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

Sent:                                           Friday, October 16, 2026 10:18 AM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     "Cheerful Givers" - Woodridge United Methodist Church Newsletter

Attachments:                          179216389110.18.26_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

 

 

"Cheerful Givers"

 

Genesis 12:1-3, Acts 3:24-26, Mark 10:17-22
God doesn’t just bless us to keep the blessing—God blesses us, so we can be a blessing to all the families on earth! Join us at Woodridge UMC this Sunday, October 18, for Commitment Sunday as Pastor Dave shares an encouraging message on living with an undivided heart: “Earn All You Can, Save All You Can, Give All You Can.” We’ll explore practical, faith-filled ways to manage our work and finance, our spending, and our giving—and discover the true joy of being a cheerful giver! Whether you join us in person or online on our our Woodridge UMC YouTube Channel, we would love to worship with you!

 


Calendar

Friday, October 16th

  • 2:00 pm RGA - Emerge
  • 6:30 pm Pack Meeting

Saturday, October 17th

  • 9:00 am Men's Group
  • 9:00 am SDA
  • 1:30 pm Square Dancing
  • 7:00 pm Square Dancing

Sunday, October 18th

  • 10:00 am Sunday Service
  • 11:00 am Bagel Fellowship
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist

Monday, October 19th

  • 7:00 pm Den 1
  • 7:00 pm Den 4 & 5
  • 7:00 pm Square Dancing

Tuesday, October 20th

  • Church Office CLOSED
  • 10:30 am Tuesday Bible Study
  • Noon Senior Suburban Orchestra
  • 7:00 pm Square Dancing

Wednesday, October 21st

  • 6:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study
  • 7:00 pm Square Dancing

Thursday, October 22nd

  • 7:00 pm Scouting America
  • 7:30 pm Toastmasters

Friday, October 23rd

  • 2:00 pm RGA - Emerge
  • 7:30 pm Square Dancing

Saturday, October 24th

  • 9:00 am SDA
  • 9:00 am Ad Council
  • 6:00 pm SDA

Sunday, October 25th

  • 10:00 am Sunday Service
  • 11:00 am Bagel Fellowship
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist
  • 6:00 pm SDA
  • 6:30 pm CSA Committee

 

Special Church Office Hours

Monday: 9:00 am to noon
Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday - Friday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

We ask that you call before visiting.

The Church Office is CLOSED on Tuesday, October 20th.

 

 

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

Commitment Sunday -  October 18th
Our annual Commitment Sunday takes place THIS, Sunday, October 18th.  Bring your completed financial commitment form for 2024 to church with you.   If you wish to begin using EFT or wish to have a box of envelopes, it is all contained on the form.  Please begin to pray about your support of the mission and ministry of our church.

CROP Hunger Walk - South DuPage
2026 CROP Hunger Walk - Woodridge UMC
The 2026 CROP Hunger Walk is THIS, Sunday, October 18th stepping off at 2pm at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Downers Grove. Walkers should meet at Gloria Dei at 1:30 pm. Support a WUMC Walker. Donations can be made via the website (Enter Woodridge UMC in the support a particular participant line). See the link in the e-News to give online. If you prefer to write a check, make it out to CWS/CROP.  Give to Carlene Smith or contact her at carlenessmith1@gmail.com. Thanks for your support of the CROP Hunger Walk.

November - December Upper Rooms
November - December Upper Room daily devotionals are available in the Narthex. 

Ad Council Meeting
There is an Ad Council meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 24th at 9:00 am Please save the date and plan to attend.  Everyone is Welcome!
 
Bible Study
Our Bible study groups are studying Acts.  The study is 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  read one chapter together each week and go deeper with questions and discussions.  Please plan to join us!

Sunday School 
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. The first Sunday of every month, our children will remain in worship service

Activity Bags are available in the Narthex every Sunday.
 

Fellowship Time with Bagels
Join us this Sunday after service in Bonfal Hall this week for bagels and cream cheese, jelly, honey, etc.!  You can even toast your bagel!  More importantly spend some time in fellowship!

Giving Statements
Year-to-date through September 30 statements will be mailed in early to mid-October to provide givers an update on their planned 2026 giving status. If you don't receive a giving statement by October 31st, please contact Geoff Morman, Financial Secretary, at finsec@woodridgeumc.org for assistance. The next statements will cover all of 2026 and be mailed to givers by mid-February 2027. Thank you for your generosity!"  
 
Children's Sabbath
This year our Children’s Sabbath will be Sunday, October 25th.  Join us as our children and youth lead us in worship. They did an amazing job last  year and we are looking forward to seeing what they do this year!

Church Conference
Our church conference is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28th at 7:00 pm with the Staff Parish Meeting scheduled for 6:30 pm.  Please save the date and plan to attend.

Woodridge UMC Craft & Vendor Fair @ Bake Sale
Woodridge UMC is having a craft and vendor fair on Saturday, November 15th from 9 am to 2 pm.  Last year’s sale was a success.  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 table from our members and volunteers to man the bake sale or raffle table and help price the items.  Share the news, so we can get more people shopping this year!  Contact the church office if you can help in any way or if you have any questions.  Find the Vendor form online or here if you prefer a printed version.
 

