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

Sent:                                           Friday, March 4, 2022 11:02 AM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     Our End Is Our Beginning" - Woodridge United Methodist Church Newsletter

Attachments:                          164641326303.06.22_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

 

 

"Our End Is Our Beginning"

Today marks the first Sunday in the season of Lent.  The 40 days before Easter (not including Sundays) are days of deep reflection and introspection.  In days gone by it was a time when persons were prepared for baptism and those who had broken relationship with their community could enter into a time of reconciliation.  Ultimately experiencing a new beginning both for baptismal candidates and those whose sin had driven them from their community. 
 
The Lenten season began on Ash Wednesday and we started it off with the imposition of ashes on one another's forehead.  While the observance of Lent and Ash Wednesday have deep and strong roots especially in the Catholic Church, it is considered by other Christian denominations as a "new thing" and has only become a part of our tradition within the last 50 or so years.
 
Our scripture lessons for this Sunday -- creation of humanity and the Resurrection-- serve as a place for us to begin the Lenten journey.  We are reminded of our beginning as dust and the ultimate end that we look forward to... resurrection.  Yes, "OUR END IS OUR BEGINNING".  
 
Like I mentioned on Wednesday, ashes are not the end.  Ashes or the stardust of God's creating, are reminders of our beginning points in this human form that we know.  Maybe you noticed a little "sparkle" in your ashes from us on Wednesday??!!
 
But, being formed from God's stardust, has some expectations and responsibilities.  Let's try to wrap our heads around those on Sunday at 10 a.m..  join us in person or on YouTube at 
Woodridge UMC.  See you then!!!

 

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, March 7th

  • 9:00 am Chapter Meeting

Sunday, March 6th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • 11:00 am Communion (in person)
  • 11:00 am Confirmation/Youth
  • 11:30 am Worship Band
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist

Monday, March 7th

  • 7:00 pm Den 3
  • 7:00 pm Den 5
  • 7:00 pm Trustees

Tuesday, March 8th

  • Church Office CLOSED
  • 10:30 am Tuesday Lenten Study

Wednesday, March 9th

  • Church Office CLOSED
  • 6:00 pm Wednesday Lenten Study

Thursday, March 10th

  • 7:00 pm BSA
  • 7:30 pm Toastmasters

Sunday, March 13th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • 11:00 am Confirmation/Youth
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist

 

 

 

Worship Services

In Person

Please join us in keeping one another safe by maintaining safe habits in and away from the church, as well as showing respect the choices of others.  Know that we sincerely care and are here for you!  Let us know how we can strengthen our ties and be the awesome beloved community that God has created.  COVID Protocols Continue Until Easter

  • Stay home if you feel unwell.
  • 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 sanctuary.
  • Pew markers have been removed but be respectful of people still practicing social distancing 
  • SINGING DURING Worship CONTINUES

 

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.
 

PASTOR DANITA'S VESTMENT
Many people have asked about the purple vestment that Pastor Danita wears during the season of Lent.  It was a gift from her friend, Reverend J. Jeannette Cooper, retired clergywoman in South Carolina, which Pastor Danita wore as a part of Reverend Cooper's wedding ceremony.  It was handmade in Ghana, Africa and the symbol on the sleeve means "believe in God".  There are only 12 of these vestments which were made exclusively for Reverend Cooper's Sisters in Spirit (S.O.S.) who served communion at the wedding ceremony.


NEW LECTIONARY BEING USED
Pastor Dave and I invite you to continue to journey with us as we utilize the new "arrangement" of scripture lessons.  We are using "A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year W" by Dr. Wil Gafney.  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.

 

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.  You are invited to Google her, check her website and/or purchase the resource (which is now available on Kindle).  Please stay with 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 9:00 a.m. - noon.
                                       Tuesday & Wednesday Church Office CLOSED
                                        Thursday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

We ask that you call before visiting.

The church office is CLOSED on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

 

 

 

Opportunities/Events 

Youth Ministry 2021-2022

A big THANK YOU to all our Confirmands and Youth who planned, led, and produced Ash Wednesday worship — you were all amazing!

TODAY, Sunday, March 6th: Confirmation and High School Youth Group are in person at 11:00AM in the Youth Room. We will reflect on Ash Wednesday and begin planning a retreat.

Looking Ahead:
Sundays, March 13th & 20th: Confirmation and High School Youth Group at 11:00AM.



Lent 2022 at Woodridge UMC: 
March 8 & 9: Lent Study begins, 10:30 am & 6:00 pm
April 10: Palm Sunday service 10:00 am
April 14: Maundy Thursday service 7:00 pm
April 15: Good Friday service 7:00 pm
April 16: Holy Saturday service 5:00 pm
April 17: Easter Sunday service 10:00 am



Welcome Back Trustees! 
The Trustees will be meeting on Monday, March 7th at 7:00 pm for the first time since 2020!  These dedicated people guide the care and maintenance of the church building, grounds and parsonage.  We’re looking for some new folks to join us in this work. Come to the meeting to learn more. Contact Rick Cihlar or Tom Strong with any questions.
 

The Bible for Curious People 
This study is open to all and meets Tuesday mornings at 10:30am. 

