"What's Next"
What’s your
story?
That is, what makes you who you are?
Your answer to
that will almost certainly vary depending on who is asking, where you are,
and other circumstances. But most likely, your response will include
something about where you were born and raised. If your life were a
superhero movie — and you are awesome, so it totally would be a superhero
movie — this would be your origin story.
The Acts of
the Apostles (that’s the full title of the book in the bible we usually
abbreviate as simply, “Acts”) is the origin story of the Christian church.
[Truthfully,
it’s more complicated than that. The church’s full origin story has to
include the gospels. And most of Genesis and Exodus. And Isaiah and Jonah.
Ok, basically the entirety of the Hebrew Scriptures. It’s a long narrative.
For now though…]
The story of
Acts helps us understand:
• How did
the church start?
• What issues were important then?
• What problems did they face?
• How did they deal with and/or resolve those problems?
• Here in 2018, all these years later, what can we learn from this
origin story?
• How might The Acts of the Apostles help us be more faithful
disciples of Jesus today?
With the story
of Saul’s calling (Acts 9:1-31) as his guide, Pastor Dave
will consider those questions in his sermon, “What’s Next?”,
this Sunday, April 15th.
WUMC gathering
for worship on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. 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, April
15th
- Irshad at 7:00 pm
- Worship Services at 9:00 am & 10:30 am
- Worship Band at 11:45 am
- Filipino Baptist at 3:30 pm
- A.A. Meeting at 7:00 pm
Monday,
April 16th
- Girl Scouts at 6:00 pm
Tuesday,
April 17th
- Bible Study at 10:30 am
Wednesday,
April 18th
- WNL at 6:00 pm
- Bible Study at 6:30 pm
- Cub Scouts at 6:30 pm
Thursday,
April 19th
- Yoga at 6:30 pm
- Irshad at 7:00 pm
- Boy Scout Committee at 7:00
pm
- Boy Scout Meeting at 7:30 pm
Friday,
April 20th
- Pack Meeting at 6:30 pm
Saturday,
April 21st
- Irshad at 7:00 pm
Sunday, April
22nd
- Irshad at 8:00 am
- Worship Services at 9:00 am & 10:30 am
- Filipino Baptist at 3:30 pm
- A.A. Meeting at 7:00 pm
Doggie Diner
Fundraiser
Small Miracles
Preschool is having a No Cook Night fundraiser at Doggie
Diner on Tuesday, April 17th from 10:30 am to 9:00 pm.
Bring this flyer and they will give 20% of
your bill to the preschool!
Share a Pair
Preschool Outreach
Who doesn’t
love getting new socks and underwear?!?! Families who have trouble
affording food, these items are often put at the bottom of the shopping
list.
Beginning April
9th through April 27th, Small Miracles Preschool is asking for
people to “share a pair” of NEW packages of socks and/or underwear. Your
donation will be given to the Sharing Connection in Downers Grove.
The Sharing Connection provides used and new items to families coping with
crisis like domestic violence, returning or homeless veterans, job loss or
financial hardship.
Prayer Chain
and Prayer Request Cards
Our prayer
chain is a group of caring people who believe in the power of prayer.We are
dedicated to praying for your concerns and joys. Prayer requests will be
shared with the church’s prayer chain, honoring your confidentiality.If you
are interested in being a part of the church’s prayer chain ministry,
please contact our coordinator, Sharon Place (630) 852-4172 or trngplaces@aol.com.
If you are seeking
prayer and in the church building, we invite you to fill out a prayer
request card from the pew or from an usher.return it to the usher moving
through the sanctuary during the first hymn or place it in the brass prayer
request box located near the wall with the name tags in the narthex.
If you are not
in the church building, please contact the prayer chain coordinator, Sharon
Place (630) 852-4172 (trngplaces@aol.com)
or one of the Pastors through the Church Office (office@woodridgeumc.org). We will
list persons with ongoing prayer concerns from one expanded bulletin to the
next expanded bulletin.
SOMETHING NEW –
MEETING SCHEDULE
In an effort
to allow more people to be involved, to provide greater coordination of
efforts and not be inundated with meetings, we have streamlined our meeting
schedule for some of the church’s organizations. Many of the groups
are meeting approximately once per quarter with a few exceptions.
Here is the schedule for the next few months:
APRIL:
Tuesday, April 24th – 7:00 p.m. --- Outreach Committee
Saturday, April 28th – 9:00 a.m. --- Ad Council
MAY:
Saturday, May 19th – 9:00 a.m. --- Worship Committee
/ Education Committee / Fellowship Committee / Youth
Council
Tuesday,
May 22nd – 7:00 p.m. -- Finance Committee/Trustees
JUNE:
Saturday, June 23rd – 9:00 a.m. – VISION TEAM (formerly
“Leadership Team”)
Tuesday, June
26th -- 7:00 p.m. – Outreach
JOIN US FOR
YOGA on Thursdays at 6:30 pm
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 at
630-532-7741 or via email.
