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

Sent:                                           Wednesday, March 11, 2020 4:03 PM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     "Lunch Box Heroes" - Weekly Newsletter from Woodridge United Methodist Church

 

            Woodridge United Methodist Church

Join us on Sunday for worship services
at  9:00 am & 10:30 am.
5th Sundays have just one service at 10:00 am.

Professional nursery care available for the little ones.
All are Welcome!

 

 

 

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

 

 

"Lunch Box Heroes"

Our gospel lesson for this week (from Mark 12) includes a parable by Jesus that is, quite frankly, very difficult to read. From whichever angle or character one reads it, the parable still seems problematic. Nary a hero to be found in it.

 

Apparently some of the original hearers of the parable thought so too. The gospel’s narrator tell us, “The priests, scribes, temple leaders, and elders knew the story was directed against them.”

 

Ever feel like something has been “directed against you?” It doesn’t feel very good, does it?

How might our reading of this parable change if we tried to hear it from the perspective of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day?

 

Perhaps this parable has something to teach us about authority, duty, and joy.

 

Meanwhile, this Sunday, March 15th, is part two of our new ongoing project Hands On Lent and Beyond through which we more directly connect our worship to our outreach. This Sunday is part two of our Offering of Letters. Offering of Letters is using our voice by asking our Congress Persons to fund proven programs that feed hungry children.

 

Here in the USA, nearly 22 million children receive free or reduced-price lunch at school — including almost 50% of the children in Woodridge’s District 68!

However, nationally, only 3.7 million of those children receive food assistance in the summer. Meaning more than 18 million children are even more hungry during the summer.

 

But there is good news! The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) program offers an exciting opportunity to reduce summer hunger by providing additional resources to families to purchase food during the summer months.

 

Once again, time, space, and resources for writing letters will be provided. But if you want to work ahead, click here for the sample letters.

 

If you are unsure who your U.S. Representative is, please click here and plug in your address: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/IL#representatives

 

Remember, handwritten letters make the most impact!

 

Pastor Dave will get all this started this Sunday with his sermon, “Lunch Box Heroes.” Then, as a continuation of our worship, we can all participate in affecting positive change in the world through Hands on Lent and Beyond.

 

All are welcome!

 

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

 

Sunday, March 15th

  • Worship Services at 9 :00 & 10:30 am
  • Choir Rehearsal at 11:45 am
  • Youth Group at noon
  • Filipino Baptist at 3:30 pm
  • A.A. Meeting at 7:00 pm 

Monday,  March 16th

  • Election Set Up at 8:30 am
  • Cub Scouts at 6:30 pm

Tuesday, March 17th

  • Election Day (Onsite)
  • Bible Study at 10:30 am
  • Finance Meeting at 7:00 pm

Wednesday, March 18th

  • Staff Meeting at 10:30 am
  • Bible Study at 6:00 pm

Thursday, March 19th

  • Cub Scouts at 6:00 pm
  • Yoga at 6:30 pm
  • BSA (Boy Scouts) at 7:00 pm

Saturday, March 21st

  • Ad Council Meeting at 9:00 am
  • Adventurers at 5:00 pm

Sunday, March 22nd

  • Worship Services at 9 :00 & 10:30 am
  • Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast at 9:30 am - ~12:30 pm
  • Choir Rehearsal at 11:45 am
  • Youth Group at noon
  • Filipino Baptist at 3:30 pm
  • A.A. Meeting at 7:00 pm 

 

 

 

Notices

The church office is CLOSED TODAY Friday, March 13th and will re-open Monday, March 16th.  Please contact the pastors directly in case of an emergency.

Outreach Committee presents Hands On Lent and Beyond! 

From March through May everyone will have opportunities to participate in Offering of Letters, Easter Baskets, Bucket Brigade, and Snack Attack. What does any of that even mean? In general: Our worship extends to being the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus for a world in need.

March 15: Offering of Letters, Domestic focus - Download Sample Letters Here.
April 5: Assemble Easter baskets
April 19 & 26: Assemble Cleaning Buckets
May 10 & 17: Collect snacks for hungry children 
Plus surprises along the way!


 

IT'S TIME TO UPDATE THE DIRECTORY

It has been 3 years since we published a church directory.  Since then, have you moved?  Did you get rid of your land line? Are you a more recent addition to our church family?  

We will be updating our database and publishing an interim (non-pictorial) directory.  There is a printout of the information to be reviewed in the narthex.  Please take a look and make any needed changes, corrections or additions.


Aurora District News
To view a copy of the biweekly newsletter for our district (the Aurora District of the Northern Illinois Conference), please click here.   You may also subscribe to the newsletter yourself after following the link.


