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

Sent:                                           Friday, September 17, 2021 9:30 AM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     Could it be...Satan?!!" - Woodridge United Methodist Church Newsletter

Attachments:                          163181111409.19.21_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

 

 

"Could it be...Satan?!!"

Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, when one city was so beautiful, so inspiring, so utterly transcendent, that it was the home of countless kings and gods galore.

 

That’s right, friends, this week we spend even more time in famous Caesarea Philippi!

 

Wait, what? Weren’t we just there last week?

Yes!

So, why haven’t we moved on? What are we still doing here?

Great question!

 

According to the gospel of Mark, it was important enough to Jesus that he took his disciples way out of their way just to be in Caesarea Philippi. So let’s zoom in for a closer look at this story:

•   Why did this story have to happen where it did? What is so special about where it is set?

•   What can we learn from Peter’s words and deeds in this story?

•   Who or what is motivating all the action here — and what does it have to do with us today?

 

That’s the task Pastor Dave will attempt this Sunday, September 19th, in his sermon, “Could it be…Satan?!?”

 

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, September 17th

  • 6:30 pm Pack Meeting

Sunday, September 19th

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

Monday, September 20th

  • 7:00 pm Den 3
  • 7:00 pm Den 5

Tuesday, September 21st

  • 10:30 am Bible Study (online)
  • 7:00 pm BSA Committee Meeting

Wednesday, September 22nd

  • 6:00 pm Bible Study (Online & In Person)

Thursday, September 23rd

  • 7:00 pm BSA

Sunday, September 19th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • Noon Communion (online)
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist 
  • 6:30 pm CSA Committee Meeting

 

 

 

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

We recently implemented new ways to share the peace of Christ and have some fun doing so. Now that you’ve been through the full cycle, how was your experience of this? What ideas has it inspired in you that we could try? Let Pastor Dave know (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org)!

As a reminder, this is the current Passing the Peace schedule:

•   First Sunday fans

•   Second Sunday sign language 

•   Third wave movement Sunday

•   Fourth Sunday fist bumps

•   Fifth Sunday mystery


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 Hours:   Monday & Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - Noon

                                        Wednesday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

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

 

 

 

Opportunities/Events 

The Bible for Curious People Returns Tuesday, September 14th
This study is open to all and meets Tuesday mornings at 10:30am. We meet in person the first Tuesday of the month, on Zoom the other Tuesdays.
 
Reading Assignment for Tuesday, September 21st:
Chapter 2-3 of Romans, plus any notes your bible provides.
 
Questions to consider:

— In The Message version, Paul writes, “You can get by with almost anything if you front it with eloquent talk about God and his law.” In what ways have you experienced this?

— Summarize Paul’s argument these first three chapters.

— According to Paul, how is it that God can be God of both Jews and gentiles?


Please contact Pastor Dave (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org) for the Zoom link.
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
This fall, we have our Wednesday Bible study (obviously on Wednesday) from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. that began on Wednesday, September 15th.  We will meet in person (those who wish to) as well as via ZOOM (for those not able to be in person).
 
Our study guide for this fall is entitled "We Are the Church....Let's Act Like It" by Linda Tower Pevey.  It is a study on the Book of Acts and will last through the end of October.  The book is available on Amazon with paperback and kindle editions.  Please be sure to have your copy by our first meeting.
 
FOR THOSE JOINING IN PERSON:  Our class will meet in the narthex (right outside of the sanctuary).  Please continue to wear your mask while we are inside of the building.  Also, please park and enter at that end of the building.
 
FOR THOSE JOINING VIA ZOOM:  You will be connected and able to verbally participate as in a regular ZOOM call. Contact Pastor Danita or the church office for the link.


 

Back to School Spectacular

THANK YOU to all who helped make last week’s Back to School Spectacular so much fun! THANK YOU also to Doggie Diner who donated some of the food for our celebration. So we hope you’ll support their restaurant — and when you go there, be sure to thank them for donating to our picnic!
 

 

Crop Walk Returns Sunday, October 17th

Arrive at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Downers Gove at 1:30pm.

Step off at 2:00pm; done by 4:00pm.

CROP Hunger Walks are community-based walk events held in cities and towns across the United States, raising funds to support Church World Service and local hunger fighting efforts.

Contact Pastor Dave to register (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org).
 

