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

Sent:                                           Friday, September 27, 2024 10:28 AM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     Esther's Courage" - Woodridge United Methodist Church Newsletter

Attachments:                          172745084009.29.24_Worship_Guide.pdf

 

    Woodridge United Methodist Church

Join us on Sunday for worship services
at  10:00 am.

Instructions can be found at the end below.
All are Welcome!

 

 

 

 

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

 

 

“Esther's Courage”

 

            "The scripture lesson for this week highlights two courageous figures: Esther and Mordecai. Esther, the queen, displayed immense bravery when she faced a dire threat to her people, the Jews. A wicked man named Haman had devised a plan to annihilate all the Jews in the country, and Esther knew she had to act. However, doing so was incredibly risky—approaching the king without an invitation could result in death, even for the queen.

             Esther’s courage didn’t come solely from personal confidence; she had support. Her cousin, Mordecai, encouraged her and reminded her of the unique responsibilities she held as queen. Together, Esther and Mordecai acted in this critical moment—not with magical powers or superhuman strength, but with the wisdom and resolve God had given them. Mordecai refused to bow down to leaders, recognizing that only God deserved his worship. And despite the danger, Esther approached the king without an invitation, risking her life to save her people.

             Their actions remind us of what wisdom calls us to do—to act with courage, seek justice, and advocate for accountability. Where in our communities do we need courageous voices to speak out? Where do our neighbors need the church to stand up and demand justice? And where does the church itself need to be held accountable for past and present injustices?

             Wisdom persistently knocks at our door with these questions and more. No matter where we are or what is happening in the world, God's wisdom calls us to listen, to notice, and to embody God’s love "for such a time as this." Please join us in person or on our Woodridge UMC YouTube Channel at 10:00 am this Sunday as we reflect on these vital questions together!"

 

Sunday, September 29th

  • 8:45 am Membership Class
  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • 11:20 am Bell Cleaning
  • Noon Communion
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist

Monday, September 30th

  • 7:00 pm Outreach
  • 7:30 pm Square Dancing

Tuesday, October 1st

  • 9:30 am Soccer Shots
  • 10:30 am Bible Study

Wednesday, October 2nd

  • 6:00 pm Bible Study

Thursday, October 3rd

  • 6:30 pm Den 4
  • 7:00 pm Boy Scouts
  • 7:30 pm Square Dancing

Friday, October 4th

  • Church Office CLOSED
  • Noon First Friday Lunch

Sunday, October 6th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • 11:000 am Cub Scout Car Wash
  • 11:20 am Bell Choir
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist

 

Special Church Office Hours

Monday & Tuesday: 9:00 am to Noon
Wednesday - Thursday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Friday: CLOSED

We ask that you call before visiting.

The church office will be CLOSED on Friday, October 4th & Monday, October 7th.

 

Ministry Opportunities

Meal Train for the Yim Family
Please sign up to provide meals for the Yim Family while Bang Wool is in  South Korea for cancer surgery and treatment. She will be traveling from September 27 to November 12. We are asking for meals to be provided Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from September 30 to November 8. Gift cards to local restaurants are also welcome. Please click here to sign up or to donate a gift card: https://mealtrain.com/v0q20w
 
If you have any questions, please contact Patti Cash at patti@patticashmcarketing.com or 630-258-0533.

Let's Start a Soup "Train"!
Mike Marvel had another dental procedure this week and will be on a soup diet for the next three months.  We are looking for people to make soup, freeze some in a quart container(s) and bring it to church.  Please label the container with the type of soup. Pastor Dave will deliver the soup to Mike. 

Bible Study
We are studying the Letters of Paul to the Corinthians.  The study will be offered on Tuesday mornings via Zoom (10:30 a.m. to Noon) and Wednesday evenings in person (6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.).  We are reading one chapter together each week and go deeper with questions and discussions.  You can join any time!  

Cub Scout Car Wash - RESCHEDULED
Help support the local Cub Scout pack that meets at this church! Get your car washed! Sunday, October 6th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Stop by after worship service!  Suggested donation of $10/car.
 

First Friday Lunch

Join us for First Friday Lunch at noon on October 4th. Just bring your lunch and be ready for good conversation and of course laughter. Everyone is welcome!