LIVE STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES
We are starting to test Live Streaming the worship service on YouTube
If you are not at church please try it out. Please DO NOT access the Live Stream in our building. It will consume our internet bandwidth and impact external users.  Bugs are still being worked out and it may not be available every Sunday.

Where to find the YouTube Live Stream
From the YouTube app or on the YouTube web page, search for: Woodridge UMC
Also please consider subscribing to the YouTube page. You will need to have a free google or YouTube account to subscribe

 

 

 

 

Events


Lenten Study and Devotional 2020
Our Wednesday Bible study class will be Journey to Transformation by Bishop Sharma Lewis.  Bishop Lewis is the resident Bishop of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and a friend of Pastor Danita.  It will only be offered on Wednesday evenings, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  The class began on Wednesday, March 4th.  The cost is $16 per book.  It can also be used as a daily devotional for the season of Lent.  Please plan to join us!!


THE BIBLE FOR CURIOUS PEOPLE & THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

All are welcome. 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 will 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, March 17th:
-Gospel of John, chapters 19-20, including any notes your bible provides.

Questions to consider:

-How do the accusations against Jesus change over time? Why do you think that is?

-What descriptions of Jesus’ trial stand out the most for you?

-In what ways to the details of Jesus’ death echo themes and stories from Jesus’ life in the gospel of John?

-Mary Magdalene is, according to John’s gospel, the first Easter preacher. Why has it taken the church so long to “allow” women to preach?

Also, a gentle reminder that using a study bible really helps. “Study bible” simply means a bible that includes introductions, notes, footnotes, and other helps for understanding the text. Study bibles come in just about every version (e.g. NRSV, NIV, CEV, etc.) If you don’t have a study bible, please borrow one from church. Just let us know you need one and we will find one for you to use.
 

Join us for Yoga Thursdays at 6:30 pm 
Yoga is one way to create strength, balance, and flexibility in the body's also a time to practice stillness and develop patience. Please wear comfortable clothing that ensures privacy while allowing mobility. Bring a mat or a large towel.  Cost is $5 per person. If you are attending for the first time, please arrive a few minutes early to sign a health waiver and meet the instructor. Any questions, please contact Carrie Santucci here.


2020 Meeting Dates
Ad Council (9:00 am)               Finance (7:00 pm)         Trustees (7:00 pm)
March 21st                                 March 17th                       April 28th
May 30th                                    May 19th                         June 23rd
August 8th                                 July 21st                          August 25th 
October 10th (depending on      September 15th               October 27th
church conference date)            November 17th                November 24th
December 12th                          December 15th



EASTER CHOIR REHEARSAL SCHEDULE 2020
All rehearsals will take place in the music room except on Easter morning, where we will meet in the Sanctuary. 

Sunday, March 15th: 11:45am
Sunday, March 29th: *11:30am
 (*Following the single service at 10:00am, please note the earlier start time. We will likely stay longer this day to make sure everyone feels prepared.)

Good Friday, April 10th, *6:00-6:45pm  (before the 7:00pm service)

*Easter Sunday, April 12th, 8:00am arrival (Wear choir robes, meet in sanctuary for warm-ups, sound check, etc.)




Benefit 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 for the past 12 years, 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 TONIGHT, Friday, March 13 at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are only $10 each in advance, or $15 at the door.  They can be purchased online at this link, or you can get them directly from Reid at church.  If you'd like to learn a little more about the band, visit their website at Billy-Elton.com, and if you'd like to get a little taste of what to expect at the concert, be sure to check out this video clip!  Come on out for a fun night of music and help a great cause!


March 2020 Adventurers
Everyone is welcome!  Dinner on March 21st at 5:00 p.m. at: 
Los Arcos Mexican Grill in the Woodridge Village Commons, 7451 Woodward Avenue, Suite 105, Woodridge. View their menu at: docs.wixstatic.com. Dessert will be hosted by the Copelands at: 7806 Catalpa Avenue, Woodridge.  Please RSVP to
Monica Copeland by Wednesday, March 18th.


Pancake Breakfast
Boy Scout Troop 109 is hosting a pancake breakfast on Sunday, March 22nd at Woodridge United Methodist Church. Serving starts at 9:30 am to one hour after second Service (~12:30 pm). Pancakes and Sausages with Juice, Milk or Coffee will be provided.  Cost is: $5.00 per person and $12.00 per Family for 3 sausages each & "all you can eat" pancakes.


Easter Egg Hunt 
On Saturday, March 28th at 10:00 am.  we will be having our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Please gather in the narthex when you arrive. Donuts, coffee, milk & juice will be provided. Bring your Easter basket or something to put your candy in! Rain, Snow, or Shine the Easter Egg Hunt will go on!  Volunteers to help with our guests are welcome!!



