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February 26, 2026

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Lenten Devotional Now Available
• Download Our Lent Brochure
• Coffeehouse Concert, February 28
• The Prince of Egypt Tickets
• Cecilia McKay Summary for Calendar Year 2025
• Tech Volunteers Needed
• Lost & Found
• Sunday Kindness Crossroads
• Summer Activities for Kids
• Save the Date for WoodsWork 2026
• Adult Education Offerings for Lent
• Opportunities to Serve During Lent
• Adult Mission Trip, April 20–25
  

Pastor's Message

Friends, this Sunday we are celebrating Communion in the Sunday morning worship services, as is our practice now as a congregation on the first Sunday of the month. Recently, I’ve been in several conversations in which people have asked different questions about why we do what we do in celebrating Communion, so I thought I’d address some of those in the newsletter this week.

Q: Do Presbyterians believe anything “happens” in Communion, or is it just symbolic?

Presbyterians are part of the Reformed theological tradition, which originated with John Calvin and the Protestant Reformation in Geneva, Switzerland. From the outset, Reformed theology has always argued that we don’t simply remember Jesus in Communion, but that Christ is actually present in the sacrament each time we celebrate it. Instead of Jesus “coming down” to be physically present in the bread and wine, as our Roman Catholic friends believe, Reformed Christians believe that the Holy Spirit lifts us up into Christ’s presence through the bread and wine, feeding and strengthening us in spirit and in faith with Christ. That is why you hear a lot of language in the communion prayers about God “pouring out” the Holy Spirit upon us and upon the bread and wine, so that we can be nourished spiritually on Christ. In fact, this is why Reformed worship has traditionally had those who are serving communion receive it themselves before they serve others! This is not because of anything hierarchical, but rather out of the spiritual conviction that that one has to first receive Christ in the sacrament in order to be able to share Christ in it.

Q: What’s the difference between calling it the Lord’s Supper, Communion, or the Eucharist?

It’s really more of a distinction than a difference; each of those terms has a particular theological emphasis, but without excluding the others. “Lord’s Supper” emphasizes that it is Christ who initiated the sacrament and commanded us to do so, as well. “Communion” emphasizes that Christ is truly present in the sacrament; we are communing with Christ, not simply remembering him. And “Eucharist” is based on the Greek word for thanksgiving, so it emphasizes that we respond to communion with Christ with gratitude and joy.

Q: Why do we have Communion once a month? Shouldn’t it be ony on special occasions?

Actually, John Calvin, the founder of the Reformed tradition, thought Communion was so important that we should celebrate it at least once a week! At the time of the Reformation, Roman Catholics generally only took Communion once a year; Calvin felt this was depriving most Christians of one of the most reliable experiences of God’s grace. Recognizing that many would feel that once a week was too big of a leap from once a year, he proposed once a month instead, but even then the Session was only willing to approve four times a year. Calvin conceded defeat, but said that while he thought this was wrong, he hoped future generations would correct it. That took awhile, but in the 1970s Presbyterians and other Reformed Christians finally began rethinking their practices around Communion in light of early Reformation theology. Again, most congregations felt once a week was too big of a leap, though some have done that. But once a month became a common practice so that Communion would feel like a regular and integral part of worship; a meal to sustain us rather than a rare treat.

I hope you found this interesting and helpful. What other questions do you have about Communion? Let me know and I will try to address them in the future!

Grace and peace,

—Pastor JC

Church News

Lenten Devotional Now Available

Our Lenten devotional, Discipleship in a Divided Age, is available. Click here to download a copy.

This daily devotional helps to anchor us in scripture and guide our spiritual practices during this sacred season. This devotional follows the Gospel of Matthew and speaks directly into our moment. Through daily reflections, thoughtful questions and weekly visio divina practices, this resource invites us to live faithfully amid division and uncertainty.

Download Our Lent Brochure

Our Lent brochure provides information about all the worship services, programs, and special activities taking place at Woods Church during the Lenten season. We invite you to explore the many opportunities for prayer, reflection, fellowship, and spiritual growth as we journey together toward Easter.

For complete details on dates, times, and events, click here to download a copy or pick one up at the church.

The Prince of Egypt Tickets Are Now Available

On March 13–15 & 19–21, 7:30PM, & Saturdays, March 14 & 21, 2PM, Woods Church will present The Prince of Egypt, a sweeping, epic musical featuring music and lyrics by Grammy and Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz, with a book by Philip LaZebnik. This powerful story follows two brothers—one destined to rule as Pharaoh, the other called to rise up and free his true people. Both must confront a destiny that will change history forever.

The cost is $20 per ticket.

Important Notes:

• Due to the inability to fully blackout all windows in the performance area, matinee performances will have ambient sunlight entering the space.
• This production includes strobe lighting effects, loud noises, and scenes depicting fighting and stage combat.
• This show depicts intense situation and thematic elements adapted from the book of Exodus. While children are welcome to attend, parental guidance is suggested.

Cecilia McKay Summary for Calendar Year 2025

As can be imagined, requests for financial assistance from Woods Church continue to raise. From January 1–December 31, 2025, Woods received 406 requests for assistance. Of those, Woods provided funds to 147 families (12 each month) to prevent evictions or utility shut-off.

• Total Cecilia McKay expenditures during calendar year 2025 = $ 31,612.51
• Total donations from Woods members & organizations = $ 35,522

Thank you for your generosity and continued support of the Cecilia McKay Fund!

Tech Volunteers Needed

Easy to learn! We’re currently looking for volunteers to help with running slides and cameras during our worship services. This would be a great opportunity to support our church behind the scenes and/or pick up a new skill or two!

If you’re interested in helping or have any questions, email Eric Willner at ewillner@woodschurch.org.

