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

Sent:                                           Friday, August 20, 2021 10:09 AM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     "Jesus Said What Again?!" - Woodridge United Methodist Church Newsletter

Attachments:                          162947211408.22.21_Worship_Guide.pdf

 

            Woodridge United Methodist Church

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

Instructions can be found below.
All are Welcome!

 

 

 

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

 

 

"Jesus Said What Again?!"

Uncomfortable. Odd. Difficult. Gross. Ancient. Weird. Challenging.

 

All words we could — in our more honest moments — use to describe much of the bible. That includes some of what is reported as issuing forth from Jesus’ mouth.

 

That was some of what we encountered last week in the first installment of our current sermon series, “Jesus Said What?!”

 

This Sunday we continue to wrestle with Jesus sounding like a vampire in John’s gospel account. Add in James’ stark reflection on what makes faith truly alive, and we’ve got ourselves another pair of tough texts.

 

How do we embody our faith in Jesus so that we live in a way that could keep on living, abundantly, eternally? Pastor Dave dives into that question this Sunday, August 22nd, in Part 2 of this series: “Jesus Said What Again?!”

 

[Spoiler alert]

As promised last week, a portion of our response to these hard sayings and questions takes the form of an Offering of Letters to Congress advocating for policies that will help end hunger locally and globally.

 

We will offer space, time, and materials for those wanting to hand-write their letters.

There is also on online option: Click here to email Congress.

 

We will talk much more about this Sunday, but for now to learn more about an Offering of Letters, click here.

 

To learn more about our partner organization in this effort, Bread for the World, click here

 

Worship with Woodridge UMC Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in person or online via 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, August 20th

  • Noon Lunch in the Parking Lot
  • 4:00 pm Neighbors Helping Neighbors
  • 6:30 pm Pack Meeting in Parking Lot

Saturday, August 21st

  • 9:00 am Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Sunday, August 22nd

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • 11:00 am State of Youth Ministry
  • Noon Communion
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist 

Friday, August 27th

  • Noon Lunch in the Parking Lot

Sunday, August 29th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • Noon Communion
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist 

 

 

 

Worship Services

In Person

We miss you and want to see more of you for worship in person Sundays at 10:00 a.m.! No registration needed, just walk in the door! As a way to keep the most vulnerable among us safer, we request you continue to wear a mask while in the building. Here are our updated safety guidelines: 

  • Please conduct a wellness check before your arrival.  If you are not feeling well, please stay home.
  • The Sunday morning worship service will continue to be recorded “live” for YouTube.  In preparation for the service, there will be sound, voice and light checks.
  • Masks/face coverings are required in the building.
  • Please no food or drinks in the building.
  • Socially distanced seating is available on the north side of the sanctuary.

 Online

Where to find the YouTube Live Stream

The worship service is live-streamed every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. on our Woodridge UMC YouTube Channel. All available worship service recordings are on our channel too.

 

NEW PASSING THE PEACE RITUALS

The pandemic has forced us to adapt the way we pass the peace of Christ in our worship services. As a way to both share the peace of Christ and have some fun doing so, we’ve developed this schedule to try:

•   First Sunday fans

•   Second Sunday sign language 

•   Third wave movement Sunday

•   Fourth Sunday fist bumps

•   Fifth Sunday mystery

What does all that even mean? Join us for worship in person Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and find out!


For ease of access, you can now the weekly worship guide attached to this email. 
 

OFFERING OPTIONS

There are different options for getting your offering to the church.

  • 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.

 

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

If you watch the online service, 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 WORSHIP

If you want a prayer request shared during worship, please email the Pastor Danita at pastordanita@woodridgeumc.org by 8:00 am on Sundays.

 

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Church Office Summer Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. – noon
 
Summer Hours run from June 1st through September 3rd

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

 

 

 

Opportunities/Events 

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Giving Events for Tornado Victims at WUMC

TODAY, Friday, Aug. 20th, 4:00-7:00pm and TOMORROW, Saturday, Aug. 21st, 9:00am-12:00noon. Woodridge UMC is co-hosting events with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and the Village of Woodridge to provide needed food, clothing, and other assistance for those affected by the June 20th tornado.

 

As a co-host we are asked to provide people power for these events. Thank you to all who have already volunteered to help! Please contact Pastor Dave if you are available to help (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org).

 

Confirmation Returns This Fall

If you, a family member, or a friend are in 7th, 8th, or 9th grade for school year 2021-22, Confirmation is for you.

Working title for this year: “Confirmation: Questioning Faith.” Confirmation at Woodridge UMC is not an attempt at indoctrination, but rather an exploration of the questions participants bring regarding life, faith, God, the church, and more. Big questions such as:

What even is faith?

Where is God in the midst of suffering?

What does it mean to be a person of faith in the real world of 2021?

 

Please contact Pastor Dave (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org) to register and/or for more information.

Students and parent(s) are invited to attend an informational meeting TODAY at 11:00AM in the Youth Room.


