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February 5, 2026

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Pastor Nancy’s Retirement
• New Members Class, February 15
• Coffeehouse Concert, February 28
• Winter Relief Thank You
• The Prince of Egypt Tickets
• Prince of Egypt Family Movie Night
• Adult Mission Trip, April 20–25
• Won’t You Be My Valentine?
• Super Bowl of Caring
• Summer Activities for Kids
• High School Ski Trip
• Save the Date for WoodsWork 2026
• New Adult Ed Series
• Weekly Bible Study
• Support SPAN
  

Pastor's Message

Friends, as you all know by now, this is a big weekend in the life of Woods Church. After 23 years of good and faithful service, the Rev. Nancy Lincoln Reynolds is retiring from both her position as Associate Pastor here at Woods Church and from congregational ministry in general. In retirement, Nancy will be focusing on her psychotherapy ministry and will continue serving as the Director of the Woods Care and Counseling Center.

Given that, first I want to remind you that we will be having one combined worship service this Sunday, February 8, at 9:30AM, in the Sanctuary. Nancy will be preaching that service, which you will not want to miss!

Following the service, there will be a brief Congregational Meeting to formally act upon her request to retire and therefore “dissolve the pastoral relationship,” in the language of the Presbyterian Church. After that, there will be a reception in Fellowship Hall with a brief presentation, but which is mostly an opportunity for you to enjoy being with each other and to speak to Nancy informally as she concludes her ministry among us.

Second, the Presbytery of Baltimore, which supervises pastors and their calls to congregations, asks that we clarify their policies on the nature of pastoral relationships going forward in advance of our Congregational Meeting. There are some particular requirements and expectations that are designed by the presbytery to be helpful both to Nancy and to us as we move forward after her retirement. First, you won’t be seeing her in worship on Sunday mornings for a good while; the presbytery requires her to worship elsewhere during the pastoral transition so there is some space for us to get used to worship life without her and to make space for the eventual new associate pastor to step in. Second, retirement means retirement in the eyes of the presbytery: retired pastors are no longer to engage in any pastoral or administrative duties in the church where they served. So, a retired pastor is not available for things like pastoral care, hospital visits, baptisms, or to officiate weddings or funerals on her own for members of the church that they served (she can be invited to participate in sacraments/services by the church pastor, but not to officiate them herself). Ongoing social connections are perfectly fine, of course, but it’s no longer permissible for her to discuss anything about the life, ministry, or membership of Woods Church.

If you have any questions about any of these requirements, please reach out to me and I will try to answer them.

With that clarified, let us now focus on what will be a wonderful weekend of joy and celebration with Nancy!

Grace and peace,

—Pastor JC

Church News

Pastor Nancy’s Retirement

Our dearly loved Pastor Nancy Lincoln Reynolds will retire from both Woods Church and pastoral ministry this February. In countless ways through her pastoral care, preaching, and leadership, she has helped guide, nurture, and support our congregation and the larger community. We are planning events in Nancy’s honor on the weekend of February 7 and 8.

One of the ways we will celebrate Nancy’s ministry among us is through what the church often calls a “Love Offering,” meaning a financial gift that expresses our love and gratitude for her and her ministry among us. If you would like to contribute to this gift, you may do so in several ways. With cash or check, please put it in an envelope with Nancy’s name on the memo line for the envelope and check itself. You can either mail them in or leave the envelopes in the drop safe attached to the end of mailboxes in the Church Office.

Alternatively, you may give online at woodschurch.org. The last option is to text “WOODS NLR” to 73256 from your mobile device.

We encourage you to be as generous in your giving as Nancy has been in her spirit and service to God through our church.

New Date for New Members Class

We would love for your to join our family! Our next new members class, which was scheduled for Sunday, February 1, will now be held on Sunday, February 15, 10:45AM, in Founders Room.

If you have questions or would like to RSVP, contact Kathie Hamlett at khamlett@woodschurch.org.

Thank You For Making Winter Relief a Huge Success

Thanks to the Woods congregation for participating in Winter Relief for Arundel House of Hope. You should know that our Winter Relief Guests love us because:

• We have a large contingent of the Woods congregation that participate.
• We have so many people at Woods develop a relationship with them.
• We have lots of space.
• We have way too much food.

Special thanks to:

Peggy Newman and Krystine Milewski who did a great job in their role as the dinner leads despite the challenges. Thank you, Peggy and Krystine!

Scott Smith and Linda Eggbeer who did a great job running breakfast. Thank you, Linda and Scott!

Overnight Chaperones are angels, some double angels, and three triple angels. Scott Rundle, Karen Hajj, and Alan Becknell stayed over two nights sleeping and all day at the church during the storm, so we could have chaperones in the church. Ralph Moore was able to spend one night. Note: all Overnight Chaperones are the greatest.

Pat Haun is a Triple Angel for getting us showers at 8PM at the Community Center, after years of trying to make shower time way earlier. Many more guests were able to shower.

Emily Seltzer and Karen Jackson who did a great job organizing all the supplies!

The high school youth who volunteered did a great job, and many came back even when they had not signed up, including during the storm.

Thanks to all who participated!

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.

Prince of Egypt Family Movie Night

We are excited to announce our Prince of Egypt Movie Night on Friday, February 13, 7PM. We will be having a potluck dinner and viewing of the DreamWorks version of Prince of Egypt. Dinner begins at 5:30PM in the Fellowship Hall, followed by the movie in the Sanctuary at 7PM. Feel free to come for all or just part of this fun gathering. This event is free to all, but we ask that you consider contributing a dish/snack/dessert to share. The church will provide pizza.

Click here to RSVP. We are looking forward to seeing you there, if you have any questions please email Alyssa Barlis at performingarts@woodschurch.org.

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.

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

Won't You Be My Valentine?

Yes, we are once again gathering valentine’s day cards for our home bound friends. You can hand paint them ( L.R. last year), fold them (L.L.), or get down-right crafty! Drop your valentines into the basket near the Welcome Desk, or come to a Crafting and Cupcakes Valentines Making birthday party on Tuesday, February 10, 3–5PM, in Room 155.

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.

Everyone is Welcome in Worship at Woods

Sometimes little ears are sensory sensitive. Therefore, the Children’s Ministry has noise dampening headphones available on Sunday mornings. See Kat or Lindsey to sign out a set of headphones. Return them after the service. The headphones are cleaned after each use and ear guards will be changed.

This is one way that Woods Church works to be inclusive of all from the tall to the small!

Education & Small Groups

More Than Time: Measuring Days in Wisdom

“Teach us O’ Lord to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:12

NOT a class about time management, NOT a class about New Year’s Resolutions...

• What is a “heart of wisdom?”
• What is the role and purpose of time in God’s creation?
• The difference between a busier life & a better life
• How does a person measure their life?

Led by David Lohff, whose eclectic journey as a pastor, hospice chaplain, business owner, and fitness instructor may be helpful to point out scenery as we observe life together.

Join us on Sundays through February 19, 11AM, in Room 208 and on Zoom.

Weekly Bible Study

Lead Pastor JC 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.

Mission News

Urgent November Food Drive for SPAN

Did you know 1 in 9 Marylanders may no longer receive SNAP benefits due to impending stoppage of federal food aid? This will have an immediate effect on food requests above and beyond our typical needs.

Please donate canned vegetables, canned meats and fish, beans, pasta, rice, instant potatoes, broth, bouillon, canned fruit, laundry detergent, dish soap, deodorant, and toothpaste. Place donations in SPAN bins behind the Welcome Desk in the Church lobby.