Second Saturday Diners
Our next gathering will take place on Saturday October 12 at 5:00 pm. We will meet at Ashbury’s Restaurant at Boughton Ridge Golf Club. The address is 335 East Boughton Road in Bolingbrook. To RSVP, call or text Mary Beth Elgass at (630)886-0913.
 

Woodridge Neighbors Helping Neighbors
There are STILL a group of condo owners in Woodridge who are recovering from the 2021 Tornado.  They could use  your help to complete their To-DO list.  Join Woodridge Neighbors Helping Neighbors (WNHN) on Saturday October 5th, 2024, from 8:00 to 4:00 pm for a chance to show support and encouragement to our neighbors.  Lunch and refreshments will be available.  Come and go as you need to.  Waivers will need to be signed by all participants.  If you are interested in volunteering, contact Dan at HandyDayDan@gmail.com.

 
Prescription Drug Drop Off
On Saturday, October 5th, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Senator John Curran is sponsoring a prescription drug drop off at the Woodridge Police Department Community Room (7215 Janes Ave). Medications that will be accepted for disposal include prescription medications, pet medications and vitamins. Items that will not be accepted include liquids/creams, needles, or illegal drugs.

CROP Hunger Walk
The 2024 CROP Hunger Walk is Sunday, October 20th stepping off at 2pm at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Downers Grove. Walkers should meet at Gloria Dei at 1:30 pm.  Go to the CROP walk website, join our group https://events.crophungerwalk.org/cropwalks/woodridge-united-methodist-church and then start sending out notifications for pledges.  All walkers should register via the website. Donations can be made via the website or see Karen Novak for non-electronic donation options.
 

Woodridge UMC Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair and Bake Sale

Woodridge UMC is having a craft and vendor fair on Saturday, November 9th from 9 am to 2 pm.  Last year’s sale was successful.  Let’s see if we can make it a bigger success this year!  We are currently looking for crafters/vendors, donations for the bake sale from our members and volunteers for the bake sale raffle or raffle table and help price the items.  Also, does anyone live on a main street or high traffic area?  We have a couple of lawn signs for advertising the sale that would be great in that kind of location. Contact the church office if you can help in any way or if you have any questions.

WUMC Music Ensembles: 2024
Our Music Ministry offers you three ways to get involved: the Handbell Choir, the Worship Band, and the Adult Choir. This could be the year you take that “leap of faith” and join a group! All ensembles are LOW commitment. We ask that you please attend the rehearsals leading up to the service date. It is that simple! For a full schedule see here or the handout in the narthex.
 
In order to plan music, please RSVP to Carrie by the dates listed.
 
First Up is: Handbell Choir (RSVP was due by September 1st)

 

Bell Cleaning

Sept. 29

11:20 AM

Standing Rock

Rehearsal

Oct. 6

11:20 AM-12:45 PM

Blue Room

Rehearsal

Oct. 13

11:20 AM-12:45 PM

Blue Room

Service

Oct. 20

10 AM

Rehearse in the sanctuary at 8:30 AM

Next Up: Adult Choir (8th grade-seasoned adults) Please RSVP by Oct. 20.

Youth Group 2024
School is back in session and that means the Youth Group is back!
 
October 20th: CROP Walk 1:30 pm at Gloria Dei in Downers Grove
November 9th &10th: Sleep Out Saturday - 7pm @WUMC with a trip to Jewel, build/set up "houses" to sleep outside in with a late-night snack and breakfast included.  Be prepared to share your experience with the congregation during service.
December 15th: Holiday Card Making and fun event - make cards after church for local nursing home residents then head out from some yet to be determined fun

Restaurant Fundraisers Scheduled to Benefit CROP Walk
This year there are four chances to eat out and donate to CROP Walk at the same time!  Yum!  None of the restaurants are far away, but Baker’s Square is just down the street from Woodridge UMC.  Please pay attention to the times.  Most locations require that the flyer be presented when you order.
 
Home Run Inn - LAST DAYS
Online orders ONLY before October 2nd (see link to the fundraising order site here) 7521 Lemont Rd. Darien with pick up between Monday, October 7th and Wednesday, October 9th. Donating 30% of pretax purchases 
 
Culver’s
Wednesday, October 16th 2500 Ogden Ave Downers Grove, IL
Donating 20%. Bring this flyer or let the cashier know that you are with the fundraiser.
 