Spring Bible
Study
This spring,
we will explore another book by Adam Hamilton entitled UNAFRAID: LIVING WITH
COURAGE AND HOPE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES. Drawing on
recent research, inspiring real-life examples, and fresh biblical insight,
Hamilton shows how to untangle the knots we feel about disappointing
others, failure, financial insecurity, loneliness, insignificance, and
aging. Then he helps readers understand and counter fears related to such
outsize perils as terrorism, death, and the apocalypse. Writing with
generosity and intelligence, Hamilton shows how believer and unbeliever
alike can develop sustaining spiritual practices and embrace Jesus’
recurring counsel: "Do not be afraid." For anyone struggling with
fear or wondering how families and communities can thrive in troubled
times, Unafraid offers an informed and inspiring message full of practical
solutions. Join us on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. or on Wednesdays
at 6:30 (dinner with the youth with class at 7). There is a
sign-up sheet in the narthex.
April
Adventurers
Adventurers
will meet at Jameson's Charhouse at 1001 75th Street in Woodridge (75th and
Lemont) on Saturday April 21 at 5:00 p.m. Contact
Mary Beth Elgass (630) 886-0913 if you are joining our fun-loving and
adventuresome group. They will give us separate checks, so please join us.
RSVP to Mary Beth by Sunday April 15.
How does
Confirmation work at WUMC in 2018? Find out April 22nd!
WUMC’s
Confirmation program is for students in 7th and 8th grades.
The 2018-19 program runs September 2018 through May 2019. All
students who will be in 7th and 8th grades in the 2018-19 school
year and their parent(s) are invited to a Confirmation Information
Meeting on Sunday, April 22nd,
2018 from 12noon-1:00pm (i.e. following the second
worship service).
The
Confirmation Information Meeting agenda includes: program particulars and
expectations for students and families, curriculum preview, how Confirmation
fits into our overall Youth Ministries, meeting the Youth Council, and time
for questions.
Spring
Spectacular 2018
The West
Suburban Community Pantry is celebrating an Fresh, New Look at their annual
fundraiser on Friday, April 27th at 6:30 pm at the Hilton
in Lisle/Naperville.
Please plan to
join us as we celebrate
● Over 25 years of providing
food and supportive services to our neighbors in need
● Serving 41,000 individuals
annually, including
q 16,000
children and
q 5,000
senior citizens
● Distributing 1.4 million
pounds of food annually
● Spending 91% on programs
● Over 32,000 hours of
volunteerism annually
Tickets are
$125 per guest and cocktail attire is requested. RSVP by April 17th
to wcpinc.org/spring-spectactular.
Women of Note
Downers Grove
Choral Society will be performing Women
of Note on Sunday, April 29th at the First
United Methodist Church of Downers Grove at 4:00 pm with a
3:15 pm pre-concert discussion. It will include Woman of Valor, Femme Noire and Mother Nature
by Paul Scherer as well as works by von Bingen and Beach.
DuSable Museum
of African American History
The Outreach
Committee is hosting a visit to the DuSable Museum of African-American
History in Chicago on Sunday, April 29, 2018. Just a
couple of the current exhibits:
Rewriting History: paper gowns
and photographs – An inquiry into social change,
it’s a haunting photographic essay and paper sculptures styled to mimic
garments worn by female European nobility between the 15th – 19th
centuries. As part of a developing master series of paper gown sculptures,
the series speaks to the shocking treatment of Blacks throughout history
and the trauma inflicted on their bodies as juxtaposed with the abstract
idea of Black freedom. Simultaneously, the body of work engages with a
vision of the future – one of hope, strength, resilience, and beauty.
Clearing A Path For Democracy:
Citizen Soldiers of the Illinois Fighting 8th –
National guardsmen are the quintessential citizen soldiers, and the men of
the 8th Infantry Illinois National Guard demonstrated the best qualities of
this segment of American society. This Illinois regiment was unique in
American history. It was deployed in two foreign wars with a complete
complement of African American officers. It was designated the 370th United
States Infantry during World War I, and the regiment was awarded more
citations than any other American regiment that fought along Europe’s
Western Front.
If you’re
interested in seeing what else is going on at this Smithsonian quality museum,
visit their website at dusablemuseum.org. See the sign-up sheet in
the Narthex for more details. Contact Bob Copeland if you have any
questions. Come
on out with us. I going to be a fun and educational day!
