Messenger | November 29, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Gloria Deo! A Very Cello Christmas Concert
• An Advent Welcome: The Artistry of Woods Church
• The Chrismons Tree at Woods
• Do You Have a Calling to be a Stephen Minister?
• Celebrate the Season of Advent at Woods
  

Pastor's Message

Dear Friends and Family of Woods Church,

In the days of telegrams, succinctness was a virtue since every keystroke cost money. Oscar Wilde likely sent one of the shortest telegrams ever, when he wrote to his publisher to ask about the sales of his latest book and simply sent a question mark (?) telegram. To which his publisher responded in kind and replied with only an exclamation point (!).

Short telegrams can also be quite humorous. Robert Benchley visited Venice in the 1930s and sent a telegram to his editor with the sentence: "Streets full of water—please advise." My favorite is a telegram attributed to Mark Twain who supposedly wrote to a dozen friends this cryptic message: "Flee at once—All is discovered." All of them immediately left town.

The Advent season is now upon us. Can it be captured in a message brief enough to fit on a telegram? According to the gospel of Mark, the key message of Advent is the short phrase "Be awake!" The phrase is an admonition to be diligent in doing deeds of good service and serving the "master" as faithful workers whether the "Lord of the manor" is with us or away from us.

"Being awake" also reminds us to keep our eyes open—open to opportunities to help, open to beauty around us, open to the wonder that is at the heart of life and central to God's ordering of this world. It encourages us not to be distracted by our devices, or put off by aches, pains, or the annoying "small stuff" of daily life.

If we keep our eyes open and truly stay awake, we are able to see the workings of Christ who is both in our midst and the coming Lord of our future days. So accept a short Advent telegram this day and remember to "be awake"!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Randy

Church News

Gloria Deo! A Very Cello Christmas Concert

Come join us on Saturday, December 2, 7PM, as we celebrate the start of the Christmas season! This special program will feature a professional cello octet and a small orchestra from the D.C./Baltimore area. In addition, we’ll have our Adult Choir, Praise Team, Seek Singers, Children’s Choir and our incredible dancers with choreography by Elysia Merrill. It’s a perfect way to begin your Christmas!

We have sold-out the tickets for this concert, but it can be watched on livestream.

Do You Have a Calling to be a Stephen Minister?

Stephen Minister Leaders Bill Hadley and Susan Cooper will be holding two information sessions on the Stephen Ministry on Sunday, December 3, in Founders Room. The first session will be from 10:30–10:45AM; the second session will be from 12–12:15 PM.

Along with Pastor Nancy Lincoln Reynolds, they will explain what is involved in becoming a Stephen Minister, specifically the course work involved and the administration of this program with care receivers.

We encourage all who are interested to attend.

Brochures providing introductory information on the Stephen Ministry are available at the Welcome Desk.

An Advent Welcome: The Artistry of Woods Church

In this installment of our "An Advent Welcome: The Artistry of Woods Church" series, Woods staff member Sarah Wilson discusses the story of Sarah and Abraham, whose bronze figures greet you at the doors to the left of our main entrance.

Christmas Eve Worship Schedule

Join us for worship and to celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24. Our schedule is as follows:

• 9:30AM | Morning Worship (4th Sunday of Advent)
• 3PM & 4PM | Christmas Pageant
• 6PM | Contemporary Christmas Eve service
• 8PM | Traditional Christmas Eve service
• 10PM | Traditional Communion service

We’re also looking for extra greeters who are willing to help at our services. Contact Nancy Nolan at msmum@sent.com if you’re able to help.

The Chrismons Tree at Woods

The word Chrismons is a combination of Christ and Monogram, thus the monograms and symbols of Christ.

First envisioned in the mid 1940s, in 1957, Frances Spenser created 12 ornaments for the first tree at the Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Danville, Virginia. A history and instruction book, Chrismons, Basic Series, was published by the Lutheran Church in 1957. Today many patterns are online.

Susan Luck and Martha Gillerlain (who now lives in Virginia) thought a Chrismons Tree would be perfect at Woods. In l982, they visited many church collections in Maryland and Virginia. The ornaments they created were in combinations of white and gold beading and shapes, with white lights on the tree—all taken from the original instructions, an intricate artistic endeavor.

