by Rev. David Lindwall, Pastor of Caring and Adult Outreach
I was 16 years old when I heard a whisper from God, a calling to pastoral ministry. About the same year, I recall driving on a rural highway back and forth on a summer job. Each day, I saw a small senior living home and felt a “drawing in.” I eventually answered God’s call to pastoral ministry and now serve as TWMC’s Pastor of Adult Outreach. Building on something that had already begun at TWMC, this work involves leading a gifted team of staff and volunteers with our area senior living care facilities. The Lord has opened the doors so that this ministry has grown from one to five facilities — The Village, The Conservatory, Avanti, The Forum and Sundale. Our mission is to “bring Jesus Christ and His church into the senior living community through the building of relationships, worship, Holy Communion, the Word of God and prayer.” We are reaching those in independent, assisted living and memory care. What does the work look like? We lead worship on Wednesday mornings and teach Bible studies. We also open the doors to relationships with NextGen Ministries, including children, confirmands and high schoolers. Bristol House residents sing, and families participate in mission opportunities at the facilities. Very compassionate and trained Congregational Care Ministers (CCMs) help coordinate ministries at each facility, serve Communion, come alongside residents, are present in worship, and partner together to refine the ministry vision.
The Senior Living Community Ministry is growing in depth and breadth. We are sowing and God is watering. Why is this work so important? These residents have invested their lives in bringing the love of Jesus to us and building His church. We are vessels of God’s hope; we are returning the fruit of their investment. As we listen to these saints share the tragedies and victories of eight to 10 decades of living, we gain perspective and have renewed hope, love, joy and peace in what God can do in our lives. God is still using them to mold, mature and sanctify us. They are still sharing the love and wisdom of Jesus with us! With a smile we remember, God willing, that we will be in their place one day.
I asked one centenarian to tell me about herself. She answered, “Where would you like me to start? I graduated from high school at the beginning of World War II.” After recounting the ups and downs of her life, she said, “I kept on going every day. I looked up and I was 100!”
In Isaiah 46:4, the prophet Isaiah said: Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
God uses us to be agents of sustaining and rescue at our senior living facilities. Could He be calling you? Do you hear His whisper? Could He be calling you to be a vessel of God’s hope? If so, knock and the door will open. If you feel led to be a part of this ministry, contact David Lindwall (dlindwall@twmc.org) or Teri Rossi (trossi@twmc.org).
THE IMPORTANCE OF SHROVE TUESDAY
by Rev. Chris McLain, Pastor of Caring and Adults 55+ Ministry
Many folks don’t know that I spent seven years of my life living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Baton Rouge is a mixture of cultures, great food and Roman Catholic influence. Because I was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and in a church that was less liturgical, I didn’t have any idea what Lent or Mardi Gras was — and certainly had never heard of Shrove Tuesday — until I moved to Louisiana.
The word “shrove” comes from the word “shrive,” which is the absolution granted after confession. James 5:16 reminds us: “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
I know, I know — you armchair theologians are ready to say, “Chris! We don’t need to go to someone else for confession!” I didn’t say anything about a priest or confession as a sacrament. However, the accountability partners who pray for me, who I confess to, are the ears of God here on earth that bring me to the foot of the cross in prayer.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, but Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, is the day we think about our sins. Oftentimes for Shrove Tuesday, folks make king cakes or pancakes to use up ingredients they plan to give up for Lent. Each year on Shrove Tuesday, as I eat too many pancakes, I am reminded that I ate too many last year. I’m also reminded how at the end of the Lenten journey, it’s not the round pancake that really matters but the rounded rock, rolled away, from which the Salvation of the World emerged.
Join us for some pancakes on March 4 in Wesley Hall on The Woodlands Campus. We will gather at 10:00 a.m. and welcome the Dueling Pianos for our pancake breakfast entertainment!
SPOTLIGHT
TUESDAY, MARCH 4
10:00 a.m. | Wesley Hall
Join us for a Fat Tuesday breakfast featuring Tyler Lewis and Josh Herod with Two Tones Dueling Pianos. You won’t want to miss this talented duo. The cost of this event is $12 per person.
