From:                                         Woodridge United Methodist Church Communications <noreply@elexiochms.com>

Sent:                                           Friday, November 13, 2020 9:49 AM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     "Right Place, Right Time, Right Woman" - Woodridge United Methodist Church Newsletter

 

            Woodridge United Methodist Church

Join us on ONLINE Sunday for worship services
at  10:00 am.

Instructions can be found below.
All are Welcome!

 

 

 

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

 

 

"Right Place, Right Time, Right Woman"

What makes a narrative compelling and rich?

 

Our scripture texts this week are a parable and (for lack of a better word) a folklore story. Yet — as the best stories do — they continue multitudes of truth.

 

Our time in the gospel of Matthew continues right where we left off last week, this time with the famous (infamous?) parable of talents. Is it an investment guide? Is it God’s Ultimate Church Stewardship Campaign? Or might there be other ways of hearing — and responding to — this parable on life in the Kin-dom of God?

 

Meanwhile, we encounter the book of Esther with the story already in progress (as it were). An order has been issued calling for the slaughter of the Jewish people under the Persian Empire. However, due to some shenanigans worthy of a season of The Bachelor, Esther finds herself in a precarious position perched on the precipice between wielding power or seeing her people perish. What will she choose to do? Of what is she capable? Her plan is not without problems, what happens if she tries and fails?

 

What might these two seemingly disparate tales have to say to us today?

What risks are we willing to take for the Kin-dom’s sake?

How might these stories help us find our courage?

 

Pastor Dave will consider these questions and more this Sunday, November 15th in his sermon, “Right Place, Right Time, Right Woman.”

 

Worship with us Sunday at 10:00AM on our Woodridge UMC channel on YouTube.

 

Woodridge UMC is an open and loving United Methodist community striving to:       

Welcoming to all;
Uniting in service toward greater social justice for all;
Moving forward with understanding and acceptance of all peoples;
Creating disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.       

Our purpose is to offer a safe place and community to all races, cultures, religions, genders, sexual identities, ethnicities, age groups and other beliefs.      

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Saturday, November 14th

  • Northern Illinois Annual Conference at 10:30 am

Sunday, November 15th

  • ONLINE Worship Service at 10:00 am
  • Filipino Baptists at 4:00 pm 

Monday, November 16th

  • Cub Scouts at 7:00 pm

Tuesday, November 17th

  • Remote Bible Study at 10:30 am
  • Finance Meeting at 7:00 pm
  • Return Meeting at 7:00 pm

Wednesday, November 18th

  • Staff Meeting at 10:30 am

Thursday, November 19th

  • Boy Scouts at 7:00 pm

Sunday, November 22nd

  • ONLINE Worship Service at 10:00 am
  • Filipino Baptists at 4:00 pm 

The spread of the COVID-19 virus requires our attention and immediate response to how we gather as a community of faith.  While serious, please know that we must refrain from becoming panicked.  Please be cautious and mindful of your own health and the safety of others.  Our Bishop and Annual Conference are regularly updating their website with information and resources for our church.  Please take a look at it for details:  www.umcnic.org.

 

 

 

Worship

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES

Where to find the YouTube Live Stream
From the YouTube app or on the YouTube web page, search for: Woodridge UMC or follow this
link.  Join us early for Joys and Concerns and the Prelude with music starting around 9:50 am. Services at 10:00 am.  If you have questions or problems, please contact media@woodridgeumc.onmicrosoft.com.  Full assistance will be available prior to 10:00 am on Sunday morning.  After 10:00 am, assistance becomes more limited. If you are not available at 10:00 am or cannot get the live streaming to work, a recording of the video will be posted to the Woodridge UMC YouTube page
 

OFFERING OPTIONS

There are different options for getting your offering to the church while worship services are online.

  • Go to the website & click on the Giving tab at the top of the page or go straight there with this link.
  • Text 630.449.7121 with the amount
  • Drop off in the gold mail slot next to the east door of the church.
  • Mail your offering to the church.

See below for information about donating in 2021.
 

