Adults 55+ Monthly Outlook: April 2023

ADULTS 55+

MONTHLY OUTLOOK

PAID IN FULL

by Dr.

BREATH PRAYER PART DEUX

by Rev. Chris McLain, Pastor of Caring and Adults 55+ Ministry

“Jesus Christ, Son of God. Have mercy on me, a sinner.”

If I asked you to recall some of the happiest moments of your life, what memories would you share? Would it be your “growing up years” in the house where the smell of baked cookies or cakes seemed to fill the air in those special seasons? Maybe your high school years or even the day you got married? Or who can forget the times when children or grandchildren were brought into the world, and you got to hold that baby for the very first time?

All of us have those special moments and memories that stand out from our past, and even though one of my most unforgettable celebrations may seem odd to some, it still ranks high on my list. It was the day I received a telegram from the Board of Higher Education of the Methodist Church informing me that all my student loans — the money I had borrowed to pay my way through college and seminary — had been fully repaid! All that week I restlessly awaited the official letter, and when it arrived, there were three of the most beautiful words I had ever seen: PAID IN FULL!

I share that memory with you today because as wonderful as that moment was, it becomes pale in comparison when you consider the three words that the angels pronounced on that first Easter Sunday: “HE IS RISEN!” When God brought Jesus out of the tomb on that glorious day, death itself was swallowed up in victory. Never was there an event like this. It was the very first time that good news had come from a graveyard, and from that day forward, life and eternal life have taken on a new meaning.

But wait, my story doesn’t end there. Over the course of my life, I have discovered that what happened on that resurrection morning has a direct connection with what took place the day I received my letter informing me that my debt had been eliminated.

It was when I came to realize that “paid in full” has the same meaning as “He is risen.” The reason why is because with His death and resurrection, Jesus sent a clear message for all eternity that says the cost of our sins has been paid, and we no longer need to fear the sting of death because He has conquered it! Hallelujah!

Prayer

As we enter into Holy Week, I hope you are going to attend a Maundy Thursday or Good Friday Service. We know that prayer is communication with God. Sometimes we speak out of pain or grief, other times we proclaim sighs of relief. One of the things I have never thought about is as the disciples were walking alongside Jesus, The Word made flesh, they were actually praying each time they interacted with Jesus. That threw me for a loop this week, and made me think of the breath prayer that is uttered at the Passover Table when Jesus looks at His disciples and says that one of them will betray Him.

They ask a question that we would ask as well — “Is it I?” I often ask myself the same question. Could I, in the presence of God, and having walked with Jesus for two and a half years, betray Jesus? What if the breath prayer in that moment was “Is it I? Could it possibly be me?” Then, like the disciples through Good Friday and the darkness of Holy Saturday, I am no longer saying, “Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” Instead, I am saying under my breath, breathing in and out:

“Is it I? Could it possibly be me?”

“Is it I? Could it possibly be me?”

“Is it I? Could it possibly be me?”

Is it I — who betrayed You, who condemned You, who put You on the cross?

Could it possibly me — who could receive Your attention, who could receive Your favor, who could receive Your grace?

And it’s in that moment where we realize that Jesus Christ, Son of God, has chosen, of His own free will, to have mercy on me, a sinner.

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen!” — Luke 24:5-6

Bob Hayes, Bishop in Residence

Thank you, Jesus, for paying my debts in full. Your sacrifice for me even when I did not deserve it means I can live a hopeful, expectant life, trying to live every day in your Kingdom. Amen.

UPCOMING DAY TRIPS

CRIGHTON THEATER OUTING

Much Ado About Nothing

Sunday, April 16 | 2:00 p.m Conroe

Love faces hilarious challenges in the famed comedy Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Join us as we follow the courtship and scandal of young Hero and her suitor, Claudio. We will have dinner after the show at Pacific Yard House. Cost is $19 per person. All are welcome. Register online.

GEORGE W. TRUETT

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND MAGNOLIA MARKET

Friday, May 26 | Depart The Woodlands Campus at 8:30 a.m.

