Messenger | May 29, 2024

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Summer Worship Schedule Begins June 9
• Welcome Our New Stephen Ministers
• Mission Trip to Sancti Spiritus
• WoodsWork Car Wash
• Register for Vacation Bible School
• Rutter and Friends Spring Concert
• Woods Church Takes on Heritage Church

Pastor's Message

Have you ever experienced an “intensely personal visionary moment?” These moments may be defined simply as quality time with God; or, complexly, as life-changing spiritual insights. In my experience, they come either as unexpected transformational “Aha!” moments that flow from otherwise ordinary places—OR—radical perspective changing exclamations that defy what we have known as “truth” and “absolute” up to this point.

In both cases, we must decide whether or not to accept and change with what has been revealed to us or to run as far and as fast as we can in the other direction.

Soren Kierkegaard refers to these decisions as invitations to take a “leap of faith.” Such leaps often require rejection of and even disobedience to here-to-fore held beliefs. This is the case in the lectionary from this week from Mark’s Gospel, where Jesus chooses the needs of people over the rules of Sabbath keeping.

Visionary moments are often accompanied by joyful noises (literally and metaphorically). Beginning on June 9, we will launch into summer and a year-long theme of Joyful Noise.* Joyful Noises are “made unto” and accompany the Lord and God’s transformation of us. As members of the Clouds of Witnesses (past, present, and future) we must watch, look, and listen for them as together we build God’s Kingdom here on Earth.

Joyfully Noisy,

—Pastor Nancy

*Each week, you will be asked to submit an audio or video of a Joyful Noise that you have heard or seen that represents God’s miracles among us. We will begin worship with these during our Announcements.

Church News

Stewardship Update

Join our Clouds of Witnesses this Stewardship season! We are now 65% 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 each Sunday.

Summer Worship Schedule

We will begin our summer worship schedule on Sunday, June 9, with one service at 9:30AM. 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!



Please Welcome Our New Stephen Ministers

Our new class of Stephen Ministers will be graduating on Friday, June 7, 11AM, in Founders Room. All are invited to attend the ceremony. We also will hold a special commissioning ceremony during worship on Sunday, June 9, 9:30AM.

Join us in welcoming Phyllis Beardmore, the Rev. John Benson, Randy Fisher, and Beth & Bill Hadley into service.

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.

Mission News

Mission Trip to Sancti Spiritus

Come meet our brothers and sisters in Sancti Spiritus, November 6–13! If you’re interested, please attend an informational meeting following worship on Sunday, June 9.

If unable to attend, or for more information, contact Marty Clayton at mclayton@breezeline.net.

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

WoodsWork Car Wash

We are excited to share that 81 amazing youth are participating in our WoodsWork house-building mission trip 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. See you there!

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!

Contact Oliver Page, youth director, for more details at opage@woodschurch.org.

Children's News

Register for Vacation Bible School

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 from Sunday morning. Last week, during Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the disciples and they were able to speak using words that so many people could understand! This week, we thought about what it means to be the church.

That reminds me of a book by Roz Maclean called "More Than Words." Franklin is a quiet person in the book who doesn't use spoken words very often. I wonder how Franklin can tell stories and connect with others without words. I wonder how you can tell others about God's love, maybe without words.

The Holy Spirit still fills us today so that we can be the church by singing, praying, serving, playing, and so many other ways to be the church doing Jesus' work in the world.

Our Matthew 25 Sunday School Mission Workbook told us so many ways to communicate God's love without words, and we got to use stickers! Everyone can be a storyteller of God's love. I wonder, what will YOU do this week to tell the story of God's love—maybe even without words?

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 Heritage Church

This week, we’ll take the field against Heritage Church at Cypress #2 on Sunday, June 2, 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.

A Moment of Prayer

Remembering Memorial Day

Merciful God, thank you for bringing joyful noises to our lives through all Creation. Let us join you in that creative process in all that we do.

Amen.