Messenger | November 20, 2024

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Woods Church Holiday Bazaar
• Place Your Holiday Nut Order
• Home Bound Communion on December 1
• Season of Giving
• New Adult Education Class: Making Room
• Baroque by Candlelight Christmas Concert
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame Cast
• Condolences to the Family of Russ Snyder

Pastor's Message

This coming Sunday is the last Sunday of the Christian year; “New Year’s Day” on the Christian calendar is the first Sunday of Advent, which is December 1 this year. But it is not simply the last Sunday of the Christian year; on the Christian calendar it is known as “Christ the King Sunday” or “Reign of Christ Sunday.”

There are several Sundays throughout the year that are special observances of important moments in Jesus’ life and ministry outside of the major seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter. There is The Baptism of the Lord, which focuses on the significance of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist; there is Transfiguration Sunday, which recalls Jesus’ miraculous encounter with Moses and Elijah in which he was “transfigured” into a glowing figure of dazzling light; and Ascension Day, which remembers the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry when he ascended into heaven forty days after Easter in order to fulfill his promise to send the Holy Spirit upon his disciples, which we observe on Pentecost Sunday.

You would think the Ascension would be the end, though, since that is the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. So what’s this about Christ the King Sunday? Well, it’s actually the most recently-developed of all these observances; in fact, in only dates back to the 1920s. But that is part of why it is significant. Remember what was going on in the 1920s. Yes, the “roaring 20s” was part of it, with its economic prosperity and social and cultural dynamism. But it was also the time of “the Lost Generation,” those who came of age amidst the horrors of World War I, which shook Western civilization to its core not only because of the unprecedented scale of its brutality, but because of its pointlessness. 40 million people died to fulfill a series of interlocking military alliances that were activated largely to defend national pride rather than something noble like opposing tyranny. The Lost Generation were those who did most of the fighting and dying in that war, and those who survived came away from it profoundly disillusioned and cynical about politics, faith, and modern life.

Christ the King Sunday was instituted after the war, then, not simply as a conclusion to the Christian year, but as a theological affirmation that it is not the kings of the earth who wield true power and determine true meaning in this world, but Christ alone, at whose name “every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” And so this Sunday we’ll talk about how this is a message of both hope and responsibility for us in a world where there may be few earthly kings left, but there are certainly still powers that stand in opposition to Christ’s kingdom coming. See you in worship!

Peace,

—Pastor JC

Church News

Woods Holiday Bazaar

The Woods Holiday Bazaar is this Saturday, November 23, 9AM—1PM! Stop on by and bring your family and friends. As a reminder, 100% of the proceeds support Mission activities of our church.

White Elephant Donations are Needed

Please drop off donations on the stage in Zimmerman Hall by Thursday, November 21. We are looking for new or gently used: games, puzzles, artwork & crafts, toys, small sporting goods, musical instruments, dishes, glassware, kitchen utensils, small appliances, lamps, antiques, linens, tools and more.

Search your cabinets, basements, garages, anywhere you have collected “treasures” that you no longer use and bring them to the church. All Donations can be dropped off on the stage in Zimmerman Hall through Thursday, November 21st 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. Book donations can be dropped off downstairs in Room 155 and stacked against the wall. (We do NOT accept textbooks, encyclopedias, or magazines-they just don’t sell). We will gladly accept grocery-size brown paper bags!

Questions?

Contact Patt Haun at patt.haun@gmail.com or Barbara Gosnell at bigosnell@gmail.com.

Consider Volunteering

If you’re able to help setup for a few hours during the week, especially on Friday, contact Pam Blumenthal at mblumenthal1941@gmail.com or Beth Hadley at bbhadley@gmail.com.

Place Your Holiday Nut Order

Fall has arrived and it’s time to place your holiday nut orders. Order all your favorites now for pickup later. Just download the order form from our website or pick one up at the welcome desk and return it to the Woods Church office with your check made out to “Woods Church” and nut order on the memo line. Pick-up schedule for nuts is listed on the order form.

Questions? Contact Kay Mitchell at kateem936@hotmail.com or 410.757.7103.

Homebound Communion

Woods Church will offer Homebound Communion on Sunday, December 1.

If you would like to be included or know of anyone in the congregation who would like to have communion brought to their home, please contact Maureen Adams at 410.647.2550 or madams@woodschurch.org.

Season of Giving

‘Tis the Season to Give at Woods! While you are Christmas shopping, share the love of Christ and buy Christmas gifts that will change the lives of people who are the heart of God, while warming the hearts of those on your gift list. Help us spread the holiday joy in more ways than one starting this Sunday, November 17, in Fellowship Hall!

Sponsor Local Children from SPAN

This year, we hope to assist 35 children from 1–18 years old to have a few gifts to open Christmas morning. If you’re willing and able to help, please consider buying toys, clothing, or a gift card for local children referred to us by SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods).

Cards will be available for pick up in Fellowship Hall starting Sunday, November 17. Gifts are due back no later than Sunday, December 8, 12PM.

Gift a Laundry Basket of Household Necessities

Typically, the residents at Pinewood Village have a difficult choice to make during the holidays—a gift for their loved ones or the basic necessities for a comfortable life. While there are many programs that support their rent and utilities, we feel called to provide the 60 residents with these necessities during the Christmas season.

On Sundays throughout Advent, our youth will have a sign-up table set up for our congregation members to donate a laundry basket filled with these household necessities. Baskets are due by Sunday, December 8.

Then on Saturday, December 14, 12–2PM, our Confirmation Class will deliver the baskets to the residents at Pinewood Village, a subsidized apartment complex for elderly members of the Glen Burnie community.

