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Woodridge United Methodist
Church
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Join
us on Sunday for worship services
at
10:00 am.
Instructions
can be found at the end below.
All are
Welcome!
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"Never
Lost, Always Reminded"
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Almost every driver
has had at least one experience of map/GPS
failure.... gotten lost even with the best
device. Usually it was not intentional, but just a
matter of missing a turn or a sign or something
distracting your attention, even for just a moment.
Remember that moment? The angst and
desperation!!
Imagine that same
feeling when you have been entrusted with the care of
others..... children, adults, persons with disabilities,
your grandchildren and one of them gets away from your
presence!! Or maybe just feeling as though your
relationship with God "needs a little
work"? You just want it to be over!!!
A lost sheep, a lost
coin being away from the "safe" presence you
have always known....stories that we have heard and
sometimes not quite connecting to the examples
used. So, this week let's take a look at these
stories in more applicable ways for us in 2022.
We might discover that the sheep and coin have more
in common with our circumstances than we realize!!
We will take a look
at our relationship with God through Jesus Christ and may
find that we are "NEVER LOST, ALWAYS
REMINDED". Please join us on Sunday at 10:00
a.m.. We would love to see you in person, but if
not, join us on our Woodridge UMC YouTube Channel.
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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.
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The weekly worship guide is attached to this email.
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Sunday, September 11th
- 10:00 am Worship Service
- Noon Communion
(online)
Monday, September 12th
- 7:00
pm Den 1
- 7:00
pm Den 2
Tuesday, September 13th
- 10:30
am Bible Study (online)
Wednesday, September 14th
Thursday, September 15th
Friday, September 16th
Saturday, September 17th
Sunday, September 18th
- 10:00 am Worship Service
- Noon Communion
(online)
- 4:00
pm Filipino Baptist
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Church Office Hours
Monday & Tuesday: 9:00 - noon
Wednesday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
We ask that you call before visiting.
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Pastor Dave's
Blog Post
Advocacy Opportunities
Welcome back to
the blog. Time for some follow up on ideas and actions we’ve
discussed over the previous few weeks.
First, I want you to know that last week’s guest speaker, Cindy
Changyit Levin and her husband, David, gifted Woodridge UMC with
a copy of her book for our church library. Check it out some
time! (See what I did there?)
What was that legislative update Cindy gave in her talk? And what
actions can we take to care for neighbors experiencing hunger and
harm?
Plus! We are up to 12 folks from Woodridge UMC who have signed
the Christians Against Christian Nationalism statement. But there
is room for more. How?
[Read more about all of those items in Pastor Dave’s
blog post by clicking here]
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Ministry Opportunities
Celebration of Life for Jim and Cleo Carpenter
On Saturday,
September 17th at 1:00 pm there will be a
Celebration of Life for long-time members Jim and Cleo
Carpenter who moved out of state after retiring. Both
Jim and Cleo passed on in the last year. The service
will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wheaton (515 S
Wheaton Ave.). Please RSVP to their
daughter Diane Gioia by September 15th. The
church office has her contact information and it is posted in
the narthex.
More
Help Wanted
Another one
of the fun events of our church "pre-COVID" was our
Hanging
of the Greens time. What's that you
say?? It is the time we set aside to "begin
decorating" the inside of the building for the
Advent/Christmas season. This always occurs on the 1st
Sunday of Advent which usually falls on the Sunday after Thanksgiving!!!
Over the years we have done a number of things, knowing it is
a difficult weekend for those who may be traveling and/or
with family. Hanging of the Greens is usually
supervised by our Worship Committee. However we are in need
of persons to coordinate with the Worship Committee chairs
our event for this year. The date is Sunday, November
27th. The time is to be determined by the
coordinator(s). Please let one of
the pastors or Karen Miller know if you are interested and/or
need additional details.
Culver's Crop Walk Fundraiser
Culver’s of
Downers Grove (2500 Ogden Ave) is having a fundraiser for
South DuPage Crop Hunger Walk on Wednesday,
September 21st from 4:00 – 8:00 pm. Let
the cashier know that you are with the fundraiser when you
make a purchase and Culver’s of Downers Grove will donate 20%
of the sale to South DuPage Crop Hunger Walk. There are
flyer in the narthex and here.
