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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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"Whispers
of Love and Justice"
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We are now in the
season of Epiphany -- the time of enlightenment.
This is a time where we will share stories of the early
days of Jesus' life. As well as hear about how His
life enlightens us.
This week will
share the story of the baptism of Jesus and reaffirm our
own baptismal vows. Baptism is one of the
sacraments observed in the United Methodist Church.
It is a time to reflect and remember who we have been
called to be and how we have been called to serve.
As we reflect on
the life of Jesus and the tremendous call on His life as
the son of God, we are also called to important work in
the life of the community. The calling of Jesus and
the calling to each of us is not always some loud
Hollywood-action type drama. Many times it comes as a
whisper that only we recognize.
So this week, let's
talk about God's WHISPERS
OF LOVE AND JUSTICE to see if there is
anything familiar to us, a new revelation for us, or a
new direction for us. Join us on Sunday in person
or on our Woodridge UMC YouTube Channel at
10:00 a.m.
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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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Friday, January 6th
- 6:00
pm Cub Scout Lock-In
Sunday, January 8th
- 10:00 am Worship Service
- 11:00
am Youth Group
- 11:30
am Bell Choir
- Noon
Communion (online)
- 4:00
pm Filipino Baptist
Monday, January 9th
- 7:00
pm Den 1
- 7:00
pm Den 2
- 7:30
pm Square Thrus
Tuesday, January 10th
- 10:30
am Bible Study (online)
- 7:00
pm Dream Team
Wednesday, January 11th
Thursday, January 12th
- 6:30
pm BSA
- 7:30
pm Toastmasters
Sunday, January 15th
- 10:00 am Worship Service
- 11:00
am Youth Group
- 11:30
am Bell Choir
- Noon
Communion (online)
- 4:00
pm Filipino Baptist
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Church Office Hours
Monday & Tuesday: 9:00 - noon
Wednesday
- Friday: 9:00 - 3:00 p.m.
We ask that you call before visiting.
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Ministry Opportunities
Upcoming Music Opportunities
Do you have hidden musical talent? You no longer
have to hide it. You are cordially invited to share your
musical gifts in one of our three music ensembles: the
Worship Band, Adult Choir, and/or our Handbell Choir. These
ensembles are LOW commitment. Please attend the rehearsals
leading up to the service at which the ensemble will provide
the music. See the schedule here.
Next Up
is:
Handbell
Choir
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Rehearsal
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Jan. 8
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11:30
AM-12:45 PM
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Preschool
Yellow Room
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Rehearsal
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Jan. 15
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11:30
AM-12:45 PM
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Preschool
Yellow Room
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Rehearsal
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Jan. 22
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11:30
AM-12:45 PM
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Preschool
Yellow Room
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Service
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Jan. 29
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10 AM
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Rehearse
in the sanctuary at 8:30 AM
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Upper
Rooms
Upper Rooms
for January
- February are available in the narthex.
Youth
Ministry 2022-2023
What’s happening in Youth Ministries for the
rest of this year? Take a look:
Sunday January 8th:
Youth Group returns! Meet after worship in the
Youth Room, 11:00am-12noon, for a game and event planning. We
have a bunch of ideas but we want your ideas too!
Sunday, January 15th: Youth Group at regular time and place: after
the worship service (approximately 11:00AM) in the Youth
Room.
Sundays, January 22nd & 29th: Youth Group activity TBD.
Wednesday, February 22nd: Ash Wednesday. We’ll plan and lead the
7:00PM worship service.
Other events in process of being scheduled:
Serving at the West Suburban Food Pantry and Feed My Starving
Children. Pizza making fundraiser. Visiting IL Holocaust
Museum. Clean up around the neighborhood and Forest Preserve.
Attending Veronica’s comedy set. Stay tuned!
All students in 7th-12th grades are welcome in
Woodridge UMC’s Youth Ministry activities.
The
Bible for Curious People
The Bible for
Curious People is the name of our bible study that meets via
Zoom on Tuesdays from 10:30am-12:00noon. It is an
intentionally communal experience: each week we read aloud
the text we are studying, explore our reactions to the text,
and consider some questions about the text.