This week, Tuesday, March 8th: Lent study begins, “Faithful Lent: Connecting the Practices of Lent & Anti-Racism.” All materials will be provided. For the month of March (at least), this class will be on Zoom only.


Wednesday Bible Study
Our Wednesday Bible study meets from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  We will begin our Lenten study, “Faithful Lent: Connecting the Practices of Lent & Anti-Racism” on Wednesday, March 9th. All materials will be provided.  If you are interested in joining the Wednesday class, please contact Pastor Danita or the church office.

 

LENTEN STUDY

For the season of Lent this year, our Tuesday and Wednesday Bible study classes will be utilizing a resources from our General Commission on Religion and Race of the United Methodist Church entitled "Faithful Lent:  Connecting the Practices of Lent and Anti-Racism".  This is an opportunity for our church to see "how the faith traditions of Lent bring justice and anti-racism to life".  The participant's guide will be made available on Ash Wednesday.  If you are interested in participating, please contact the church office or one of the pastors with your name and email address.  Classes will meet as follows:

TUESDAY with Pastor Dave beginning March 8 at 10:30 a.m. to noon. Some classes will be in person and some via ZOOM.

WEDNESDAY with Pastor Danita beginning March 9 at 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m..  This class will be hybrid -- in person and via ZOOM simultaneously. 

We are looking forward to some interesting and engaging conversation.

 

WUMC Music Ensembles Update

As we journey through Lent toward Easter, we are slowly reintroducing some of our music ensembles.
 
Due to a limited amount of rehearsal time, we are asking that participants commit to all rehearsals prior to playing at a given service. If one “cycle” does not fit your schedule, please consider joining in a different “cycle.” Please email Carrie Marcotte (
carriemarcotte.chorus@gmail.com) by the deadlines below to confirm your participation for each cycle. Please use the subject heading “Worship” or “Bell Choir” in your email.
 
Here is the schedule for rehearsals and services:
 
Bell Choir: Please RSVP by March 6
Mandatory rehearsals (11:30 am-1 pm) after the Sunday services on
March 20                   April 3
March 27                   April 10
Play at the Easter Sunday service on Apr 17.
 
Worship Band: Please RSVP by April 10
Mandatory rehearsals (11:30 am-12:30 pm) after the Sunday services on
April 24
May 1
Play at the service on May 8 (Mother’s Day).
 
If you have further questions or need clarification, please reach out to Carrie.

 

Upper Rooms

There are a small number of Upper Rooms for March-April available in the narthex.


Billy Elton Concert

Billy Elton is a band that celebrates the music of Billy Joel and Elton John, and features our very own Reid Spears on piano and lead vocals.  Every other year since 2008, they have performed a benefit concert at the Neuqua Valley Auditorium that raises money to support the memorial funds of three fondly remembered Neuqua Valley teachers who have passed away.  To date, they have raised over $20,000.  The next benefit concert is coming up on Friday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are only $10 each in advance, or $15 at the door.  They can be purchased online here, or you can get them directly from Reid at church.  If you'd like to learn a little more about the band (and even see some video footage), visit their website at Billy-Elton.com.  Come on out for a fun night of music and help a great cause!  For anybody who chose not to obtain a refund from the canceled event in 2020 and are still holding those tickets, they will be honored at the door.

 

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).
 

March Outreach Offering

UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) 


The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the humanitarian relief and development arm of The United Methodist Church, operated under the auspices of the General Board of Global Ministries.
UMCOR’s Vision and Mission
Vision: As the humanitarian relief and development arm of The United Methodist Church, UMCOR strengthens and transforms people and communities.
           
Mission: Compelled by Christ to be a voice of conscience on behalf of the people called Methodist, UMCOR works globally to alleviate human suffering and advance hope and healing.
UMCOR’s work can be categorized into three major areas
1) Humanitarian Relief / Disaster Response 
2) Sustainable Development
3) Global Health (in collaboration with Global Ministries)

UMCOR’s MANDATE
The United Methodist Committee on Relief exists to assist United Methodists and churches to become involved globally in direct ministry to persons in need through programs of relief, rehabilitation, and service, including issues of displaced persons, hunger and poverty, disaster response, and disaster risk reduction; and to assist organizations, institutions, and programs related to annual conferences and other units of The United Methodist Church in their involvement in direct service to such persons in need.

 

Northern Illinois Conference
2021 Apportionments

Congratulations! The Northern Illinois Conference celebrates Woodridge UMC for faithfully paying 100% of its apportionments in 2021. Bishop John L. Hopkins gives thanks to all the Northern Illinois churches that stepped up and made connectional giving a priority despite these challenging times. 

“I praise God for the sacrificial giving of our churches, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hopkins said. “Many people will be served because of your faithfulness.”

Your apportionment dollars help support hundreds of global and local ministries and missions throughout our United Methodist connection. Thank You!

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 the district superintendent and your lay colleagues in the PCD every SECOND Thursday of the month beginning on January 13th 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.  So, please share this with anyone in your church who is a lay "leader" and might like to join us on Zoom.  Call 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  

      
March 4, 2022, Volume 12, Edition 9

 

 

 

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