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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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Isaiah 42:1 / Matthew 3:13-17
Join us this Sunday as we explore the profound
humility of Jesus at his baptism. In the waters of the Jordan, we
see a God who doesn’t wait for us to be perfect, but instead
takes the initiative to come to us first. Through the lens of
Matthew’s Gospel, we will reflect on how Jesus fulfills God’s
righteousness by embracing the suffering and wounds of our world.
Come discover how Christ’s identity as the "Beloved
Son" empowers us to seek justice for the nations and find
healing at the center of the universe. We look forward to seeing
you there!
Join us for worship this Sunday at 10:00 am in
person or on our Woodridge UMC YouTube Channel!
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Calendar
Friday, January 9th
Saturday, January 10th
Sunday, January 11th
- 8:45 am Book Study
- 10:00 am Worship Service
- 11:00
am Bell Choir
- Noon
Communion (Online)
- 4:00
pm Filipino Baptist
Monday, January 12th
- 7:00
pm Outreach
- 7:00
pm Square Dancing
Tuesday, January 13th
- 10:30
am Tuesday Bible Study
- 10:30
am Ray Graham
- Noon
SS Orchestra
- 7:00
pm DG Camera Club
- 7:00
pm Square Dancing
Wednesday, January 14th
- 6:00
pm Wednesday Bible Study
- 6:30
pm Dens 2 & 4
- 7:00
pm Square Dancing
Thursday, January 15th
- 7:00
pm Square Dancing
- 7:00
pm Scouting America
Friday, January 16th
- Church
Office CLOSED
- 2:00
pm RGA - Emerge
- 6:30
pm Pinewood Derby
Saturday, January 17th
Sunday, January 18th
- 8:45 am Book Study
- 10:00 am Worship Service
- 11:00
am Bell Choir
- Noon
Communion (Online)
- 4:00
pm Filipino Baptist
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Church Office Hours
Monday - Tuesday: 9:-00 am to noon
Wednesday
- Thursday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Friday:
CLOSED
The
church office is CLOSED Friday, January 16th.
We ask that you call
before visiting.
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Important Information
Music Director Job Opening
The Staff Parish Committee has updated the job
description for Music Director and will be posting the
opening in various locations. Please share that we are
looking for people who are interested in the position. The
committee prays for guidance as we work to fill this very
important role in our church.
Ministry Opportunities
Hat and Mitten Tree
Items
are being dropped off at the school district this next
week. Please have all donations in by THIS Sunday,
January 11th. Our Hat and Mitten
Tree is in the Narthex through the beginning
of January and all collected items will be given to
Woodridge schools to be distributed to children who are in
need. (Please no scarves. The Scarf Outreach
project has successfully filled the need for any scarves). I
Second
Saturday Diners
Second Saturday Diners will be gathering at Steven’s
Restaurant, 2393 63rd Street, Woodridge. on Saturday, January
10th, at 5:00 pm. Let’s ring in the new year
together because everyone is invited! Please RSVP,
Gwenn Edman 630/624-3227 or gwennedman@gmail.com
by
January 7, 2026.
New
Class Begins THIS Sunday
A small group study begins this Sunday, January
11th, and runs thru February 8th. It
will begin at 8:45 am and we will dismiss shortly before
worship. We will be using the book, Sacred Pathways,
by Gary Thomas. From the back cover, "You connect
best with God and grow spiritually in one of nine
unique ways. Learn how to lean into your spiritual
temperament and how to appreciate other people who
engage with God differently." If you would like to
join, you can join us in the Friendship Room this Sunday or
contact Charlotte Ashworth at bacatx@gmail.com.
Bell
Choir
Bell Choir will begin practising THIS Sunday,
January 11th after service and will practise
for 3 Sundays in a row with a performance on Sunday, February
1st during worship service.
Human
Relations Day
Human Relations Day is a
special Sunday across our denomination, focused on fostering
better relationships and supporting community and youth outreach. On
the Sunday before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, January 18th,
we celebrate and take up a special offering to help bring his
vision of a “beloved community” to life. Together we can
foster healthier relationships and support community and
youth outreach. Your gifts support important programs like
Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Services,
and Youth Offender Rehabilitation.