Let's
Get Back to First Friday Lunch!
Join us for
lunch on the first Friday of each month for a lunch of easy
conversation and even some laughs. It’s so easy! Bring your
own sack lunch and beverage. Our first lunch will be Friday, October 7.
EVERYONE is invited!
Upcoming
Music Opportunities
Watch this space for upcoming music
opportunities (singing, bells, worship band, etc.)!!
Sunday
School is Back
Inspiring stories, creative crafts, and fun
games—all done with guidance of loving, dedicated teachers.
What’s not to love about Sunday School here at Woodridge
UMC?! Well, Sunday
School for Preschool and Elementary School-aged children is
back every Sunday. Sunday School begins after
the ‘Blessing Our Children’ time in the worship service.
Here’s our process: Children are invited to
begin the worship service in the sanctuary with their family.
Following the prayer time, the children will be invited up to
the chancel steps for conversation with the pastors.
Following the conversation, the Sunday School teacher will
meet the children in the Narthex.
The Bible for Curious People
This bible
study meets Tuesday mornings at 10:30am on Zoom.
The Bible for Curious People is currently reading through the
New Testament epistle, 1st Peter.
Reading
assignment for Tuesday, September 20th: Chapter
2 of 1st Peter and any notes your study bible provides. There
is so much to wrestle with in this chapter, so get ready!
Questions to consider:
—The author famously refers to Jesus as the cornerstone,
perhaps setting Jesus as the new Temple (which Rome destroyed
in 70CE). How would such an image connect with gentile
believers in ancient Asia Minor? How well does it connect to
you today?
—What might it mean to be a “royal priesthood”? How do we
understand that image today?
—Do you feel like a “resident alien living in exile”? Would
the original audience? What does that phrase mean?
—And then we get to the “submit” section. Given all the ways
this text has been used over the centuries as an excuse to
abuse, oppress, enslave, rape, pillage, and kill, is there
any redeeming this? Is it even worth trying to redeem? If so,
for what purpose?
Contact
Pastor Dave (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org) to learn more or to join in the adventure.
Wednesday
Bible Study
Our Wednesday
night Bible study class will begin on Wednesday,
September 21st at 6:00 p.m. (a little later
than previously announced). We will be using the
resource
"JESUS REVEALED" by Matt
Rawle. Through this study we will examine the "I
AM" sayings of Jesus as found in the Gospel of
John. If you are interested in joining us, please let
Pastor Danita know. This class will be in-person and
via ZOOM simultaneously.
Woodridge
Neighbors Helping Neighbors "We Care Day"
On Saturday,
September 24th from 10am-2pm, Woodridge
Neighbors Helping Neighbors volunteers will be in the
tornado-impacted neighborhoods to help with yard clean up.
Some of our neighbors are just
now—more than a year later—getting back into
their homes and could use some help. Want to join this
“We Care Day” effort? Great! Additional
volunteers are needed. Contact Woodridge Mayor Gina
Cunningham 630-780-0770 to sign up.
Volunteers are asked to work shifts 10am-12p or 12p-2p.
Volunteer check in at St. Scholastica parking lot. Work is
planned for neighborhoods near St. Scholastica: Janes Ave.,
Evergreen, Chestnut, Jonquil, Deerfield, Jonquil/Everglade.
If you were impacted by the tornado and need help with fall
yard clean up, please contact Mayor Gina.
Youth
Ministry 2022-2023
Youth Group returns with a kickoff event on a NEW DATE:
Wednesday, September 28th. Meet at Novak’s
home from 6:30-8:00pm
for s’mores, games, prayer practices, and
planning missional events for the fall. Contact Pastor Dave
to RSVP: pastordave@woodridgeumc.org.
All students in 7th-12th grades are welcome in Woodridge
UMC’s Youth Ministry activities.
Life
Line Screening
There is a
simple, convenient way for you to get preventive health
screenings and learn your risk for stroke, heart disease and
other chronic conditions. These painless screenings go
beyond your regular checkup to identify dangerous plaque
buildup or blockage, a major risk factor for stroke and heart
disease. The screenings are accurate, affordable and will
give you valuable information about your health that you can
share with your doctor.
