Messenger | July 19, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

Pastor’s Message

Homebound Communion

Sing in the Family Summer Choir

Youth Summer Gatherings

Youth Ministry Beach Party

Continue the Conversation at Home: Harlem Grown

Bowie Baysox Game

Pastor's Message

Dear friends and family of Woods Church,

This week's global theme seems to be about staying cool. The heat has been life-threatening in some places while floods and storm damage overpower others. Most people have been able to find safety and relief. Others have not.

We might want to consider what it means to be "in the wrong place at the wrong time." The news has featured such places this week at rivers, borders, sides of the highway, rescue attempts, hiking trails and playgrounds. There is not necessarily a cause and effect to be found.



Our lectionary this week suggests that weeds grow unintended among wheat. The latter is a necessity for survival; the former, inevitable. Both grow in the same field and all are part of God’s Kingdom.

Whether you are feeling like wheat or weeds on Sunday, we all belong together. It is there that we may all be "in the right place at the right time."

Growing together in Christ,

Pastor Nancy

Church News

Homebound Communion

We will be offering communion to those who are homebound on Sunday, July 23. If you would like to receive the elements of Communion to participate virtually from home, please contact Maureen Adams at 410.647.2550 or madams@woodschurch.org.

Sing in the Family Summer Choir

Come and sing with our Family Summer Choir on any of these Sundays: July 23, August 13, August 27, or September 3. Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings, 8:45AM, in the Sanctuary Choir loft.

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

For Our Hearing Aid Wearers

Woods has upgraded our hearing assist equipment with new technology. We have added a new Williams Sound FM 558-12 PRO FM+ Assistive Listening System. It consists of an FM transmitter and 12 new rechargeable FM receivers.



The FM receivers can be combined with standard earpieces (EAR 022 surround earphone) or inductance type neck loops (NKL 001 neck loop). While the earpieces are worn in place of (or in addition to) a hearing aid, the inductance loop allows the amplified sound to be transmitted directly to a telecoil equipped and enabled hearing aid. In each case the volume can be adjusted for best reception. Not all hearing aids are equipped with telecoils, and not all telecoils may be programmed for inductance loop reception. Please consult your audiologist if you are not sure about your devices.

Woods Holiday Bazaar

Mark your calendars for the Woods Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 18. Now is the time to start collecting items to donate. Our Bazaar is looking for good items for our various tables, including the White Elephant, Books, Christmas Shop, Holiday Greens, Jewelry, and Candy.

We will start accepting donations beginning Monday, November 13, 9AM–5PM. Your find might be a treasure for another person. Items can include collectibles, books (for adults and children), linens, cookware, pots and pans, glassware and china, decorative items, jewelry, framed pictures, small working appliances, handbags, and Christmas decorations.

Thanks for donating to help make the Bazaar a success

Ministry Announcements

Youth Summer Gatherings

Our Youth Group will next gather at Rita's Italian Ice on Wednesday, July 19 & August 9, 5–6PM. Stop by for a free Rita's ice!

Youth Ministry Beach Party

The Youth Ministry will be hosting a beach party on Thursday, August 3, 5–9PM, at Hatton Beach, located at the end of Maple Avenue in Severna Park.

There will be food, swimming, paddle boards, kayaks, games, fishing available, and more. Come join the fun. This is a free event we are asking for attendees to please register so we can get a head count for this event.

Continue the Conversation at Home

Continue the Conversation at Home with Harlem Grown by Tony Hillery and illustrated by Jessie Hartland. Learn about how Mr. Hillery helped PS175 turn a "haunted garden" into an urban farm. Those seeds fell on good soil. Read this book and wonder how your ideas can become something bigger than you ever imagined!

New Biweekly Faith Connection Group

What: We Make the Road by Walking Discussion Group

Details: Join us to discuss We Make the Road by Walking by Brian McLaren. This book's 52 readings will guide us through growing our faith together. Each chapter is 3–4 pages. If you are seeking a faith connection, come. The book can be purchased on Amazon.

Location: Boone Station Gazebo

(Inclement weather: Room 150)

When: Sundays, July 30, August 13 & 27, 11AM–12PM

POC: Reach out to charitymatta@gmail.com.

Children’s Church Club is available for this group gathering.

We're Looking for a New Youth Director

The primary responsibility of the Director of Youth Ministry is to direct, train and recruit a team of youth leadership and adult volunteers to serve the spiritual needs of young people (grades 6–12) and their families by creating an environment where youth, their families, and their adult leaders can engage in life-long Christian growth and discipleship. The Director of Youth Ministry will plan for and provide for a robust program of Christian Formation for youth and their families.

Send resumes to clerkofsession@woodschurch.org.

In Our Community

Coed Softball

Our next game will be on Sunday, July 23, 2PM, against SP United Methodist Church at Elvaton #1.



No experience required! Players must be at least 16 years of age by December 31, 2022. Play as your schedule permits

If you are interested, contact Andrew Wiley at 443.867.8803 or wileyas1@gmail.com.

Bowie Baysox Game for Youth and Their Families

 The game is Sunday, August 6, 1:05PM. There is no charge. We have a limited number of tickets and interested parties should contact Dee Robinson at dee.h.robinson@gmail.com or 410.241.7229 to reserve tickets.

Congregational Prayer

Merciful God, we thank you for the good ministry of so many at Woods Church. As we "pray without ceasing" for those whose lives complicated and difficult, we also pray with gratitude for your presence among us. Let us be mindful of those who hurt, grieve, and recover this week as we ask for healing and wholeness. May your Spirit of hope and promise prevail in our hearts.



Amen.