Messenger is here!

March 25, 2026

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Service of Wholeness, March 25
• Maundy Thursday Dinner Church
• Easter Sunday Greeters Needed
• Children’s Winter Clothing Collection
• Lenten Devotional
• Download Our Lent Brochure
• High School Bible Study
• Sunday Kindness Crossroads
• Summer Activities for Kids
• WoodsWork 2026
• Incarnated Spirituality Class
• Adult Mission Trip, April 20–25
  

Pastor's Message

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, the most important week of the Christian calendar. There are number of deeply meaningful observances and celebrations planned for this week, so let me review those for you and especially take note of the change in time for the Maundy Thursday service.



We begin with Palm Sunday, of course, which is a day of celebration, recalling the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem, when crowds of people lined the streets, waved palms, and laid branches and cloaks on the ground as a sign of honor. So it will be a celebratory day here at Woods! Based on a range of feedback it has received in recent years, the Worship Ministry has decided to try things slightly differently this year for Palm Sunday. Rather than gathering next door at Sunrise and processing to the church, all who are able are invited to gather directly on the steps outside the main entrance of the church by 9:25 am or 10:55 am, depending on the service you are attending; in both cases, we will begin our Palm Sunday Processional there (if the weather is bad, we will gather in the Lobby and the Gallery). Because of this change, “Joey the donkey” will not be with us this year. Instead, those processing will pick up palms, the children will be bringing several banners that they have created prior to Sunday, and there will even be some handheld instruments to play! We will enter the Sanctuary singing, and the full procession will do a clockwise loop all the way around the Sanctuary before taking our seats. This will also allow those who are physically unable to join the processional to participate more fully in the Palm Sunday festivities, as they can be present for most of it and will be seated with palms before the procession begins. 

Next Sunday, of course, is Easter, the most important day of the Christian calendar, when we celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the dead, opening the way to the abundant and eternal life he promised. But going straight from the celebration of Palm Sunday to that of Easter misses the real depth and power of the Easter story. So I urge you to make a point of experiencing the fullness of the central story of Christ’s gospel by participating in the special services we will have during the week.

The first is Maundy Thursday. This year, we will be doing a “Contemplative Dinner Church” service for Maundy Thursday, following the Biblical accounts of what actually happened that night. Jesus gathered with his disciples in an “upper room” for dinner together, which became known as “The Last Supper” because he was arrested shortly afterwards, setting in motion the events that we remember on Good Friday (see below). So, we will begin by gathering informally from 6-6:30 pm in our version of the “upper room,” Fellowship Hall! Dinner will begin at 6:30 pm. This will be a full pasta dinner with both meat and vegetarian options, as well as a few gluten-free meals. There will also be an assortment of sides and salads to accompany it. After dinner, just as Scripture describes, we will celebrate Communion after a brief time of prayer, song, Scripture, and a brief pastoral reflection. We will conclude by 7:30 pm.

The second service is Good Friday, which begins at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary, and will be a Tenebrae Service. “Tenebrae” is Latin for “darkness,” and it is a service that walks through the narrative of Jesus’ arrest, torture, crucifixion, and death. A series of Scripture readings is read, interspersed with appropriate hymns and music. After each reading, the lights in the Sanctuary are dimmed, until finally there is only candlelight to illumine the final reading. The Christ candle, symbolizing Christ’s life, is then extinguished, and the service concludes in darkness and silence, symbolizing Christ’s interment in the tomb. It is an extremely moving service, and prepares us well for the surprising celebration of Easter. 

I am certain that your experience of both Palm Sunday and Easter will be much richer if you participate in these Holy Week services, and that your faith will be enhanced by them. I hope you will join in and experience the full blessings of Holy Week. See you in worship!

Peace and blessings,

—Pastor JC

Church News

Service of Wholeness

There will be a Service of Wholeness on Wednesday, March 25, at 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 email her at madams@woodschurch.org.

Maundy Thursday Dinner Church

As you know, Maundy Thursday begins the three-day cycle of worship services commemorating Holy Week for Christians. Specifically, it is the remembrance of Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples, right before he was arrested, in which he instituted the celebration of the Lord's Supper, or Communion, and gave his disciples the "new commandment" to love one another as he has loved us ("Maundy" comes from the Latin for "mandate," or commandment).

This year, Woods will be leaning in to the power of both the Last Supper and the Lord's Supper on Maundy Thursday, April 2, with a contemplative-style Dinner Church, which is why we are beginning a bit earlier than in previous Holy Weeks. We will gather informally from 6–6:30PM in Fellowship Hall, with dinner itself beginning promptly at 6:30PM, with an opening prayer. Then, following the Scriptural account that says Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper "after supper" (Luke 22:20), we will have a Communion service after dinner that will include contemplative prayer and songs, scripture, a brief pastoral reflection, and Communion.

We hope you will make a point of joining this meaningful and communal start to our Holy Week observances at Woods!

Children’s Winter Clothing Collection

Spring is almost here! And soon we can switch over our wardrobes to summer clothing. As you pack up your cold weather clothes, please consider donating any outgrown children’s clothing, sizes T2 to Youth 10. We’re collecting winter clothing and coats April 12–26 to be sold at the Bazaar next fall. Look for the big blue bin in the main lobby. All proceeds benefit the mission partners of Woods!

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.

Youth News

Save the Date for WoodsWork 2026

Woodwork 2026 will be held Monday–Tuesday, June 22–30, in Richmond, Virgina. Woodswork is a Woods Church organized and planned high school mission trip. Fifteen HS youth advisors and 7 adults (the Woodswork Committee) work together under the Woods Youth Ministry to plan the trip. Trip participants build/restore houses for people experiencing homelessness, perform other construction related mission projects, and participate in fellowship, recreation, and worship. Woodswork focuses on reaching out through service and reaching in through spiritual renewal.

Woodswork has been partnering with Habitat for Humanity for more than 40 years, providing new and refurbished homes and other mission related projects.

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

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 through March 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

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.

Church Family News

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!