WOODLANDS LUNCH BUNCH
The Woodlands lunch bunch group met at Postino in January. This group meets on the second Tuesday of each month.
TOWNSHIP PARTNERS WITH AARP
The Woodlands Township, in partnership with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Foundation Tax-Aide, will host FREE tax preparation assistance at the Recreation Center through April 10, 2025. Tax-Aide assistance is offered free of charge with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 with low to moderate income. To make an appointment contact the Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park at 281-210-3950.
TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES 2025
TROPICAL COSTA RICA
September
Registration deadline: March 8, 2025
Final payment due: July 17, 2025
Save the Date
PASTOR-LED LENTEN LUNCHTIME SERIES
Tuesdays, beginning March 4 | Noon
Wesley Hall
Join Rev. Chris McLain on Tuesdays for our Pastor-Led Lenten Lunchtime Series “It Is Written: Prophecies to the Promise,” as we take a deeper look into the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus during His life.
LENTEN PRAYER TIME
Wednesdays, beginning March 12 | Noon
Robb Chapel
This Lenten season, join us for Lectio Divina Contemplative Prayer Time: “The Promise of the Cross.” We will gather and spend time in reflective prayer as we journey with Jesus to the cross and prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday. We will end our time in Holy Commuion.
BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY
Sunday, April 6 | Alley Theater Depart TWMC at 12:30 p.m. for a 2:00 p.m. show
Embark on a thrilling adventure with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they unravel the mystery of the Baskervilles with wit, charm and suspense. Every clue and twist keeps you guessing until the final curtain call. The cost of the ticket and bus fare is $105 per person. Dinner after the show will be dutch.
THE WOODLANDS CHORALE PRESENTS OF DREAMS & VISIONS
Saturday, May 3 | 7:00 p.m.
Christ Church Methodist
Experience the joy of live music with The Woodlands Chorale at a send-off concert for their UK tour. The spring concert will be a mix of sacred and American music. The cost of a ticket is $25 per person. We will meet at Christ Church Methodist on Research Forest Drive.
Register for these events at twmc.org/adults55
View itineraries at twmc.org/adults55
DOURO VALLEY PORTUGAL AND SPAIN TOUR
November
Final payment due: August 3, 2025
Premier World Discovery is presenting a Douro Valley Portugal and Spain tour. This is a seven-night riverboat cruise aboard the NEW Riviera Rose with a pre-cruise extension in Lisbon.
DISCOVER SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA AND BAVARIA
April 2026
CHRISTMAS ON THE DANUBE
December
Final payment due: August 5, 2025
This tour departs April 22 – May 1, 2026. The highlights include Bern, Alphorn Maker, a yodeling demonstration, fondue lunch, Lucerne, Austrian Alps, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Mirabell Gardens, St. Peter’s restaurant, Bavaria, Linderhof Palace and the Tyrolean Folklore show. There is a post tour extension of three nights in Vienna. Registration deadline is October 16, 2025. Final payment is due January 22, 2026.
HARVEST PRAYER TEAM PRAYS OVER
WILKINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Laura Bringmann, principal of Wilkinson Elementary, invited our Harvest prayer team to cover the school in prayer before the spring semester began. They also invited them to place a prayer request box in the teachers’ lounge, so Ginny Bowles (Harvest prayer team member and 3rd grade teacher) could bring the requests to the team each week.
THE WOODLANDS CAMERA CLUB CELEBRATES 19 YEARS
The Woodlands Camera Club has been a ministry of TWMC for 19 years. Dedicated to exploring the beautiful world God has given us and highlighting the people that walk with us in ministry, the club meets weekly at the church in Special Interest Groups and monthly for an all-club meeting featuring a speaker or special guest.
The remainder of 2025 promises to be an exciting, informative year for the club. This year, we will hear from portrait, nature and food photographers. We will also enjoy special performances and gatherings. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to join the club. With camera phones in our pockets, we are all photographers, and the club is here to help you learn composition, editing and lighting techniques to make your pictures pop.