Ad
Council Meeting
There is an Administrative Council Meeting on Saturday, January
24th at 9:00 am in the Standing Rock
room. Please plan on attending if you are a member of
the Ad Council, but everyone is welcome!
Bible
Study
We are studying Jeremiah. 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 will read one chapter
together each week and go deeper with questions and
discussions. Let Pastor Dave know if you are interested
in joining!
Finance
Meeting
The next Finance Meeting is on Tuesday, January
20th at 7:00 pm in the Conference Room.
Blood
Drive at St. Scholastica
The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a blood drive at Saint
Scholastica on
Saturday, January 24th from 7:30 am to noon.
To schedule your donation, go to www.versiti.org/IL
or call 800-7TO-GIVE. Appointments appreciated; walk-ins are
welcome! Photo ID is required. Flyers should be in the e-News
or Narthex.
Sunday
School
Please join us!
Most Sundays, Children begin the worship service in the
sanctuary with their family. Following the “Praying” segment,
the children will be invited up to the chancel steps for
conversation with the pastors. Then, the Sunday School
teacher will meet the children in the Narthex (the big room
outside the sanctuary) & walk them to their classroom.
They will be in the Trinity Room in the main hallway.
Activity Bags are available in the Narthex every Sunday.
Women's
Retreat - "Share Your Story"
Geneva UMC is sponsoring a “Find Your Story” Winter Women’s
Retreat Friday, February 6th 6:00 pm – Sunday, February 8th
10:00 am led by Pastor Mary Zajac at La Salle Manor Retreat
Center, Plano, IL and has invited us to join them.
Gather for connection, reflection and conversation in a
cozy lodge that is perfect for winter. Cost is $200 per
person or $110 for Saturday only (8:00 am to 7:00 pm).
The full brochure can be found in the narthex or in the
e-News. Online registration is available here and
the deadline is January 24th.
Prayer
Ministry
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 the church office.
If you
would like to submit prayers to the Prayer Chain of Joys and
Concerns, please contact the church office, text Pastor
Dave with your prayer requests or give him a note
before worship service.
Free
Square Dancing
Downers Grove Square Thrus is hosting a FREE Square Dance on Monday January
12th 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 the following week.
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
Read the Bible in a Year With Us
The NIC Committee on Discipleship and Spiritual Formation is
inviting individuals and congregations to read the entire
Bible using a daily guide
organized in what is believed to be chronological order. Learn more.
Martin
Luther King Jr. Celebration
Join us in celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with
prayers, testimonies, music and a guest speaker on Sunday, January
18th at 2:30 pm at Mount Prospect: Trinity UMC (605
W. Golf Road, Mt. Prospect). There will be a worship
service with light supper afterwards. There is no cost, but
registration will be coming to help us prepare the correct
amount of food. Find more information and the
registration here.
Theme: Voices
from the Past, Leading Us into the Future
Speaker: Rev.
Dr. Charles Woolery, Sr.
Culture
Shift Leadership Training
The Prairie Central District Shepherding Team is bringing
Rev. Jim Ozier back to Northern Illinois for Culture Shift: Cultivating Healthy
Congregations, a one-day experience
focused on helping pastors and lay leaders assess, shift, and
shape their church culture toward vitality and growth. When
culture shifts, everything shifts: worship, generosity,
mission, and morale. Culture, not programs, budgets, or
buildings, determines whether a church thrives or merely
survives. The event is open to all church leaders. Join
us at Grace UMC, Naperville, on Jan. 31st, 9:00 am
to 3:00 pm. Registration is open, but space
is limited. See the e-New for registration.
NIC Annual
Conference: Will
Focus on Hope
Under the
theme “Practicing Hope,” clergy and elected lay members will
gather for NIC’s 187th Annual Conference session, June 14th – 16th,
at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in
Schaumburg. The theme invites participants to explore how
hope shapes ministry, mission, and the future of the
church. “Hope allows for newness. Hope allows that God
will call us forward. Hope allows us to say yes to whatever
call is placed on our lives,” said Bishop Schwerin.
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!!!
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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 2nd,
2026, Volume 16, Edition 1
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