Woodforest Presbyterian Church

Happy Valentine’s Day

pastor — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:25:03 +0000

Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays people tend to have strong feelings about. Some of us love it. Some of us hate it. And some of us wonder what all of the fuss is about. There is no question that there are many businesses rejoicing each year when Valentine’s Day rolls around. Restaurants, florists, jewelers, and more appreciate all the gifts of love that are purchased that day. What is Valentine’s Day to you? Is it a happy day? Romantic? Exciting? Depressing? Disappointing? Bittersweet? Full of hope and expectation – or full of memories?

Valentine’s Day does not have to be defined by the parameters of romantic love. It can be so much more! It can be a day to celebrate the kind of love Christ told us to have for one another – thoughtful, generous, and forgiving. It can be a day when we stretch ourselves to love even more than we have in the past. It can be a day to remember that we only know how to love because God loves us first.

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day – full of joy, full of love, full of faith! Blessings!

A Long Dry Spell

pastor — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:09:45 +0000

Here in Texas we have been going through a very long dry spell. The whole state has withered under a scorching sun with far too little rain. The lakes have dried up. And it isn’t just the grass that has died, but crops, trees, livestock and wildlife have all suffered tremendously. It will take years to recover.

Spiritual journeys can be like that sometimes. We don’t have mountain-top experiences every day. Sometimes we feel like God is far away, or isn’t listening, or doesn’t care. At times like this, we long to quench our spiritual thirst. When our faith is mature, the roots run deep enough to sustain us through periods of drought. But for those who are new to faith, it can be a challenge.

Here at Woodforest we have just started a new Adult Study series on Practicing Our Faith. Practice will not make perfect, but it will help grow our faith strong enough to withstand times of desolation, loss, or trouble. If you want to grow your faith stronger, come join us on the first Wednesday night of each month, and for worship on Sunday morning. Everyone is welcome!

Vacation Bible School – 2011

outreach — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:28:55 +0000

Heidi Claire, super-sleuth extraordinaire, will be investigating the strange events in our town. She will be looking Inside Out and Upside Down on Main Street, searching for clues to explain the unusual attitudes and behaviors she encounters. Heidi is sharp as a tack — but on the wrong track. Slowly but surely, Heidi learns that Main Street is special, not because of some mysterious “secret” but because of the difference Jesus makes in the hearts and lives of people every day!

Jesus told stories about everyday people. Using these parables, children will be challenged to look at themselves and others in new and unexpected ways. They will explore various attributes such as gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, and grace.

Vacation Bible School includes crafts, games, songs and snacks and is free to both church and community members. It is designed for ages 5 and up, and this year a special curriculum for teens is included. Vacation Bible School is June 20-23, 2011, from 6pm to 8pm.

New Beginnings

pastor — Sat, 21 May 2011 20:39:01 +0000

When people look at a calendar and think of getting a fresh start, many of them immediately think of January 1st and the start of a new year. There are resolutions and possibilities and hope. But January is not the only month that overs us new beginnings and a fresh start. The month of May does, too.

In some parts of the world, May is the season of spring – full of new life and energy. The earth seems to absolutely burst with new life. For students who are graduating, May often signifies the ending of their academic career. But the end of one thing signals the beginning of something else as they turn their attention to entering the work force and the start of a completely new part of their life.

In the church, particularly this year, May finds us full into the Easter season, when we take seven weeks to celebrate the miracle of the Resurrection! Talk about new beginnings! Our faith in the resurrection provides us a fresh start every day, real hope, and God’s promise that is true. I hope this May provides a fresh start for you – in your life, and in your faith journey. It’s never too late to start anew!

Looking for the true meaning of Christmas?

pastor — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 03:53:50 +0000

If you are tired of all the commercialism of Christmas, tired of racing around trying to find the right gifts, cook the right foods, and put up all of the decorations – why not take a break and come to Woodforest Presbyterian Church? Here you will have an opportunity to remember and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Our Live Nativity will be on Saturday night, Dec. 18th. We will have live animals, a stable, and a manger. Shepherds and angels and wise men will gather around Mary, Joseph and the baby as we remember the miracle of Jesus’ birth, and you can be a part of it all. Or come to worship with us on Sunday morning, or on Christmas Eve at 7:00 pm, when we listen to the Scripture lessons once again, sing the songs that speak to our hearts, celebrate communion, and close with candlelight. It will be a Christmas celebration you will never forget! O Come, let us adore Him!

Approaching Thanksgiving

pastor — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 02:28:52 +0000

I wonder what Thanksgiving Day would be like if we approached it with intentionality? I wonder what sort of crescendo of joy and humility and fellowship it would be if on the other 364 days of the year we awoke every morning giving thanks to God and literally counting our blessings – always adding one more, one more, one more. I wonder what a feast for the heart and soul it would be if this day were only the annual culmination of so many days of Thanksgiving before it. I wonder – are you willing to give it a try and find out? There are still 12 days until the official Thanksgiving Day arrives. Why wait? Why not start now? “….with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God….” (from Colossians 3:16)

What we cannot say….

pastor — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:17:32 +0000

Most of you who are reading this know that this coming Sunday, August 8, will be Ryan Cole’s last Sunday with us as Music Director. He will be very much missed for all kinds of reasons. We have been blessed beyond measure by his musical skills, his heart, and his faith. And this is no small thing – for what we cannot say, we sing. And what we cannot sing – we hear in the music – lifting our hearts and our prayers to the One who has graced us with these gifts in the first place. We wish Ryan well on his next adventure, and send him with many prayers. But most of all, we give thanks for glory given to God, and to God alone. Come! Listen to the music! Lift up your voice and sing! You will be blessed in the effort and in the joy!

Reception for Ryan…

mission — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:06:26 +0000

For the last four years, Ryan Cole has done a stellar job as Music Director of Woodforest Presbyterian Church, including composing musical pieces especially for us. Now, however, he is leaving to purse a Masters Degree in Music Composition at the University of Iowa. We wish him well, but he will be sorely missed – especially by the choir, who will host a reception for him on August 8, 2010 following Sunday School. See you there!

Triennium

mission — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 17:24:29 +0000

Triennium is four-day retreat for Senior High youths which is held every third year by the PC(USA) and Cumberland Presbyterian Churches. Thousands of young Presbyterians gather together for worship, play, music, community building, and Bible study. Triennium 2010 was held at Purdue University, in Indiana from July 20-24, 2010. The theme for the 2010 event is “For Such a Time as This” – a powerful cry from the book of Esther.

“For Such a Time as This” is an encouragement to be courageous, to be faithful and to be attentive to God. To listen deeply to God and to respond, with the extraordinary gifts given to young people, to a world in need of Jesus’ story and the gospel messages that inspire us to act. And in particular, for young people in the Presbyterian Church to be aware of their call to act as agents of healing, hope, and holy transformation in this world and in this church.

Woodforest Presbyterian Church was blessed to have two boys attending Triennium this year.

For more information, please visit www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/

Vacation Bible School 2010

mission — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:07:29 +0000

Did you hear the buzz???? In July, our hive (church) was humming with young bee-lievers! Twenty-five students zipped, zapped and zoomed for Jesus during Planet Zoom, our annual Vacation Bible School. Many thanks to all the volunteers who made VBS such a success.