 

Crop Walk Panera Fundraiser

On Wednesday, October 6th from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, he Panera (160 Odgen Ave.) in Downer Grove is having a fundraiser for Crop Walk.  A percentage of all purchases will go to Crop Walk if you bring the flyer here.  If you order online, enter PRFUND at checkout.
 



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?

 

Classes begin TODAY, Sunday, September 19th at 11:00am in the Youth Room. Please contact Pastor Dave (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org) to register and/or for more information. Or simply meet us in the Youth Room today at 11:00am (aka after the worship service).



Communion
On the 1st Sunday in October we will have in-person communion outside under the tent following the morning worship service. We will then resume communion on ZOOM for the remaining Sundays in September and October.


Youth Ministry 2021-2022

Youth Ministries at WUMC in September & beyond:

TODAY, Sunday, September 19th at 11:00am Confirmation Class returns. Meet in the Youth Room after the worship service.

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.

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

Also returning TODAY Sunday, September 19th at 11:00am: High School Youth Group! Faith exploration geared for sophomores through seniors. No question is out of bounds. Meet in Youth Room after the worship service.



Outreach Opportunities

Offering of Letters

One of our responses to our “Jesus Said What?!” sermon series is to embody our faith in an Offering of Letters to Congress advocating for policies that will help end hunger locally and globally.

THANK YOU to all who wrote letters — both in person and online.

If you used the online option to email Congress, be sure to let Pastor Dave know (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org) so we can count your letters in our total.


DuPage Pads: Did You Know?

DuPagePads operates a Street Outreach call line for anyone who observes someone unsheltered or in need of services. Please notify our Street Outreach team at 630-682-3846, option 2, or email streetoutreach@dupagepads.org with the following information: 

Your name and contact information (for possible follow-up) 

  • Individual’s/Family’s Name (if known) 
  • Location (last seen) 
  • General Description



Midwest Mission Assistance for Disaster Relief and Afghan Refugees
From flooding in Michigan in the North to the wildfires in the West, now the hurricane devastation in Louisiana and flooding in Tennessee, we have exhausted our cleaning kit inventory. We need your help!
To donate text MMDC to 91999, mail in a check or collect supplies and take to your nearest
collection site.
We have an immediate need so we can continue to help those in disaster situations and assist the Afghan refugees that are being placed.

September Focus: Cleaning Supplies

We are in urgent need of :

  • Liquid Dish Soap 14-32 oz
  • Liquid Household Cleaner 16-40 oz
  • Liquid Laundry Soap 32-64 oz
  • Diapers (for adults & children)
  • Monetary Donations to buy kit items in bulk


Please visit our website to see a full list of Midwest Mission supply needs.


Hurricane Ida Damage Includes UM Churches
Category 4 Hurricane Ida delivering 150mph winds caused widespread damage in southeast Louisiana, including to several United Methodist churches and parsonages. Much of Louisiana remains without power or cellphone service. Read more.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has already awarded a grant to the Louisiana Conference to support relief efforts and remains in prayer for the many communities impacted by this major storm.
 
How to Help


To read the rest of the article from the Northern Illinois Conference click here.
 


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).

 

September Outreach Offering

Ministerial Education Fund


 

Another one of the 7 General Apportionment Funds that would have previously been funded through the churches general apportionments payments, the Ministerial Education Fund provides funds for recruitment of clergy candidates and provides financial support for 13 United Methodist seminaries including Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston and Pastor Danita’s alma mater, Gammon Seminary.

 

Africa University


Africa University, located in Zimbabwe, is the first fully accredited United Methodist-related institution on the African continent. The University promotes independence and empowerment through a diverse student body from across the continent.

 

 

Northern Illinois Conference 
Prairie Central District
The new names of the districts, which went 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.


Prairie Central Monthly Lay Meetings
Please join our District Superintendent, Jeffrey Bross and your lay colleagues in the PCD every SECOND Thursday of the month beginning on September 9 and ending on May 12 at 7pm.  We will share news, have some prayer and devotion, hear the call story of a colleague and laugh with your friends.  We try to keep it to an hour but if something is really important and we need some extra time, we can do so.  This is a no-stress way to stay connected and get lifted up and know you are not alone.  
 
Please note that ALL lay persons who are in leadership at their churches are invited. This is not just for designated "lay leaders" but anyone who has an interest in the church and gathering with other lay persons.  
 
Hope to see you there.  Contact the church office for the link.
 


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  

      
September 17th, 2021, Volume 12, Edition 38

 

 

 

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