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

Sent:                                           Friday, April 1, 2022 12:16 PM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     A Glimpse of God's Vision" - Woodridge United Methodist Church Newsletter

Attachments:                          164883325604.03.22_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

 

 

"A Glimpse of God's Vision"

Here we are at the 5th Sunday of our Lenten journey.  Seems like Ash Wednesday was just yesterday!  Sorry to say that it was not!  We are almost at Holy Week. 
 
Throughout this journey  this year we have focused on The Creation Story, the Garden of Eden and the most famous (and publicized) declaration in the Bible: John 3:16.  We have been re-introduced and reminded of our relationship with God through examples and assurances that God is with us.
 
As we look ahead at the steep climb through Holy Week, we pause this week for one last reflection on "GOD'S VISION".  What did God have in mind for us and is God still there with us?  We know the walk through Holy Week is not for the faint of heart!  What do we need to know, do and be prepared for with Holy Week looming in the distance?  What part do we play?  
 
This is our last week to make sure that we are strapped in properly and ready for the emotional roller coaster ride that is ahead of us!!  Let's make sure we have all the instructions and safety precautions in place!
 
Join us on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in person or on our
Woodridge UMC YouTube channel to make sure our vision is aligned with "GOD'S VISION"!!

 

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, April 2nd

  • 9:00 am Sorority

Sunday, April 3rd

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • 11:00 am Communion (in person)
  • 11:30 am Bell Choir Practice
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist
  • 6:30 pm CSA Committee

Monday, April 4th

  • 7:00 pm Trustees Meeting
  • 7:00 pm Den3
  • 7:00 pm Den 5

Tuesday, April 5th

  • 10:30 am Tuesday Lenten Study

Wednesday, April 6th

  • 11:30 am Staff Meeting
  • 6:00 pm Wednesday Lenten Study

Thursday, April 7th

  • 7:00 pm Den 4
  • 7:00 pm BSA

Saturday, April 9th

  • 8:00 am Youth Council
  • 9:00 am All Church Work Day

Sunday, April 10th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • 11:00 am Confirmation/Youth Group
  • 11:30 am Bell Choir Practice
  • Noon Communion (online)
  • 1:00 pm Cub Scout Event
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist

 

 

 

Worship Services

In Person

WUMC considers the good health and well-being of not only our members, but also our community, an act of Christian stewardship. We continue to seek to avoid harm and do good as we attend to the practices that help us grow in the love of God as the COVID-19 Pandemic continues toward an endemic status. As a result of guideline changes from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, we have updated our COVID Safety Guidelines:

  • For worship services and Sunday School, masks are optional but strongly encouraged.
  • Nursery attendants are required to wear masks.
  • Masks are encouraged, but not required for all other meetings, gatherings, or groups. We recommend each group consult with each other on how to do good and avoid harm as a group in consideration of each other's needs and desires.
  • We will continue to practice COVID-19 safety best practices throughout our building including cleaning protocols and air circulation.

If you are feeling sick, please stay home and join us via livestream on YouTube. If community transmission spikes in our area, we may return to mask requirements for all activities.
 

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.


OFFERING ENVELOPES
Offering Envelopes are now available for pick up on the table in the narthex. Thank you for your patience.
 

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

Starting on Easter Sunday we will no longer share specific joys and concerns during the livestream of the worship service.  We are planning a new entrance for the beginning of the worship service and need to make some adjustments.  Our joys and concerns will be printed and placed on the table in the narthex as you come into the sanctuary.  We will continue to do this going forward.  Therefore, all joys and concerns must be emailed to Pastor Danita (PastorDanita@woodridgeumc.org) no later than 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.  If joys and concerns are received after that, they will be sent on Monday to the Prayer Ministry Team.  Thank you for your flexibility as we make updates to our worship services.

(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 

Flower Cross
For the last few years, we have had a large cross covered in flowers on the parkway facing 75th Street to remind passersby the JESUS IS ALIVE!  Please drop off a bouquet of flowers (or two) to be used in assembling the Flower Cross.  There will be a bucket with some water in it just inside of the narthex doors on the south side of the building starting Friday, April 15th.  Please have them at the church before 3:00 pm on Saturday, April 16th. Also, volunteers are needed to help cut the flowers Saturday (come and go as necessary) to prepare them for the cross and/or assemble the cross Easter Sunday at 7:30 am. The cross is a beautiful work of art that needs many hands.