We are pleased to host Life Line Screening, who will be on
site on Wednesday,
September 28 at Woodridge United
Methodist Church to conduct these valuable
screenings. These 5 vital screenings take 60-90 minutes
to complete. Register by calling toll free
1-888-653-6441, text the word "circle" to
797979 or online at https://llsa.social/HS.
Race,
America, and the Church
A Speaker
Series from the Northern Illinois Conference on the History,
Causes and Effects of Racism and the Role of the Church in
America
This 4-part series that extends into December and includes a
6-week book study in the fall, we will journey together to
prayerfully learn, engage, and tackle our personal and
corporate role in addressing racism.
The journey continues with:
UNDENIED:
NO LONGER WILLING TO BE UNHEARD
THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 22, 2022, 12:00 - 1:30 PM
Rev. Chebon Kernell shares insights and learning related to
indigenous communities’ history, present work being done, and
how we can be in solidarity as we prepare for the future.
In-person and via Zoom
Speaker: Rev. Chebon Kernell, UMC Native American
Comprehensive
Moderator: Rev. Pamela Pirtle
CALLED:
DOING GOD'S WORK FOR THE BELOVED COMMUNITY
THURSDAY,
DECEMBER 1, 2022, 12:00 - 1:30 PM
Dr. Hart addresses what the local church can do to combat the
continuation of racism in the church and in society.
In-person and via Zoom
Speaker: Dr. Drew G.I. Hart
Go here for more information
Crop
Walk
Are you
looking for a concrete way to help neighbors experiencing
hunger both locally and globally? Then the CROP WALK is for
you! On Sunday,
October 16th starting at 2:00pm at Gloria Dei Lutheran
Church, Downers Grove, people from all over
the south suburbs walk together to raise awareness, funds,
and food to help people who are hungry and hurting.
Registration pamphlets available now on the round table in
the Narthex or online.
Thank
you, Karen for volunteering to be our CROP WALK Team
Captain!
Northern Illinois Conference
Help for Immigrant Families Arriving from
Texas
More than 300
asylum seekers have arrived on buses sent from Texas since
Aug. 31. In collaboration with local, state, federal, and
community governments, the city of Chicago
is taking action to ensure they have access to
shelter, food, and other resources.
The city of Chicago expects to receive hundreds more migrants
from Texas. Under the direction of Governor Greg Abbott,
the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas
National Guard, thousands of migrants have already been bused
to Washington D.C. and New York City.
Last week several Lay Missioners with the NIC Hispanic/Latino
Academy and for Faith Community Development who serve Living
Waters New Faith Community in Franklin Park brought donations
and toys to dozens of immigrant families staying in a
suburban hotel. The Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors is also helping with legal assistance.
NIC Refugee Coordinator Rev. Jonathan Crail is putting
together a list of churches for drop-off locations across the
conference. Check back online here soon and read more.
The NIC is
working with the city of Chicago and several agencies on
donation and volunteer requests. Click below for more info.
City of Chicago - Chicago.gov/support
World Relief
Chicagoland - worldrelief.org/chicagoland/bus-response
Illinois
Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) - download flyer
Prairie
Central District Informal Gatherings with the District
Superintendent
Beginning
Thursday, September 8 and every second Thursday through May
11. Zoom Links (The links will stay the same for
all meetings, though clergy links and lay links will be different).
Lay Gathering 7:00 pm link.
Lay persons: This is NOT for Lay Leaders only. It
is intended for all lay persons who want to know more about
what is going on and be connected.
Online Via
Zoom & In Person - Euclid Avenue UMC, 405 S Euclid Ave,
Oak Park, IL. Free event with lunch included. More
information here.
Northern
Illinois Conference
Find out
about upcoming events in the Northern Illinois
Conference of the United Methodist Church by clicking
this link
Outreach
Opportunities
September Outreach Offering
African 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.
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.
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 or underwear.
"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. Kendra Manderfield Moore makes
sure that they are recycled to the Lions Club and Gift
of Sight groups. (Prescription eyeglasses only).
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Wellness
Guidelines
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 and Sunday School teachers
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. We follow the CDC guidelines.
Online Worship
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.
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.
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
Our joys and concerns are
announced during worship service and 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).
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.
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.
September 9,
2022, Volume 12, Edition 36
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