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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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"How
Close is Near?"
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Location, location,
location.
For years we’ve
heard location is the most important factor in real
estate. Similarly, we’ve discussed in sermons and studies
the role location plays in understanding biblical
stories. While location might not be the most important
consideration in a story, it seems safe to assume that
when the biblical authors and editors make note of where
the action happens, they do so with purpose. Well, in this week’s gospel story from
Matthew it is moving day for Jesus.
Jesus leaves
Nazareth and makes his home in Capernaum to begin preaching.
Why? What does Capernaum offer that Nazareth doesn’t? Was
Jesus trying to escape a bad situation in Nazareth? Or
was he heading to Capernaum in order to confront
something or someone? What’s so special about Capernaum?
On a related note,
what is the message of the gospel according to Jesus? Read it again. Jesus’
answer might differ from what you’ve heard. Once more, we
seem to be talking about location. Where is
the Kin-dom of Heaven? That leads to the evergreen
question: How might knowing the location of the Kin-dom
of Heaven help us today?
Pastor Dave will
attempt to respond to those questions and more this
Sunday, January 15th, in his sermon, “How Close is
Near?”
(If that title
makes you think of a particular oscillating guitar riff,
you’re not wrong. After all, we’re all human and need to
be loved, just like everybody else.)
Worship with us Sunday at
10:00am in person or online via our Woodridge UMC YouTube Channel.
All are welcome!
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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, 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
Monday, January 16th
- Church
Office CLOSED
- 7:00
pm Den 3
- 7:00
pm Den 5
- 7:30
pm Square Thrus
Tuesday, January 17th
- 10:30
am Bible Study (online)
- 5:00
pm Girl Scouts
Wednesday, January 18th
Thursday, January 19th
Sunday, January 22nd
- 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
The Church Office is CLOSED Monday, January 16th
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
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.
Special
Sunday Offering - Human Relations Day
This Sunday, January 15th, is Human Relations Sunday.
One of six Special Sunday offerings in
the United Methodist Church. In 2022, the UMC collected over
$244,000 for Human Relations Sunday! Because of generous
donors like you, we are able to change lives through social
justice ministries and outreach through Community Developers,
Volunteer Service and Youth Offender Rehabilitation
Programs. Help further the beloved community through a
gift using the Special Sunday Offering envelopes or the QR
code on the cards in the Narthex.
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
A small
number of Upper Rooms for January - February are
still 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 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.
Saturday, February 11th: Pizza Making! Everyone’s favorite fundraiser
is back! 9:00AM-1:00PM. We need lots of help to make this
work, so parents and siblings are welcome. Please consider at
least one two-hour shift, 9a-11a; 10a-12p; or 11a-1p.
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. 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.
Reading
assignment for Tuesday, January 17th: Matthew
chapters 2-3, plus any notes your study bible provides.
Questions
to consider:
—So many prophesies in these two chapters! Why do you suppose
that is? What is the writer’s goal in including all of them?
—What parallels do you notice between this story of Jesus and
the story of Moses?
—Based on the wording in your version of Matthew 3:16, to
whom is the Spirit of God visible?
—Matthew’s gospel is acknowledged as written for a Jewish
audience. So why, do you
think, it also presents Jewish people in such harsh light and
language?
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. Class is on Wednesdays at 6:00
p.m. The class is currently in 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.
Youth
Pizza Sale is Back!
That’s right! After a two year hiatus, we are able to bring
back everyone’s favorite fundraiser! Funds raised will
support local mission work of our youth.
To order see our Pizza Order Station in the Narthex. Pizzas
made and picked up on Saturday,
February 11th from 10AM-1:00PM.
Enjoy some delicious pizza and support a good cause!
Help
for Neighbors in Need
THANK
YOU Karen Smith for taking our first batch of
hats and gloves to the School District!
- 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.
Prairie Central District Lay Academy Spring 2023
4
SUNDAY AFTERNOONS - 2:00 TO 5:00 PM
MARCH
5, MARCH 12, MARCH 19 & MARCH 26
GRACE UMC, 300 E. GARTNER ST, NAPERVILLE, IL
COST
$40
Online registration coming soon Registration closes March 1
Classes offered: (all sessions need to be attended)
Intro to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course
United Methodist Polity
Planning Worship
Unrevealed Until Its Season
See flyer here
for more information.
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 Family
Crisis Fund is used by our pastors to assist
church members and community members who come to us needing
help with food, utilities, prescription medicines, gas,
emergency rental payments, and similar.
Your monetary donations to the Family Crisis Fund
via the January Outreach are a tremendous
help. You can also donate gift cards. Gift cards from grocery
stores and gas stations are the most requested and thus the
most helpful. Your generosity is greatly appreciated as,
together, we are the hands, feet, and voice of Christ each
day.
Ways
to donate to the January Outreach Offering:
- Monetary gift (check, cash, or gift
cards) in an Outreach Offering envelope placed in the
Offering Plate in the Narthex or in the gold mail slot
at the church’s east door.
- Online via our website. Select
“Current Month Outreach” in the drop down menu.
- Text the amount you want to give to
630-449-7121 and select “Current Month Outreach” in the
drop down menu.
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 13th,
2023, Volume 13, Edition 02
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