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

Sent:                                           Friday, February 5, 2021 11:29 AM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     "The Secret Truth About Demons, Miracles, and Mark" - Woodridge United Methodist Church Newsletter

Attachments:                          161254600301.03.21_Worship_Guide.docx; 161254600701.03.21_Worship_Guide.pdf

 

            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

 

 

"The Secret Truth About Demons, Miracles, and Mark"

Here are a few nuggets of information we can say with a reasonable degree of confidence that we know:

•   The Gospel of Mark is the oldest and the shortest of the four canonical gospels.

•   Mark’s gospel was a source for the authors of the gospels of Matthew and Luke.

•   The Gospel of Mark was written about 30-40 years after Jesus’ crucifixion.

•   The narrative style of Mark’s gospel is one of near-constant action, packing a lot of content into not a lot of space.

 

Case in point regarding the break-neck pace of Mark’s storytelling: we are still in the first chapter of Mark and we’re already on our fifth set piece!

 

There are, however, some bits of knowledge that still elude us — and this week’s reading from Mark’s gospel presents us with two of the biggest mysteries that abound. As we encounter Mark’s Jesus, at least two questions are inescapable — especially for 21st century sophisticates such as ourselves:

 

1.    What do we make of miracles?

2.    And what is the deal with all those dang demons??

3.    Also, why should we even bother to care about such things nowadays??

 

Fear not, gentle readers, for Pastor Dave is on the case! He will wrestle with those questions and offer absolute, no-doubt, once-for-all answers in his sermon this Sunday, February 7th.

 

Don’t miss “The Secret Truth About Demons, Miracles, and Mark” only on our Woodridge UMC YouTube channel starting at 10:00AM.

 

Again, worship with us this Sunday starting at 10:00AM on our Woodridge UMC YouTube channel.

 

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

 

Friday, February 5th

  • Noon Lunch on Zoom
  • Cub Scout Blue & Gold

Sunday, February 7th

  • 10:00 am ONLINE Worship Service
  • Noon Communion
  • 1:30 pm Youth Group
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist 

Monday, February 8th

  • 7:00 pm Return Committee

Tuesday, February 9th

  • 10:30 am Bible Study Online

Wednesday, February 10th

  • 10:30 am Staff Meeting

Thursday, February 11th

  • 7:00 pm Boy Scouts

Friday, February 12th

  • Noon Lunch on Zoom

Saturday, February 13th

  • 3:00 pm Faith UMC (Lisle) Church Conference

Sunday, February 147th

  • 10:00 am ONLINE Worship Service
  • Noon Communion
  • 1:30 pm Youth Group
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist 

 

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

For ease of access, you can now find both formats of the weekly worship guide attached to this email.  This will take the place of the Saturday Connections email.

 

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.

 

HOW WE SAFELY CELEBRATE ASH WEDNESDAY THIS YEAR

Ash Wednesday is fast approaching on February 17th. Similar to what we offered Christmas Eve, we are planning both a service on YouTube and a brief, safely-distanced, in-person experience. Stay tuned for more details.


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 on Sundays.
 

WELCOME NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR

We extend a warm welcome to our new Music Director, Mrs. Carrie Marcotte.  She will seem familiar to you for a couple of reasons.....she filled in for Katrina on a couple of occasions or she assisted with the music for our Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service when it was held here at WUMC or maybe you encountered her as the director of music as St. Scholastica where she worked for over 18 years.  For all of you hockey fans, Carrie is currently the organist for the Chicago Blackhawks and teaches music at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora.  Carrie brings many gifts and talents to the staff of our church and we welcome her with open arms.
 

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Church Office Hours: Mondays & Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. – noon
                                     Wednesdays - Fridays 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Our building is not ready for full activity, so we ask that you call before visiting.

 

 

 

Bible Study - Via Zoom


THE BIBLE FOR CURIOUS PEOPLE

Join us Tuesday mornings at 10:30am on Zoom as we explore the Gospel of Mark.
 
Reading Assignment for Tuesday, February 9th
Chapters 8-9 of the book of Mark, plus any notes your bible provides.


Questions to consider:

—Why do you think Jesus uses — or needs?— a two-step process to heal the blind man?
—What is the importance of Caesarea Philippi, and why would Jesus go there?
—Who do you say that Jesus was and is?
—How do you respond to the miracles in this section? 
—How does Jesus define “greatness”?