Youth Ministry 2021-2022

TODAY, Sunday, April 3rd: No Confirmation or HS Youth Group. Enjoy Spring Break!

Looking Ahead:
Sunday, April 10th: Confirmation & HS Youth Group return.
Sunday, April 17th: No Confirmation or HS Youth Group. Enjoy Easter with your family!
Saturday, May 7th: Confirmation Retreat (date likely but not finalized).
Sunday, June 5th: Confirmation Sunday! This will be built into the regular 10AM worship service.
 

A Few Words About Holy Week 
As you may know, Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday with the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem amidst a cheering crowd waving palm branches.  To say the least, it is an emotionally charged week.  This year, we want to share a few words about our remembrances for the week.  We encourage you to be with us as we "walk with Jesus" during the last week of His life.  Please note that events are held in different parts of the building on some days. 
PALM SUNDAY -- 10:00 a.m. Join the parade!  Palm branches will be available for everyone!
MAUNDY THURSDAY -- Soup supper at 6:30 p.m. in Bonfal Hall/ worship with communion at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.  The word "maundy" comes from Latin and basically means instructions.  It is generally associated with the footwashing that took place following the Passover meal.  While we have not observed the footwashing portion, we do observe the meal by serving communion.
GOOD FRIDAY -- Tenebrae (extinguishing the lights) at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary -- the service ends in darkness and SILENCE!  We remember the darkness that covered the earth on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus.
HOLY SATURDAY -- 5:00 p.m. in Bonfal Hall.  We will observe a somber time of prayer as we remember the time between the crucifixion of Jesus and His resurrection, sometimes referred to as the Easter Vigil.  We will end this service with a processional to the sanctuary with the Christ candle covered in black. 



The Bible for Curious People 
This study is open to all and meets Tuesday mornings at 10:30am. For the month of March this class will be on Zoom only. Please contact Pastor Dave (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org) for the Zoom link and/or the Lent Study materials.

This week, Tuesday, April 5th: our Lent study, “Faithful Lent: Connecting the Practices of Lent & Anti-Racism,” continues with Chapter 4: Choosing a Side.

Keep pushing yourself with that homework!


Wednesday Bible Study
Our Wednesday Bible study meets from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  We began 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.

 

Radical Hospitality Volunteers
We are in need of volunteers to practice our church's radical hospitality and make the family and friends of our sisters and brother in Christ feel welcome. We are in need of your smiling face and cheerful spirit for the following Memorial Services:

Saturday, April 23rd:  we will be celebrating the life of founding member Mildred Gulbrandson;

Saturday, April 30th: we will be celebrating the life of Lisle Faith UMC's Glenn Wiley;

Friday, June 17th:  we will be celebrating the life of Florence Wentworth.  (A meal will also be included with this serve.)

Please let either Pastor Danita or the church office know if you will be available for any of these dates.

 

The Seven Last Words
The Good Friday Speakers Series The Seven Last Words of Christ well be held at the Chicago Temple (First United Methodist Church) on Friday, April 15th 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the sanctuary. Our very own Pastor Danita will be one of the 7 preachers. Face coverings are required to enter.  The event will also be live streamed on the Chicago Temple's  Website or Facebook Page.

 

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: RSVP was due by March 6
Mandatory rehearsals (11:30 am-1 pm) after the Sunday services on
April 3          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.


All Church Workdays
Green thumb?! Black thumb?!  Any kind of thumb!!  All levels of skill are welcome!  Please join us for two mornings of fellowship and service as we cleanup the grounds and install mulch to beautify our church and parsonage for the summer months.  On Saturday, April 9, will do additional weed and debris removal, complete transplantings and install mulch and herbicide.  These events have been setup on Facebook under the name of Angelique Drzik-Edman for the public to view. Attendees are requested to come dressed to get dirty and bring gloves, a bucket, a hand trowel and a weeder or old screwdriver (and a scooping shovel and wheelbarrow on mulch installation day).  Tools will also be provided to attendees who do not bring their own.  The events are from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, but come anytime, for any amount of time-any and all help is welcome! Snacks and water will be provided.  A perfect opportunity for service hour completion!  Please contact Angelique Edman at 630.267.4591 or rangelfish@hotmail.com with questions or for further information.  See you there!



