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

Sent:                                           Thursday, January 9, 2025 2:33 PM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     I Find Happiness in You" - Woodridge United Methodist Church Newsletter

Attachments:                          173645475901.12.25_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

 

 

“I Find Happiness in You”

Today is Baptism of the Lord Sunday. Each year on this special day, we reaffirm our baptism by drawing a cross with holy water on our foreheads. We are a baptized people—united by one baptism and one Lord, Jesus Christ.

What does baptism mean to you? Jesus himself was baptized. After his baptism in the Jordan River, a voice from heaven declared, “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.”

How does this heavenly proclamation connect to our own baptism, especially in 2025?

Join us this Sunday as we reflect on the meaning of our baptism and its significance in our lives. We look forward to worshiping with you in person or on our Woodridge UMC YouTube Channel for worship in song at 10:00 a.m.!

 

Friday, January 10th

  • Church Office CLOSED
  • 6:00 pm CSA Lock-in

Saturday, January 11th

  • 9:30 am Christmas Clean Up
  • 5:00 pm  Second Saturday Diners

Sunday, January 12th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • 11:15 am Sign Committee
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist

Monday, January 13th

  • 6:30 pm Den 1
  • 6:30 pm Den 5
  • 7:00 pm Outreach Meeting
  • 7:00 pm Square Dancing

Tuesday, January 14th

  • 9:00 am Soccer Shots
  • 10:30 am Bible Study
  • 7:00 pm Camera Club

Wednesday, January 15th

  • Church Office CLOSED
  • 6:00 pm Bible Study
  • 7:00 pm Square Dancing

Thursday, January 16th

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

Friday, January 17th

  • 6:30 pm Pinewood Derby

Saturday, January 18th

  • 9:00 am  Ad Council Meeting
  • 7:00 pm Square Dancing

Sunday, January 19th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • Noon Communion
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist

 

Church Office Hours

Monday - Tuesday: 9:00 am - Noon
Wednesday: CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
Thursday - Friday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm


We ask that you call before visiting.

Today, Friday, January 10th, the office is CLOSED as well as Wednesday, January 15th

 

Ministry Opportunities

Second Saturday Diners
We are looking for a host for Second Saturday Diners on Saturday, January 11th.  We will all need a night out during the short days of winter. Contact Gwenn  for details. Gwennedman@gmail.com

Christmas Clean Up
Please come tomorrow, Saturday, January 11th at 9:30 am to help take down the Christmas decorations in the sanctuary.  Meet in the Narthex.  Depending on the weather and time, the outdoor decorations might be taken down as well.

Vision/Action Board Workshops
But what is a Vision/Action Board workshop? Vision boards are a compilation of images and words or phrases put together in a way to motivate and drive action toward a goal. These goals can be for various lengths and can be lofty or relatively simple in scope. In our workshop, we pull in an action component as a way of making our goals more achievable.
 
Saturday Jan. 11th 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Sunday Jan. 12th 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Monday Jan. 13th 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
 
Interested? Know someone who might want to join in? Here's what you need to know.
ALL supplies will be provided but feel free to bring magazines, stickers, your favorite pen, whatever helps.
Cost is $15. Cash on the day of or Zelle to 630-962-0896 Workshops held at Woodridge United Methodist Church 2700 W, 75th St, Woodridge Send an email to CoachKarenNovak@gmail.com and let me know who'll be coming to which workshop. Bring a friend, a relative, your crazy neighbor; anyone looking for a way to focus in on living their best life.

Sign Committe Meeting
There is a Sign Committee meeting THIS Sunday, January 12th after service to discuss the layout/colors of the sign and any other questions you might have.  

60th Anniversary Sign
Our current sign is 30 years old and no longer working.  In celebration of 60+ years together, we are working towards replacing the broken sign with a new electronic messaging sign.  Designs and quotes have been requested from sign companies. It will be about $42,000.  Thanks to generous donations, we are most of the way there.  We do still need an additional $5000-$8000.  Please join us in celebrating our church and donate today!  If you wish your donation to be in memory or honor of a loved one, we will publish the list when the sign is installed. 

Bible Study
Our Bible study of the Letters of Paul to the Corinthians resumes in January.  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.).  The Tuesday class will begin on January 7th, and the Wednesday class will begin on January 8th.  We will read one chapter together each week and go deeper with questions and discussions.  If you are newly interested in participating, please contact the church office, 630.968.6050 or office@woodridgeumc.org or Pastor Dave (PastorDaveYim@woodridgeumc.org).

