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Combined Worship Service

 

The combined service features modern Christian music led by the Rock Solid Band and also incorporates traditional pipe organ, piano, and our choir. For special occasions and holidays, our Youth group also stages special performances with Woodland’s traditional bells. The normal weekly service has a very casual atmosphere, and the message is upbeat. The service incorporates audio and video to provide a modern presentation for the week's message. Because this service takes place at the same time as the Sunday School classes, some of those who arrive at 9:00 will be heading off to class instead of to the main hall. Children are always welcome in our services, but many choose to attend Sunday School, while their parents go to the combined service.

 

Prior to the Service - The main entrance, which is on the back of the church off the parking lot, is the most convenient way to enter the building. If you arrive a few minutes before the service starts, you can enjoy a hot beverage like tea or coffee and pastry.

 

Just inside the main rear entrance, you'll find a table with some flyers for upcoming events and activities at the church and preschool. Our greeters will be just past the table on the left, and they will be glad to try to answer any questions for you. The large, open area just beyond the entrance is called the narthex. A table with coffee and pastries is always setup off to the left side of the narthex along the wall.

 

The Combined Worship Service is held in the main sanctuary hall, accessible through the large double doors on the right side of the narthex,.  In the hall, beyond the rows of pews, you'll see the projector and screen at the opposite end, and the Rock Solid Band may be back there getting ready. At the doors, our ushers will hand you a bulletin, and you can make yourself at home in one of the pews. Feel free to take a seat anywhere.  Our organist will start to play when it's time for the service to start.  An attendance book will be passes early in the service. Just add yourself to the list and pass it on.

 

The Service - The Combined Service is very informal, so there is some variation in how things go from week to week. The one thing that is always certain is that the service will be enjoyable and interesting. The presentation takes only about an hour, and it usually adheres to some variation of the following basic format:

 

Prelude: Our organist plays the first piece while everyone takes a seat.

Greetings and Announcements: A lay speaker announces meetings, events, and news.

Celebrations and Prayer Concerns: A speaker announces celebratory events and prayer concerns.

Invitation To Worship: The band leads the congregation in a contemporary song. The words are projected on the screen up front.

Call to Worship: Reverend Gibbons leads, and the congregation stands to read the response. The words are on the screen.

Welcoming One Another: Everybody stands, and we all have an opportunity to say good morning to one another.

Introduction to Prayer: The congregation joins the Band for a few more songs.  

Together in Prayer: A prayer led by Rev. Gibbons followed by everyone reciting The Lord's Prayer aloud.

Organ: Our organist plays hymns or accompanies a performance by our choir. Sometimes there is a special performer.

Offering: (remain seated during this song. The words are on the screen, and ushers pass offering plates down the rows.

Doxology: The congregation stands to sings this song, accompanied by the Organ.

Prayer of Dedication: A brief prayer led by Rev. Gibbons.

Bible Lesson: Rev. Gibbons presents a passage or two from the Bible, with text and/or related illustrations on the front screen.

Message: Rev. Gibbons expands on how the passage applies today. This can include audio or video presentations.

Closing Song: This is usually a shorter song or hymn by the band, and it is followed by a brief closing prayer led by Rev. Gibbons.

 

Coffee and Donuts - If you have time, stick around after the Combined Service to enjoy refreshments. Many people stay to wait for Sunday school to let out or to make plans to go out for lunch. It's a great time to find out what your friends from the church have been doing during the rest of the week.

 

9:00 a.m. Sundays, in the Sanctuary

 

Services

Teen Sunday School Class

 

 

 

 

This class is open to everyone from pre-teen through high school.  The attendees read through the lessons together and discuss the meaning behind each one. The focus revolves around the planned materials that are based upon the teachings of the Bible, but they often also talk about related current events. In this group, everyone works together to keep the discussions interesting and fun for both the younger attendees and the high school age teens.

 

Class -The class is held in the Parlor, which is the first door on the left after coming through the main entrance to the church at the rear of the building. It starts at the same time as the Combined Worship Service. Attendees who want to start the morning with a cup of cocoa or juice, are welcome to pick one up at the narthex table and bring it to class with them. Or, if you prefer, you can stop by afterwards for a pastry or beverage.

 

 

 

 

9:00 a.m. Sundays, in the Parlor

 

Children's Sunday School Class

 

The Children's Sunday School classes meet at 9:00 a.m. Sunday mornings, and they finish up at about 10:00. During that time, our teachers provide an enjoyable environment for the kids to learn about God and the gift he offers to all people through Jesus Christ. The children also look forward each week to working on challenging crafts and interesting projects during this fun-filled hour. Note that Woodland's Sunday school meets during the school year from Labor Day to Memorial Day.

 

Class - The children's classes meet upstairs. If you enter the church through the main entrance off the rear parking lot, turn left at the first hallway on the left and head up the stairs. The classrooms are the second and third rooms at the top of the stairs. The classrooms were remodeled recently, so be sure to stop in to see the changes. Children coming in for Sunday School usually head straight upstairs while their parents head into the main hall for the Combined Worship service, which starts at the same time as the Sunday School classes. Parents can also opt to drop their children off for Sunday School.  It is best to contact the church prior to the first class that the children will attend. This will let their teacher know to watch for their arrival, and it will also give you the opportunity to provide the church with important emergency contact information.

 

 

 

9:00 a.m. Sundays, in the Upstairs Classrooms

 

United Methodist Men

 

9:00 a.m. The First Saturday of the Month

 

The men of Woodland Church meet monthly for a monthly breakfast in the Woodland Church dining hall. These are very informal get togethers. All men who attend Woodland are invited, and are welcome to bring friends along to join as well.

 

Breakfast - The breakfast always turns out to be a great start to each month, and it's a good way to plan for things that need to be done around the Church grounds and facilities. The Men of Woodland Church work together at their meetings to find ways to accomplish special tasks and help members of the congregation who may be in need of assistance. If you want to help in these efforts, the meeting is a good place to start. Check the announcements on the "Home" page to verify that the date for their next breakfast will be on the regularly scheduled day. Occasionally, it is adjusted to accommodate other Church events.

 

 

 

 

United Methodist Women

 

The Second Tuesday of the Month

 

The Woodland Church United Methodist Women’s group meets monthly, usually for lunch.  All women who attend Woodland are invited and are welcome to bring their friends.

 

Meeting - The Women's Group gets together regularly for discussions, activies and luncheons. Each month, there is a different hostess for the event, and depending upon the month’s scheduled activity, others pitch in to help out.  The meeting times vary, so please check the home page announcements to get the time for the next meeting.  If you would like to attend and  need more information, contact the church office or stop by and pickup a copy of the Broadcaster.The Broadcaster is a monthly publication that is sent to all Woodland members, and it is also available at the Church..

 

 

 

Youth Group

Select Sunday evenings

 

The Youth Group meets throughout the fall, winter and spring months, but not in the summer. The meeting time is most often on select Sunday evenings, and they publish a schedule for those who wish to attend. This group is open to young people from sixth grade through high school. Our team of co-leaders engages the teens in discussions while they enjoy a pizza.

Meeting - The youth group is an outreach program for neighborhood kids and usually meets in the Woodland church dining hall. We recommend that you call or e-mail the church to find out the location and time of upcoming meetings. Be sure to provide your name and phone number, so that our Youth Directors can keep you informed if there are any last minute changes.