Messenger | November 19, 2025
Messenger is here!
November 19, 2025
This week's release at a glance:
- Pastor’s Message
- Browse Our Advent Brochure
- Our Holiday Bazaar is Almost Here!
- Holiday Bazaar White Elephant Donations
- Holiday Nut Orders
- A Note of Thanks from Pastor JC
- Winter Daydreams Piano Concert
- Watch for Email Scammers
- Medical Professional Volunteers Needed
- Bound for Bethlehem: An Advent Journey
- Save the Date for WoodsWork 2026
- Children’s Mission Workbook is Coming!
- Christmas Club
- Advent Event 2025 is as Cute as a Button
- Woods Christmas Concert, December 6
- Urgent Food Drive for SPAN
- Mission Trip to Guatemala
Pastor's Message
Most of us are already making plans for the upcoming holiday season. But whether our thoughts are around Thanksgiving travel or Christmas festivity or New Years Eve celebration, it is important to remember that not everyone has the privilege of that kind of thinking…at least not on the scale that we have previously known. This year, there are many who will not be able to afford (financially and/or emotionally) the typical accoutrements of these holidays. Woods Church has made extra and extended outreach through SPAN and SNAP programs, and the Woods Counseling and Care Center has made themselves available for those with counseling and care needs.
There are a variety of diverse needs, but we all have one thing in common which rises above all of this with a particular focus this Sunday: Christ the King. God reigns throughout this Season no matter what our individual and unique circumstances. The call to service is the rallying call that unites us and enables us to truly celebrate the presence of God in all things. It enables us to recognize and remember the meaning of the holidays we celebrate. God’s naming Christ as King—head of the household—reminds us that our common home is in the Kingdom of God.
Whether your Thanksgiving table this year remains in your own home or another’s house, let us intentionally give thanks for what we have and for God’s reign in our lives.
Peace and blessings,
—Pastor Nancy
Church News
Browse Our Advent Brochure
Woods Church is pleased to present this year’s
Advent Brochure, highlighting all the special events and opportunities to celebrate the season together. We invite you to explore, participate, and experience the joy and hope of Advent at Woods.
Click here to download a copy. Enjoy!
Our Holiday Bazaar is Almost Here!
The wait is almost over! Our Holiday Bazaar takes place this
Saturday, November 22, 9AM–1PM! Bring your children, your neighbors, and yourself for a day of shopping and socializing. And as always, 100% of the proceeds from the Bazaar support mission activities of our church.
Requested: Holiday Bazaar White Elephant Donations
We are currently collecting donations for our Holiday Bazaar’s White Elephant Sale, including costume jewelry, books, plus Christmas and holiday items.
Drop off times are
Thursday, November 20, 9AM–8PM, and
Friday November 21, 9AM to 12 PM. Please place donations on the stage in Zimmerman Hall. Books should be delivered to Room 155 on Thursday only.
Holiday Nut Orders
Fall has arrived and it’s time to place your holiday nut orders. Don’t miss out on any of your favorites. Just download the order form or pick one up at the Welcome Desk and return it to Woods Church by mail or bring it by the Office with your check made out to “Woods Church” with nut order on the memo line.
If you have any questions, contact Kay Mitchell at 410.757.7103.
A Note of Thanks from Pastor JC
Sarah and I want to thank all of you who were able to come out and celebrate our upcoming wedding last Friday night! It was such a joy to be able to connect with so many of you, especially since Sarah’s responsibilities as Senior Pastor of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC keep her away from Woods on Sundays. It was such a lovely evening of conversation and good food and beautiful surroundings, and I want to give a special thanks to Karen Lerario and the Deacons for organizing such an amazing experience, and to Delia Edelmann for the exquisite flower arrangements.
Finally, we were so surprised and delighted by the wedding gift of an espresso machine from our registry! It was such a thoughtful and very generous gift, it quite literally took our breath away. Both of us have always wanted one and have never actually had one, and it will be such a wonderful morning ritual every day to have a delicious cup of espresso and give thanks for the love and support of Woods Church! We are very grateful and very blessed.