Join us for a visit to George W. Truett Seminary at Baylor University. Enjoy a special tour of the Chapel and Great Hall and learn about the seminary’s rich history. Our church supports 10 seminary students attending Truett Seminary. After, we’ll make a stop at Magnolia Market for shopping and lunch. The cost of this event is $59 per person. Register online.

MARCH PRIME TIMERS

PERSPECTIVES CLASS MISSION PROJECT

A group of 21 made the trek to Katy for the Feed the Hunger Packathon. Approximately 500,000 meals were packed. Feed the Hunger meals support the local community, as well as the international community. To learn more about this group, check out their website at www.feedthehunger.org/katy

In March, The Woodlands Campus hosted Michael Rafferty and the Bristol House band. The band played some of their original music. It was a special time of music. Craft Circle provided some beautiful centerpieces from their Spring Boutique décor.

Woodf o r est E vents

COME JOIN US!

February was an active month for Woodforest Adults 55+. In addition to the monthly Lunch Bunch, who dined at Ransom’s Steakhouse in Montgomery, and Game Night, we kicked off a new event, Late Morning Start, which will meet the fourth Monday of the month. The kick-off event featured the Jim Sloan Trio.

ADULT FITNESS CHAIR VOLLEYBALL

We will unite our hearts as we pray and lift our local, state and national leaders before the Lord as a community of faith.

We have kicked off a new class of chair volleyball! This class is for all fitness levels and abilities and available on both campuses. See class times under upcoming events.

THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS

THE GATHERING PLACE

Monday, April 3 | 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall

The Gathering Place is a ministry for adults who have been diagnosed with early to moderate dementia. It provides an opportunity for caregivers to find respite while their loved one enjoys music, art and entertainment on the first Monday of each month. Join us this month for an Easter celebration. If you would like to volunteer your time with this special ministry, please contact Pam Baker at 832.381.4514

WOODLANDS CAMERA CLUB

Monday, April 3 | 6:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall

Jai Shet is returning April 3 to present macro photography. At 19 years old he has won Best of Show in the Photographic Society of America Youth Showcase. He also is the Natural Landscape Photography Awards Youth Photographer of the Year 2021. For more information about The Woodlands Camera Club, visit thewoodlandcameraclub.org

PRIME TIMERS

Wednesday, April 5 | 11:15 a.m. | Wesley Hall

Join us to hear jazz duo Ashley Orlando and Kenneth Fowler. You’ll love their smooth sound. The cost for lunch is $12. Register online.

HYBRID ADULT FITNESS

Adult Intermediate Fitness

Mondays | 9:00 a.m. | Hayes Hall

Adult Basic Fitness

Wednesdays and Fridays | 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall

Woodforest Adult Basic Fitness

Tuesdays and Thursdays | 8:30 a.m. | WF Gym

Continue your health and wellness journey by joining us for hybrid adult fitness classes. Our online classes meet via Zoom* the same time as the face-to-face classes.

Zoom Meeting ID: 735 678 773 Password: SFIT

Activity Level 1

*Our Zoom fitness opportunity will stop at the end of April. We hope you will join us in person.

ADULT PICKLEBALL

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Rec Center Gym

Woodforest Adult PIckleball

Mondays and Fridays | 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. | WF Gym

LINE DANCING SESSION

Tuesdays, March 7 – April 25 | 11:00 a.m. | WF Gym

Thursdays, March 9 – April 28 | 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall

Join us for our current Line Dancing session. The cost of this class is $10 for an eight-week session. Please register online.

*NEW* CHAIR VOLLEYBALL

Mondays | 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. | WF Gym

Fridays | 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Rec Center Gym

More fun than you can possibly stand — while seated! Chair volleyball is great for upper body mobility and joint flexibility. It enhances your muscle tone, reflexes, hand-to-eye coordination and endurance. Rules are similar to regular volleyball. All fitness levels and abilities are welcome. No registration required.