Sanctuary & Narthex Spruce Up
Come help make our church beautiful for Easter!  On Saturday, March 28th after the Easter Egg Hunt (~11:00 am) we will be straightening, dusting, vacuuming, etc. the sanctuary and narthex.  Feel free to bring cleaning cloths, dusters and/or vacuums to help with this.  Help with the Easter Egg Hunt; stay to help clean!


Life Line Screening
Life Line Screening will be here at Woodridge United Methodist Church on Wednesday, April 15th offering safe, painless, non-invasive preventive health screenings that are typically not a part of a routine physical.  To be more proactive about your health and to live longer for yourself, your family and your community, please register for these potentially life-saving tests today.  For only $149 you can learn your risk of having stroke or vascular disease. There is no time like the present to take action!  Learn more by watching this short video: http://www.lifelinescreeningblog.com/introduction/

Three ways to register:
•       Call toll-free: 866-229-0469
•       Online:
www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle
•       Text: the word circle to 797979



All Church Outdoor Clean-Up
Come help make our church ready for Spring!  On Saturday, April 18th from 9:00 am to noon, we will be cleaning up outside of the church and in the gardens.  Bring gloves, rakes trowels, whatever you like to use to work outside to help with this.  The rain date is Saturday, April 25th.


Roadmap to General Conference 2020
While General Conference May 5-15, 2020 in Minneapolis may seem far down the road, it will be here before we know it. Click here for a downloadable document with dates and links for upcoming trainings and resources. Copies of the DVD study "Faithful and Inclusive: The Bible, Sexuality and The United Methodist Church" (resource #106097) are now available to borrow from the United Media Resource Center (UMRC)For updated GC2020 news and information, visit www.umcnic.org/GC2020.




Donate

Donations for Easter Egg Hunt
Once again it's that time of year!  The Education and Family Committee is getting ready to stuff eggs for this year's Easter Egg Hunt.  There will be a box in the Narthex to drop off donations.  All candy needs to be individually wrapped and small enough to fit in an egg.  Thank you for your donations

Items for Easter Baskets Needed
The Outreach committee is collecting items (Small toys, Individually wrapped candy, Baskets & Easter grass) to assemble Easter baskets for our sister church, Trinity UMC in Joliet.  Donations go in the tote in the Narthex by Friday, April 3 or contact Bob Copeland. Thank you!

EASTER HAMS
We are collecting hams for Easter to donate to our sister church, Trinity UMC, in Joliet. Please have the hams in the church kitchen by Sunday, April 5, 2020. For more information, see our display in the Narthex or call Bob Copeland (847.910.8663).  Thank you!

West Suburban Community Pantry Donation Promotions
The West Suburban Community Pantry offers food for the hungry and resources to empower persons to improve their quality of life.  Our vision is a community without hunger. The Pantry operates year-round with a goal that each eligible family in DuPage County as well as Bolingbrook & Romeoville receive nutritionally balanced food, including meats, dairy, and fresh produce monthly. We are also registered as an emergency food pantry for Illinois. With the help of volunteers and sponsors, our vision is to eradicate hunger within the families and individuals in the DuPage County area. We are dedicated to providing food for the hungry, educating the donor community about existing needs, and supporting advocacy efforts for the hungry. We also work hard to encourage volunteerism and the sharing of resources.

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.  

Volunteer
DUPAGE PADS 
A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped support our PADS efforts on February 18th and 19th. Because of your continued support and generosity, WUMC provided a night of shelter and a warm dinner and breakfast to 70 overnight guests-our highest total this year.  YOUR HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! Our last mission is in April. If you cannot bring the food donations or fulfill your time commitment you have signed up for, please contact Larry Cash so other arrangements can be made. 

THANK YOU for your support of this important ministry!
Upcoming dates to participate:  

April 21-22, 2020
Click Here to Sign-Up.


Looking Ahead        

March 28th - Easter Egg Hunt
March 29th - ONE 10am Worship Service

April 9th - Maundy Thursday Service at 7:00 pm
April 10th - Good Friday Service at 7:00 pm
April 12th - Easter Services at 9:00 am & 10:30 am

 
Connect    
   

Learn ways you can get involved at Woodridge UMC!     

Sign up for our newsletter and email notifications     

Find out about upcoming events in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church        

Every Sunday is "Selfie Sunday" at Woodridge UMC! Send your pictures of worship, fellowship, and events to office@woodridgeumc.org.  And don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!       

      
March 13, 2020, Volume 11, Edition 11

 

 

 

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