Education & Small Groups

New Adult Education Class

Join us on Sundays, November 24–December 15, 11AM, for a new Adult Education book study featuring Making Room by Dr. Ed Robb.

Often, our Advent preparations have an inward focus as we prepare for the significance of God breaking into our world through the birth of Jesus. But in a closer examination of Advent, we quickly learn that the focus of the newborn king is outward. In his book, Dr. Robb explores the warmth of welcome at Christmas following interactions with Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the Magi. Just as Jesus made room in God’s kingdom for marginalized people, we too should be asking ourselves who we can invite at Christmas. The story of Christ’s birth encourages us to increase our sense of community and make room for others.

Books are on the office credenza. We’ll meet in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom.

Children's News

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's Continue the Conversation at Home from Sunday. In Sunday School, we were getting ready for God's Justice to reorder the world. During the "intermission" between Sunday School and worship, we created ways to get ready for Advent. Advent is a time of waiting for the celebration of Jesus' birth.

We prepared a simpler Advent to set a place for faith at your table at home. The Faith Mat is a calendar of events, has scriptures to read and questions to wonder, and a labyrinth path to "walk" with our stampers. All of these things lead towards the celebration of the birth of Jesus. We made a wreath around our labyrinth with Lego bricks or crayons. We made candles or picked up blue battery-operated votives. Each night in December, we hope you light your Advent Wreath with a click of a brick added to the top, flip of a switch, or the flame of a match stick.

One resource that can be a wonderful tradition is "'Twas the Night Before Advent" by Glenys Nellist. Her book has daily readings in a beautiful storybook style. She has generously shared a family devotion practice to go along with the daily readings.

Please let me know if you need supplies or more ideas. I cannot wait to hear about how you are getting ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus in your home.

Save the Date for VBS!

Vacation Bible Study for children of all ages will be held at Woods Church, July 14–17, 2025. Mark your calendars for stories, fun, fellowship, and service. ALL are welcome! Invite your friends, neighbors, schoolmates, cousins—everybody!

Music News

Baroque by Candlelight Christmas Concert

On Saturday, December 7, 7PM, come and join the Woods Adult Choir and a professional orchestra as we perform Christmas music from the Baroque and Renaissance eras, surrounded by candlelight. With works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Schütz, Buxtehude, Rutter—and some standard Christmas favorites—it will be a perfect beginning to your Christmas season!

This concert is free and no ticket is required, but a love offering will be collected to support the Woods Music Department. You can catch the livestream at woodschurch.org (click “Livestream”).

Email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org with any questions.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Cast is Announced

Congratulations to the cast of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and thank you to all who came out to auditions! We had a record turn out, and our cast size is 70!

Come and hear the bells ring March 28–30 & April 4–6, 2025. Tickets will be available in the new year!

Mission News

Notes from Cuba

Our reception in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba, was warm and loving. Despite our 30-hour delay in arriving, we enjoyed 3 evenings of fellowship, Cuba Night, USA Night, and Farewell Night. We also celebrated with "la Tercera Edad", the senior members of the church.

Our suitcases of medicines, yarn, fabric, food and clothing were gratefully received, and will be distributed to the community.

We enjoyed delicious food, walks around town, and meeting the congregation. We taught the kids the Chicken Dance and The Twist; and learned The Cha Cha, The Conga, and more.

Singing and dancing together, holding hands, hugging and kissing hello and goodbye.

Sunday service holding hands, singing, praying, and reading the Scriptures together—it didn't feel like we were visiting these friendly people from Sancti Spíritus, it felt like we were a happy family full of brothers and sisters celebrating in our Father's House.

Cubans don't say goodbye, they say "Until next time."

We will return to visit my extended family soon.

Hasta luego, Cuba. We miss you!

Susan Bohlman

Mark Clayton

Marty Clayton

Delia Edelman

Gale Gillespie

Lee Laque

Kathy Lohff

John McLaughlin

We’re Back from Guatemala

Dear Woods Friends and Supporters of the Guatemala/CEDEPCA Partnership,

A huge thank you to everyone who donated yarn for our team to take on the trip to Guatemala this month. We had over a half-dozen suitcases packed to bursting with yarn of all colors and sizes for their prayer shawl ministry—which is part of the Women’s Ministry. They were absolutely delighted. Yarn is so expensive there and they have so many needing the comfort of a hand-knit shawl for physical and moral support. It is delightful to see their faces when we pop open the suitcases and all the goodies inside pop out!

Many thanks for your continued support of this partnership which has been going nearly 10 years now.

We are planning our next trip for next June, hopefully, to accommodate some of the teachers in the congregation who really can’t take off in the fall. If you think you might be interested, please shoot me an email or give me a call as I would love to encourage you in that direction. Again, thank you so much.

—Sher Atkinson

Church Family News

Condolences to the Family of Russ Snyder

It is with sadness that we share the death of Woods member, Russ Snyder. Russ was a member of Woods since 1995.

There will be a Service of Witness to the Resurrection for Russ on Monday, November 25, 11AM, in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow.

Please keep Russ’ family and friends in your prayers.

A Moment of Prayer

God of all generations, this week we give special thanks for young people in our congregation and community. Give them wisdom and strength to navigate the stresses of school, activities, jobs, and personal responsibilities. Reassure them of your grace and love for them simply because of who they are. Help those who are older to be both students of them and teachers for them, both followers of them and leaders for them, so that together we may accompany one another on the journey of faith and support each other through every step.

Through Christ we pray. Amen.