No prior bible reading or knowledge or expertise needed. No
question is dumb and no one is forced to read the bible in
one particular way. We all learn as we go along exploring what
the text says, what it leaves unsaid, what history and
tradition tell us about the text, and how our own experience
influences our reading.
The Bible for Curious People returns Tuesday, January
10th, 2023 at 10:30am on Zoom as we begin to
study the gospel of Matthew.
Reading
assignment for Tuesday, January 10th: Matthew
chapter 1, plus any introduction and notes your study bible
provides.
Questions
to consider:
—What does your introduction say about when, where, why, or
to whom this gospel was written?
—Why in the world would Matthew begin this gospel with a list
of Jesus’ genealogy? What is this, ancestry dot com??
—Here’s how one commentary reflects on this chapter: “Mary
has never had sex. She and Joseph have not even spent very
much time alone, but they are pledged to each other and their
wedding feast has been planned. She has never even kissed a
man. She is a virgin, yet she is pregnant.” Why are we so
obsessed with Mary’s experiences of physical intimacy? How do
we see this obsession demonstrated in the church and in our
cultures?
Contact
Pastor Dave (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org) to learn more or to join in the adventure.
Wednesday
Bible Study
Our Wednesday class is a "hybrid" Bible study
class. This simply means that while it meets in person
you are also able to participate via ZOOM. We will
resume class on Wednesday, January 11th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
The class will begin a 6-week study on Ephesians using the
resource Ephesians: Life In God's Diverse Family
by Derwin Gray. If you are interested in participating
in the class, please contact Pastor Danita at PastorDanita@woodridgeumc.org.
Second
Saturday Diners
Come on out and join the adventuresome Second Saturday Diners
at CHUCK’S SOUTHERN COMFORTS CAFE. Our reservation is on
January
14 (which happens to be the Second Saturday
of January)
at 5:00 pm. If you are interested in joining
this fun time with great people, please contact Mary Beth
Elgass at 630 886-0913 or mbelgass@gmail.com.
Help
for Neighbors in NeedHELP FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED
THANK
YOU to all who have donated to our Holiday
Help for Neighbors in Need drives!
The end-of-year holidays are over, but we still have
neighbors in need. So our efforts to aid them continue.
- Our Hat and Mitten Tree will
continue to collect new winter hats and gloves to donate
to Woodridge School District 68 for children who need
them.
- We continue partnering with our
fabulous friends at the West Suburban Community Pantry
to provide food. You can always put your food donations
for the Pantry in there.
The current list of the Pantry’s most needed items:
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Canned tomato products
- Canned tuna
- Canned chicken
- Canned soups
- Canned dinners (e.g. Spaghetti-Os)
- Rice
- Pancake mix & syrup
- Boxed dinners (e.g. Mac & Cheese,
Hamburger Helper)
- Peanut butter & jelly
- Baby diapers and wipes
Commitment
Sunday Continues
THANK
YOU to all who have filled out and turned in
a 2023 Estimate of Giving Form!
We love reminding you just how grateful we are for your
consistent, faithful financial gifts to Woodridge UMC! Your
ongoing generosity makes it possible for us to be a safe
place of welcome for all kinds of groups throughout the week
and for you and all our neighbors on Sunday mornings.
Yes, Financial Commitment Sunday was (ahem) last year. What if you
haven’t been able to turn in your 2023 Estimate of Giving
Form? No worries! You have three options:
1) Just bring it this Sunday!
2) Attach it to an email and send it directly to Geoff
Morman, our Financial Secretary, at finsec@woodridgeumc.org.
3) Print the form and mail it to the church at 2700 75th St.,
Woodridge, IL 60517, marked “Financial Secretary.”
Still need a 2023 Estimate of Giving Form? Just CLICK HERE. .
Thank you for prayerfully considering your intentions for
giving to Woodridge UMC in 2023 and for being part of the
ministry of Woodridge United Methodist Church!
Weekly
Sunday School
Sunday School for Preschool and Elementary
School-aged children is offered every Sunday. We use inspiring stories, creative crafts, and
fun games—all done with guidance of loving, dedicated
teachers—to engage our students.