Winter Daydreams Piano Concert
On Saturday, December 13, 2PM, in the Woods Sanctuary, join Woods pianist/organist Jung-hoon Park for his concert, Winter Daydreams: From Bach’s Solitude to Tchaikovsky’s Snow Silhouette. This concert is free and no registration is required. A love offering will be collected to support the Woods Music Ministry.
For questions, please email David Merrill
dmerrill!@woodschurch.org.
Watch for Email Scammers
Alert! Emails from scammers have been circulating through church member emails, as well as Woods staff. Most times, these emails look very legitimate.
Woods will never email you asking for gift cards, Amazon orders, or money. All emails from Woods Church end in “.org” (not “.com”).
Please use caution and always call the church for verification at
410.647.2550.
Medical Professional Volunteers Needed
Woods is looking for members who are either physicians, physician's assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, anyone in the medical field, who would be willing to note their presence in a particular worship service or church event (musical production, etc.)—in the event there is a medical emergency—and would be able to help assist until the EMTs arrive.
A notebook and sign will be placed in the Narthex just outside the Sanctuary (to be monitored by the head usher) for the above person(s) to note their name, cell phone number, and presence in the service or particular event being held in the Sanctuary.
Email Jason Jackson at
jjackson@woodschurch.org for more information.
Youth News
Save the Date for WoodsWork 2026
WoodsWork 2026 will be held June 22–30. We are still finalizing our location, but we are hoping to open registration by the end of the year! Download the flyer for more details.
Children's News
Children’s Mission Workbook is Coming!
On Sunday, November 23, our elementary age Children’s Sunday School Class will learn about how they can be part of the work of the Church. How do we help make “Thy kingdom come?” It is our annual opportunity to think about how we want to be part of God’s work in the world in this place.
Advent Event 2025 is Cute as a Button
Woods Church family and friends are counting the days until Christmas. We begin with our annual Advent Event full of resources and activities to prepare your home for the countdown to Christmas Eve! This year's preparation it is as cute as a button.
When? On Sunday, November 30, between services in Fellowship Hall, or Monday, December 1, 5–5:30PM, before Dinner Church in Fellowship Hall.
Christmas Club
During Advent, the children and friends of Woods Church are invited to journey towards the manger of Christmas morning with Christmas Club. We will journey together through Advent learning about the different ways Christians prepare and celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Do you need a little extra “merry” in your holidays this year? How about an extra moment of fun and friendship? Join a group of friends who like to read, craft, and play games? Then, Christmas Club is for you! Sunday nights in December, 5–6:30PM, includes a potluck summer. Contact Kat Green for more information.
PART Book Club, PART Christmas Party, PART Craft Club, ALL FUN!
Education & Small Groups
Bound for Bethlehem: An Advent Journey
Mary and Joseph lived in a world riddled with political division and fear. Their journey was a fulfillment of prophecy and a representation of hope for humanity.
During Advent, join us for an adult education class and potluck supper on Sundays, November 30–December 21, 5–6:30PM, in Founders Room. Led by Kathy Lohff, we will follow Mary and Joseph on their journey and spiritual pilgrimage to Bethlehem.
A special program for kids will be provided by the Children’s Ministry.
No Pastors’ Bible Study Next Wednesday
Please note, there will be no Pastors’ Bible Study next week, Wednesday, November 26. Our regular schedule will resume on December 3.
Lead Pastor JC Austin and Associate Pastor Nancy Lincoln Reynolds offer a weekly Bible Study on Wednesdays, 11AM, to examine the upcoming Sunday’s scripture readings before they are presented in worship.
Join us on Zoom and gain a new understanding of scripture and enhance your worship experience.
