Messenger is here!

March 5, 2026

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Service of Wholeness, March 25
• Lenten Devotional Now Available
• Download Our Lent Brochure
• The Prince of Egypt Tickets
• Cecilia McKay 2025 Review
• Tech Volunteers Needed
• New High School Bible Study
• Sunday Kindness Crossroads
• Summer Activities for Kids
• WoodsWork 2026
• Adult Education Offerings for Lent
• Opportunities to Serve During Lent
• Adult Mission Trip, April 20–25
• Funeral Service for Gary Anderson
  

Pastor's Message

This Sunday, we are celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism during the 9:30 am service, which is always a special occasion. Given that, I want to follow up on the discussion about Communion last week to review why Baptism is so central to our worship and our faith through some of the most common questions raised about it.

Q: Why are we baptized?

In the Reformed theological tradition (of which Presbyterians are a part), we don’t believe that our salvation is contingent on being baptized. We believe we are baptized because we are saved, not saved because we are baptized. Our tradition is relentless in its emphasis on the sovereignty and grace of God, which essentially means that God has both the first and final say on things. That, in turn, means that baptism is a response to God’s grace, not an acquisition of it. Instead, we talk about baptism as a sign and a seal of God’s saving grace. In baptism, we recognize and respond to that saving grace with gratitude and a commitment to a life of following Christ in our words, actions, and spirit. And so baptism is both our formal inclusion in the church, the body of Christ, and our commissioning as Christ’s disciples and ministers; every Christian is called to ministry through their baptism. That is what is “different” about us after baptism. Those who are called to ordained ministries have specific responsibilities in the church, but those are in addition to the baptismal call that we all have.

Q: Can we do a private baptism rather than in a public worship service?

The Reformed tradition frowns on that, actually, and there’s a good reason for it. First, there’s nothing “private” about Baptism; it is an act of the church in response to God’s grace, and it is a welcome of the person being baptized into the fellowship of the Christian church, so it’s not something that is done solely to the person being baptized, but rather the consecration of relationships between that person, God, and the rest of the church. In fact, it is not just the person being baptized who declares their faith and makes promises in a baptism. First, the congregation declares its faith through the words of the Apostles’ Creed, which was developed in the ancient Church specifically as a summary of Christian faith at times of baptism. And second, the congregation promises to welcome this new person into the community of faith and help them grow in their faith, whether they are an infant, child, youth, or adult.

Q: Is the water holy?

Well, yes and no; it depends on what you mean by that. Our understanding of the water is similar to our understanding of bread and wine (or juice, here at Woods!) in Communion: it is not made holy in itself, but the Holy Spirit works through it to be really present and active in the sacrament itself. So it is holy in the actual act of baptism because of the presence of God’s Spirit in that moment, but it doesn’t stay that way afterwards. Think of the water more like a doorway that the Spirit moves through, rather than a room in which the Spirit lives.

Q: What’s the difference between baptism for infants and adults?

Because of our emphasis on God’s grace, we don’t believe baptism is a conscious “decision for Christ” like Baptists or some other traditions do. So we baptize infants because we believe that God’s grace is already at work before we are even aware of it or capable of any understanding of it. So there’s nothing different about baptism, per se, between infants and adults. What’s different is that adults being baptized are also able to declare their faith in Christ and intention to follow Christ as a disciple and a member of the church. Those who are baptized as infants have to do that when they are old enough to do so in order to be full members of the church. That’s where the tradition of Confirmation came from, for example, but that’s a different article!

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.

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.

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.

Cecilia McKay Summary for Calendar Year 2025

As can be imagined, requests for financial assistance from Woods Church continue to raise. From January 1–December 31, 2025, Woods received 406 requests for assistance. Of those, Woods provided funds to 147 families (12 each month) to prevent evictions or utility shut-off.

• Total Cecilia McKay expenditures during calendar year 2025 = $ 31,612.51
• Total donations from Woods members & organizations = $ 35,522

Thank you for your generosity and continued support of the Cecilia McKay Fund!

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.

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

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!

Day Off from School? Pop In for a Pop-Up Program!

Woods Church invites children in kindergarten through grade 5 to sign up for our Pop-Up Program on Fridays, March 20 & 27.

This day-to-day program runs 9AM–2PM, on select days when school is out for not weather-related closures (such as teacher work days). Each day will feature a Bible story with other activities to really "jump into" the story. The cost is $10/child and includes lunch from "All about lunch."

Registration is limited and closes a week before the event. If you have questions, please contact Lindsey Miller at lmiller@woodschurch.org.

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

Passed Our Limitations: The Power of Community

I’ll Push You is the story of two friends who embark on a spiritual journey across the Camino de Santiago. What makes their pilgrimage remarkable is that one friend pushes the other who is confined to a wheelchair. Their book provides insights into friendship and community while exploring spiritual truths that remind us to embrace life even when we experience limitations.

Like the themes in the book, the emphasis during Lent is self-reflection, simplicity and spiritual discipline. Join us on Sundays, February 22–March 22, 11AM, as we explore spiritual disciplines that push past our limitations and draw us closer to God.

Class will be held in Room 208 and on Zoom.

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, March 1–29, 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

Opportunities to Serve During Lent

During the season of Lent, our Missions Ministry is encouraging you to serve our local and international communities in two ways.

• Serving People Across Neighborhoods (SPAN): Continue to fight hunger during Lent by stopping by the Missions Table behind the Welcome Desk on Sundays, February 22–March 22, and pick up a blue SPAN bag with an attached list of needed items. Fill and return your blue SPAN bag on or any time before 3/22/26. The attached list also has a QR-code to order from Amazon and ship directly to SPAN. Thank you for your continued support of SPAN!

• Cuba UPDATE: Please pray deeply for the people of Cuba during this Lenten season. Unfortunately, the planned Mission Trip to Cuba has been canceled due to a severe fuel crisis that has led to the suspension of international flights. As a result, Cuba will no longer be receiving the much-needed supplies that were to be delivered during this trip.
  

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.

Mission News

Prayers for the Family of Gary Anderson

There will be a Service of Witness to the Resurrection for Gary Anderson on Friday, March 6, 11AM, in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.

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

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!