Due to the pandemic, 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 examining the scriptures for the following Sunday. They will be taking next week off.  Please contact Pastor Danita if you are interested in joining the group for the Lenten Study, Savior: What the Bible Says about the Cross by Magrey Devega.

 

Employment Opportunities 

Small Miracles Preschool is Looking for an Office Assistant

We are in need of a person for 2-4 hours per week for a temporary position with possibilities of long term.  Responsibilities are very minimal and include but are not limited to answering/making phone calls and emails, updating and managing website and other social media.  Must have high school education. If interested, please send letter indicating such to PastorDanita@woodridgeumc.org.  No phone calls please.    



Small Miracles Preschool Open Director Position
Woodridge United Methodist Church's Small Miracles Preschool is seeking a Preschool Director to start immediately in preparation for the 2021-2022 school year. The Director is responsible for maintaining the daily operations of Small Miracles Preschool, a warm and friendly environment, and a quality Christian-based, child-centered program. The Director must meet and maintain the minimum State Licensing Requirements of Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) for the State of Illinois, and lead and support the staff through teamwork and mutual respect to achieve individual and classroom goals. The Director reports to the Small Miracles Preschool Board of Directors with day-to-day accountability to the Lead Pastor of Woodridge United Methodist Church. You can find the requirements and how to apply at https://www.woodridgeumc.org/small-miracles-preschool/.


Opportunities/Events 

DUPAGE COUNTY CDC COVID VACCINE REGISTRATION
DuPage County CDC has set up a COVID Vaccine Registration page on its website as they transition to Phase 1b of the vaccination plan (adults age 65+ and front line workers). 
Please note: you will not be able to schedule an appointment until the time is right! Signing up here allows DuPage County CDC to contact you with specific information when appointments or clinics are available.  If you want to register please click here.  

  • Vaccination is  by appointment only  and  dependent on vaccine supply.
  • Eligible individuals will be asked to provide verification  of their eligibility through either photo ID to confirm age-based eligibility or employment verification (Employee ID Badge, check stub, state licensure or certificate) to identify occupational eligibility.

 

Youth Ministry Winter/Spring of 2021

Youth Group on Zoom this Sunday, February 7th at 1:30pm. All 7th-12th grade students are welcome. Contact Pastor Dave (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org) for the zoom link.

Youth Group on Zoom continues throughout February. But watch for special events and opportunities for safe in-person gatherings.

Please Note: Most years, our annual Pizza Sale happens the first weekend of February. Due to the pandemic, we are postponing in hopes that we will be able to hold the sale later this year.
 

Youth Pizza Sale Postponed

Most years, our annual Pizza Sale happens the first weekend of February. Due to the pandemic, we are postponing in hopes that we will be able to hold the sale later this year. We are so grateful for your many years of supporting our Youth Ministries.


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.

 

Outreach Opportunities

February Outreach Offering: Black College Fund


Between 1866 and 1882, following the Civil War, the former Methodist Episcopal Church organized the Freedmen’s Aid Society to help educate black people newly freed from slavery. Between 1866 and 1882, the society established more than 70 schools in the U.S. South and Southwest.

In 1972, The United Methodist Church established the Black College Fund to provide a constant reliable way to support United Methodist-related historically Black colleges. Today we support more historically Black colleges and universities than any other religious denomination.

One of the 7 General Apportionment Funds that would have previously been funded through the churches general apportionments payments, this fund supports the programs and ministries of 11 historically black colleges and universities, including one medical school. These gifts reflect the value our Church has on education, especially those who have been historically excluded. The Black College Fund is raising up the leaders who are impacting lives and shaping communities.



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.

 

Northern Illinois Conference 
Get to Know Interim Bishop John Hopkins
With the new year, we welcome retired Bishop John L. Hopkins, who is serving as the interim bishop for the Northern Illinois Conference through 2021.
Typically we would host a meet-and-greet event or a formal welcome, but because COVID-19 prevents us from gathering we are introducing him through a Zoom interview.
Did you know Bishop Hopkins served in campus ministries? NIC Dir. of Communications Anne Marie Gerhardt "sat down" with Bishop Hopkins to ask a few questions about his background and ministry to help all of us get to know him a little better.

Watch and share this video
.

 

New District Boundaries Set
The new names of the districts, which go into effect July 2021, are Lake North, Lake South, Prairie Central, Prairie North, and Prairie South. Click here to read the list of churches in each district.


2021 Aurora District Lay Academy



2021 Laity Convocation



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

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

      
February 5th, 2021, Volume 12, Edition 6

 

 

 

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