Music News
Woods Christmas Concert
On Sunday, December 6, 7PM, in the Sanctuary join us a for Storybook Christmas Concert, Wonder and Glory! The concert will include the Adult Choir, Praise Band, SEEK Band, Children’s Choir, Woods Dancers, Elysian Dance Theater, guest musicians, and members of our Woods family telling the stories of their Christmas treasures. We will sing popular Christmas Carols and enjoy in the sounds and the music of Christmas! It’s a Christmas chapter not to be missed!
The concert is free, but registration is required at
www.woodstix.org. Please email David Merrill at
dmerrill@woodschurch.org with any questions.
Open Dance Classes
In order to bring our community together in a fun and movement-based way, join our Worship Ministry for a series of dance classes this fall! Professional teachers are set to offer a variety of dance styles including jazz, musical theater, contemporary, tap, yoga, and more!
Open to anyone ages 12 and over in and outside the Woods community. All experience levels are welcome, though classes will be taught at an intermediate level with options for beginners and advanced students.
We meet on
Sundays, 2–3:15PM, in Fellowship Hall. For more information email Alyssa Barlis at
alyssabarlis@gmail.com.
Mission News
Urgent November Food Drive for SPAN
Did you know 1 in 9 Marylanders may no longer receive SNAP benefits due to impending stoppage of federal food aid? This will have an immediate effect on food requests above and beyond our typical needs.
Please donate canned vegetables, canned meats and fish, beans, pasta, rice, instant potatoes, broth, bouillon, canned fruit, laundry detergent, dish soap, deodorant, and toothpaste. Place donations in SPAN bins behind the Welcome Desk in the Church lobby.
Mission Trip to Guatemala
The Baltimore Presbytery Guatemala Partnership Spring Mission Trip—in collaboration with the Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America (CEDEPA)—will take place March 14–20, 2026.
Find out more about CEDEPA and the upcoming trip on Sunday, December 7, 10:30AM, in Room 212.
The cost is approximately $2,200. Adult and youth scholarships are available. The deadline to sign up is December 31, 2025.
The CEDEPA is an ecumenical educational organization headquartered in Guatemala that works to transform lives in Central America. They have four areas of focus: Biblical and Theological Training, Women’s Ministry, Disaster Ministry, and Intercultural Encounter.
For more information, contact Michelle Wallen at
mwallen@baltimorepresbytery.org or visit
BaltimorePresbytery.org.
Cecelia McKay Good Neighbor Fund – How Is It Done?
In September 2025, The Cecelia McKay Fund expended $1,555.51 to 7 households. But we received 25 requests for financial assistance by phone, email or letter. So what is the process to determine who we help?
Messages are picked up from voicemail (ext. 345) two times a week. Dick Moore then responds to each by phone in order to understand their issue / location / need/ and other information the person wishes to share. If the person is a member of Woods Church, Dick refers them to a Pastor to discuss the need, after which the Pastor and Dick will determine appropriate help from the Cecelia McKay Fund. If not a member of Woods, then the phone “assessment” includes:
- Financial need (we only assist with utility “shut off” or eviction prevention), and we do not assist with mortgages (exception may be for a member);
- If person owes more than $2,000 they must have other commitments to get the amount below $1,500 before we will assist;
- Location of residence (our area is Severna Park, Millersville, Arnold, Pasadena and those “Annapolis” addresses this side of RT 50), but we provide limited help for nearby “out of area” if other churches help;
- They must have they been to SPAN, NCEON, ACDS (rent), Community Action(BGE) and received help from at least one of the above.
Once a decision is made to meet with the person at Woods (usually Monday or Thursday), all documents are copied and further financial counseling is done (other organizations who might help, how about next month, ideas for additional work, get father of the children to help (pro-bono legal, phone number is provided if needed). At this meeting, a commitment letter is provided for a specific amount (up to $400 for in our area and $100–$150 for out of area in need).
Dick Moore then fills out a summary paper and submits all documents to finance for check writing and mailing. A spreadsheet (back to 2008) is kept with a list of names, dates, and the amount of help provided. Woods only assists once a year, but most clients are new.
A monthly report is submitted to Missions Elder and the Pastor.