Understanding Project 2025
Join First UMC in Downers Grove on Sunday, September 29th at 3:00 pm for an informational talk about Project 2025 in preparation for the upcoming election. You might have heard Project 2025 mentioned in the media, but what is it? Our speaker, Dr. John Dorhauer, theologian and former president of the United Church of Church, will address questions such as: Why are we talking about it and why does it matter? What are the goals of Project 2025?
 
The presentation will be livestreamed on the church YouTube channel (@dgfumcstreams) if you are unable to attend in person. For more information go here or email dgfumc.mjc@gmail.com.

60th Anniversary!!

Sunday, October 20th –Anniversary Worship Service at 10:00 am:  Join us as we finish celebrating our 60th Anniversary year with a special worship service.Sunday, October 20th –Anniversary Luncheon at 11:30 am: Join us for a luncheon after our special service.  Thanks to generous anonymous donors we have arranged for the luncheon to be catered for by Clara’s.  We will be asking for RSVPs at a later date.  Further donations are welcome.

Church Conference - Save the Date
Our church conference with our new District Superintendent Rev. Wendy Hardin Hermann is scheduled for Wednesday, November 20th at 7:00 pm with the Staff Parish Meeting scheduled for 6:30 pm.  Please save the date and plan to attend!
 

Safe Sanctuaries Training
It is time for us to care for our congregation again and participate in Safe Sanctuaries Training.  All Sunday School Teachers, Ushers, Youth Council and anyone else who care for our vulnerable members (kids, youth and vulnerable adults) should plan to attend.

Toastmasters
Would you like to speak with more confidence in any setting? Toastmasters can help! The Woodridge Toastmasters club meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at Woodridge United Methodist Church. Come visit us and see for yourself! For more information contact John.

Northern Illinois Conference
Find out about upcoming events in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church by clicking this link  

Fall 2024 Lay Servant Academy
Prairie Central Lay Academy, Nov. 2 and 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., First UMC, Glen Ellyn.  If you cannot make this date, you may attend the academy for another district.  Go  here for more information and to register.  See the flyer here.

 

Outreach Opportunities

September Outreach Offering


Boy Scout Repair the Harm to Children – Matching Gift Opportunity

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for bankruptcy relief in 2020, overwhelmed by lawsuits that grew to involve more than 84,000 allegations of child sexual abuse related to the Boy Scout program as far back as the 1960s. The United Methodist Church became involved because of our long-standing relationship with Scouting troops in our churches.  As part of the settlement, the United Methodist Church has committed to give $30 million over three years to a fund to compensate survivors and to work with the BSA to address policies, programs and procedures to keep children safe from abuse.  
 
All children in the care of the United Methodist churches should be safe from any kind of harm. Unless repairs are made to children who have been hurt, we are not being honest with the present and future children God brings us.  

 The Repair the Harm to Children campaign was created by the Northern Illinois Conference to address the needs of the survivors in three ways; listening and providing healing to the survivors, contributing our fair share to the survivor fund established by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, and working to create safeguards against harm in the future.

The pledge from our church is to contribute $1200 each year for three years to the Boy Scout Survivor Fund.  The September Outreach will help support our goal, as we assist in the healing of survivors and recommit to work toward ending sexual abuse of young people.  Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor all contributions to the September Outreach will be matched up to $1000 to further help us achieve our goal.

Content adapted from  Repair the Harm to Children FAQ and Repair the Harm to Children
 

Ways to donate to the September Outreach Offering:

  • Check or cash in an Outreach Offering envelope placed in the offering plate in the
  • Narthex (the room outside the sanctuary) or in the gold-plated 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

"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. 

West Suburban Food Pantry

There is a shopping cart that is waiting for donations.  It sits in the narthex, usually near the sanctuary doors.  The food pantry serves many households and always welcomes donations!!!  

Used Eyeglasses
There is a basket also in the narthex for collecting used prescription eyeglasses.  Kendra Manderfield Moore makes sure  that they are recycled to the Lions Club and Gift of Sight groups. 

 

 

 


Worship Service

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
We are starting fresh with our list of Joys and Concerns.  Please text Pastor Dave (224.600.0446) or give him a note before service with your prayer request.  You are also welcome to let the office know during the week.  Names will only stay on the list for one month unless other arrangements are made.  Make certain that you have permission to share other’s information, too. 
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.

 

September 27th, 2024, Volume 14, Edition 39

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