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

If you watch the Live Stream, please email the church office at office@woodridgeumc.org and let us know that you joined us for worship, so that we might record your attendance.
 

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR ONLINE WORSHIP

If you want a prayer request shared during online worship, please email the Pastor Danita at pastordanita@woodridgeumc.org by 8:00 am Sunday, August 30th.


CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Our Regular Office Hours are in effect. 
Mondays & Tuesdays:  9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesdays - Fridays: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

However, because our building is not ready for full activity, we ask that you call before visiting.  

 

 

 

Giving 

Stewardship for 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in our lives and most definitely in our personal economics.  Many have lost loved ones and jobs, while others had to deal with isolation and depression.  In the midst of it all, the church has continued to be the place of solace and stability to keep us grounded and to be the witness to the community of our faith.  

Thank you for being a part of the ongoing ministry of this church.  You are invited to renew your commitment to join us in 2120 by completing the Estimate of Giving Form (by following this link) as our church family continues its work for justice and peace in this community.

Thank you again for your faithfulness in the past and we look forward to you joining us in the future.


The Food Pantry Needs Your Help

 

The demand has virtually doubled over the past eight months, and as the holidays are approaching, we are seeing the need rise again. Help pack the Pantry and provide nourishment for our neighbors in need by bringing holiday food items and toys to one of our socially distanced drop-off sites.

 

TUE., NOVEMBER 17
Woodridge
Village of Woodridge
5 Plaza Dr.
8:00 - 4:30 PM

THR., NOVEMBER 19
Woodridge
Clara's Restaurant
6550 Rt. 53
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

THRS., NOVEMBER 19
Naperville
1st Congregational UCC
25 E. Benton Ave.
1:00 - 4:00 PM

 

FRI., NOVEMBER 20
Naperville
Naperville Sunrise Rotary Club
25W570 Chicago Ave. (Naper Country Club)
8:00 - 10:00 am

 

SAT., NOVEMBER 21
Woodridge
ARC - Athletic Recreation Center
8201 S. Janes Ave.
7:00 am - Noon

 

Please practice safe social distancing during this drive. The donation hours allow for a minimum of people to be at the drop-off location at any one time and all drop-off locations are outdoors in the parking lot. Look for the HARVEST WEEK DONATE HERE lawn signs.
 

MOST NEEDED ITEMS
New Toys (age 0-12 years) | New Books | Turkeys & Hams | Boxed Stuffing | Boxed Potatoes | Canned or Instant Gravy | Cranberries / Cranberry Sauce | Pumpkin Pie filling & other dessert mixes | Other Holiday food items

Monetary donations are also greatly needed and appreciated. For every $5.00 donation, we can secure the equivalent of 20 meals for those we serve. Click here to donate.

 

 

Bible Study - Via Zoom

THE BIBLE FOR CURIOUS PEOPLE - ON ZOOM

Join us Tuesday mornings at 10:30am on Zoom as we explore the book of Ester.

Reading Assignment for Tuesday, November 17th:
Esther chapters 9-10, plus any introduction your bible provides.
 
Questions to consider:

—Why isn’t chapter 8 the end of the story? Do you wish it did end there?
—What do you make of the repeated emphasis on the Jews “taking no plunder”?
—Based on these last two chapters, who is more honored, Mordecai or Esther? Why?


In repose to the COVID-19 outbreak this class is meeting online through Zoom on Tuesday mornings at 10:30AM. Please contact Pastor Dave (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org) to join the conversation. It is a great way to stay connected and all are welcome.

 

No prior bible reading or knowledge or expertise needed. No question is dumb and no one is forced to read the bible in one particular way. We will all learn as we go along exploring what the text says, what it leaves unsaid, what history and tradition tell us about the text, and how our own experience influences our reading.

 

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY ON ZOOM

The Wednesday Bible study class is taking a couple of weeks off.   The advent study will start on December 2nd and will be: Almost Christmas (A Wesleyan Advent Experience) by Magrey deVegaMatt RawleApril CaspersonIngrid McIntyre. If you want to be a part of the Wednesday class or are having trouble purchasing the book, please contact Pastor Danita. 

