Messenger | September 4, 2024

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Celebrating Kick-Off Sunday
• Coffee & Conversation with Pastor J.C.
• New Members Class on September 15
• Spread the Joy
• Confirmation Class Signups
• Choirs are Starting Back Up
• Condolences to the Family of Irene Kaufmann
• Condolences to the Family of Charles Edgar Miller
  

Pastor's Message

It was such a joy and blessing to be with you all in worship as pastor for the first time last Sunday! It has been a summer of great transition and great excitement, and it was wonderful to finally be with you after all of that. I was very grateful for the warm welcome and the chance to get to talk with some of you after the service, and to enjoy some celebratory cake while we were doing it! Truly, my heart is very full, and I look forward to getting to know you all better in the days to come as our ministry unfolds together.

To that it, it’s perfect timing that this coming Sunday is Kick-Off Sunday! It will be our last time this year on the summer worship schedule of a single service at 9:30 am, and that will give us a chance to all be together for the kick-off celebration that follows. I’m eager to learn more about the impressive range of ministries that this congregation engages in on a daily basis, and I hope you will take the opportunity to learn some yourselves and consider where God might be calling you to serve in this coming year. I look forward to seeing you there!

Grace and Peace,

—Pastor J.C.

Church News

Celebrating Kick-Off Sunday

This week, we are all looking forward to a fun-filled Kick-Off Sunday, September 8. In order to get to know one another and allow Pastor J.C. to get to know us, please wear your name tag if you have one. If you do not have a name tag, sticker tags will be available. We’re looking forward to reconnecting!

Following worship, join us for for food & fellowship and music & moon bouncing! Make a rain stick and join the musical premier of Woods’ Joyful Noises Band! The event will be held rain or shine.

Boxed lunches available beginning at 11AM.

Coffee & Conversation with Pastor J.C.

Starting on Sunday, September 15, through Sunday, November 24, the Rev. J.C. Austin, our new Senior Pastor, will be hosting an hour of coffee and conversation in the Founders Room immediately following our 11AM service. This is an opportunity for you to get to know Pastor J.C. and share your joys and hopes for Woods Church.

We ask that you sign up by contacting Pam Ward at pward@woodschurch.org or 443.261.3263 and let her know what date you would like to attend. Alternately, you can stop in the church office on Sunday and sign up for a Sunday that works for you.

New Members Class

Start a new season at Woods Church! We’re hosting a New Members Class in the Founders Room on Sunday, September 15, 10:45AM.

If you or someone you know may be interested in joining our faith family, please email Kathy Hamlett at khamlett@woodschurch.org.

Open Dance Classes

In order to bring the 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! Classes are open to anyone age 12 and over, in & 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.

Our first class will be on Sunday, September 22, 2–3:15PM, in Fellowship Hall. For more information, email Alyssa Barlis at alyssabarlis@gmail.com.

Ushers Needed

We are in need of additional ushers to assist during worship. If you are interested in being a part of this important ministry, please reach out to Paul Self at paulself239@gmail.com.



We’re Hiring 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

Spread the Joy! Mayo, Ketchup, Jelly, & Mustard!

SPAN (Serving People across Neighborhoods) is in great need of sandwich-making condiments. Help us fill their empty shelves on Kick-Off Sunday, September 8, with these much needed items. Please bring your donation to the Missions Ministry Table.

Thank you so much for your support of SPAN. Your generosity means everything to the Missions Ministry and to the community we serve.

Backpack Buddies

The Backpack Buddies program at Annapolis Middle School will begin sending weekend food home for 60 or so food insecure students. We are asking for a donation of $300 per student. This covers weekend food for the school year; First Friday of the month lunches (pizza or Chick-fil-A); $25 grocery gift cards for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter; $25 birthday gift cards; and high school UA backpacks for the 8th graders in the program in June.



Of course, any donation is welcome. Checks should be made out to Woods Church with Backpack Buddies in the memo line. They can be given directly to Susan Bohlman or left in the Backpack box in the Church office. Or you may contribute online at WoodsChurch.org and click on “Give.” Select “Backpack Buddies” in the dropdown menu so your donation is credited appropriately.

Helping Hands to Less Fortunate

Yikes! Have you noticed the price of everything going up? Every time a rental property comes up for renewal, the price per month increases, and electric costs are going up as well.



Many of those who serve you at local restaurants, mow your lawn, change the oil in your car, etc., are living on the edge of poverty due to uncertainty of and success of their businesses.

How would you decide to spend your declining income, feed your family, fix your car so you can get to work, pay your medical co-pay so your child can see a doctor? And what if these same individuals get sick themselves and miss a few days of work (no pay)? They usually postpone paying rent or utility bills while hoping next month will be better.

In the 2023–2024 Church year, Woods Church has received 402 requests for financial assistance! Of those, the Cecilia McKay Fund provided $20,355 to help 109 individuals/families with financial assistance to prevent eviction or utility shut off.

