Messenger | August 6, 2025

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Confirmation Class Registration is Open
• Welcome Junghoon Park to Woods
• Support the Cecilia McKay Fund
• Mission Team is Back from Malawi
• Youth Group is Collecting Donations
• August is a Month of Beginnings!
• Pastors’ Bible Study Resumes Next Wednesday at a New Time
• Presbyterian Women’s Circle Bible Study
• Softball vs. St. Andrew’s
  

Pastor's Message

As we head into the weeks preceding Fall we begin to close out the mission of Stewardship that builds our budget foundation for the year. As you recall, our Stewardship theme comes from Isaiah’s encouragement to “perceive and believe” the new things God is doing (Isaiah 43: 19, “Behold, I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”); and then to embrace and act on them.

As a community of faith one of the ways we may perceive what God has done is by sharing personal experiences of God’s “doing” that spring forth consistently.  Since we did not meet our proposed Stewardship pledge needs that would allow us to engage and enact the ministries’ plans for Woods this next year, (we are about $350,000 short of where we would like to be) we want to offer another opportunity for additional pledging for 2025–2026.

Let me introduce “WoodsWords!” WoodsWords will take the form of a booklet that will include YOUR perceptions and experiences of God’s “things” (old and new) so that others can be made aware of what you perceive as God springs forth. Our Youth are sharing their stories of God’s revelations to them along with the perceptions that longer-time members of Woods Church have had. 

You will receive a copy of this collection of perceptions booklet when you contribute from $1.00 to $100,000!  You may send your stories and perceptions to us by email at WoodsWords@woodschurch.org or write them down and place them at the Information Booth or front desk.

We know this is a large amount that we anticipate collecting…but so is the service, faithfulness and care that Woods Church provides to this congregation and to the community.  You may make your WoodsWords pledge either online or by placing your WoodsWords pledge card (available after August 13) in the offering plate on Sundays or leaving it at the front desk.

Perceiving God and enabling that perception to spring to life in faith, words and action will make our faith budget possible. We are reminded in Isaiah that God formed us for the purpose of praising God. Let us share in such praise together as we share our perceptions of God in our lives!

Blessings all,

—Pastor Nancy

Church News

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.

Welcome Junghoon Park to Woods Church

Please join us in welcoming Junghoon (Jung) Park to Woods Church as our new Organist/Accompanist!

Jung is a graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and an accomplished musician with a rich background in solo and collaborative artistry, actively performing in the DMV area. He has participated in prestigious events such as the National Music Festival, Wonderlic Competition, Liszt-Garrison Competition, and the International Keyboard Institute festival. Jung will bring a rich and accomplished artistry in classical music to Woods as well as his musicianship in jazz, gospel, and contemporary music.

He’s extremely excited to be with us at Woods Church. Be sure to say “Hi” when you see him!

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!

Mission Team is Back from Malawi

The Ministry of Hope – Malawi Mission Team is home safely after a long delay on our return flight. The team presented multiple math workshops at two of Ministry of Hope’s community-based village centers. In total, over 450 students received additional math tutoring to help prepare them for end-of-year exams this month. Funds from Woods Church enabled us to provide all of these orphaned teens with math kits for the next school year. We also left materials to provide writing workshops later this summer. These workshops will be led by college students studying education at the African Bible College in Lilongwe.

In addition, the team participated in two mobile medical clinics funded by Woods. These clinics provided medical care and medication to over 800 people in two days. The team also made 12 home visits. Community center directors arranged for us to visit families in the village who had particular needs. We shared rice, sugar, oil, soap, corn meal, and sweet treats for the children with each family. One grandmother we visited did not even have straw mats for sleeping. She and her grandchildren slept on the dirt floor of their hut (with the roof caving in). She tries hard to keep the children in school, but they often need to do piece work on farms. This year, she did not harvest enough corn to have food through the rainy season. This story was repeated over and over. The poverty and needs in Malawi are overwhelming.

We met extraordinary Malawians working hard to improve the lives of their people, especially children, across central Malawi. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve with them for two weeks.

Thanks to Woods for all you do to improve life for orphans and their extended families in Malawi.

Youth News

Youth Group is Collecting Donations

Our Youth Group will be collecting donations for Hygiene Kits this Sunday, August 10, in the church lobby before and after worship. We will be assembling the kits at our Mission Lock-In next weekend, and donating them to the Anne-Arundel House of Hope.

We are looking for donations of:

• Soap
• Shampoo
• Toothbrushes/Toothpaste
• Deodorant

And if you are in 6th–12th grade, consider joining Woods youth for our Mission Lock-In on Friday–Saturday, August 15–16. Click the button below for more details and to sign up.

Children's News

August is a Month of Beginnings!

The start of school is RIGHT around the CORNER! Mark your calendar now for Sunday, August 24, the week before school starts. Bring your backpack, sports bag, lacrosse stick, soccer shin guards, or what have you for a time of blessing and celebration during the children’s moment in worship. Friends and neighbors are invited, too!

Then, be ready to bounce into the new program year with our kick-off event on Sunday, September 7, following our 9:30AM worship service. Get ready for friendships, good food, more stories, and more fun!

Education & Small Groups

Pastors’ Bible Study: New Time

Lead Pastor J.C. Austin and Associate Pastor Nancy Lincoln Reynolds offer a weekly Bible Study on Wednesdays, 12PM, 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 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 on August 10, 17, & 24. We will make this study available on Zoom also. 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.

In Our Community

Game Day vs. St. Andrew's Church

Game On! This Sunday, August 10, 3:30PM, we’re taking the field against St. Andrew’s Church at Elvaton #1.

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

God our shepherd,

you are our safe place, our shelter,

our ground, our breath.

We turn to you in hope and trust,

knowing we have come this far by faith,

and you will guide us all the way

Mold our daily patterns for your purposes

so that we may live as one heart and mind

with you and our neighbors,

rejoicing together and praising your holy name,

through Jesus the Christ.

Amen.

From Call to Worship Volume 59.1