Woodland Park United Methodist Church

03/06/2026

What are you giving up for Lent? At WPUMC, we're discussing giving up unhelpful images of God. This week, we're discussing an overly-legalistic God who cares more about the rules than God's people.

What unhelpful images of God have you had to let go? The divine taskmaster? The God who judges but doesn't love you? God as a genie or a glorified Santa Claus? The God who hates the same people as you?

Let me know in the contents and we might address it in worship!

Let's try this again. Our series was interrupted by current events that needed to be addressed in church, so this week the plan is to pick up where we left o...

12/24/2025

Whatcha doing at 7 tonight? Do you have Christmas Eve church plans? We'd love to see you!

If you can't make it but would like to join us, you can participate via our YouTube Livestream.

Merry Christmas!

If you can't make it to the sanctuary, please join us for our special Christmas Eve service. Readings, scriptures, carols, choir, and a few surprises will he...

12/16/2025

In early December, a powerful series of winter storms and “atmospheric river” rain events brought devastating flooding, landslides, and wind damage across Washington State, as well as parts of the Idaho Panhandle and British Columbia. Thousands of people have been affected, evacuations are ongoing, and communities remain at risk from floodwaters, mudslides, and changing conditions. In response, the Governor of Washington has declared a State of Emergency, and the National Guard has been activated to assist with evacuation efforts.

Amid this unfolding crisis, United Methodist churches across our region are already responding. Congregations are opening their doors to evacuees, offering parking for displaced families, distributing relief supplies, and partnering with local response agencies to meet immediate needs. This is holy, faithful work—and it is happening now.

We invite you to respond with urgency and generosity by supporting the Pacific Northwest Conference Disaster Fund (Advance #352) or the UMCOR Advance #901670. Gifts to these funds help provide immediate assistance to evacuees and survivors, as well as prepare for continued response, including the possible deployment of Early Response Teams as conditions allow.

As we move through the Advent and Christmas season, in addition to your prayers, your gifts are a tangible way to embody our hope, compassion, and love for our neighbors in need. Churches may wish to receive a special offering during worship, including Christmas services, or encourage individual and household giving.

You can give online at https://pnwumc.org/floodresponse, or make an offline gift through your local church or by mailing a check made payable to the PNW Conference Treasurer, with Conference Advance #352 noted on the memo line, to:

Pacific Northwest Conference Office
c/o Conference Treasurer
P.O. Box 13650
Des Moines, WA 98198

Thank you for being the church—present, responsive, and grounded in Christ’s love—when it matters most.

Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth

12/09/2025

11/26/2025

Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that God may teach us God's ways and that we may walk in God's paths." - Isaiah 2:3

This is an interesting tidbit from the prophetic text of Isaiah. It envisions God's reign as establishment of a high mountain that serves as God's house, and it is so attractive, so beautiful, so compelling that nations will pilgrimage to it. Isaiah doesn't say they will come to bow and worship, to sing praises, or to give burnt offerings - you know, the "stuff" you expect in Bible stories when mortals come into contact with the living God. Instead, Isaiah sees humanity learning from God so that they may walk in God's path. And then Isaiah punctuates this image with a vision of an end to war and the establishment of peace. Weapons of war are no longer necessary and can be transformed into tools of life-giving agriculture.

We begin our Advent this year with this image paired with that line from O Holy Night - "the thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices." Is there hope for our weariness? Is peace necessary for our survival and for our thriving? Is it even possible? And are we willing to learn God's ways of peace, justice, and grace in order to assist God in establishing a reign of peace?

Let's discuss!

Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that God may teach us God's ways and that...

11/20/2025

The liturgical year ends with a Sunday we call "The Reign of Christ Sunday." It seems appropriate to begin the liturgical year with Advent, the ramp-up to Jesus' birth, and end with a declaration of Christ's eternal reign.

But what do we mean when we say "The Reign of Christ?"

What would the world look like if Christ truly reigned, and Jesus' way of peace, restorative justice, compassion, mercy, and community were the standard? A great theologian once said that the heart of the Gospel is "this world, transformed." NT Wright describes it as "the world put to rights." How do we embody this understanding of the Gospel in the here and now?

(Hint: asking oneself "what would love dictate in this situation?" is a good start.)

The liturgical year ends with a Sunday we call "The Reign of Christ Sunday." It seems appropriate to begin the liturgical year with Advent, the ramp-up to Je...

11/13/2025

Fr. Richard Rohr reflects on the sacrament of Holy Communion with some insights many of us probably haven't thought of before.

"When Jesus spoke the words 'This is my Body,' I believe he was speaking not just about the bread right in front of him, but about the whole universe, about every thing that is physical, material, and yet also spirit-filled."

"A true believer is eating what he or she is afraid to see and afraid to accept: The universe is the Body of God, both in its essence and in its suffering."

“My God, I really am what I eat! I also am the Body of Christ.”

Father Richard writes of the sacramental nature of bread and wine in the Eucharist.  When Jesus spoke the words “This is my

11/06/2025

Scripture reference: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

In this passage from 2 Thessalonians, Paul (or his student) gives encouragement to the Thessalonian church to stay focused on the Gospel, avoid getting caught up with distractions, and engage in good works for the Gospel's sake. He even goes so far as to call that church the "first fruits" or the "first crop of the harvest," marking them as important and distinguished in God's eyes.

What if we believed that about our church?

Do we believe that God loves youth groups more than aging congregations? Do we believe that God loves big churches more than small ones? Do we believe that God loves global missions more than small, local ones? Or are these lies we tell ourselves that discourage us and keep us distracted from embodying God's hands, feet, and voice in our neighborhoods? And how do we regain the kind of focus that energizes, renews, and refreshes us?

Scripture reference: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17In this passage from 2 Thessalonians, Paul (or his student) gives encouragement to the Thessalonian church t...

10/29/2025

This week Pastor Willie returns from Renewal Leave just in time for All Saints / All Souls Sunday. Join us as we remember those who have moved on from mortality to eternity to join fully in the life of God and the Great Cloud of Witnesses. Let us give thanks for the gifts they left us, their love that continues to shape and form us, and the many ways they remain living realities to us.

We will sing songs, light candles, ring bells, partake of Holy Communion, celebrate their lives and love, and give thanks to the Christ who offers to bridge the divide.

Today Pastor Willie returns from Renewal Leave just in time for All Saints / All Souls Sunday. Join us as we remember those who have moved on from mortality ...

09/04/2025

This Sunday:

Forgiveness is a central concept in Christianity, and an essential element of following Jesus. And yet, sometimes we have difficulty putting it into practice, or even understanding it deeply. Let's take a look at a familiar quote from Jesus: that we should forgive not just seven times but seventy seven (or seventy times seven) times. What does that even mean?

Let's go there.

Forgiveness part One: Matthew 18:21-35 (CEB)Forgiveness is a central concept in Christianity, and an essential element of following Jesus. And yet, sometimes...