Afternoon of
Spring at the ARC
On Sunday,
April 29 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm the Janes Avenue Neighborhood
Outreach (JANO) will be having their first event of the year. The
afternoon will include lunch from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm, and activities on the
basketball court and turf field from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm. We will need
volunteers to assist with setup (arrive by 12:30 pm), serve lunch, and
cleanup. All of you are welcome and encouraged to participate in the
activities with the kids as well.
April
PADS:
Help with
dinner service needed.
Our next commitment for PADS is April 17-18. As in the
past we will be providing food and volunteers to feed and house the
homeless on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning at First United Methodist
on Maple in Downers Grove. Please check the sign up sheet in the
Narthex and let me know if you won’t be able to make your usual commitment.
We still need help with dinner service and morning clean up. We could
also use overnight backup monitors. These times are between
10:00-2:00 and 2:00-5:30 on Wednesday morning. If you have any questions,
call Debbie Wordinger at 331.645.7779.
Volunteer at
the Woodridge Rotary Club Recycling Extravaganza
We will be
volunteering for two hour shifts at the Woodridge Rotary Recycling
Extravaganza Saturday morning May 12 at Cyprus Cove. You
can volunteer between 7:45-10:00 or 10:00 to 12:15. They
will need volunteers to direct traffic, hand out flyers and help with
collections. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign the
sheet in the Narthex or contact Debbie Wordinger at 331.645.7779. For a
list of recyclable materials click here. For more information about the
event visit the website.
Champions of
Hope Golf Outing
On May
21, 2018 we will be holding our Champions of Hope Golf Outing at
Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton. The day will include lunch, an 18 hole
scramble tournament, dinner, a program and a slient auction to benefit CASA
(Court Appointed Special Advocates). We are able to provide advocacy to
100% of the children in the DuPage County court system thanks to you.
In order to do this, we are kindly asking for your help in two ways. First,
we are looking for partners for the event. Partnerships range between $300
and $5,000. In addition, we are looking for items for the silent auction.
Please take a minute to think of any connections you have in the area to
help us secure partnerships and/or contributions such as:
• Tickets
to sporting events
• Rounds of golf at area courses
• Tickets to theatre or concert venues
• Restaurant gift cards
Please visit
the Champions of Hope Golf Outing website
to register or sponsor the event. Contact beths@dupagecasa.org
or 630-221-0889, ext. 304 with any questions or ideas you might have.
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.
PRISON CLOTHING
MINISTRY
Our Outreach
Committee is pleased to announce that we are now able to partner with
other participating area churches in the Suits for Success Program.
This non-profit, volunteer organization which was founded by Bill Denwood
of Community Methodist Church in Naperville provides, at no charge, gently
used clothes to parolees throughout the State of Illinois that are suitable
for interviews with prospective employers. Prior to this time,
WUMC’s donations served only the Logan Correctional Facility in Lincoln,
Illinois.
The Suits for
Success Program also partners with area dry-cleaners which serve as
drop-off points and clean and press the clothes for free. The
participating dry cleaner closest to us is Signature Cleaners, Steve
Hirmer, Owner, on Werhli in Naperville. You may drop off your
donations directly with Steve or bring them to WUMC and place in the boxes
in the hallway which leads from the Narthex to Fellowship Hall.
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR DONATIONS!!!!
“Spice Up” Your
Neighbors’ Lives
Donate to the West Suburban Food Pantry
Woodridge
United Methodist Church (WUMC), our Church, partners with the West Suburban
Food Pantry (“Pantry”) in providing food for the economically-disadvantaged
of our community. A basket sits near the entrance to our sanctuary to
accept your food donations; and we graciously accept financial
contributions, at any time.
This Month the
Pantry is in need of items that will assist recipients in enhancing the
preparation of their meals:
· -Spices
used in cooking and baking, such as, baking powder and baking soda, salt,
pepper, garlic salt, dried basil, dill, onion, or “parsley, sage, rosemary
and thyme”, etc.;
· -Sugar,
flour, corn meal;
·- Oils(Olive
and other cooking/baking oils);
·- Vinegar
and marinades and sauces, i.e. barbecue, marinara, chipolte, soy sauce,
etc.
·- Other
condiments, i.e. ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, steak sauce, hot sauce, etc.
Our Neighbors
include those who rely on our food pantry for sustenance and
nutrition. So, “Spice Up” your neighbors’ lives by donating
generously. Thank You!
Looking
Ahead
April
29th - One Service at 10 am
April 29th - Luncheon at 11:45 am
April
29th - DuSable Museum at ~12:30 pm
May 13th - High School Senior Recognition at both services
May
19th - All Church Outdoor Work Day at 9 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 communications@woodridgeumc.org. And
don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram,
and Twitter!
Our Mission:
Welcoming
to all;
United 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.
April
13th, 2018, Volume 9, Edition 15