive to inspire, equip, and connect the congregation of Woods Church to go into the world and serve as the hands, feet, and heart of Christ in accordance with his teachings. The ministry is responsible for allocation and oversight of 11% of the total contributions received at Woods, which are designated for Mission Outreach.

Education & Small Groups

New Adult Education Class: Wrestling with Doubt

Woods is offering a new Adult Education class on Sundays through June 23, 11AM, in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom, featuring Wrestling with Doubt: Finding Faith, by Pastor Adam Hamilton.

Everyone has doubts. Where is God when bad things happen? Does God hear our prayers? Is there a Heaven? How can we know? Often, we treat such questions as the enemy of faith. But uncertainty doesn’t mean our belief is lacking. Doubt can be a path to a deeper, richer encounter with God.

Study books are available on the office credenza.

Youth News

Mark Your Calendars

Youth Group

Our Youth Group will be taking a break for summer. Our final gathering will be on Sunday, June 19, 5PM! It has been a year filled with fun and fellowship, so come and join us to celebrate it!

Sunday School Summer Break

All youth in grades 6–12 are welcome to join us on Sunday, June 2, for our last day of Sunday School before we take a summer break. We’ll celebrate with ice cream sundaes! Hope to see you there!

Youth Beach Party

On Sunday, June 9, 4PM, youth in grades 6–12 are invited to celebrate our fabulous year and the beginning of summer—with a Beach Party at Pines Beach Pavilion!

Any questions? Contact our Youth Director, Oliver, for more details at opage@woodschurch.org.



Support WoodsWork Youth

We are excited to share that 84 amazing youth are participating in our WoodsWork house-building mission to Roanoke, Virginia.

Would you like to help? Then come get your car washed and support an amazing cause in the process on Saturday, June 1, 9AM–2PM, in the church parking lot. Please plan to attend!

You also may support this summer's WoodsWork by donating directly to a youth participant, as they are all fundraising towards the trip and will graciously accept your support.

Children's News

Pop in for Pentecost

This month, our church is hopping! So many things are popping up. This Sunday is Pentecost, and we’re also celebrating Stewardship season! I wonder how we can think about those things with our children?

Pentecost

God’s Spirit is on the move. This Sunday, our children will hear about how Pentecost is like popcorn! The Holy Spirit is heating things up!

Stewardship

God's children of all ages are encouraged to keep their heads in the clouds by picking up a CLOUD/BINGO card. The card has 25 activities that are "child-sized-bites" of the important work of Woods Church and our Matthew 25 initiative. Use this card to either review or plan your year of participation in the life of God's church. Bring your CLOUD/BINGO card back to church and see if Kat has a prize for you!



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!

Friends and family are invited to join us for dinner, Bible stories, and fun July 15–18, 6:30PM! Tickets are available on the Children’s Ministry website or by calling the church office.

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's Continue the Conversation at Home about sharing. Our story in Sunday School was about the widow that Jesus saw, who give all that she had at the temple. Jesus compared her to the showy man who gave enough to be thought of well.

Ms. Frances reminded me of the story, Stone Soup, which tells us about how a town was suspicious of each other and was very closed off. Two strangers came into town and noticed how isolated the folks seemed to be from each other. They taught the town how to make stone soup. Everyone ended up sharing what they had so that everyone had enough. It changed the whole village. The folks told stories, sang, and remembered how to be a community.

The Bible story in worship was about Jacob who wrestled with an angel and was changed. He ended up with an injury and a new name, “The one who wrestles with God” or “Israel.” Jacob had cheated his brother Esau, so Jacob was afraid of him. Wrestling with God changed Jacob on the inside, too. The fact that a whole group of people would take this new name "children of Israel" shows us that instead of "just me," the one who wrestles with God is now concerned with "we."

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.

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.

In Our Community

Woods Church Takes on Saint John’s

This week, we’ll take the field against Saint John’s at Cypress #2 on Sunday, May 19, 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.

Let’s Raise Some Dough

On Thursday, May 16, 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 the Woods Church music program!

Please mention the “Wood Church Music Fundraiser” when placing your order.

Attend Ellie’s Birthday Party

Church Family News

We're Looking for an Accountant

Woods Church is looking to hire an accountant—someone to maintain the various church funds and accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the church’s Financial Policies & Procedures Manual. This is a benefit eligible, 40-hour per week position. Knowledge of accounting software and Microsoft Office applications required.

If you’re interested in this position, please contact John McLaughlin at 410.647.2550 x335 or jmclaughlin@woodschurch.org.

Congregational Prayer

Gracious, we pray for inspiration that calls us to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and for the courage to pursue that call. Let us be filled with your Spirit at this time of Pentecost, so that we might hear your voice clearly and anew.

Amen