Messenger | July 9, 2025

July 10, 2025

Messenger | July 9, 2025

 This week's release at a glance:

  • Pastor’s Message
  • Make a Difference for SPAN
  • Mission Team Lands in Malawi
  • We’re Looking for a Part-Time Custodian
  • Medical Professional Volunteers Needed
  • Trip to Visit Our Cuban Partners
  • It’s Almost VBS Week at Woods
  • Pastors’ Bible Study
  • Softball Game vs. St. John’s

Pastor's Message

As we continue to pursue the focus of this year’s Stewardship theme, Perceiving God’s New Things, we may be thankful for the many new things emerging around us at Woods. Our Mission Ministry has just commissioned a new team to ministry in Malawi, WoodsWork built three new houses for families in Ohio, Vacation Bible School will welcome some children new to the program this year, and we recently made new clearings for trees on the campus. A new generation of birds are out there likely watching new Pickleball activities.


One of the things we do best here at Woods is to cultivate and birth new things, and we enjoy perceiving and participating in God’s new things. This Sunday, Sarah Wilson will be preaching and proclaiming God’s Word among us. Sarah is an Inquirer with the Baltimore Presbytery sponsored by Woods Church in the process toward ordination. There is much to perceive that God is doing here.


As we consider that and how these new things are perceived, we are grateful to be a part of this family of faith (whether you are newly born or newly 98 or 107 like Ginny Jensen and Charlie Phelps respectively). Join us in worshiping this Sunday and perceive some of these new things for yourself!


Grace and peace,


—Pastor Nancy

Church News

Make a Difference for SPAN

Please help our children “Build a House” during Vacation Bible School next week with donated items for SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods)!


Food insecurity does not take the summer off and our children will be learning about service. Please consider donating canned meats, rice, instant and canned potatoes, pasta and sauce, canned vegetables, syrup, jelly, cereals, pancake mix, coffee, tea, brownie and cake mixes, with frostings, laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo, deodorant, soap, and toothpaste.


Donations can be dropped off Sunday–Thursday, July 13–17. Look for the “House” the children build in the Church lobby at the end of the week. Thank you!


Mission Team Lands in Malawi

The Woods Mission Team arrived in Lilongwe, capital of Malawi, on Tuesday afternoon, July 8, tired and excited to serve. They filled your donated suitcases with over $3,000 worth of donated medications, more than 200 pairs of shoes donated mostly by Woods CDC families, and lovingly made prayer shawls for the staff of Ministry of Hope. The suitcases will be given to students who have received MOH scholarships to universities and technical schools. Thank you each for your generous contribution(s).


Additional suitcase donations will be used for future Cuba trip donations. Again, thanks for your generosity.


Please continue to keep our Mission Team in your prayers: Kathy Lohff, Cathy Hess, Scott Rundle, Andy Hilder, and Allison Hilder. They’ll be in Malawi through July 22.

Woods Seeks Custodian

Woods is seeking a part-time custodian to work Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The position description includes hours and required tasks. Interested candidates should contact Jason Jackson at jjackson@woodschurch.org.



Download Job Description

Medical Professional Volunteers Needed

Woods is looking for members who are either physicians, physician's assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, anyone in the medical field, who would be willing to note their presence in a particular worship service or church event (musical production, etc.)—in the event there is a medical emergency—and would be able to help assist until the EMTs arrive.


Email Jason Jackson at jjackson@woodschurch.org for more information.

Mission News

Trip to Visit Our Cuban Partners

A trip is being planned by Baltimore Presbytery to central Cuba for November 4–10. This will be an opportunity to meet our Presbyterian brothers and sisters from several churches in El Centro Presbytery, as well as spend time with our friends at Sancti Spíritus.


Our plans are time-sensitive, as visa information will be needed by July 15. Please contact Marty Clayton at mclayton@breezeline.net for more details.


Children's News

Get Ready for VBS

Sign up for Vacation Bible Study! Learn along with your Woods Church friends and family. We will play and pray with music, games/activities, service, art, and worship as we learn about building up our community and ourselves with Micah 6:8.


VBS Supper Club is open to all friends and family. Stop by after work and leave the dishes to us! Register on the Woods Church webpage.


Monday–Thursday, July 14–17, VBS and VBS Supper Club is where all the children of God are gathering!

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. St. John’s

Game On! This Sunday, July 6, 2PM, we’re taking the field against St. John the Evangelist 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

July 4, 2025
Join us for worship on Sunday! This week, Pastor Nancy will preach from Psalm 66: 1–9; Galatians 6: 1–6 and deliver her sermon, titled "Sowing to the Spirit."
July 2, 2025
Pastor’s Message • WoodsWork Recap • Charlie Phelps Celebrates 107th Birthday • Prayers for Our Woods Malawi Mission Team • We’re Looking for a Part-Time Organist/Pianist • Seeking Medical Professionals • Trip to Visit Our Cuban Partners • Get Ready for VBS • Prayers for the Family of Helen Huffard
June 27, 2025
Join us for worship on Sunday! This week, Pastor J.C. will preach from Luke 9:52–61 and deliver his sermon, titled "Call and Response."
June 25, 2025
Pastor’s Message • Pray for WoodsWork • We’re Looking for a Part-Time Organist/Pianist • Associate Pastor Nominating Committee Update • Seeking Medical Professionals • Trip to Visit Our Cuban Partners • Summer Sunday School • VBS Registration: Be Counted • Adult Education: The Reformation & the Republic
June 20, 2025
Join us for worship on Sunday! This week, Pastor J.C. will preach from Luke 8:26–39 and deliver his sermon, titled "Out of Bounds."
June 18, 2025
Pastor’s Message •Pray for WoodsWork • Update from Your Associate Pastor Nominating Committee • Seeking Medical Professionals • Trip to Visit Our Cuban Partners • Summer Sunday School is Something Special! • Kids’ Church Club • VBS Registration: Be Counted • Adult Education Class: The Reformation & the Republic
June 13, 2025
Join us for worship on Sunday! This week, Pastor J.C. will preach from John 16:12–15 and deliver his sermon, titled "Three is a Magic Number."
June 11, 2025
Pastor’s Message • WoodsWork Carwash Thank You • A Time of Transition & Celebration • Save the Date: Annual Holiday Bazaar • Trip to Visit Our Cuban Partners • Missions Support for Food in Cuba • Children’s Sunday School • Kids’ Church Club • VBS Supper Club • Register for VBS • New Adult Education Class: The Reformation & the Republic • Pastors’ Bible Study • Softball Game vs. College Parkway Baptist • Prayers for the Family of Vivian Harquail
June 6, 2025
Join us for worship on Sunday! This week, Pastor J.C. will preach from Acts 2:1–47 and deliver his sermon, titled "Speaking the Language."
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