SAVE theDATE

BACKYARD BARBECUE WITH THE HOT SHOTS BANJO TRIO

Wednesday, May 3 | 11:15 a.m. | Wesley Hall

Come join the Adults 55+ Ministry and Connect Classes for food, fellowship and fun entertainment by the Hot Shots banjo and ukulele trio. Find out more and register at twmc.org/adults55

ADULT GAME NIGHT

Friday, April 14| 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall

Join us for a night of fun, fellowship, games and refreshments. We are adding Mahjong to our game night lineup. Beginners or players of all levels are welcome to join us. The cost is $1 per person. Bring a dish to share. For more information, contact Karen Freeman at 858.204.0012

WOODLANDS LUNCH BUNCH

Tuesday, April 18* | 11:00 a.m. | Saigon USA Pho & Grill

Join us for some authentic Vietnamese and Asian food. This restaurant is located at 2400 FM 1488, The Woodlands. To make a reservation call Dee Megee at 281.793.6622 by Monday, April 17. *Note the date change due to the Easter holiday.

PEGGY’S BOOK CLUB

Tuesday, April 18 | Noon | Allen Parlor

Join us this month to review The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone. If you would like to read ahead, in May we will review West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. For more information about Peggy’s Book Club, contact Libby Heintz at 936.271.7660 or Kathy Wisenbaker at wisenbaker@sbcglobal.net

*NEW MAHJONG GAME DAY

Thursday, April 20 | 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Room B107

Join us to play Mahjong. Beginners or players of all levels are welcome to play this fun Chinese game utilizing the National Mahjong League card and rules. Teachers will be available to assist in learning or to brush up on game rules and strategies. For more information contact Glenda Hudson at 281.367.9155

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY MEETING

Friday, April 28 | 10:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor

Crochet or knit for those in need. Join us for fellowship each month. For more information on this ministry, please contact Connie Norton at concetta44@comcast.net or 281.292.3875

MEN’S BOOK STUDY

2nd and 4th Wednesday | 10:00 a.m. | Room C217-A

This group is studying Philip Yancey’s What’s So Amazing About Grace? You are welcome to join at any time. For more information about this group, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232.

GOLDENAIRES CHOIR

Rehearsals every Wednesday | 2:30 p.m. | Choir Room

The Goldenaires, our adult choir, is the perfect way for you to spread joy through singing. No audition required. For more information contact Ed Wandling at 281.788.9880

SINGLE LIFE WIDOWS

Join us for these March activities:

Friday, April 7 | Good Friday Service and Black Walnut Café

Friday, April 21 | Monty’s Lighthouse, Montgomery, Texas Register for these events online.

CLASS NEWS

FRIENDSHIP CLASS MANNA BAG PROJECT

Thursday, April 20 | 2:00 p.m. | Allen Parlor

Friendship Class comes together to put snack bags together for the 1960 Hope Center.

MARCH

Palm Sunday

Hybrid Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 9:00 a.m. | Hayes Hall

Place

a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Chair Volleyball

p.m. | WF Gym

Woodlands Camera Club

p.m. | Aldersgate Hall

WF Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gym WF Line Dancing

Hybrid Adult Fitness Basic Class

Maundy Thursday WF Adult Fitness Basic Class

Good Friday

Hybrid Adult Fitness Basic Class

9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall

Chair Volleyball

10:30 a.m. | Rec Center Gym

Single Life Widows

Good Friday Service and Black Walnut Café

Hybrid Adult Fitness Basic Class

9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall

Men’s Book Study Group

Happy Easter!

