Pastoral note, from Garrett

Our first Sunday in the renovated sanctuary was a holy moment. The New Testament calls time like that kairos—the fullness of time coming to fruition in a particular moment. Quantum physics tells us that time can bend and stretch, and I think that’s something like what we experienced in worship on Sunday. The prayers, hymns, blessings, and songs didn’t simply happen in sequence. They carried the weight of all that had brought us there. Worship was the sacred culmination of a journey the church had been on for years, even as it marked the beginning of something new.

Thank you to our renovation committee, the Planted Together Capital Campaign team, ministry staff, the ushers, teachers, nursery staff, opening breakfast organizers, sanctuary choir, and many more who prepared for this day. Thanks to the volunteers who came on Saturday and helped stuff the back of the chairs with our new stackable cards and offering envelopes. 

In all the newness, did you notice our new online giving tokens? They’re wooden chips with the Woodland logo and Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it.” These online giving tokens are a way for you to participate in the offering in worship, if you give online or by mailing a check. If that’s how you give, then grab one of the tokens from the foyer before worship each Sunday. 

August 26 is our first Compassion & Justice Night. We’ll eat together and talk about how “Every Living Thing Needs Food”— this will continue the curriculum we used with kids this summer. But this will be an intergenerational night. We’ll also hear from Kelly King of the San Antonio Food Bank and write letters to advocate for ending hunger. Our new Woodland Justice ministry will take the lead on organizing this event; Lance and Diana are our staff leads for the night. Dinner at 5:30 and program at 6 p.m. 
  
Grace and peace, 
Garrett Vickrey