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

Sent:                                           Friday, November 19, 2021 1:36 PM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     Holiday Cheer or Comfortably Glum?" - Woodridge United Methodist Church Newsletter

Attachments:                          163735042911.28.21_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

 

 

"Holiday Cheer or Comfortably Glum?"

This year, as in most years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is also the first Sunday of Advent. Yes, that’s kind of annoying. We feel this push-and-pull almost constantly right now: Is it autumn or winter? Can we focus on Thanksgiving or must we think only of Christmas? Are we holding on to all things orange, brown, and leafy? Or do we seek only green, red, and sparkly?
 
However we respond to those queries, we must live in the world as it is even as we seek to partner with God to create the world as it is meant to be. So, here we are, might as well make the best of it. That’s exactly what we plan to do!
 
Join us as together we prepare the sanctuary for arrival of the Christ Child during the worship service this Sunday, November 28th…with a few accommodations for the pandemic of course.
 
Pastor Dave will use texts from Genesis 16 and Luke 1 to muse on this theme as well in his homily, “Holiday Cheer Or Comfortably Glum?”
Annunciation? Incarnation? Anticipation? Incarceration? They are all there, if we can but see and hear.
 
Join us Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in person or 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

 

Saturday, November 27th

  • 10:00 am Kolar Visitation
  • 11:00 am Kolar Memorial

Sunday, November 28th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service/Hanging of the Greens
  • Noon Communion (online)
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist
  • 6:30 pm CSA Committee

Tuesday, November 30th

  • 10:30 am Tuesday Bible Study

Wednesday, December 1st

  • 10:30 am Staff Meeting
  • 6:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study

Thursday, December 2nd

  • 7:00 pm BSA
  • 7:00 pm Den 4

Sunday, December 5th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • 11:00 am Communion (in person)
  • 11:00 am Youth Group/Confirmation Class
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist
  • 6:30 pm CSA Committee

 

 

 

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.

(There have been requests that we include full names and/or more detailed information for people on our list of Joys & Concerns.  Please remember our services are broadcast on YouTube and are available to anyone who has internet access. Details are shared with our Prayer Ministry Team on Monday mornings.  You are invited to join them in prayer and share in this information by contacting the church office).

 

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

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

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

We ask that you call before visiting.

 

 

 

Opportunities/Events 

The Bible for Curious People
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, November 30th:

Genesis 17:15-22 and Luke 1:39-45, our texts for the second Sunday of Advent. Plus, as always, any notes your bible provides. 

Questions to consider:

—What do you make of Abraham’s reaction to God’s promise? How does this treatment of Sarah compare to that of Hagar?

—How does the servant/slave language Mary uses hit you?

—When have you been an Elizabeth for someone else (encouraging them, guiding them)? Who has been an Elizabeth for you?


Wednesday Bible Study
Our Wednesday Bible study that meets from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. is taking a few weeks off.  We will meet in person (those who wish to) as well as via ZOOM (for those not able to be in person) starting again on this Wednesday, December 1st.  We will be studying this Advent’s lectionary scripture lessons.  Please join us.
 


Youth Gift Card Sale is BACK!!
Support WUMC Youth with gift card orders with one last opportunity to participate. Orders forms are due Sunday, December 12th and will be available for pick-up Sunday, December 19th. A percentage of all sales goes to Youth Ministries. Please remember to keep the  WUMC Family Crisis Fund in mind. Gift cards are incredibly helpful for those in the community who need financial assistance. Get your form here or in the narthex.

 
Hanging of the Greens

This year, as in most years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is also the first Sunday of Advent. Yes, that’s kind of annoying. Yet, we must live in the world as it is even as we seek to partner with God to create the world as it is meant to be. So, here we are, might as well make the best of it. That’s exactly what we plan to do!

Join us as together we prepare the sanctuary for arrival of the Christ Child during the worship service on THIS Sunday, November 28th…with a few accommodations for the pandemic of course. Maybe you too can be part of the Advent action that day!


Special Sunday: United Methodist Student Day 2021 (Nov. 28)
United Methodist Student Day (last Sunday of November) furnishes scholarships and loans for students attending United Methodist-related and other accredited colleges and universities. This offering helps provide for more than 70 scholarships available for United Methodist students to further their education and enrich the life of the Church. The fund is administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. You can find envelopes in the narthex.