These include 16 crosses, several crowns, letters, words and many other symbols of Christ. Both Martha and Susan felt this project would be a small, but unique way of helping others worship Christ.

In 1982, Woods’ first Chrismons tree was presented during the Advent season. It was located in the center of the church (now the Narthex) where it continues to this day.

Year-End Giving

Thank you very much for your ongoing participation in the life and worship of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church and for your financial support. These tithes and offerings fund our educational programs and mission outreach, and support the work of our entire pastoral and program staff. Our annual budget is around $2 million per year and we simply couldn’t reach that level of income without the generous help of our congregation.

Over the past months, we have welcomed new staff and new church members, organized special worship services and music concerts, and provided programming and pastoral care to groups of all sizes. While the financial support we have received has been quite generous, we remain mindful that our fiscal year budget projects a deficit that will need to be covered by June 2024. Any extra contribution or support you can provide Woods Church in the next few weeks would be greatly appreciated.

Please contact Ada Sell (asell@woodschurch.org or 410.647.2550), or Jonathan Davidov at Morgan Stanley (J.N.Davidov@morganstanley.com or 410.736.5324) if you will be making a stock donation to Woods. This will ensure that your gift is posted and acknowledged in a timely manner.

Thank you again for your faithfulness in supporting our church through your financial resources. Your stewardship means a lot and makes a big difference with our ministries!

Advent Art Exhibit

The Advent Art Exhibit is a special exhibit that is open to our congregation and friends. This exhibit signifies the power of faith and love that bound the community together to share the hope, faith, peace, love, and joy of the Advent message. Stop by to experience the exhibit November 26–January 8.

All artists are invited to attend a reception after worship on Sunday, January 7.

We’re Looking for a Kitchen Coordinator

Woods Church is seeking a kitchen coordinator who will assist with food ordering, preparation, and serving meals for the Child Development Center and church events. This is an hourly, full-time position and the person is eligible for Woods health insurance coverage.

To apply, submit information to John McLaughlin, director of operations, by emailing jmclaughlin@woodschurch.org.

Youth & Children's Ministries

Celebrate the Season of Advent at Woods

First Sunday of Advent | Pick up or download the Reflective Advent Devotional. It has a short and child-friendly home wreath lighting ceremony, a weekly reflection with a question to consider, and a path for stars. It starts on Sunday, December 3.

Christmas Pageant Practice | Our annual Christmas Pageant is is a great way to “put on” and “enter into” the story of Jesus’ birth. It is a wonderful family experience! We’ve got shepherd and angel costumes in all sizes!

• Adults will practice on Monday, December 18, 5PM.
• There will be a dress rehearsal for all participants on Tuesday, December 19, 5PM.
• The Christmas Pageant will be on Sunday, December 24, 3PM & 4 PM.

And join us to celebrate Jesus’ birth at our Christmas Eve services on Sunday, December 24.

• Contemporary Service, 6PM
• Choir and Instruments, 8PM
• Instruments, Soloists, and Communion, 10PM

First Sunday of Advent | Pick up or download the Reflective Advent Devotional. It has a short and child-friendly home wreath lighting ceremony, a weekly reflection with a question to consider, and a path for stars. It starts on Sunday, December 3.

Christmas Pageant Practice | Our annual Christmas Pageant is is a great way to “put on” and “enter into” the story of Jesus’ birth. It is a wonderful family experience! We’ve got shepherd and angel costumes in all sizes!

• Adults will practice on Monday, December 18, 4–5:30PM.
• There will be a dress rehearsal for all participants on Tuesday, December 19, 4–5:30PM.
• The Christmas Pageant will be on Sunday, December 24, 3PM & 4 PM.

And join us to celebrate Jesus’ birth at our Christmas Eve services on Sunday, December 24.