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.

Handbell Choir (RSVP was due by January 5th)

Rehearsal

Jan. 19

11:20 AM-12:45 PM

Preschool Blue Room

Rehearsal

Jan. 26

11:20 AM-12:45 PM

Preschool Blue Room

Rehearsal

Feb. 2

11:20 AM-12:45 PM

Preschool Blue Room

Rehearsal

Feb. 9

11:20 AM-12:45 PM

Preschool Blue Room

Service

Feb. 16

10 AM

Rehearse in the sanctuary at 8:30 AM


Lenten Study
The coming Lenten Study will be a six week in person study on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm starting March 12th on Adam Hamilton’s book “Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith”.  Please sign up in the Narthex so that the appropriate number of books can be ordered.
 
Schedule:
March 12th - “Is there a God?”
March 19th - “The Good Book? Wrestling with the Bible”
March 26th - “Are All Non-Christians Going to Hell?”
April 2nd - :”Is Heaven real?”
April 9th - “When Prayers Go Unanswered”
April 16th - “Why Do the Innocent Suffer?”
 
Human Relations Day Sunday is Coming 
Human Relations Day is a special Sunday across our denomination, focused on fostering better relationships and supporting community and youth outreach. It invites us to take this mission beyond our walls—into our neighborhoods, communities, and even to those just outside our doors. Our collective generosity helps strengthen relationships and empowers ministries that transform lives. On the Sunday before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we celebrate and take up a special offering to help bring his vision of a “beloved community” to life. Your gifts support important programs like Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Services, and Youth Offender Rehabilitation.
 
Radical Hospitality Volunteers Needed
Volunteers with a spirit of radical hospitality are needed on Monday, February 24th to set up, oversee, and clean up after refreshments that start at 9:30 am and lunch at noon.  The bishop is holding bible study here on that day and a large number of people are expected.  Make our church SHINE in front of our guests!  Help is needed from 8:30 am through ~2:00 pm. We could have two shifts with enough volunteers (reception vs lunch). 
 
We are also looking for breakfast appropriate refreshment donations (fruit, juice, pastries, donut holes, sweet breads, etc.).  Homemade is never turned down, but store bought is also welcome!!  Please contact the church office if you are available to help. 
 
Free Square Dancing Lesson - Last Chance!!
Due to bad weather on Monday January 6th, Downers Grove Square Thrus are repeating their offer of the 1st lesson FREE on Monday January 13th 7:00pm - 9:00 pm at our church.  No experience needed. No partner required. Couples, singles and families are all welcome!  Wear casual attire and comfortable shoes.  Lessons start Monday, January 13th.
 
For more information go to www.SquareThrus.com or call 630.747.9073.

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.
 

Prairie Central Leadership Training
January 18 9:00 am - 3:30 pm. Grace UMC in Naperville 300 E. Gartner Road Cost $15 each or Bring 4 or more people from your church and only pay $60 total Classes are offered in evangelism, building management, One Board structure, SPRC, finance, discipleship, mental health, communications and more. More information and registration: umcnic.org/calendar/prairie-central-leadership-training-2025
Questions?
Patti Cash - patti.cash@peopleofgrace.org
Rev. Melissa Meyers - mmeyers815@gmail.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Join us in celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with prayers, testimonies, music and a guest speaker on Sunday, January 19, at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove.  There will be a worship service with light supper afterwards.  There is no cost, but online registration will be coming to help us prepare the correct amount of food. Go to here for more information.
 
Guest Speaker: Rev. Danita R. Anderson - Assistant to the Bishop, NIC
Remarks: Bishop Dan Schwerin - Northern Illinois-Wisconsin Episcopal Area
 
Laity Convocation: Renew Your Hope at Convocation
All laypeople are invited to "A Renewed Hope: May God's Grace Be With You," NIC's Laity Convocation, which takes place on February 8th at New Lenox UMC, 339 W. Haven Ave., New Lenox. Register at https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=821919&
 
$15 General Registration
$25 Lunch Option Registration (Box lunch included)*
 
*Walks In are welcome but registration preferred. Limited lunches available on-site.
Childcare will be provided (ages 3-11), Sign-up for childcare is a part of registration. Parents and Guardians will need to provide snacks/lunch (no peanut products) for children if the lunch option is not chosen.
 
 

Outreach Opportunities

January Outreach Offering


Family Crisis Fund
The Family Crisis Fund is used by our pastor 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:

  • 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.

 

January 10th, 2025, Volume 15, Edition 2

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