Messenger is here!

January 14, 2026

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Pastor Nancy’s Retirement
• Winter Relief
• Service of Wholeness, January 21
• New Members Class, February 1
• Adult Mission Trip, April 20–25
• Sunday Fellowship Help Wanted
• Middle School Tubing Trip
• High School Ski Trip
• Save the Date for WoodsWork 2026
• New Adult Ed Series
• Weekly Bible Study
• Music Ministry is Tuning Up
• Urgent Food Drive for SPAN
• Funeral Service for Robert R. Smith, III

Pastor's Message

This coming Sunday is the second Sunday after Epiphany and begins the ecumenical week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Such a focus is especially needed at this time in our world.

I am reminded of the passage from Micah (6:8) that calls us to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. One would think that such a mandate would be obvious for Christians and yet our experiences and the media suggests a different reality. We are ones who seem too often to focus on ourselves and what we want to believe rather than upon God’s will.

This morning, while I was pondering this, I came across an AI summary of the text:

"Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly" comes from the Bible's book of Micah 6:8, summarizing God's core requirements: to act fairly and correct wrongs (do justice), show compassion and forgiveness (love mercy), and live with humility and dependence on God (walk humbly to act fairly and correct wrongs (do justice), show compassion and forgiveness (love mercy), and live with humility and dependence on God (walk humbly). This principle calls for actively promoting fairness and kindness in the world while maintaining a modest, God-centered life, often linked to social justice and ethical living.



It concerns me that a robotic nonhuman entity seems to have a better grasp of God’s meaning than we do at times. I would encourage us to take seriously the PC(USA)’s emphasis for this coming week of Prayer for Unity and intentionally activate it in our lives.

(An additional prayer of thanksgiving for Woods. This is the upcoming unity of Pastors JC and Sarah as they take their vows of unity in marriage this coming Saturday.)

Blessings for justice, mercy and peace,

—Pastor Nancy

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.

Winter Relief

Winter Relief starts on Monday, January 19, and runs through Monday, January 26—and we still need a number of volunteers.

• Evening chaperones (Monday and Wednesday)
• Overnight chaperones (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday)
• Shower escorts (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday)
• High school youth volunteers (every day).

You may sign up online on the church website or in Fellowship Hall this Sunday, January 18. Please help us help the homeless!

If you want more information about Winter Relief and how you can help, please contact Scott Wiley at 410.353.1491 or email wilecoy2us@gmail.com.

Thank you for helping with this important Mission.

Service of Wholeness

There will be a Service of Wholeness on Wednesday, January 21, 6:15PM, in the Sanctuary. This is a deeply spiritual service of prayer, laying on of hands and anointing by the pastors and elders for those experiencing emotional or physical concerns.

If you would like to attend, please contact Maureen Adams at 410.647.2550 or madams@woodschurch.org.

New Members Class

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

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

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.

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

Rehearsals are held Thursdays, 7PM, in the Choir Room. Come join us as we sing and lead worship through all styles of music. All are welcome to come and sing! We look forward to having you with us!

Children’s Choir | Grades 1–5

Our Children’s Choir is held on Sundays, 10:30–11AM, in the Choir Room. Wahoo! Any child in grades 1–5 is welcome to come sing! And yes, we have CANDY!

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.



Rehearsals are held on Sundays, 12:15–1PM, in the Choir Room.

Praise Band

Do you want to lead worship with your voice or an instrument? Then come out and join us! Our Praise Band leads our 11AM Sunday worship service and rehearses on Thursdays, 7PM, in the Sanctuary.

Reach out to Sarah Kent with any questions at skent@woodschurch.org.

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.

Church Family News

Funeral Service for Robert R. Smith, III

A Service of Witness to the resurrection for Bob Smith will be held on Saturday, January 17, 1PM, at Woods Church in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.

Please keep Bob’s wife, Dixie, and all of their family and friends in your prayers.