Messenger | May 28, 2025

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• New Members Class
• Deacons’ Senior Spring Fellowship Dinner
• Songs of Hope Spring Concert
• Introducing Lindsey Miller
• Volunteer Librarians Needed
• WoodsWork Carwash
• Counting Down to Pentecost
• VBS Supper Club
• Register for VBS
• Adult Class on the Life of the Apostle Paul
• Pastors’ Bible Study
• Open Dance Classes
• Softball Game vs. The Table
• Remembering Sally Schoener
  

Pastor's Message

For the last month in worship, we have been exploring the theme of “Perceiving and Believing God’s New Thing” from our 2025 Stewardship Campaign. This Sunday, we will finish this sermon series by considering how God provides an abundance of grace to us in our lives and ministry, that God is calling us to an even greater and more dynamic mission as a congregation, and now is the time to boldly answer that call.

This Sunday also will be our Pledge Dedication Sunday for our 2025–2026 Stewardship Campaign, when we literally come forward in worship to consecrate our intentions to support Christ’s mission for this church through our pledges. So, between now and Sunday, I’m asking you to do several important things as a member of this congregation.

First, carefully read the Stewardship Campaign materials that you should have received in the mail already; if you’ve already read them, read them again! Second, consider what kind of financial pledge you can make to help us respond to God’s “New Thing” as a church; if you’ve already made your pledge, consider it again! Third, bring your pledge card to dedicate in one of our Sunday worship services (if you’ve already made your pledge or forget your card, don’t worry, we’ll have cards in worship that you can use). And finally, please hold this church in your prayers every day, so that we may be able to fulfill God’s mission for us with grace and power in all that we do.

I feel extraordinarily blessed to be a part of this congregation at this exciting time in our life together, and grateful to be able to support it. I hope you feel the same way, and that together, we will enter the new church year with a profound sense of God’s Spirit moving among us and guiding us as we do God’s work.

Thank you for being a part of Woods Church!

Grace and peace,

—Pastor J.C.

Church News

Find a New Home at Woods

Spring represents new life, renewed hope, and—for anyone wanting a place to belong—a new church home! If this describes you, join us for our next New Member’s Class on Sunday, June 1, 10:45AM, in Founders Room. If you are already a member of Woods, reach out and invite someone!

If you would like more information, please email Kathie Hamlett at khamlett@woodschurch.org.

You’re Invited to the Deacons’ Spring Fellowship Dinner

All seniors aged 65+ and guest are invited to join us! Please email madams@woodschurch.org to RSVP or call the church office at 410.647.2550.

Songs of Hope Spring Concert

On Saturday, June 7, 7PM, the Woods Adult Choir with a full orchestra will join forces with the choirs of Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church and Covenant United Methodist Church. We will present two beautiful works. The first is “These Ancient Words” by Heather Sorenson. This work is built on the foundational scripture passages that teach us and guide us in life: Light, Humility, Refuge, Rest, Worship, and Wisdom. The second is “A Journey To Hope” by Joseph Martin. This work is musically inspired by traditional spirituals and tells of the ministry, passion, and resurrection of Jesus.

This concert is free but registration is required. Register online. For questions, email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org

Introducing Lindsey Miller

Let's welcome Lindsey Miller as our new Coordinator for Children and Youth. Kat and Oliver are so excited! Lindsey is no stranger to Woods Church. She has been part of our musicals, The Secret Garden and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Lindsey has a M.S. in early childhood education. She has two children, 14 and 11, and a partner (Frolo from Hunchback) who is interested in playing softball! She comes HIGHLY recommended by two of our young friends, and their parents. When you see her say, "Hi!" and when asked to volunteer say, "Yes," especially to teaching Sunday School or VBS! Welcome Lindsey!

Volunteer Librarians Needed

Do you have a passion for books? Woods Church is seeking volunteers to share the position of the church librarian, which had been cared for since 2006 by Woods member, Barbara Gosnell. Barbara is happy to pass the torch and train those interested in taking over.

Contact Pam Ward at pward@woodschurch.com for more information.

Children's News

WoodsWork Carwash

Our annual WoodsWork Carwash Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, June 7! Come to the Woods Church parking lot between 9AM–1PM to get your ride cleaned spotless, and support our WoodsWork Mission Trip in the process! See you there!

Counting Down to Pentecost

Pentecost is coming! What are your gifts and how can you use them to the glory of God?

This past Sunday, our children learned about the ways they can use their gifts by participating in the mission and outreach and life of Woods Church using our Matthew 25 workbook.

Next week, Pentecost Sunday, June 8, our children will learn about how they want to use their gifts to the glory of God in the future with a New Thing Bingo! (Pick up Pentecost Holy Spirit Trading Cards!)

VBS Supper Club

Join us for supper during VBS, Monday–Thursday, Jul 14–17, 6:30PM. Hear about the children's day and enjoy food and fellowship. Register online. Meals are $5/person.

Register for VBS

We need to make our lists and check them twice. Sign up for songs, skits, games, fun, and friends! Monday–Thursday, Jul 14–17, 4–7PM, including supper. The cost is $50/child with a family cap of $100. The more the merrier!

Education & Small Groups

Adult Class on the Life of the Apostle Paul

Adult Education will be offering a study on Sundays through June 8, 11AM, featuring The Call: The Life of the Apostle Paul by Adam Hamilton.

Follow the journeys of Paul, beginning with his dramatic conversion, as he spread the Gospel through modern-day Greece and Turkey. Travel to the early church sites and explore Paul’s conversations with the new believers. In this six-week study, you are invited to experience faith through Christ’s greatest teacher and missionary.

Join us in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom. Books are available in the office.

New Adult Education Class: The Reformation & the Republic

Pastor J.C. will be teaching an exciting new class, titled “The Reformation and the Republic,” on Sundays, June 15–29, 11AM.

Presbyterians made up a significant percentage of delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 which laid the foundation for the United States as a republic and Presbyterian values and processes from John Calvin and the Genevan Reformation were many of the key building blocks of that foundation. This class will explore the theology behind those principles and give us a chance to reflect on how they shape and guide us today.

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.

Music Notes

Open Dance Classes

Join our Worship Ministry for a series of free dance classes on Sundays through June 1, 2–3:15PM, in Fellowship Hall! Professional teachers will offer a variety of dance styles—including jazz, musical theater, contemporary, tap, yoga, and more! Open to anyone ages 12 and over in and outside the Woods community.

All experience levels are welcome, though classes will be taught at an intermediate level with options for beginners and advanced students.

For more information please email Alyssa Barlis at alyssabarlis@gmail.com.

In Our Community

Game Day vs. The Table

Game On! This Sunday, June 1, 3:30PM, we’re taking the field against The Table 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.

Church Family News

Remembering Sally Schoener

In memory of Sally Schoener, wife of Woods' former Senior Pastor Terry Schoener, there will be a white rose placed in the Schoener Prayer Chapel. If you wish to honor her memory, please feel free to visit the chapel Friday through Sunday. Sally died on May 27 at her home in Chicago.

A Moment of Prayer

Loving and Creating God, we thank you for persistently calling us into fellowship with you. We anticipate perceiving the new things you are doing in our lives and ask only that we have good discernment and believing hearts that we may participate in your design for all of us. Enable us to be a church with compassion and love for all. Let our response to your newness of life be a blessing to others.

In Christ’s name, Amen.