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 and walk them
to their room (either Trinity Room in the main hallway or
Blue Room in the Preschool wing).
Northern
Illinois Conference
Bishop's
Days on the District
Clergy
10:00 am, Laity 7:00 pm unless otherwise noted. Please
join Bishop Dan Schwerin for a day of introduction,
reflection and conversation on your district in
February. More details coming soon.
- Prairie
North - Wed.,
Feb. 8 - Clergy: Rockford UMC:
Christ, Laity: Freeport: Harmony UMC (6:00 pm)
- Prairie
Central - Thurs., Feb.
9 - Clergy: Naperville: Grace UMC,
Laity: Elgin: Journey of Hope UMC
- Lake
North - Mon., Feb. 13 -
Clergy: Chicago: Olivet UMC, Laity: Glenview UMC
- Prairie
South - Wed.,
Feb. 15 - Clergy and Laity:
Sycamore UMC
- Lake
South - Thurs., Feb. 16 -
Clergy: Hinsdale UMC, Laity: Palos Heights UMC
COME GATHER TO SHARE THE GREAT THINGS
HAPPENING AND LEARN ABOUT THE BISHOP'S VISION FOR OUR
CONFERENCE.
Join us for Laity Convocation online
or at one of our three in-person locations: New Lenox UMC,
Barrington UMC, and Disciples UCM in Mt. Morris. The theme is
Thinking Outside the Church, Making Ministry Happen. We will
be focusing on ways to reach out to our communities. A
highlight will be to hear from our new resident Bishop -
Bishop Dan Schwerin.
FEBRUARY
11, 2023 9:00 AM - 12: 30PM
(ONLINE
& 3 IN-PERSON OPTIONS)
Barrington UMC - 98 Algonquin Rd., Barrington, IL
Disciples UMC - 102 Maple Avenue, Mount Morris, IL
New Lenox UMC - 339 W Haven Ave, New Lennox, IL
We are excited to welcome David Teel as our keynote speaker
for Laity Convocation. David is the Director of Laity and
Leadership at Discipleship Ministries and is a writer,
editor, and Christian educator. He is enthusiastic about
creatively equipping lay leaders for engaged ministry within
and beyond the local church. Along with David’s presentation,
we will have an opportunity to gather in a Break Out Session
where participants will discuss questions prepared by David
Teel as you look together at how local churches can partner
with their neighbors for ministry outside of the church.
Finally, we will hear from several NIC churches actively
working in community ministry.
NIC Job Opening - Director of Communications
We are currently seeking a qualified candidate to come join
the NIC Program Area Team as the Director of Communications.
The primary role of the Director of Communications is to
convey the Northern Illinois Conference of The United
Methodist story in a holistic and fully representative
manner. The Director will oversee the production of
conference communications including print, news, and social
media. Interested candidates must have excellent
organizational, communication, and relationship skills as
well as proficiency in multiple communication platforms. They
must be able to consult with conference committees, boards,
and agencies in their communication efforts. This position is
a hybrid, full-time position with flexible hours. Some
weekend and evening work is required. The position includes
both Health Insurance upon hire (with wellness incentives)
and Pension Benefits after a vesting period. If you know
someone who would be interested, click here for the job
description and to apply. Applications are accepted until
January 9, 2023.
Help
for Immigrant Families Arriving from Texas
The United
Methodists in Northern Illinois are people with big hearts
and a passionate witness for missions. We are called to
provide shelter, clothing and food to the sojourner among us.
In the past few weeks, more then 750 asylum seekers from
Central and South America have arrived in the Chicagoland
area. These people have nothing but what they have carried
with them on their long journey.
Churches have begun collecting items needed for these sojourners
among us and volunteers are needed to give assistance. There are multiple drop off sites across
our districts. Please see this flyer (click here) and help us extend the hand of Christ to those in
need by donating needed items or volunteering to help.
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.
Northern
Illinois Conference
Find out
about upcoming events in the Northern Illinois
Conference of the United Methodist Church by clicking
this link
Outreach Opportunities
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.
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:
- 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.
January 6th,
2023, Volume 13, Edition 01
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