Woodridge Do Good BBQ
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Woodridge Strong is hosting a fun-filled Woodridge Do Good BBQ Tornado Relief Friendraiser. The event will take place at Seven Bridges Golf Club on Wednesday, August 25 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and features Woodridge's own Phil Rogers from NBC Chicago as MC and music entertainment by the CoverGirls Rock Violin Show. Woodridge's own Doggie Diner and Coldstone Creamery in Seven Bridges will be catering the event. Raffles, door prizes and other special highlights included. All proceeds from the event will go towards Woodridge Rotary Tornado Relief Fund. To purchase tickets: A Woodridge Do Good BBQ


Sunday School Returns!!
On Sunday, September 12th Sunday School returns to Woodridge UMC!  Come join us for our all new curriculum and improved classroom space!   Class will occur after Children’s Time until the end of worship service.  Students and teachers will remain masked and socially distanced.  Please contact the church office if you are interested or if you have any questions.


Back to School Spectacular
On Sunday, September 12th after worship service we will be celebrating everyone (student, teachers, etc) going back to school, including Back to Sunday School!  We will have lunch and games (water balloon toss anyone??!!). There will also be a mobile unit there to give vaccines – Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer.  Come join the party and start the school year out with splash!


Nursery Care
Nursery care will also return this September.  We are looking for one or two experienced people to help fill in the volunteer rotation.  Please contact Karen Miller if you are interested. Background checks will be performed for all those that volunteer with our children.


Youth Ministry 2021-2022

Youth Ministries at WUMC in August & September:

All students 7th grade through high school and parent(s) are invited for a brief State of Youth Ministry Address TODAY at 11:00AM in the Youth Room. Topics include:

•   How can you help redesign the Youth Room?

•   What’s happening with Confirmation?

•   When will High School Youth Group start?

Arriving Sunday, September 19th: the Return of the Confirmands! If you or a family member or a friend are in 7th, 8th, or 9th grade for school year 2021-22, Confirmation is for you.

Working title for this year: “Confirmation: Questioning Faith.” Confirmation at Woodridge UMC is not an attempt at indoctrination, but rather an exploration of the questions participants bring regarding life, faith, God, the church, and more. Big questions such as:

What even is faith?

Where is God in the midst of suffering?

What does it mean to be a person of faith in the real world of 2021?


Please contact Pastor Dave (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org) to register and/or for more information.



Outreach Opportunities

As we begin to gather together for worship and slowly open our building, there are some ongoing opportunities that we want to "revive".  We will get more details from our Outreach Committee at a later time about these and other opportunities.


Suits for Success

There are donation boxes in the hallway by the coat rack just outside the narthex for both men and women's clothing.  The clothes are picked up, dry cleaned and then taken to area men and women's prisons for people being released.  NO belts, shoes, underwear or ties.

 

"Goin' Green" Shoes & Clothes Recycling Box

Located in the northeast corner of our parking lot, this receptacle is a convenient place to recycle any shoes and your clothes that are at or near the end of their usefulness.

Did you know discarded clothes account for more total landfill space than any other waste item? The “Goin’ Green” Box helps us reduce our waste.

How is this different from our “Suits for Success” ministry?

The big difference is that “Suits for Success” cannot accept shoes of any kind, nor can they accept belts, ties, or underwear. “Goin’ Green” accepts all shoes and clothes.

In summary: Keep bringing your gently used clothing donations to the “Suits for Success” collection boxes in the hallway.

For all shoes and any other clothes, instead of throwing them in the trash, put them in the “Goin’ Green” receptacle in the northeast corner of the parking lot.
 


West Suburban Food Pantry

We have a basket that we "inherited" from the Faith, Lisle church that is waiting for donations.  It sits in the narthex, usually near the sanctuary doors.  They did not stop operating during the pandemic and there is pending legislation in our state and nation that might cut their corporate donations in large amounts.  Let's replenish our basket!!!

 

Used Eyeglasses
There is a basket also in the narthex for collecting used eyeglasses.  Jorie would see that her sister, Kendra, got the eyeglasses and that they are recycled to the Lions Club and Gift of Sight groups.  Kendra is continuing this important mission. (Prescription eyeglasses only).

 

August Outreach Offering

Nkemba and Mbwizu Ndjungu



The Rev. Nkemba Ndjungu and his wife Mbwizu Ndjungu are missionaries with the Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church serving with The United Methodist Church of Cameroon.
 
They oversee church development and construction, Christian education, health, youth and prison ministries and VIM teams. They also facilitate an intensive pastor’s training program as part of the ordination process.
 
Born in Malonga, Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C), Rev. Nkemba’s previous appointments have been as a pastor in Kazembe and Lubumbashi and as a District Superintendent in Sandoa, all in the D.R.C. From 1998-2007 he served in Dakar, Senegal, where he was involved in evangelism, church-planting and theological education.
Born in Kasaji, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C.), Mbwizu previously served as a midwife in Kazembe and Sandoa, D.R.C., and as coordinator of an "Alphabet Center for Women" in Lubumbashi, D.R.C. Mbwizu and her husband served in Dakar, Senegal, from 1998-2007.


 

Northern Illinois Conference 
NEW Prairie Central District
The new names of the districts, which go into effect July 2021, are Lake North, Lake South, Prairie Central, Prairie North, and Prairie South. We will be in the Prairie Central district.  Click here to read the list of churches in each district. Find the new district webpage here.


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  

      
August 20th, 2021, Volume 12, Edition 34

 

 

 

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