Messenger | August 20, 2025
Messenger | August 21, 2025
This week's release at a glance:
- Pastor’s Message
- Kick-Off Sunday Ministry Mall and Family Picnic
- Get Ready for Our Holiday Bazaar
- Confirmation Class Registration is Open
- A New Thing for Twos and Threes
- Backpack Blessing!
- WoodsWork in Review
- Pastors’ Bible Study
- Presbyterian Women’s Circle Bible Study
- Support the Cecilia McKay Fund
- Softball vs. St. John’s & a Cookout
Pastor's Message
Words mean something…and so do the actions that they launch. You have been invited to participate in helping our ministries spring into action this fall by sharing your own stories of how you have perceived God in your life. These can be memories of a time when God was profoundly life-changing or the simple acknowledgement of the sighting of a cardinal that offered reassurance and comfort during a difficult time. Big or small, God’s presence and revelations make a difference in how we go about our days.
At Woods, God springs forth in new ways constantly. As the Prophet Isaiah has asked, “Do you perceive it?” Many of you have shared “God sightings” or “God Winks” over the years and the stories come across as faith statements and a willingness to open hearts and minds to God’s presence. We would like for those stories to enrich our ministries as they are part of the fabric woven together that make up Woods Church.
Isaiah also asks, “Do you believe it?” As a church, we profess our beliefs on a regular basis: in worship, in service, in caring and reaching out to others. WoodsWords is an opportunity to proclaim God’s active presence in our lives and to put that presence into action. As you are able, you may contribute to the launching of our ministries by making a financial commitment (pledge) to Woods or increasing what you have already pledged.
We are the action of God’s stories. Let’s make all kinds of ministries spring forth into our church and community. God is all around us.
Do you perceive it? Do you believe it?
Blessings and peace,
—Pastor Nancy
Church News
Kick-Off Sunday Ministry Mall and Family Picnic
On
Kick-off Sunday, September 7, stop by the Ministry Mall in Fellowship Hall before or after worship! We also will have a picnic lunch and family fun, 11AM–PM. Tell the kids (little & big), there will be pony rides and a petting zoo!
Get Ready for Our Holiday Bazaar
It’s never too early! Yes, it's never too early to start planning for our Woods Holiday Bazaar!
Bring new or gently used board games and puzzles on Kick-off Sunday, September 7, and get up to two free raffle tickets for a chance to win the Holiday Bazaar Gift Basket valued at over $200! The Woods Holiday Bazaar Table also will distribute cards for specific items to donate to the Sweet Shop for candy making.
New this year, we will be offering children's clothing in sizes infant to youth 10. Please save your kids’ outgrown clothing and bring them to the church beginning Sunday, September 7. There will be a large rolling blue bin in the lobby for drop-off.
And save the date for our
2025 Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 22, and plan to shop for the holiday season!
Confirmation Class Registration is Open
Sign-ups for our 2025–2026 Confirmation Class are open! Our 8th grade Confirmation Class will meet on Sundays, September 14–May, 2–3PM. This class is designed for 8th graders to explore their relationship with God, recommit themselves to their walk with Christ, and take the step to join the church. In this class, you’ll learn more about your faith, what it means to be the Church, and how to share your faith with others!
In addition, we are offering a NEW
High School Confirmation Crash-Course for any high school students who are interested in being confirmed and joining our church, but might be a bit old for our normal 8th grade class. This also is a great option for students who have been confirmed before, but are interested in taking a refresher class. This class will meet on
Sunday afternoons, 3:30–4:30PM, starting on September 14, and will last only one semester.
Children's News
A New Thing for Twos and Threes
Beginning Sunday, August 24, the twos and threes are invited to their own Sunday School Class after the children's moment during 9:30AM worship.
The children will have a circle time with Jesus, hear a Bible story about God’s love for them, and enjoy a short enrichment activity. There will be lots of love and playtime, as we help children experience God as the maker of all things, one who loves them unconditionally, and Jesus who shows us how to love each other.
Do you have questions? Please contact Kat Green at
kgreen@woodschurch.org or Lindsey Miller at
lmiller@woodschurch.org.
Backpack Blessing!
Bring your backpack, sports bag, lacrosse stick, catcher's mitt, dance bag...whatever...to worship on
Sunday, August 24. During our 9:30AM worship service, we will celebrate the beginning of a new school year and bless our backpacks to remember that God is with us wherever we are.
Youth News
WoodsWork in Review
Check out these pics from WoodsWork 2025, our house-building mission trip for high school youth!
Education & Small Groups
Pastors’ Bible Study
Lead Pastor J.C. 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.
Presbyterian Women’s Circle Bible Study
The Women's Circle Bible study will meet in Room 212 and on Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month, starting September 9, 10AM. We will be studying the Horizons Bible Study, Finding Resilience, Joy, and Our Identity in Jesus Christ.
Study guides will be available in Fellowship Hall following worship on Sunday, August 24. Please stop by the table and look it over. The book cost is $14. Come and join us for this interesting study.
Click here to download a flyer. If you have any questions, please contact Bev Haines at 410.551.8412.
Mission News
Support the Cecilia McKay Fund
There are many budgeted Mission efforts at Woods…but a daily need is to help those facing eviction or having their electricity cut off through the Cecilia McKay Fund. It relies on direct donations (online or by check with Cecilia McKay in memo). We all know how electric bills have gone up, but what if you were living on the edge financially.
In April, May, and June, we have helped 45 families overcome financial issues (37 for BGE); 125 requested assistance. We cannot help everyone (ask Dick Moore for the criteria). In those three months, Cecilia McKay disbursed over $9,000! Without your help, we will need to say no to even more folks in need.
Please consider earmarking $50 or $100 to Cecilia McKay Fund for families in need. Thank you!
In Our Community
Closing Out the Season with St. John’s & a Cookout
This Sunday, August 24, 2PM, we’re taking the field against St. John’s at Elvaton #1. Following the game, we’ll celebrate the end of the season with a cookout at 3:30PM.
No experience required and you already made the team! Qualifications include: you must bring a smile, and be at least 16 years of age by December 31. No full-time commitment is necessary.
If you are interested, contact Andrew Wiley at 443.867.8803 or wileyas1@gmail.com.
A Moment of Prayer
Gracious God, as you reveal yourself to us we pray for a willingness to discern and perceive. Enable us to be not just story-tellers but story-doers. Let our hearts be open to who you would have us be and what you would have us do. We give thanks for your persistent presence in our lives.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