If you belong to a group at church, the camera club has volunteers who will take pictures of your group for use by the church, and we have a special website where your members can download their favorite photos from missions activities, youth and children’s gatherings, rec sports and more. From beginner to expert, come meet some new friends and spend time appreciating the art we can all create and the memories we can capture.
JANUARY SPOTLIGHT
We hosted Bennie Wheels as Johnny Cash for our Spotlight kickoff event.
THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
We offer worship services and Holy Communion at assisted living communities at the following locations: The Village, The Conservatory, Avanti, The Forum and Sundale. If you would like to join us, contact Rev. David Lindwall at dlindwall@twmc.org or Karen Williams at aggiemom43@hotmail.com
TWMC BOWLING FUN LEAGUE
Second Monday Night of Each Month | 7:00 p.m. | Bowlero
We bowl two games from 7:00-8:45 p.m. Warm up from 6:30–7:00 p.m. No skill required. The cost is $8 per person payable in cash on the day of the event. For more information contact Jeanette Bates 281.455.9073
GOLDENAIRES CHOIR
Rehearsals Every Wednesday | 2:30 p.m. | Choir Room
Members of the Goldenaires, a 55+ adults choir, love to share fellowship through music. For more information contact Ed Wandling at 281.788.9880 or Louise Kramer at louise.kramer917@gmail.com
MEN’S BOOK STUDY
Second and Fourth Wednesday | 10:00 a.m. | Room C217-A
Join us for a discussion on a study of J.I. Packer’s Knowing God For more information about this group, contact Jerry Barney at 915.373.3707 or jbarney177@gmail.com
CASUAL BRIDGE
First Friday of Each Month | 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Room B107
Come and be part of a fun, social bridge group once or twice a month depending on the group. This will be casual bridge for those who just want to play bridge. Some bridge knowledge is necessary. For more information contact Betty Gibson at 832.654.3335
SINGLE LIFE WIDOWS
Check our webpage for activities.
THE GATHERING PLACE
Monday, March 3 | 10:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall
Join us this month for a Mardi Gras celebration. The Gathering Place is a ministry for adults who have mild to moderate dementia. If you would like to volunteer your time, contact Jana Jordan at 281.948.0247
THE WOODLANDS CAMERA CLUB
Monday, March 3 | 7:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall
The Woodlands Camera Club welcomes portrait photographer Roger King. Roger takes the main stage to share a professional photographer’s insights on lighting, posing and editing tips. Clean the lens on your iPhone and join us!
MAH JONGG GAME DAY
Thursdays, March 6 and 20 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Room B204
Beginners or players of all levels are welcome to play this fun Chinese game utilizing the National Mah Jongg League cards and rules. Teachers will be available to assist in learning or to brush up on game rules and strategies. Register online. For more information contact Glenda Hudson at 281.367.9155.
ADULT GAME NIGHT
Friday, March 14 | 6:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall
Bring your favorite game or play Mexican Train. Bring a dish to share and $1. For more information, contact Karen Freeman at 858.204.0012.
GOSPEL HOUR
Sunday, March 16 | 5:00 p.m. | Harvest Worship Center
Join us for Gospel Hour goes Country Gospel.
PEGGY’S BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, March 18 | Noon | Allen Parlor
We will review Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. If you like to read ahead, in April we will review If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t) by Betty White For more information contact Libby Heintz at 936.271.7660 or Kathy Wisenbaker at wisenbaker@sbcglobal.net
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY MEETING
Friday, March 28 | 10:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor
Crochet or knit for those in need. For more information contact Connie Norton at 281.292.3875 or concetta44@comcast.net
FIT FOR LIFE FITNESS
Monday - Friday | 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall
In 2025 our Fit for Life Fitness classes will meet five days a week. Same great instructors and exercises, two additional times a week.
CLASS NEWS
WOODLANDS LUNCH BUNCH
Tuesday, March 11 | 11:00 a.m. | Nona’s Italian Grill
The Friendship Class is meeting at Nona’s Italian Grill. This restaurant is located at 3091 College Park Drive, Suite 185, 77384. All are welcome. To make a reservation call Dee Megee at 281.793.6622 by Monday, March 10.
