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

Sent:                                           Friday, January 21, 2022 9:45 AM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     The Present Paradox" - Woodridge United Methodist Church Newsletter

Attachments:                          164277949901.23.22_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

 

 

"The Present Paradox"

At first blush, the three readings for today (Zephaniah 3, 1 Timothy 4, and Mark 1) don’t seem to have much in common. Actually, that doesn’t change even a second or third time through the readings. And certainly, the same could be said of the readings from any number of weeks.

 

Perhaps then, the Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney — author of A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year W, and our textual translator for the season* — put these scriptures together to help us find not a common theme, but our common humanity in God’s love.

 

*For more on Dr. Gafney and her book, please see the separate announcement elsewhere in this eNews.

 

We tend to idealize our past and worry about our future. Meanwhile, Zephaniah declares God is in our midst right now. How can we change our perspective on time? Or our perspective on that which is shameful? Or our perspective on those forces that oppose or oppress us? And who counts as “us” anyway?

 

We are in the Season of Epiphany, so let’s see what insights — what light bulb moments — we might encounter together. Pastor Dave will do all he can to make that happen this Sunday, January 23rd, in his sermon, “This Present Paradox.”

 

All are welcome as we worship together Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in person and 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

 

Sunday, January 23rd

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • 11:30 am Confirmation/Youth
  • Noon Communion (online)
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist

Monday, January 24th

  • 7:00 pm Den 2

Tuesday, January 25th

  • 10:30 am Bible Study (Online)
  • 7:00 pm Health Team

Wednesday, January 26th

  • 6:00 pm Bible Study (Online)
  • 7:00 pm BSA

Thursday, January 27th

  • 7:00 pm Den 4

Sunday, January 30th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • 11:30 am Confirmation/Youth
  • Noon Communion (online)
  • 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 in the sanctuary.
  • No Congregational singing.
  • Do not linger in the Narthex.

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.

 

The weekly worship guide is attached to this email for ease of access. 

 

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.
 


NEW LECTIONARY BEING USED
We invite you to join us on our new journey of utilizing a new "arrangement" of scripture lessons.  We are using "A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year W" by Dr. Wil Gafney.  Womanist biblical scholar, the Rev. Wil Gafney, Ph.D. is the Right Rev. Sam B. Hulsey Professor of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. She is an Episcopal priest canonically resident in the Diocese of Pennsylvania and licensed in the Diocese of North Texas, and a former Army chaplain.  This lectionary includes the traditional four-fold model of an Old Testament scripture, Psalm, Gospel and Epistle lesson each week and uses gender-expansive language.  It specifically and intentionally makes women visible in these lectionary texts.  This commitment to the visibility of women and girls is challenging for some and refreshing to others.  We are in the process of making sure all of the copyright permissions are in order for us to show the designated scripture passages on our screens for our worship settings.  As soon as they are......  In the meantime, you are welcomed to Google her, check her website and/or purchase the resource.  Join us on this journey and please do not hesitate to give us your feedback.


SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION 1ST SUNDAYS
We will be celebrating the Sacrament of Communion in person on the first Sunday of each month immediately following the livestream of our worship service. We will need a few moments to set up our ZOOM link for those who are not able to be with us in person.  Please remain seated following the postlude on the Sundays that we are serving communion.  Please remember that communion is available every Sunday via ZOOM.  Please contact the church office or Pastor Danita for the ZOOM link.
 

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. to 3:00 p.m.

We ask that you call before visiting.

 

 

 

Opportunities/Events 

Youth Ministry 2021-2022

Sunday, Jan. 23rdConfirmation class meets on Zoom at 11:30 am.

Contact Pastor Dave for the link.

High School Youth Group is invited to join the Confirmation Zoom at 11:30AM. We will check in on each other as a large group, then High Schoolers will get a breakout room. Contact Pastor Dave for the link.

Looking ahead: Confirmation and High School Youth Group will be on Zoom only for the month of January at 11:30AM.

Wednesday, March 2nd, 7:00PM: Confirmation Class leads Ash Wednesday worship for the whole congregation.

 

The Bible for Curious People 
This study is open to all and meets Tuesday mornings at 10:30am. For now we are meeting on Zoom only. This January we operate lectionary study style: meaning we look at the texts that inform that week’s worship service.
 
Reading Assignment for Tuesday, January 25th:

Isaiah 16:1-5; Ephesians 3:1-6; and Luke 3:21-23, 31-38
 
Questions to consider:

—Some sections of the bible condemn “foreign women.” Why do you think this time Isaiah implores Israel to accept them?

—The Ephesians letter demonstrates that men and women and Gentile and Jewish followers of God are all apostles and prophets. Why do you suppose the church has tried so hard over the centuries since to limit who qualifies as apostle and prophet?

—Compare the baptism scene here in Luke to the one we read a couple weeks ago in Matthew 3:16. What do you notice?

—Why do you think Luke’s long genealogy list here is so different from the one we read on December 26 in Matthew 1?


Wednesday Bible Study
Our Wednesday Bible study meets from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  We meet via ZOOM (for the month of January).  We are studying this Advent’s lectionary scripture lessons.  Please join us.


United Methodist Men
The Prairie Central District United Methodist Men will conduct an Annual Meeting via Zoom 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, January 22, 2022.  Please plan to participate. If you care to participate, email John Maxson and you will receive a Zoom link for the meeting.


United Methodist Women Mission U
February 4-5 at Hinsdale UMC
“There’s Far More Than Meets the Eye." Mission U is presented by United Methodist Women for all (children, youth, men and women). Organizers will offer several adult classes, hybrid (in person & online). Fees are $45 for an in-person adult (lunch included), $15 for each virtual adult, $5 for each child or youth with a maximum of $15 for children and youth per family. For details and registration, visit 
umwnic.org.  Different topics are available at each date but cover the 2021 studies:

  • Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools” 
  • Finding Peace in an Anxious World 
  • Children’s Study (ages 5-11) – Responding to Violence 



Outreach Opportunities

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

As you have probably heard from neighbors and news media sources, the tenants of Woodridge Country Club Condos have had to vacate their homes because of extensive building repairs.  Mayor Cunningham and her offices have been working diligently to relocate these families.  However, there are some very serious needs for the families in their temporary spaces at nearby hotels. The immediate needs are as follows:

1.)  Cases of water;

2.)  Personal care toiletries (such as full sized body wash, shampoo and conditioners, lotions, etc.);

3.)  Children's activities/games, hot cocoa, snacks, family-sized cereal;

4.)  Monetary donations (addressed to Woodridge Neighbors Helping Neighbors).

Please feel free to assist where you can.  We will coordinate our efforts through the Outreach Committee and make a more concerted, church-wide effort in January.  However, you are invited to respond more immediately if you so desire.  Please watch our E-news for updates and details in the coming weeks.


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).
 

January Outreach Offering

Family Crisis Fund


The Pastors of our church use our Family Crisis Fund to assist persons who come to our doors through the week needing help with food, utilities, prescription medicine(s), gas, emergency rental payments, and similar. The Family Crisis Fund is also available to church members in their time of need for the same types of assistance (food, utilities, etc.) In addition to your monetary donations, we can also utilize gift cards from grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations. These are also very helpful. The Pastors are grateful for your faithful support in helping the church do the work of Christ on a daily basis. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

 

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  

      
January 21, 2022, Volume 12, Edition 3

 

 

 

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