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The Messenger
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Issue No. 9
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September 2011
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My dear church family,
I write this with a heavy heart. My
husband and I recently found out that his company is closing their
Texas office, and has offered him a job at their main office in Durham,
NC. After
much
thought and prayer, we have decided to relocate to North Carolina. It
was a very difficult decision because all of our family and friends are
in Texas, but we feel strongly that God is calling us to North Carolina
right now. We will be making the move sometime after the New Year, but
I will stay on as DCE and Children's Choir Director until N ovember 20th.
I have truly cherished my time here at
Woodhaven...from when I started the Children's Choir in 2005 to
becoming DCE last summer, and everyday between. I have appreciated all
the hugs and encouragement throughout the years. You all have become my
second family here in Texas, and I will miss you dearly! I have enjoyed
watching the children grow up in choir and move on to the Youth group,
and I love all the h ugs from them on Sunday mornings. I will
never forget how Woodhaven helped me find my calling into the ministry
of Christian Education.
I know people say this all the time, but
I must say it again: this Congregation is truly blessed by God! How
lucky we are to have one another in our church family! You have so many
angels working among you. There is such joy in this church family, and
I hope to carry that joy with me forever.
I have been very lucky to work with such
a wonderful staff, especially in the last year. I know God has great
things in store for you all, so keep doing what you're doing! I will
miss you all more than you know.
May God bless you all!
Miss Hallie
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THE STEPHEN MINISTER IS IN!
They are among us! No,
we are not talking about angels or aliens. We are talking about
individuals who care about others. The Scriptures describe their
service well: "Remember those on prison as if you were their
fellow prisoners and those mistreated as if you yourselves were
suffering." (Hebrews 13:3) If you or someone you
know wants to do more as a Christian caregiver, consider Stephen
Ministry. This is your congregation's one-on-one care giving ministry.
A training class is starting soon. Please contact Peggy Duvall at 972-252-7407
or
Barbara Thompson at
817-475-3608. A Stephen Minister is available every Sunday at
11:30 by the Stephen Minister banner in the Narthex.
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WOODHAVEN AT THE RANGER GAME
The group that went to the Ranger game on July 24, 2011
all seemed to have a good time.
Yes it was a little warm and the Rangers lost, but we
still had a good time and enjoyed the fellowship. The
kids got free jerseys and dollar ice cream. Some left a little
early but there were some die hard Ranger fans that stayed to the
bitter end. Thanks to all who attended and for those that didn't
go we hope that next year you will come enjoy the fun and
fellowship.
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Sunday School Offerings at Woodhaven
Woodhaven has Sunday School for all ages each Sunday from
9:00am-10:00am.
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Nursery Class (birth-2 years)
Becky
Manale & Stefanie Garcia, teachers
The
nursery is available during the Sunday School and Worship hours
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PreK Class (3-4 years)
The
PreK Class will be joining the Elementary Class in their Worship
Readiness Class
Meets
in the Oasis
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Fall Elementary Class (K-5)
Worship Readiness
In
the fall, the Elementary class will be learning about the different
parts of Worship, using the Get Ready! Get Set! Worship!
Curriculum
Led
by: Hallie Spence, Ernie & Holly Barry
Meets
in the Oasis
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Spring Elementary Classes
(Godly Play: K-2nd grade)
(Journey Through the Faith: 3rd-5th
grade)
Starting
in January, the K-2nd graders will be starting Godly Play
(for more info, see next page) and the 3rd-5th
graders will be continuing the Journey Through Faith Rotation
program.
Led
by: TBA
Meets
in Education Building
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Jr. High Youth (6th-8th grade)
The
Jr. High class will be using the brand new Re:form Ancestors
curriculum from Sparkhouse.
Led
by: Susan Batot
Meets
in Trinity Theater
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Sr. High Youth (9th-12th grade)
The
Sr. High class will be using the new Feasting on the Word
curriculum.
Led
by: Jim Kinder
Meets
in Jr. High Room
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Spirit Seekers Class
Studying:
Journey to the Common Good by Walter Brueggmann
Led
by: Charles Schmidt
Meets
in the Education Building
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SAS Class
Studying:
Living the Questions video series
Led
by: Rob Allen
Meets
in Hancock Hall
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Small Group Class
Studying:
The Book of Genesis, a LifeGuide Bible Study
Led
by: Bonnie Moseley
Meets
in the Parlor
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Adult Bible Study Class
Studying:
the stories of Moses, featuring point discussions and practical
applications
Led
by: Priscilla Meadows
Meets
in the Handbell Room
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Inquirer's Class (Oct 9-30, 2011)
A
4 week class for anyone who is new to the Presbyterian tradition or
to Woodhaven.