Lost & Found

Please check the Church Office’s Lost & Found for items that you are missing. Items will sit on the counter for one week and then will be housed in the sliding cabinet under the staff mailboxes. The collection will be donated at the turn of the next season, so please check the cabinet if you are missing something!

Water bottles, jewelry, and eyeglasses often turn up—have faith!

Youth News

Save the Date for WoodsWork 2026

WoodsWork 2026 will be held June 22–30. We are still finalizing our location, but we are hoping to open registration by the end of the year! Download the flyer for more details.

Children's News

Sunday Kindness Crossroads

Kindness Connection for Lent is back with Kindness Crossroads. Find Ms. Kat at the Sunday School crossroads, lower level, following the 9:30AM service to make your Kindness Connection at the crossroad of Sunday’s stories and your week. You can make a path from Ash Wednesday to Easter—because Kindness Connections count!

Summer Day Camps for Kids

This year, Woods will be offering more than one camp. You will select which camps your child(ren) would like to attend from the additional items selection. Please remember to print out the the attached below form(s) for the camp(s) you will be attending.

Register online and keep reading for more information on the programs that are available.

Art & the Bible

I Am Who I Am: God in Scripture and the Arts

From Monday–Friday June 6–10, children in K–grade 5 will participate in an innovative approach to Bible study to explore biblical images and names of God through the Bible, paired with their creativity and artistic expression. An Art Reception will take place Friday at 2:30PM, sharing the children's work with their friends and family.

The week-long day camp will include two snacks; participants will bring their own lunch. Water will be provided. The cost is $425/child. Scholarships are available. Registration is limited.

Questions? Please contact our Children's Ministry at children@woodschurch.org.

The program was developed by the Center for Excellence in Christian Education, Union Presbyterian Seminary.

Vacation Bible Study Day Camp

Be Strong and Courageous | Joshua 1:9

This year’s VBS program will take place Monday–Friday, July 13–17. Children in grades K–grade 5 will learn how God helps us to be strong and courageous. How does God encourage us? How is God with us? We will explore the sights, sounds, feels, and joys of Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” What does this look like in our community, in our times?

The week-long day camp will include two snacks; participants will bring their own lunch. Water will be provided. The cost is $425/child. Scholarships are available. Registration is limited.

Questions? Please contact our Children's Ministry at children@woodschurch.org.

The program was developed by Kat Green, national spokesperson for children and Biblical Literacy and Director of Children's Ministry at Woods Church.

VBS Express

During VBS week, kids 2 years old through grade 5 are welcome to join us at VBS Express from 4–6 pm. It’ll be all aboard to travel through Bible stories with songs, movement, art, and fun! You’ve got wings!

The cost is $50/child with a $100 family max. VBS Day Camp registration includes participation in VBS Express. No meal will be served, but a snack will be provided to all participants.

Education & Small Groups

Passed Our Limitations: The Power of Community

I’ll Push You is the story of two friends who embark on a spiritual journey across the Camino de Santiago. What makes their pilgrimage remarkable is that one friend pushes the other who is confined to a wheelchair. Their book provides insights into friendship and community while exploring spiritual truths that remind us to embrace life even when we experience limitations.

Like the themes in the book, the emphasis during Lent is self-reflection, simplicity and spiritual discipline. Join us on Sundays, February 22–March 22, 11AM, as we explore spiritual disciplines that push past our limitations and draw us closer to God.

Class will be held in Room 208 and on Zoom.

Incarnated Spirituality: Integrating Heart and Head

Our society compartmentalizes life on multiple levels. We have mental health and physical health. There are entire schools of psychology that focus on emotional health, and millions of pages have been written about spiritual health. But life is messy and in reality, these multiple facets of our life are intimately related. Affliction in any one area affects the others. Purposeful-focused walking is one of the best ways to break the barriers between mental, physical, and spiritual health. Walking helps the body and the mind to become synchronized so that through self-reflection we can draw closed to God.

For five Sundays during Lent, we will incorporate walking, spiritual practices and other experiential lessons to focus attention inward. Through this process we can recognize the holy places that feed our spirit.

We will meet on Sundays, March 1–29, 3:30PM, in Founder’s Room, for brief instruction on the day’s walk and meditation. We will walk for about an hour (4–5PM) at various locations and return to Woods around 5PM for fellowship and sharing the experience. Participants unable to walk for an hour will have an experiential lesson at Woods.

Weekly Bible Study

Lead Pastor JC Austin and our Interim Pastoral Associate Sarah Wilson 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.

Mission News

Opportunities to Serve During Lent

During the season of Lent, our Missions Ministry is encouraging you to serve our local and international communities in two ways.

• Serving People Across Neighborhoods (SPAN): Continue to fight hunger during Lent by stopping by the Missions Table behind the Welcome Desk on Sundays, February 22–March 22, and pick up a blue SPAN bag with an attached list of needed items. Fill and return your blue SPAN bag on or any time before 3/22/26. The attached list also has a QR-code to order from Amazon and ship directly to SPAN. Thank you for your continued support of SPAN!

• Cuba UPDATE: Please pray deeply for the people of Cuba during this Lenten season. Unfortunately, the planned Mission Trip to Cuba has been canceled due to a severe fuel crisis that has led to the suspension of international flights. As a result, Cuba will no longer be receiving the much-needed supplies that were to be delivered during this trip.
  

Save the Date: Adult Mission Trip

Woods adults are welcome to join us on a Mission Trip, Monday–Saturday, April 20–25. We will travel to Richmond, Virginia, and work with the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity affiliate. We are looking for 10+ volunteers.

Click the button below to download an informational flyer. Contact Tom Lerario at txlerario@gmail.com or Scott Rundle at srundle69@gmail.com with questions and/or to sign up.