Every number is going up each year. This fund is not a budget item; it relies on directed donations from you! We definitely would not have been able to help those 109 families without your support. We are the hands and feet of Christ here on Earth today! No donation is too small. Click here to make a contribution online.

"Just as you did it to one of the least of these...you did it to me." (Matt 25:40)

Education & Small Groups

Priscilla Circle Bible Study

All women are invited to our new Bible study, Let Justice Roll Down: God’s Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation. Our first lesson is on Environmental Justice. Join us in person on Tuesday, September 10, 10AM, in Rom 212. We will continue to meet on the second Tuesday of each month.

If you haven’t yet picked up a study guide, give Bev Haines a call at 410.551.8412.

Youth News

Confirmation Class Signups

There’s still time to register for our 2024–2025 Confirmation Class! Students in 8th grade and up will meet weekly, beginning Sunday, September 15, 2–3PM, in Room 212. We have a great year planned for you, complete with regular guest speakers from our Woods community, service projects, and both Fall and Spring Retreats. The cost for the whole year, including retreats, is $150 per student.



If you aren't sure if Confirmation is for you, feel free to reach out to our Youth Director, Oliver Page, to learn more! You can reach him at opage@woodschurch.org.

Children's News

Growing in Grace & Gratitude

This year, children—3-year-olds to fifth graders—are Growing in Grace and Gratitude.

Our 9:30AM classes meet every Sunday! 3-year-olds in our PreSchool class gather in Room 107. Our Kindergarteners in the Early Elementary class meet in Room 150. Third graders in our new Bible Navigators class meet in Room 152. Fourth and fifth graders in our Bible Explorers class are in Room 154.

Our 11AM classes begin on Sunday, September 15! 3-year-olds through Kindergarteners will gather in Room 107. Our Elementary Age children will meet in Room 152.



Note: 9:30AM and 11AM stories are usually different. Come make a joyful noise in Children's Ministry!

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's Continue the Conversation at Home from Sunday morning. We were talking about beginnings! It was the BEGINNING of Pastor J.C.'s ministry at Woods. It was the BEGINNING of the school year. We heard a story about the BEGINNING of the world, which the Bible calls, "Genesis." God created the world! In the beginning, God made everything.

This year, in worship and in Sunday School, we will hear so many stories about God's love and how God still cares for us. We also will hear about how we can care for ourselves, others, and the world. Sometimes music helps us to tell and remember stories. Click here to go to the PC(USA) store and listen to music that goes along with our curriculum. (You may need to scroll down to the bottom of the page.)

I hope you have a great BEGINNING to your school year. And I hope to see you Sunday for Kick-Off Sunday! We will have food, games, and fun!

Music News

Choirs are Starting Back Up

For more information on any of our choirs, please email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Children's Choir | Grades 1–5

Rehearsals resume on Sunday, September 22, 12:15–12:45PM, in the Choir Room. Wahoo! Any child in grades 1–5 is welcome! And yes, we have candy!

SEEK Band | Grades 6–12

Do you play an instrument, enjoy singing, or just love music? Then come on down! Any youth in grades 6–12, is welcome to join our SEEK Band. We regularly offer music for worship, with many wonderful solo and musical opportunities. Our first rehearsal is on Sunday, September 15, 1 – 2PM.

Adult Choir

Rehearsals will resume on Thursday, August 29, 7PM, in the Choir Room. Join us as we sing and lead worship through all styles and genres of music. All are welcome! We look forward to having you with us!

In Our Community

Thanks for a Great Season!

Thank you to all who played on the Woods softball team this season!

Church Family News

Condolences to the Family of Irene Kaufmann

It is with sadness that we share the death of former Woods member, Irene Kaufmann.

Irene was an original member of Woods as a child and was 95 years old at the time of her passing. She started teaching Sunday school at the age of 15 and continued to teach for 35 years. Her mother-in-law, Carrie Kaufmann, was our church’s first secretary. Irene and her husband, Henry, were married by Rev. Woods. She eventually moved to the Eastern Shore to be closer to family, but continued to stay in touch by writing letters to the staff and deacons over the years.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at Woods on Saturday, September 7. The time of the service will be included in Friday’s worship email. Please keep Irene’s family and friends in your prayers.

Condolences to the Family of Charles Edgar Miller

It is with sadness that we share the death of Woods member, Charles Edgar Miller. Charlie was a member of Woods Church since April 1973, and served as an Elder and an Usher, as well as a member of our Men’s Bible study and Rehabber groups.

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

A Moment of Prayer

Loving and gracious God, we give you thanks for new beginnings in life; for being given opportunities to start anew both in existing programs and in unchartered ones. We continue to pray for your guidance and direction as we take steps in new paths. Let us continue to be mindful of the gifts of the Spirit that we may offer them to others in our walks.

Amen.