Lunch at the Craft Fair
On Saturday, November 14th, Fat Johnnie’s Daughter will be with us once again with their Famous Red Hots and Polish Sausages. We have another vendor selling Boba Tea!!  The church will be selling popcorn, chips, and drinks, plus dessert at the bake sale.  Come get lunch and visit the craft fair, too!!
 
Second Saturday Diners 
SSD: LIFE IS SWEETER WHEN WE GET TOGETHER! 
Who's ready for a little sweetness and good company? Just as we enjoy gathering after our services for bagels, coffee, and conversation, our Second Saturday Diners give us another opportunity to connect, share some laughs, and enjoy time together.  In November (Saturday November 14th), we're heading to Colonial Ice Cream (8 W Gartner Rd Naperville at 5:00 pm after our Craft Fair and Bake Sale) for a fun, relaxed evening filled with friendly faces, good conversation, and plenty of menu choices—from breakfast favorites to hearty meals and, of course, something sweet! Whether you've joined us before or this would be your first time, there's always room for one more at the table. Come for the food, stay for the fellowship! Bring a friend, bring your appetite, and come share a little sweetness with your church family. 
 
Please RSVP to: Elisa Caligiuri applei8122000@yahoo.com or630-222-0497
We look forward to sharing a wonderful evening of food, friendship, and fellowship with you! Your Second Saturday Diners Hosts,
Gwenn & Elisa

Everyday Hero Program
Saturday, November 21st 1:30 – 3:30 pm   The DuPage Health Coalition is returning to our church with their initiative designed to empower community members with the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively in cardiac emergency situations, at no cost. It’s been found that bystander response to cardiac emergencies is notably low throughout DuPage County. The training covers: Hands-only CPR; How to use an AED; Responding to choking; Overdose education and Naloxone administration. The instructors are American Heart Association–certified, but to reach the most people, this is not a certification course. Please join us!!
 
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.
 
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.


Northern Illinois Conference
UMC Bishops Condemn Proposed Plan for Livestreamed Execution

In a pastoral letter to United Methodists around the world, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., writing on behalf of the Council of Bishops, opposes plans to livestream the execution of the man responsible for the 2009 Fort Hood shootings. The letter calls on Christians to reject vengeance and the public spectacle of death, uphold the dignity of every human life, and stand against the scapegoating of religious minorities and migrants. It urges U.S. leaders to end plans for the livestreamed execution and invites congregations worldwide to pray for victims, survivors, and all those affected by violence.  Click here to read more.

NIC/GCORR CRCC Cohort
Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Cohort Sponsored by the Northern Illinois Conference and the General Commission on Religion and Race
 
The cohort exists to strengthen adaptive leadership of Cross-Racial/Cross-cultural (CRCC) clergy in the Northern Illinois Conference by affirming belonging, creating space for theological reflection and navigating cultural awareness and healing. Through a trauma-informed and formational learning environment, the cohort supports CRCC clergy in integrating their lived experience, cultural identity, and theological vocation, fostering both personal healing and sustained leadership in CRCC ministry settings.
 
A few of the 2026-2027 events church leaders.  Please let Pastor Dave or the church office know if you are interested in any of them:
 
World Celebrations of Christmas
Sat. 12/5/2026, 10 a.m. to 1 pm at Journey of Hope UMC in Elgin: Explore global expressions of Christmas and how they enrich the church’s incarnational ministry
Closing Retreat - Lessons for the journey ahead
Sat. 5/22/2027, 9 a.m. to 3:30 pm at Our Saviour’s UMC in Schaumburg:
 

Outreach Opportunities

October Outreach Offering - Midwest Mission


Since 2000, Midwest Mission has shown God’s love in practical ways through the distribution of education, health, micro business and disaster relief supplies meeting basic human needs around the world and around the corner. Midwest Mission distributes its kits (hygiene, cleaning), resources and supplies after receiving a request. Supplies are given free of charge regardless of gender, race or religion. Midwest Mission connects with local aid organizations by providing additional items that are received that do not meet kit requirements. They also have specialized workshops that refurbish sewing machines and bicycles and create practical goods like school desks from refurbished materials.  One of 10 cooperating depots in the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Supply Network, Midwest Mission distributes UMCOR supplies in response to disasters within the U.S. Midwest. Mission also partners with Christians in Mission, Food for the Poor, Franciscan Mission Warehouse, and U.S. Southern Command. 217-483-7911 office@midwestmission.org midwestmission.org.
 
Ways to donate to the October 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.


24th Annual Wake Up Your Spirit Breakfast
Wednesday, November 4th, 2026, 7:00 am – 9:00 am at Abbington Banquets, Glen Ellyn Reserve your tickets today and visit dupagepads.org. Join DuPage Pads for networking, a warm breakfast, inspirational messages, and DuPagePads updates from CEO April Redzic during the 24th Annual Wake Up Your Spirit Breakfast. Guests will hear from a client whose life has been transformed by services made possible through donors' generous support:
Networking and coffee at 7:00 am
Program and breakfast at 7:30 am.
 
 

 Ongoing Opportunities

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!!!  

  

 


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.

 

October 16th, 2026, Volume 16, Edition 42

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