Messenger | August 27, 2025
Messenger | August 27, 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
- Free Watercolor Workshop
- 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
- Music Ministry is Tuning Up
- Cuba Mission Trip
- Support the Cecilia McKay Fund
Pastor's Message
This coming weekend is Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, despite the Autumnal Equinox being almost a month away. And in many ways, summer has effectively come to an end already. Our children and youth are already back in school, and I myself was away last Sunday helping my son Liam move into his dorm for a new semester of college. So, while many of us will celebrate Labor Day this weekend with some grilling, smoking, and/or steaming (this will be the first time I’ve had crabs for Labor Day!), it is time to look towards the fall.
Here at Woods, the fall will get off to a quick start; in fact, Sunday School has already started! But Sunday, September 7, will be both Kick-Off Sunday and the last Sunday on our summer schedule. Starting September 14, we will return to a Traditional Service at 9:30AM and a Contemporary Service at 11AM. On September 7, though, we will worship together at one service at 9:30AM and then move into the activities of Kick-Off Sunday. First, there will be a Ministry Mall in Fellowship Hall, which will open at 8:45AM and re-open following the service. This is a wonderful way to learn about the various dimensions of our mission and ministry as a congregation, and to find places where you’d like to join in and serve or find out more information about what’s involved in doing that. Following the Ministry Mall, we will have a picnic and activities around Boone Station, including not only the beloved Bouncy House for children, but pony rides and a petting zoo!!! So please mark your calendar to be part of this wonderful start to the fall together.
Finally, this coming Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of my first Sunday preaching at Woods as your pastor! It has been a very quick and very joyful and fulfilling year, and I am extremely grateful to be here and a part of this congregation as we look towards an exciting and dynamic future together.
Blessings and peace,
—Pastor J.C.
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!
Free Watercolor Workshop
Looking for a meaningful way to relax, create, and connect with your inner artist? Join our Watercolor Workshop and dive into a colorful world of self-expression. No experience needed!
The workshop will be held in Fellowship Hall, 10AM–12PM.
Register online.
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.
Youth News
WoodsWork in Review
Check out these pics from WoodsWork 2025, our house-building mission trip for high school youth!
Education & Small Groups
New Adult Education Class
Adult Education is offering a new study on Sundays, September 14–October 19, 11AM, featuring Matthew: the Gospel of Promised Blessing, by professor M. Skinner. Matthew portrays Jesus and his message as full of tender compassion and urgent warning. This six-part exploration of an enigmatic Gospel takes us into the themes, topics, and tensions at the heart of Matthew’s story about the life and work of Jesus.
We will meet in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom. Books are available in the office.
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. 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.
Music News
Music Ministry is Tuning Up
Be a part of our Music Ministry at Woods! For questions about our choirs, bands, or arts offerings, email David Merrill at
dmerrill@woodschurch.org.
Adult Choir
Come join us as we sing and lead worship through all styles of music. All are welcome to come and sing! We rehearse Thursday evenings at 7PM, beginning
August 28, in the choir room. We look forward to having you with us!
Children's Choir
Come join us as we sing and lead worship through all styles of music. All are welcome to come and sing! We rehearse Thursday evenings at 7PM, beginning
August 28, in the choir room. We look forward to having you with us!
SEEK Band | Grades 6–12
Do you play an instrument, enjoy singing, or just love music? Then come on out! Any youth in grades 6–12, can join our SEEK BAND. The SEEK BAND offers music for worship regularly, with many wonderful solo and musical opportunities. Our first rehearsal is Sunday, September 14, 12:15–1PM, in the Choir Room.
Praise Band
Do you play an instrument, sing, or just love music? Then join our Praise Band! Our Praise Band leads worship at the 11AM service, with rehearsals on Thursday nights at 7PM. Reach out to Sarah Kent with any questions at
skent@woodschurch.org.
Open Dance Classes
In order to bring our 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!
Open to anyone ages 12 and over in and 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 21, 2–3:15PM, in Fellowship Hall. For more information email Alyssa Barlis at
alyssabarlis@gmail.com.
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!
Cuba Mission Trip
Please consider being part of a Woods trip to our partner church in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. The dates are March 10–17, and approximate cost is $1,800. Marty Clayton will be at the Missions table on Kick-off Sunday to answer any questions.
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.
