Woodridge United Methodist Church

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

Easter Flower Orders
Winter winds might be blowing, but Spring is just around the corner!  It is time to think about our sanctuary adorned with beautiful flowers.  With many nurseries in the area going out of business, availability of flowers for Easter has become limited. The longer we wait to order, the less availability there is. The nursery we found last year was out of stock of most plants by the time we placed our order at the end of February, and we had to go with our pre-order estimate numbers.  This year we would like to see if we can do better.  Easter Flower order will be accepted through Sunday, February 8th.   Order Envelopes are in the in the narthex and here. Please order EARLY so totals may be adjusted while there are still flowers available.

Ad Council Meeting
There is an Administrative Council Meeting TOMORROW, 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!
 
Blood Drive at St. Scholastica
The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a blood drive at Saint Scholastica on TOMORROW, 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.

Bell Choir
The Handbell Choir will be rehearsing and performing during worship service soon.  Please refer to the schedule for dates and times: 

Rehearsal	Jan. 25	11:00 AM	Music Room
Rehearsal	Feb. 1	10 AM	Rehearse in the sanctuary at 8:30 AM

Sharing Our Gifts with Ray Graham
Our Ray Graham day program is looking for volunteers to spend an hour or two sharing their gifts with their clients. Can you bake (above the cupcake level), teach simple carpentry (fastening two boards together), talk about your culture, etc.? You are welcome to share your hobbies and knowledge! Please let the church office know, and we will share the list of volunteers with Ray Graham, so they can work out a schedule.
 
Valentines for Seniors
Our Youth is sponsoring valentine making NEXT Sunday, February 1st after worship service. The cards will be distributed to seniors living in local assisted-living and long-term care facilities.  No creative skills needed!!
 
Book Study
A Sunday morning study of the book, Sacred Pathways - 9 Ways to Connect with God, by Gary Thomas is running January 11th - February 8th.  Class will meet 8:45 am - 9:50 am.  If you are interested in attending, contact Charlotte Ashworth at bacatx@gmail.com

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!

First Friday Lunch
Please join us on Friday, February 6th at noon for lunch.  No planning, no reservations, no responsibilities! Bring your sack lunch and a good sense of humor because there are sure to be laughs. Everyone is invited!
 
Second Saturday Diners
Set Saturday, February 14th, at 5:00 pm aside for the Second Saturday Diners!! We will meet and have dinner in the community room at Woodridge Horizon (8099 Janes Ave. in Woodridge - next door to the ARC) on the first floor, which has a kitchen.  Elisa will be hosting and providing the main dish, which will be chicken. If you would like to bring a side dish or dessert, you are more than welcome to do so, but please don't feel obligated at all. Your company is what matters most.  Also, feel free to bring your own drinks.  Please RSVP to Elisa by Tuesday morning, February 10th at applei8122000@yahoo.com.  Questions?  Give Elsia a call (630-222-0497).
 

Youth Ministry 2026

What’s happening in Youth Ministries? Take a look:

Sunday, February 1st: Bring your creativity as we create Valentine's Day cards directly after church.

Saturday, February 21st: Group ski trip to Wisconsin - Please read the registration form very carefully and fill it out by January 31st: https://forms.gle/SoE68Ne43oSXmaRx5)

Saturday, March 7th: Feed My Starving Children pack out at Benedictine University. Similar to last year, we will sign up for a morning slot and open it up to the whole church.
  
Altar Flower Donations
If you would like to donate an arrangement of flowers for the altar, you are welcome to bring one in.  Please let the church office know by noon the Wednesday before, especially if the flowers are in memory/honor of someone, so that they may be acknowledged in the bulletin and announcements.
 
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.
 

Sew Hope.  Keep Girls in School

Sewing Event & Collection Drive for Girls4Girls Ghana, Inc.

Saturday, March 7, 12–3 p.m. at Barrington United Methodist Church

Join us for a hands-on sewing and service event that helps girls in rural Ghana stay in school by providing reusable sanitary pads.  No sewing experience needed! Cut fabric, assemble kits, donate supplies—or sew if you’d like. Sewing machines will be available.

Donate & Make a Difference: We are collecting fabric, sewing supplies, and girls’ cotton underwear to support G4G’s mission to reduce poverty and promote education.

Especially needed: cotton flannel, PUL fabric, Zorb fabric, thread & snaps, girls’ cotton underwear (sizes 12–18 / women’s 5–8). Details, supply lists, and ordering information are available in the flyer in the narthex and here. Every donation—big or small—matters.

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.

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.
 

Birthdays
February
1         Jennifer Manderscheid
5         Gwen Cortez
7         Nancy Viernes
8         Yvonne Canik
10       JoAnn Cihlar
           Nicole Mueller
14       Bill Rotz
15       Rebecca Sprague
16       Ash Mullane
17       Jessica Morman
18       Magnus Borgehammar
19       Ben Cortez
20       Paul Santucci
           Davida Smith
27       Nicole Griffin

Northern Illinois Conference
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. 

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.