• Contemporary Service, 6PM
• Choir and Instruments, 8PM
• Instruments, Soloists, and Communion, 10PM

Continue the Conversation at Home

Our story Sunday was about Matthew 25, being prepared to help others. Whether it is the hungry, the thirsty, the imprisoned, or the naked...whatever we do for them we do for Jesus. Let's be prepared for the arrival of Jesus on Christmas day, using Glenys Nellist's book, ‘Twas the season of Advent. This book has devotions, stories, and scriptures for the month of December. It would make a great family moment to add to your Advent Wreath Lighting practice. Or come Wednesday to the Family Advent Festival, and make a Advent Spiral Calendar. You could move a small Mary and Joseph closer to the center with every devotion your family reads. I wonder, how will you be prepared for the birth of God's son?

Woods MinisTREES

Visit the Woods MinisTREES outside of the 150's classrooms. See the many ways our ministries work for "the kingdom come."

Education & Small Groups

New Adult Ed Class for Advent

Adult Education is offering an Advent study, The Wonder of Christmas: Once You Believe, Anything is Possible, by Ed Robb & Rob Renfroe. The class will meet on Sundays through December 17, 11AM, in the office conference room and on Zoom. Rediscover the true wonder of Christmas by sharing the love of Christ with others. The book, videos, and Bible study center on key elements of the Christmas story. The course also looks at the stories of real people today to offer inspiration and ideas for reflecting the light of Jesus at Christmas and throughout the year. Books are on the office credenza.

Missions News

Give the Gift of Giving this Christmas

Share the love of Christ, and buy Christmas gifts that will change the lives of people who are in the heart of God, while warming the hearts of those on your gift list. From Sunday, November 19–December 10, join us in Fellowship Hall for a Season of Giving at Woods for you and your family. For every gift given, we will place one ornament on our very own Christmas Tree. Let’s see how beautiful Woods’s generosity can be!

Sponsor Local Children From SPAN

Buy toys, clothing, or a gift card for local children referred to us by SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods). This year, we hope to assist 35 children from 1–18 years old have a few gifts to open Christmas morning this year. Items are due back no later than Sunday, December 10, 12PM.

For more information, contact Karen Jackson at kjackson@woodschurch.org.

Elderly and Disabled From Pinewood Village

Provide a laundry basket for elderly or disabled adults in a low-income neighborhood in Glen Burnie. While there are many programs that support their rent and utilities, during the Christmas Season, we feel called to provide these 64 residents with the basic necessities. Baskets are due back on Sunday, December 10, 12PM, and will be delivered on Saturday, December 16.

Sign up online! Contact Oliver Page at opage@woodschurch.org with any questions.

Save the Date for Winter Relief

Winter Relief is coming January 22–29, 2024. Sign-ups begin December 17, 9AM. At that time, you will be able to sign up to help after each service in Fellowship Hall or on the Church website. There are opportunities for meal prep, brown bag lunch prep, evening and overnight chaperones, drivers, shower escorts, Stephens Ministers, laundry support, youth volunteers, and snack donations.

Please help us help the homeless. If you want more information about Winter Relief and how you can help, please contact Scott Wiley at 410.353.1491 or email wilecoy2us@gmail.com.

Music News

Messiah Sing-Along/Play-Along

On Saturday, December 16, 3PM, we will sing Part I of the Messiah. No experience needed! Come and lend your voice, or come and enjoy in this beautiful music. The evening will be led by soloists from the D.C./Baltimore Area, a string quartet, and Roderick Demmings, Jr. on the organ and harpsichord. Have little ones? Come and play along to the music using fun costumes and activities with Kat Green and the Children’s Ministry.

For more information, email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Church Family News

Prayers for the Family of Paul Rudolph

It is with sadness that we share the news on the death of former member, Paul Rudolph. Paul had been a member of Woods Church since 1985 before relocating a few years ago to Texas.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be announced in the near future. Please keep Paul’s family and friends in your prayers.

Congregational Prayer

Thank you God for the gift of life today. I give thanks that your face shines upon me—for you are my salvation. During this Advent season, lead me like a shepherd. Strengthen me for whatever lies ahead. Grant me the spiritual gifts of peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness that I may faithfully show your love in word and deed to others. In Christ's name.



Amen.