Radical Hospitality Volunteers
On Saturday, April 23rd we will be celebrating the life of founding member Mildred Gulbrandson and on Saturday, April 30th we will be celebrating the life of Faith UMC's Glenn Wiley.  We are in need of volunteers to practice our church's radical hospitality and make the family and friends of our sister and brother in Christ feel welcome.  Please let either Pastor Danita or the church office know if you will be available on one or both of those afternoons.

Upper Rooms
If you are interested in a digital subscription to the Upper Room, please let the church office know.

 

Outreach Opportunities

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).
 

April Outreach Offering

The Reconciling Ministries Network


Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love. Website: rmnetwork.org. RMN works to influence the UMC to be more inclusive and resources and empowers local churches to participate in this ministry. The network has a presence in all jurisdictions of the UMC.
 
The Reconciling Ministries Network is made up of over 700 Reconciling communities and over 34,000 individuals…
 
Mission:
Reconciling Ministries Network equips and mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.
 
Vision:
Reconciling Ministries Network envisions a renewed and vibrant Wesleyan movement that is biblically and theologically centered. As committed disciples of Jesus Christ, we strive to transform ourselves and the world by living out the Gospel’s teachings of grace, love, justice, and celebration of all of God’s children.

 

Northern Illinois Conference
General Conference Postponed until 2024

Statement from Bishop John L. Hopkins
 
The Commission on the General Conference has announced the further postponement of the 2020 General Conference of The United Methodist Church. The next General Conference will be in 2024.
 
In response to the decision, Bishop John L. Hopkins said:
 
I want to express appreciation to the Commission on General Conference that is made up of elected delegates. They were entrusted to represent General Conference and have consistently upheld the principle of having everyone at the table.
 
If we believe in a church with a strong democratic foundation, we need to support the decision to meet in 2024 whether we agree with it or not. God does not stop working when we cannot gather at a General Conference and neither should we.
 
There are many questions about a General Conference in 2024 that we cannot answer at this time. Between now and our annual conference, we will know more about the possibility of electing bishops, changing representatives on church agencies, resetting the general church budget, and how a postponed 2020 conference and a 2024 conference can be held at the same time.
 
Do not let the news of General Conference being postponed take your attention away from the suffering of our United Methodist churches in Ukraine. I have gathered, sung, and prayed with our United Methodists brothers and sisters in Kyiv and in Moscow who are both led by Bishop Eduard Khegay. Support them with your prayers, offerings, and actions. Your gifts can be received through your local church and designated to Ukrainian assistance.
 
In the meantime, keep thinking globally and acting locally to serve Jesus and his Church. Use this Lenten Season to focus on what is most important and pray for peace.
 
~Bishop John L. Hopkins

 
Read Commission on General Conference Statement
Read Council of Bishops Statement


Ukrainian Assistance

The 2022 Northern Illinois Annual Conference Bishop's Appeal special offering will go toward Ukraine assistance, as the needs will be long term. Stay tuned for more details but in the meantime, you are encouraged to give through your local church designating gifts “Ukraine Assistance."


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
Because of Holy Week, the April meeting will be on April 7th. 
The purpose of the April gathering
 will be to engage in the conversation, "Why I am staying in The United Methodist Church." There has been a lot of information (and a lot where you could add "mis" in front of that word) about this. I would like to engage in a discussion about why it is a good thing to be a UMC and why Seekers are likely to seek our denomination. My goal is to provide a framework, utilizing the denomination's campaign, #BeUMC and additional information that moves the discussion from division and what is wrong with others to the positive impact of being in a grace-filled connection. 

As a primer, you are encouraged to read the statement by Ginghamsburg UMC.    

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  

      
April 1st, 2022, Volume 12, Edition 13

 

 

 

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