FRIENDSHIP CLASS MANNA BAG PROJECT
Thursday, March 20 | 2:00 p.m. | Allen Parlor
The Friendship Class comes together to assemble snack bags for the 1960 Hope Center.
WOODFOREST CAMPUS
WOODFOREST LUNCH BUNCH
Thursday, March 13 | 11:00 a.m.
Good Charlie’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Kitchen
Join us for lunch at Good Charlie’s in Conroe. To make a reservation contact Roberta Duncan at 713.775.3030 no later than Monday, March 10.
WOODFOREST BOOK CLUB
Thursday, March 20 | 11:30 a.m. | WF Campus
In March we will review How to Read a Book by Monica Wood. If you would like to read ahead in April, we will review Four Hundred and Forty Steps to the Sea by Sara Alexander. For more information contact Diane Oakley at 936.701.8067.
ADULT GAME NIGHT
Friday, March 28 | 6:00 p.m. | Woodforest Worship
Join us for Mexican Train, 42 or a game of your choice. Bring a snack to share. The cost of this event is $1 per person. For more information contact Debbie Griffing at 979.236.1654
FIT FOR LIFE FITNESS
Tuesday - Thursday | 8:30 a.m. | WF Gym
In 2025 our fitness classes will meet Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
SUPPORT
CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP
Monday, March 3 and 17 | 10:00 a.m. | WF Classroom
This support group is for caregivers of family and friends with chronic, long-term or terminal illness. For more information about this group, contact Angela Street at 281.723.6819
The Church at Montgomery meets Sundays at 10:30 a.m. at Oak Hills Junior High, 19190 Keenan Cut Off Road, Montgomery.
MONTGOMERY LUNCH BUNCH
Friday, March 14 | 11:30 a.m. | Burger Fresh
To make a reservation contact Donna Carr at 936.443.6748 or Sally Tinsman at 936.499.9687 by Monday, March 10.
COVENANT CHURCH AT CREEKSIDE
Welcome to our friends at Covenant Church at Creekside. Worship gatherings are held on Sundays in the Worship Center at 8555 Creekside Green Drive at 10:00 a.m. (English) and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish).
GOLDEN AGE GATHERING
Tuesdays | 11:00 a.m.
Join us in March for a computer class taught in Spanish. Contact Anna Vargas (anna@connextsteps.org) for more information.
COVENANT
RESOURCE CORNER
prayer and care
PRAYER MINISTRY
If you or your family would like prayer, prayer teams are available after each of the services, or you can contact Dora Marquez with our Prayer Ministry at 281.822.8249.
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
The Church at Montgomery | 281.297.5900 Covenant Church at Creekside | 832.510.4823
CRAFT CIRCLE
Join our Craft Circle family, where creativity and compassion come together to support local and global missions. As we enter a season of capital campaign renovations, our commitment to community remains strong!
THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS
Tuesdays | 9:30 a.m. | Loft Building
WOODFOREST CAMPUS
2nd and 4th Thursdays | 1:00 p.m. | Woodforest Gym
As part of our church’s growth, Craft Circle will transition to home crafting by May to make space for the Loft Building renovation. Crafting will look different, but community remains our priority. While our location may change, our mission, fellowship and creativity will continue — stronger than ever.
ADULTS 55+
The Woodlands Methodist Church 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive The Woodlands, Texas 77380
SUPPORT
CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP Fridays, March 7 and 21 | 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
COMPUTER SUPPORT MINISTRY
If you need computer support, contact Jerry Barney at 915.373.3707 or jbarney177@gmail.com
NEED A RIDE?
If you need a ride to a medical appointment, contact John Cunningham at 713.594.4499. Please 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. 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
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 on The Woodlands Campus to pick up elements.
We encourage you to sign up for the digital version of Monthly Outlook. Not only will this save postage costs for Adults 55+ Ministry, but it will also save resources like paper. Plus, you can access the newsletter anywhere on a computer or your phone. It’s a win-win!