 

Opportunities/Events 

Youth Ministry Fall of 2020

All 7th-12th grade students are welcome to join our Youth Group Zoom this Sunday, November 15th starting at 1:30pm.  Contact Pastor Dave for the Zoom link. Sunday’s at 1:30pm is the weekly meeting time with which we are experimenting as we continue to adjust to life in the midst of the pandemic.

Save the date for our next special event: Sleep out Saturday, December 5-6th. 8:00pm-10:00am. More specific details soon.
 


Puzzle Exchange

WUMC has started a PUZZLE EXCHANGE.

Every puzzle deserves a second, third, or even fourth shot. Let’s share the wealth!

There is a bin on the northwest side of the building labelled "Puzzle Exchange" by the north narthex doors for easy exchange anytime you would like.  Bring a puzzle.  Take a puzzle.  Please make sure that the bin is closed properly.
 


Sunday School Opportunities
The Sunday School teachers would like to make sure that it is okay to drop off a craft or small lesson at your home sometimes.  Please contact the church office if you do not want to be included (or if you want to be sure that you are included).  Arrangements can also be made to pick up something from the church office.


We Are Hiring!  WUMC actively seeking Music Director

Our Director of Music provides leadership, direction and supervision of its entire music ministry of the church, including playing the piano and/or organ for worship  services. If you or someone you know is interested in the position — and for the complete job description — please contact the church: office@woodridgeumc.org.


Discount on Disposable Masks
The General Council on Finance and Administration has partnered with a vetted company, On The Go Masks to provide discounts for churches and the company is extending the discount to individuals as well.  Please see the flyer attached here for more information.


Upper Room Devotionals
The Upper Rooms for November - December are in. Contact the church office  or call 630.968.6050 if you would like a copy.  There are a few available in the mailbox.


Morning Prayer with Upper Room
Morning Prayer with The Upper Room via Facebook Live, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11 a.m. (CT). These guided prayer experiences are archived so you may join them at your convenience if you miss it live.


Outreach Opportunities

DUPAGE PADS
Due to the continuing pandemic, DuPage Pads will not be using Downers Grove FUMC or any church to house Pads guests until late 2021.  They will continue to hotel guests at the guidance of the DuPage Health Department for both the Pads guests and the volunteers’ safety. 
 
DuPage Pads has enough funds to house 70 hotel rooms through March 31, 2021.  Their goal is 115 hotel rooms (approximately 150 guests) per night.  Each hotel room is approximately $45 a night which requires them to raise approximately $450,000.  Additional federal government funding is uncertain at the moment.
 
Cold weather has arrived, and people are still very much in need. There are several ways you can help:
 

  1. Food and Toiletry Donations: Please consider donating essential items using this link using curbside drop off boxes located in the DuPage PADS parking lot of 703 W. Liberty Wheaton, IL 60187. Drop off hours are Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm and Saturday-Sunday 8:00am-4:00pm. Please do not leave donations outside of the scheduled times, especially food items overnight.

 

  1. Monetary Donations: A special fund has been set up for this purpose. PADS is working hard to maintain and add additional housing in hotels for guests, as well as provide them with food. This requires significant financial resources to sustain this long term.  Visit the PADS website here and look at the very top for the link to donate.

 

  1. Bring Food or Monetary Donations to DGFUMC:  First United Methodist in Downers Grove is collecting microwave meals to bring to PADS guests starting November 5th. Microwave meals may be brought to the church Monday thru Friday 10am-1pm and monetary donations can be made on the church website dgfumc.org using the Giving tab. The church is located at 1032 Maple Avenue in Downers Grove.

Please call or email Larry Cash with questions at 630-808-8713.


MIDWEST MISSION DRIVE
Midwest Mission has gotten to the point where they are in great need of a collection. The churches (Grace UMC of Naperville) have agreed to do a collection to help get in-kind supplies and donations to Midwest Mission.  They are running into the issue of not being able to buy certain supplies in bulk due to shortages and need help with securing the in-kind supplies. 