Led
by: Rev. Diane Baldwin
Meets
in the Bride's Room
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I Wonder...
What is Godly Play?
Children's Worship and the K-2nd
grade Sunday School class will be using the Godly Play curriculum
beginning in the fall.
"Godly Play teaches
children the art of using Christian language - parable, sacred story,
silence and liturgical action - helping them become more fully aware of
the mystery of God's presence in their lives.
When Christian language is learned by the Godly Play approach, it is
learned as a means to know God and to make meaning of our lives. This
approach is quite different from the traditional model in which the
teacher tells the children what they need to know. Godly Play is not
about things that are that simple. It is not just about learning
lessons or keeping children entertained. It is about locating each
lesson in the whole system of Christian language and involving the
creative process to discover the depths of meaning in them. It's about
understanding how each of the stories of God's people connects with the
child's own experience and relationship with God. Godly Play respects
the innate spirituality of children and encourages curiosity and
imagination in experiencing the mystery and joy of God.
The goal of Godly Play is to show how to be open to the Holy Spirit,
the Creator, and the Redeemer all at once and all the time in every
place. To achieve this goal is to help children become deeply rooted as
Christians and yet at the same time use this powerful language and
community to be open and creative.
Godly Play is a creative and imaginative approach to Christian nurture.
Godly Play is based on long established, tried and tested approaches.
Godly Play encourages participants to make meaning for themselves by
inviting them into stories and providing the opportunity for them to
connect the stories with their personal experience.
Godly Play is a non-coercive way to encourage people to move into
larger dimensions of belief and faith through wondering questions and
open-ended response time.
Godly Play values process, openness and discovery.
Godly Play is a way of preparing children to join in the worship and
life of their congregations as they develop a deeper understanding of
stories, symbols and rites.
Although it was originally developed as a resource for children, Godly
Play is now being used with a wide range of age groups in a diversity
of settings."
--taken from: www.godlyplayfoundation.org/newsite/WhatIsGodlyPlay.html
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Bring a Friend!!!
Attention
Woodhaven Children:
Come join
the Children's Choir!!
Rehearsals begin
Wednesday, August
31st
6:00pm-7:00pm
Question?
Contact Hallie
Spence
hspence@woodhavenpres.org;
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Inquirer's Class/Worship 101
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Inquirer's Class
Are you new to the Presbyterian faith or new to
Woodhaven?
Have you been a Presbyterian for a while and need a
refresher course?
Save the dates for the Inquirer's Class,
taught by our new pastor, Rev. Diane M. Baldwin
October 9, 16, 23, & 30
9:00am-10:00am
In the Bride's Room
Worship 101
Who?
For parents, worship partners, or any other adults
What?
A Worship Education Class, taught by Rev. Diane M.
Baldwin & Hallie Spence to educate any interested adults on how and
why we worship at Woodhaven
When?
Saturday, September 17th 10am-12pm
&
Sunday, September 25th 12pm-2pm
(immediately following Worship, BYO Lunch)
Where?
We will begin in the Sanctuary
Please RSVP to Hallie Spence (hspence@woodhavenpres.org)
We are looking for children and youth
(3rd-12th grade) who want to help lead Worship during
the month of September.
If you are interested, please contact
Pastor Diane:
dbaldwin@woodhavenpres.org
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Community Outreach
& Evangelism Feedback
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Ashley Boysen commented on her
check-in at Clifton Early Childhood School.
Ashley wrote:
"Linda,
I didn't realize your church did the school supply benefit - we are
very thankful!
This
is my third year at Clifton and I absolutely love it!
We
were so sad last year to hear of Ms. Clifton's passing - we had seen
her looking well
and
the next thing I knew they were telling us that she was very very ill.
She
was a wonderful lady - did so much for our school & students.
She
is missed :("
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Worship in September
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September 4
Communion (Intinction)
"All you need is love"
Psalm 149:1-4a; Romans 13:8-14
September
11 Recognize Acolytes
"How often should I
forgive?"
Romans 14:10-12; Matthew 18:21-35
September
11
Service of Wholeness & Healing
6:40
pm
Contemplative & Reflective Music
7:00
pm Service
of Remembrance
September
18 Second Annual Hymn Festival (During Worship)
September 25 Stephen
Ministry Focus
"God at work"
Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew
21:28-32
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Sunday, October 2nd
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 The
Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering supports the efforts of Presbyterians
through their congregations, presbyteries, synods, and the General
Assembly to work for peace by tearing down walls that divide.
