Messenger | July 1623, 2025

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Thanks for Making VBS a Success
• Meet the Artist: My Mosaic Journey
• SPAN Thanks You!
• Support the Cecilia McKay Fund
• Pastors’ Bible Study
• Woods Takes on SP United Methodist
  

Pastor's Message

Friends, I’m excited to be starting a new sermon series this week that picks up on the theme of “Perceiving God’s New Thing Springing Forth” that originated in our Stewardship Campaign and has continued to have resonance with our ministry this summer and looking towards the fall. You may remember that this theme was drawn from Isaiah 43:19: “I am about to do a new thing. Now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

It’s always been one of my favorite verses of Scripture, because it encapsulates so much of God’s character and purposes and promises and actions in one single verse. It begins with the assurance that God does new things, which may not be obvious because both Judaism and Christianity often focus on remembering what God has done rather than what God is doing. But indeed, one of the most important reasons for remembering what God has done is to help us perceive the new things that God is doing. While these things may be new, they fit the pattern of what God does because of who God is: the One who makes a clear path through the chaos and confusion of the wilderness; the one who brings life-giving water in the parched deadliness of the desert.

In this sermon series, then, we will explore how we can perceive some of God’s new things that are starting to spring forth in our life together, beginning this Sunday with the theme of “Going Out.” So much of church life in the United States since World War II has focused on the question of, “how do we get people to come to our church building and join in the ministries happening here?” But we are in an age now where more and more people are not asking, “where should I go to church on Sunday?” Many are not even asking, “why should I go to church on Sunday?” So one new thing to perceive is how we spend less time trying to get more people to come in, and more time trying to go out and connect with people where they are. Subsequent weeks will focus on “Letting Go,” “Building Up,” and “Digging Deep.”

As we go through this series, I want to ask each of you to do three things. First, in the week after the sermon, pray each day for God to help you and us perceive the new things that God is doing related to that week’s sermon thing, and to help us perceive how we can respond in faithful ministry. Second, as you perceive new things springing forth, share them! Send photos or thoughts to info@woodschurch.org, or leave them with a Receptionist in the Church Office. And, finally, over the course of this sermon series, consider how you can support this church’s growing mission to embrace and join in with the

new things God is doing through your own ministry of giving.

If you have not made a pledge yet for the coming year of church ministry, please do so. And if you have already made a pledge, I invite you use this season to consider whether you might be able to increase that pledge. New, renewed, and increased pledges can make a particularly big impact right now. The Session has an ambitious agenda for our ministry and life together in this new year, including new ministry goals and emphases, new program activities, and new staffing to help us reach our goals. To fulfill that plan, we still need to increase our pledged amount by $350,000 to fully support the church’s mission in the new year. Your new or increased pledge can make all the difference in helping us to step into this exciting future to which God is calling us.

So, as we worship through the next few weeks and explore these exciting possibilities and opportunities, I invite you to engage this sermon series with curious ears, sharp minds, and open hearts, and let us see what new things spring up all around us through God!

Peace and blessings,

—Pastor J.C.

Church News

Thanks for Making VBS a Success

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the volunteers and church ministry groups who truly stepped up to make VBS 2025 a resounding success! VBS is not just an event for Woods, but a celebration shared with our surrounding community. We couldn't have achieved everything without the unwavering support from each phenomenal volunteer in our Children's Ministry, from Woods, and the surrounding community.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the dedicated VBS teachers, classroom aides, and specialty instructors who generously gave their time and energy, ensuring the children had a week filled with love and fun. We also are grateful to the Youth Ministry and Oliver for fearlessly leading the teen volunteers, who seamlessly filled multiple roles throughout the week.

Thank you to Roxann and the CDC for their invaluable support and for providing the classrooms and spaces we needed. A special thank you to the Music Ministry, whose singing and worship set the perfect tone each VBS day.

Our gratitude extends to the Outreach, Adult and Small Group, Welcome, and Missions Ministry teams for their volunteers, support, and guidance in planning and preparing for the 2025 VBS season, as well as their continued help throughout the week. The Properties Ministry ensured our classrooms were in perfect condition, and the Finance Ministry supported our budgetary needs, allowing us to provide all the necessary supplies for the children.

Lastly, we express our sincere thanks to the Deacons, Pastor J.C., and Pastor Nancy for their love, support, and guidance throughout the year, especially during VBS. The event was a huge success, collecting five wagonloads of donations for SPAN. The children also had the opportunity to hear from Julie VanHassent from SPAN during their Mission time, learning how their contributions help various community members.

We thoroughly enjoyed spending the week

teaching the children to walk humbly, practice love and kindness, and stand up for justice for themselves and others. We’re already looking forward to VBS 2026 and welcoming all our volunteers and families back for another amazing week of fun and learning.

SPAN Thanks You!

Our Vacation Bible School Food Drive for SPAN was a tremendous success! The children and their families donated a total of 326 items—including a large assortment of canned products, sides, condiments, snacks, and toiletries. The children certainly learned the importance of caring for one another, and providing for those who go without.

Meet the Artist: My Mosaic Journey

Join us on Thursday, July 24, 4:30–6:20PM, to meet with Woods Church member Terri Allen Jackson as she features her art exhibit, “My Mosaic Journey.” The exhibit showcases her journey featuring several of her collections. This will be an interactive exhibit as you can scan QR codes on each mosaic and view a video on the process of each piece from inspiration, to trials and errors, to grouting, and finishing.

If you miss the event, a brochure is available on her collection in the hallway where her art is displayed.

For more information about exhibiting at the Woods Gallery, please reach out to Jenny Henry at jennyhenry118@comcast.net or Sharon West at sharonswest@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!

Education & Small Groups

Pastors’ Bible Study

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.

In Our Community

Game Day vs. SP United Methodist

Game On! This Sunday, July 27, 2PM, we’re taking the field against SP United Methodist at Cypress #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