EASTER – The Flowers and the Cross – inspired by elder Lavonne Isebrand, who went home to the Lord in January, it was a remarkable way of remembering our departed loved ones at Easter. Thanks Jackie and Beryl!

SOUP SUPPERS – Woden is famous for its two soup suppers a year, held for a number of years to raise funds for mission, presbytery camp and church projects.  The Spring soup supper, in memory of our dear Lavonne, broke all records in number of people served and amount of funds raised. The Fall Soup Supper was again a remarkable display of teamwork and culinary powers.

CHURCH PICNIC – The church had a great picnic last month at the summer home of Elder Paul and Betty Gerdes at Spirit Lake, Iowa.  Fun & fellowship were had by all! Redneck golf was amazing, led by the Lamaaks,  Missmans, and Buffingtons.  Wilson and Isebrand won once! There was lots of good food and remarkable fellowship. A great day with fun for all and good times!

BIBLE STUDY – We have had regular Bible Study series in Woden on Thursdays during the year, studying the wisdom of books ranging from James to Ruth to Galatians to Proverbs.  We have had some great discussions.

BREAKFAST with the PASTOR – we enjoyed fellowship at three breakfasts at Wubbens!  We had good coffee and even better conversation.  And the sausage and gravy was really good. Ask Leo, who knows good biscuits.

LENTEN SERVICES – We had some profound Ash Wednesday and Seder meal services. The Seder meal took us back to ancient Palestine as we ate the special foods to help remember the story of the Exodus and the Passover.  Tammy Missman, Jackie Eden and the other ladies did a remarkable job of creating the special foods.  It was another example of our famous teamwork. We also studied our Lenten Devotion books, which we contributed to.

THE RECOVERY OF VI PRICE -- Our beloved Violet Price had a devastating fall, but she has worked herself back to recovery, with lots of diligent effort and all of our prayers.  And, of course, Leo’s caring and concern.  It has been a long journey, but their courage is remarkable.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – We have had two good VBS sessions the last two years during July, with children related to our church and visitors from the community. Thanks to Lisa Weiland and Lee Ann Lamaak for leading VBS and nurturing the children.  Jackie Eden and Pat Wood were assistants. A number of our folks brought refreshments and gave good support.  VBS is so important as we teach the children. There is nothing more important than our children, for they are the future of the church.  Keep praying for each of our children and youth.  May God bring more in for VBS next year.

THE RECOVERY OF PAUL AND BETTY -- Paul, the most energetic person in Woden and our excellent session member and church worker, had a setback that he has battled back from with typical strong will and enthusiasm.  Betty, who keeps our history and empowers our celebrations of birthdays and anniversaries (and does so much more),  had to have surgery shortly after Paul’s trial’s, but was recently given a clean bill of health, as she continues to recover.  They are inspirations to us and we are so thankful for what they do!

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP AT THE SHOOTER’S ROUNDUP – Some of the men went to Shooter’s Roundup in Morristown, Minnesota, and Mike Isebrand helped Pastor Wilson shoot a Tommy gun machine gun.  The cry “Come and get me, coppers!” still reverberates thru the North woods.  The Weilands shot the big 50 cal. Cannon, and Donnie Isebrand again showed us that he was the best shot, especially with the claybirds!  We hope to make this an annual event.

ECUMENICAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE – it was our first time to host the ecumenical thanksgiving service and it was a wonderful time for everyone.  Cary Brown and Doris Leeck led the mass choir from all the churches, and representatives from each church were involved in the worship service. Pastor Wilson preached the message and the church hosted a great time of fellowship with a lunch afterward.  Mike Missman was emcee and our hospitality was great.  Thanks to everyone for making that hospitality our trademark.

ADVENT AND SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS –

Jackie Eden did a super job of coordinating the Advent celebration and the Sunday School/Youth did a nice job with a special Christmas program, superbly directed by Lisa Weiland and Lee Ann Lamaak

CHRISTMAS PARTIES –   Last year, we had a wonderful Christmas party with songs and tasty food!  This year we had a special potluck on December 10^th with seasoned pork loin. Other food, with cooks like Sharon and Donna, was superb. Then we sang Christmas Carols with Diane Wilson on guitar, and Jackie Eden led us in at tribute to Doris Leeck, our “music missionary” who brings much beautiful music to every church service.  We gave Doris a special cardinal clock as a token of our love.  Thanks much to Leonard, too!

WODEN CHRISTMAS MUSIC FEST – We had a great night with music led by Doris Leeck, with Bruce Wubben, Roger and Janice Missman, Virginia Vrieze, Lee Ann Lamaak, Hannah Mae Meyer, Cary Brown, Rachel Brown, Beryl Buffington, Mary Behrends, Dale Person, The Burt Presbyterian Youth Fellowship, Diane Wilson, & Reverend Linzy Collins of Garner. Our youth, led by Lee Ann, Lisa Weiland, and Kathy Brown, performed the Nativity. Thanks to Sheric, Nathan, Adam, JoJo; Lisa; Ben, and Skyler.  A fine lunch was served by the women of the church after the Music Fest.  It showed that our church can do anything it sets in its heart as a goal God has called us to do.

Burt Presbyterian Church is yoked with the First Presbyterian Church of Woden, Iowa.  Pastor Wilson lives in Burt, but serves the Burt congregation on a 3/4 time basis and serves the Woden congregation on a 1/4 time basis. As the Woden session has said, "Our congregation has been yoked with Burt Presbyterian for nearly 40 years and has found the arrangement to be one of mutual compatibility. Because of the distance between the two towns, we share only a few activities, but have a good relationship." 

The session continues: "Woden Presbyterian has many gifts in a small congregation. We have several members who are willing to assist with Sunday services, a gifted pianists/organists Doris Leeck, who serves us as a gift from God, several skilled vocalists, and committed Sunday school teachers. There are farmers, business persons, professionals in different fields, as well as youth and retired folks who are willing to share their time and talents as needed to further the work of the church. Almost all of the needs to maintain the church are provided by volunteers, including maintenance and repair of the building and grounds-providing supplies and labor as needed.

Woden Presbyterian has maintained a continuous presence in our community since 1916. We average in excess of 60% at Sunday worship services. Children's and Adult's Sunday School classes are held after worship. A summer Vacation Bible School is held with our children as well as a number of children from other churches/communities attending each year. The PWC meets monthly. We have 2 soup suppers,one each in the spring and fall with excellant community support. In the fall of each year, we have a Mission Fest, with an outside speaker providing the message. Also, in the fall we have a Harvest Potluck meal. The Sunday School holds a Christmas program each year. A Lenten Bible Study is held on Wed. evenings during Lent, with a Maunday Thursday potluck meal and Communion service. This is followed on Easter Sunday with an Easter breakfast before services. Many members of the congregation participate in Community events and fundraisers as representatives of our church.

First Presbyterian, Woden, subscribes to the Presbyterian (Reformed) tradition. "We believe in the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of believers. We believe our salvation through Jesus is God's generous gift to us, and not the result of our own accomplishments. We believe that all are called to share the Good News of the Gospel - young and old, male and female alike, in whatever capacities we are able. We believe that we are called to be a presence in the community as we serve God, giving voice to our beliefs and demonstrating the grace of God in al our interactions. We believe in traditional family values, realizing that each family is unique, and in offering encouragement and support, showing the love of God to persons in all circumstances."