We will receive
the Offering on World Communion Sunday, October 2, when Christians
around the world celebrate our unity in Christ.
As we receive
bread and cup, we celebrate Christ, our peace, and are renewed to pass
Christ's peace to those around us and across the world.
The Peacemaking
Offering supports a variety of peacemaking efforts at all levels of the
Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.).
· 25% is
retained by
congregations
· 25% is used by
presbyteries
and synods
· 50% is
allocated to General
Assembly
ministries
May we renew our
commitment to the work of peace as followers of Christ, our peace, who
shows
us
the way to live as peacemakers in our world.
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Communion
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 We will
celebrate Communion on the following days:
September 4 (Intinction)
October 2
World
Communion Sunday
October 30
Reformation
Sunday
November 6
Stewardship Commitment Sunday
November 20
Christ the
King Sunday
December 4
2nd Sunday
of Advent
December 24
Christmas
Eve Evening Worship
Unless otherwise noted, Communion
will be celebrated by passing the plates (bread and cup) in the pew.
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Women of Woodhaven (WOW)
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 WOW...that
is Worship, Outreach, Witness
The Women of Woodhaven (WOW) will
have a planning meeting on the fourth Saturday of September. Plan to
attend and be a part of Worship, Outreach, and Witness.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
in the home of Pastor Diane Baldwin
1001 Lake Carolyn Parkway, Irving,
TX 75039
Expect some delicious breakfast
items.
Please carpool as parking is
limited!
RSVP is necessary by Monday,
September 19, 2011
Ann Ouzts
dmouzts@tx.rr.com
214.673.7381
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Service of Wholeness &
Healing
on the
Tenth Anniversary of 9/11
Contemplative &
Reflective Music
6:40--7:00 p.m.
Service of Remebrance
7:00--7:40 p.m.
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It's
That Time Again
Another great Themed Vacation Bible
School, progressive improvements to facilities, with a fantastic new
organ and a new sign in the making and kiddos getting ready for a New
School Year...boy have we all been busy!!
October is almost here and that
means... cooler weather (pleeze!!), the State Fair, Texas/OU Weekend
and the Woodhaven Presbyterian Church Twenty-Sixth Annual Arts and
Craft Spectacular..
Can you believe it? For 26
years our church family has created an annual institution the people
and vendors flock to from near and far.
If you been to one before you know
how much work it is but have much fun we have all joining in
together. If you have never been to one of the past event, well,
you just gotta get involved. You will never find a better way to work
along side a familiar or unfamiliar face you see each Sunday and get to
know them better.
You will sweat. You will have tired
feet. But you will enjoy the hour, the evening, the day, whatever
amount of time you can lend to the event - you will enjoy. A
nursery is provided for key times when members are helping out, so that
excuse just can't be told.
Look for further information via
emails, Minutes for Mission and bulletin inserts as to when, how and
what YOU CAN DO.
The big day is October 1st, 2011.
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WOODHAVEN'S
NEW DIGITAL INFORMATION SIGN
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 A
modern new digital information sign will be installed in September 2011
to replace the old message sign along O'Connor Road. Full color,
high-resolution electronic information displays will be mounted on both
sides of the existing brick monument sign just on the west side of the
Sanctuary. Above each of the electronic display panels will be cabinets
fitted at the top of each side with internally back-lighted faces with
the Church's name and the PCUSA logo.
The information
panels will be approximately 31" high and 89" wide. Messages
can be up to three or four lines, can include graphics and pictures,
and can change every few seconds, if we want.
The existing
message sign is in deteriorated condition and it is somewhat dangerous
to change messages. Often the messages are out of date because of that
difficult, manual system. The old sign makes a poor first impression
for visitors and potential visitors.
The new sign will
have a very pleasing and attention-getting appearance with up-to-date
messages that can be changed remotely and as often as we wish. The new
sign will serve to inform the community (as well as our members and
visitors) about current and upcoming activities, worship services,
Craft Fair, Vacation Bible School and community events.
Woodhaven's new
sign will cost about $25,000. The Session authorized the use of that
much from the church's savings account, with the plan to replace this
reserve money as soon as possible. About $4,000 is currently available
from several sources, and members of the congregation are being asked
to consider making a one-time contribution to make up the $21,000
difference. A gift of any amount would be welcome.