TWMC Closed

Hybrid Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 9:00 a.m. | Hayes Hall

WF Caregivers Support 10:00 a.m. | WF Classroom Chair Volleyball 1:00 p.m. | WF Gym

WF Line Dancing

a.m. | WF Gym

10:00 a.m. | C217-A

Nashville, Smoky Mountains and Bluegrass Trip

April 12-19

WF Adult Fitness Basic Class

Hybrid Adult Fitness Basic Class

9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall

Chair Volleyball

10:30 a.m. | Rec Center Gym

Caregivers Support Group

11:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor

Adult Game Night

6:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall

a.m. | WF Gym WF Line Dancing

a.m. | WF Gym

Woodlands Lunch Bunch 11:00 a.m. | Saigon USA

Root Beer, BBQ and Baseball 11:30 a.m. | WF Worship

Peggy’s Book Club Noon | Allen Parlor

Hybrid Adult Fitness Intermediate Class

9:00 a.m. | Hayes Hall

Late Morning Start 11:00 a.m. | WF Worship

Volleyball

p.m. | WF Gym

WF Line Dancing

Hybrid Adult Fitness Basic Class

*Green text represents events at The Woodlands Campus and blue text represents events at the Woodforest Campus. Crighton Theater 2:00 p.m. | Conroe

a.m. | Aldersgate Hall

Hybrid Adult Fitness Basic Class

Men’s Book Study Group

Hybrid Adult Fitness Basic Class

9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall

Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting

10:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor

Chair Volleyball

10:30 a.m. | Rec Center Gym

WF Adult Game Night

6:00 p.m. | WF Worship

WOODFOREST CAMPUS

WOODFOREST LUNCH BUNCH

Thursday, April 13 | 11:00 a.m. | Joe’s Italian

Join us for lunch at Joe’s Italian, a family owned and operated restaurant. The location is 1604 North Frazier St., Conroe, 77301. To make a reservation contact Roberta Duncan at 713.775.3030 no later than Monday, April 10.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP

Monday, April 17 | 10:00 a.m. | WF Classroom

This support group is for caregivers of family and friends with chronic, long-term or terminal illness. No registration required. For more information about this group, contact Angela Street at 281.723.6819

ROOT BEER, BARBECUE AND BASEBALL

Tuesday, April 18 | 11:30 a.m. | WF Worship Center

Baseball season is here. Join us for Porky’s barbecue, chips and root beer. We’ll play a game of beanbag baseball after lunch. Cost is $12 per person. All are welcome. Register online.

WOODFOREST BOOK CLUB

Thursday, April 20 | 11:30 a.m. | WF Campus

This month we will review The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams. Next month we will review The Lady’s Mine by Francine Rivers. No registration required. For more information about this group, contact Diane Oakley at 936.701.8067

ADULT GAME NIGHT

Friday, April 28 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. | WF Worship

Bring a snack or a dessert to share. The cost for this event is $1 per person. We are looking for leaders for this event. For more information, contact Teri Rossi at 281.297.5935

PRAYER AND CARE MINISTRY

PRAYER MINISTRY

If you or your family would like prayer, prayer teams are available after each of the services, or you can contact Dylan Meeker with our Prayer Ministry at 281.466.8661

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Congregational Care is a priority for our pastors. If you or someone you know is hospitalized, in rehabilitation or in hospice care — local or in the Texas Medical Center — we would love to send a pastor or a Caring Ministry volunteer to visit and pray with you and your family. Contact Caring Ministry:

The Woodlands Methodist Church | 281.297.5900

The Church at Woodforest | 281.822.8182

CONSECRATED HOLY COMMUNION ELEMENTS

Caring Ministry is offering consecrated Holy Communion elements for those of you worshipping at home. Stop by the main administration office to pick up elements.

RESOURCE CORNER

SUPPORT

COMPUTER SUPPORT MINISTRY

If you need computer support, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232

NEED A RIDE?

If you need a ride to a medical appointment, contact Ken or Linda Keith at 281.796.7447. Call at least 48 hours in advance.

SHEPHERD CARE

Shepherd Care is a ministry of friendship for our members who are in local nursing homes or private residences. Shepherds and new Lambs are always welcome. If you know of someone in need of companionship or if you would like to volunteer to be a Shepherd, please contact Carolyn Crawford at 281.682.9142

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP

Friday, April 14* | 11:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor

This support group is for caregivers of family and friends with chronic, long-term or terminal illness. No registration required. For more information contact Teri Rossi at 281.297.5935. *Note date change due to Good Friday.