Collecting through November 1st: the four most urgent needs (laundry detergent, dish soap, household cleaner, and toothpaste) but people are welcome to bring anything Midwest Mission takes except for bikes and sewing machines at this time due to a backlog. Grace UMC is one of the collection sites. Midwest Mission realizes that during this pandemic some people may not feel comfortable shopping for supplies but still have the desire to give. Monetary donations are always welcome and can still be made physically at collection sites or online at their website.
Please see attached flyer more information.


November Outreach Offering:
Tree of Life Ministry


The Lakota in South Dakota are the poorest racial group in the USA. They are forced to live in unhealthy dwellings, which is coupled with acute poverty marked by 80% unemployment. The people lack access to a proper diet and suffer from high alcoholism rates and suicide rates as high as eight times the national average. In 1985, Tree of Life Ministry was created to provide free repairs to the homes of impoverished families. This ministry has grown from repairing three homes to 50+ homes each summer. The ministry added a food pantry so that no child would go to bed hungry. The meal program developed into a Food Pantry that grew from assisting 25 families a week to 1,000 families each week. They also participate with the tribe in special programs, such as remedial reading, dental-care, eyeglasses program, nurse-care, suicide prevention, and alcohol recovery.

Tree of Life Ministry has worked hard to overcome the negative attitudes held between cultures, and has become a respected Christian voice among the Lakota people that continues recruiting and training Native Americans to serve in the ministry to their people, and to provide future uninterrupted leadership in this mission.



Retired American Flag Recycling
Woodridge UMC now has an American flag recycling box  thanks to the Eagle Scout Project of Jack Kulaga.  Bring all your old American flags to church and put them in the box now located in Bonfal Hall.  When the box starts to get full, the Woodridge VFW Post will be contacted, and they will collect and decommission the flags.



Northern Illinois Conference 
NIC Prayer Network
The Discipleship Task Force invites laity or clergy who enjoy writing to submit a devotion (250 words), including a Bible verse and prayer. Share what is on your heart with the NIC by emailing discipleshiptf@umcnic.org.


Monthly Aurora District Lay Leader Virtual Meetings
There will be monthly Aurora District Lay Leader meetings on the Third Thursday of every month at 7 pm through December. "See" you there! If you are a lay leader and cannot make a meeting, invite another lay person from your church to attend. These meetings are not just for official lay leaders but any lay person who is a leader in a church! Your Zoom video conferencing invitation will be sent by Leola Tucker (ltucker@umcnic.org). Contact Leola if you would like to join.


Prayer Booklet For Times Like These from Our Conference
Don’t worry about anything? That’s pretty hard to do these days! Yet it is when we pray that we are able to pour our hearts and minds out to God. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, the NIC Discipleship Task Force asked clergy and laity to submit daily prayers, which were shared on the conference social media sites and website. Those prayers have been assembled into an online booklet, "Times Like These – Prayers of the People," for your reflection and devotion.
 

Click here to view the booklet online
Click here to download


Learning with the Northern Illinois Conference 

The Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) staff, with the assistance of the NIC Communications team and the NIC Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment, are producing online learning sessions via Zoom on Thursdays at either 10 am or 1 pm with practical information on how to do a variety of ministries during the COVID-19 outbreak. There are also archived training sessions available for viewing such as Intentional Discipleship, How is Your Soul and financial helps.  All of this can be found here: https://www.umcnic.org/online-learning

 


Looking Ahead

2020 Meeting Dates

Ad Council (9:00 am)            Finance (7:00 pm)         Trustees (7:00 pm)
--------------------                       November 17th                 November 24th
December 12th                       December 15th



Amazon Smile 

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to Woodridge United Methodist Church whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.       

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.  Support WUMC by starting your shopping
here.  


Ways to Connect

Aurora District News

To subscribe to the biweekly newsletter for our district (the Aurora District of the Northern Illinois Conference), please click here.   

Northern Illinois Conference
Find out about upcoming events in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church by clicking this link  

      
November 13th, 2020, Volume 11, Edition 46

 

 

 

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