Members wishing to
participate in this important improvement to Woodhaven's property and
to the church's community outreach, can place a check in the offering
plate clearly marked for "new sign." A brochure available in
the Sanctuary and Narthex contains a form to complete to make the gift
in honor or in memory of someone. The form also has a place to charge
the gift to a Visa, MasterCard or Discover Card.
A commemoration
booklet will list all donors when the sign is dedicated. Gifts are
welcome any time, but the deadline for being included in the
commemoration booklet is September 30.
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Old Organ Finds a New Home
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Woodhaven's Old Baldwin Organ
Woodhaven's Baldwin Organ that was
replaced this year by the new Johannus Ecclesia Digital Organ will find
new life filling an important disaster assistance need on the Gulf
Coast. Woodhaven's Session has agreed to donate the Baldwin to First
Presbyterian Church of Galveston to serve as its main sanctuary organ
while that church's historic 1896 Hook & Hastings tracker pipe
organ is restored. After that the Baldwin may find use in the chapel at
FPC Galveston for as long as the organ continues to operate. The
Baldwin organ has some nonworking stops and some other electronic
problems but with those limitations it is still usable, especially to
fill a temporary need for a few years.
First Presbyterian Church of
Galveston, founded in 1840, is the oldest church on Galveston Island
and perhaps the second oldest Presbyterian Church in Texas. The current
sanctuary, built in 1895, was completely destroyed by Hurricane Ike.
The congregation has fully restored the sanctuary to its original
beauty, but there is no money left to repair the organ, estimated to
cost $750,000! It may take several years to raise that kind of money,
and then it will take a minimum of two-and-a-half years to complete the
restoration.
Restored Sanctuary of FPC Galveston
In the meantime, Woodhaven's Baldwin
Organ will make music to the glory of God in that historic place.
The Baldwin organ was originally
installed at Woodhaven in late 1991 when the church first occupied the
current sanctuary building. It was a gift from the Littlejohn family in
memory of Frances Littlejohn, a charter member of Woodhaven, who died
in 1982. Mrs. Littlejohn was the church's very first woman elder,
elected in 1966 to the Class of 1969. Her grandson, Layne Littlejohn,
served as Woodhaven's organist and choir director from 1985 to 1998.
Under the terms of Woodhaven's gift
to First Galveston, the organ's status as a memorial to Frances
Littlejohn will be preserved.
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Anniversaries &
Birthdays
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Anniversaries
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JONES, Paul & Carolyn
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09/07
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REED, Malcolm & Nancy
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09/11
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NELMS, Eddie & Mollie
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09/13
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ANDRES, Gil & Pat
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09/18
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LEE, Dan & Nancy
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09/21
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Birthdays
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OWENS, Natalie
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09/03
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STOCKSDALE, Anna
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09/03
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OSMUNDSEN, Janice
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09/06
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REBORA, Linda
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09/06
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BUHMANN, David
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09/07
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MARX,
Evan
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09/09
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PAUL, Keith
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09/09
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FLORA, Lanita
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09/11
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WADE, Delilah
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09/11
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HAHN, Andrea
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09/13
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HAHN, Connor
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09/13
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HAHN, Hunter
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09/13
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WELLS, Sid
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09/13
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SULLIVAN, Charles
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09/16
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PARRISH, Alize
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09/17
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DURHAM, Bill
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09/18
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MOYES, Jerri
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09/18
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MEADOWS, Priscilla
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09/21
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KELLEY, Kaitlin
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09/24
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PADEN, Michelle
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09/25
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CAVINESS, Jesse
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09/27
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Christ Care
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Christ Care will begin the study of
the Beatitudes on Tuesday, September 13th at 10:00am. We will meet in
Hancock Hall, and after our Bible Study, go to lunch together. Please
let Mary Hindman (972-255-1250) know if you are going to lunch as
she will be making reservations. Call Jen Stephens (972-790-8381) if
you need a Horizons Bible Study booklet. Be ready this study packs a
wallop!
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Woodhaven Financial Report
August 31, 2011
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Actual
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Budget
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Difference
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Contribution Income (Unrestricted/General Fund)
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245,500
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264,600
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(19,100)
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Expenses (not including use of
Designated/Restricted Funds)
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290,200
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282,000
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8,200
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Surplus/Deficit
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(44,700)
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Thank
You
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Our Dear
Woodhaven Family,
Thank you all so
much for the cards, good wishes and support that you have provided as
Tom moves forward with his treatment at MD Anderson. We receive
great strength from your prayers.
God Bless,
Tom and Rita
Chasser.
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