 
Youth Ministry 2021-2022

Youth Ministries at WUMC in November & beyond:

TODAY, Sunday, November 28th: Confirmation Class and High School Youth Group at regular time: 11:00am-12noon. There may be some opportunity to help finish decorating the sanctuary for Advent. We’ll do that and follow up on our gratitude conversation.

Looking ahead:

Dec. 5th & 12th: Confirmation and Youth Group at regular time

 

Upcoming Dates to Remember

Sunday, December 12th - 2nd Annual Light Up the Night Event
Friday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Worship Services at 5:00 and 11:00 pm



Lessons Learned from the Tornado:
Insurance Coverage Tips & Information

Join Patrice Dziire, Deputy Director of Consumer Education & Protection with the State of Illinois Department of insurance, for an insurance overview addressing the basics of good insurance coverage and making insurance claims. In response to the challenges faced by Woodridge following the July 2021 tornado, Deputy Director Dziire will also touch on flood insurance, tiered deductibles, and the role of insurance adjusters.
The Village of Woodridge and Woodridge Public Library are jointly sponsoring the program AND providing giveaways: emergency pocket flashlight, water-resistant "Important Documents" portfolio, and scented LifeSavers candle. Attendees will take home an insurance tip sheet along with contact information for the State of Illinois Department of Insurance.
Date: December 8, 2021
Time: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Woodridge Public Library
The registration link is available 
here.


Toys for Tots at the Village of Woodridge Through Dec. 10th
On the heels of Veteran's Day, the Village of Woodridge is once again collecting items for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Toys for Tots will accept new, unwrapped toys for boys and girls from infants to age 12. Please avoid stuffed animals, clothing, food, and gift cards. Monetary donations can be made via credit card here.

A drop-off box is located at Village Hall (5 Plaza Drive), and toys can be dropped off until December 10. Since 1947, the U.S. Marine Corps have looked after America's needy children through their Toys for Tots program.

 

Come See Santa & Mrs. Claus
on Saturday, Dec. 4th (11am-1pm)

The Woodridge Special Events Committee is once again sponsoring the Annual Santa Comes to Woodridge event. Free Gift Bags will be given to the first 200 children to see Santa and Mrs. Claus on Saturday December 4th at the St. Scholastica Parish Activity Center. Please wear your masks. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive via Woodridge Police escort. Children will not sit with Santa or Mrs. Claus - they will however be able to pose in front of Santa and the decorated stage so parents can take any photos they wish to capture. As has been the practice for over 50 years - this event is FREE and letters to Santa will be happily accepted.

 

Life Line Screening

Did you know?  80% of strokes are preventable according to the American Heart Association and 
Life Line Screening provides valuable health screenings to detect the risk of stroke and 
cardiovascular disease. 
 
You can take advantage of these health screenings today by signing up for the complete stroke screening package (which includes 5 screenings for vascular disease and an osteoporosis screening) for $139 when Life Line Screening comes to Woodridge UMC on Tuesday, December 7th.
 
With the number of  people already signed up, appointment spaces are very limited so please don’t miss your chance to confirm your appointment today before the event is full!  Pre-registration is required. Sign up now by calling toll free to 1-888-653-6441 or text the word circle to 797979 or visit
https://llsa.social/HSC

 

BIRTHDAYS

December Birthdays

1     Dianne Marcell
3     Joann Buerstetta
5     Pam Kabella
6     Monica Copeland
7     Jason Shubert
       Tom Strong
14    Micahla Barba
        Gwenn Edman
        Linda Nealis
15    Erik Borgehammar
18    Karen Novak
22    Declan Manderscheid
23    Trudee Manderfield
25    Morna Stewart

Plus Marion Hahn - November 27th.



 

Outreach Opportunities

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

 


Ongoing 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).

 

November Outreach Offering

Tree of Life Ministries


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
.

 

Northern Illinois Conference 
Prairie Central  Winter Lay Academy
The Prairie Central District is having a Lay Academy - (Jan. 8 & 15) 8 am - 4 pm. at Plainfield UMC breakfast and lunch provided. Cost: $40. Register by January 3rd. 

The two Saturday event from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. will offer four classes:

   Leading Public Prayer 

   Heritage of United Methodism

   Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts

   Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition

Everyone interested in learning more about their faith, seeking support as they consider leadership positions, and enjoying fellowship with other believers are welcome.  Lay Academy’s goals are to enrich the individual as well as support the clergy of the local church. Click here for details and here for registration.



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  

      
November 26th, 2021, Volume 12, Edition 48

 

 

 

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