Woodburn Presbyterian Church in Leland, NC, offers a welcoming and traditional worship experience. Here are a few reasons you might consider becoming a member or attending:

1. Community:  Our church fosters a strong sense of community and fellowship. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with others who share your faith and values.

2.Worship Services: We offer traditional worship services that celebrate the love of Jesus Christ. Services are held on Sundays at 11:00AM, plus there are opportunities for those interested in Bible Study sessions, participating in our church choir, and helping our Pastor with bringing people together to worship as a whole, unified church congregation.

3. Mission and Ministry: Our church is actively involved in various ministries and missions, such as serving as a base for Manna Food Ministries to distribute food to needy families on a monthly basis, supporting our local schools with providing school supplies for them, and also serving as a home base for our local Boy Scout Troop. With their help, we have recently collected warm clothing, jackets, gloves, blankets, and other supplies for the Hurricane Helene victims in Western North Carolina.

We also have a dedicated group of parishioners who plan and prepare monthly fellowship gatherings in our Fellowship Hall. We celebrate with food, refreshments, and special activities commerating seasonal holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

We also provide opportunities to serve and make a positive impact in the community. We are always looking for volunteers to help out with our Building & Grounds staff in maintaining  our grounds, church, and our own church cemetary on site.

4. History and Tradition: Our church was originally established in 1922 and we have a rich history of bringing families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors together over the past 100 years! We recently celebrated our 100 year centennial in October of 2024. We have been a cornerstone of the area for over a century!

5. Church membership: Are you looking for a small parish with not too many members who are eager to meet and welcome you to our church family? Well, look no further, you have found what you are looking for in a small, but growing parish such as ours! Come in and check us out. Our parishioners and Pastor “T” are eager to answer any questions that you may have! 

We are looking forward to meeting you next Sunday! Welcome home !

     One of the most direct and powerful statements about being a peacemaker comes from the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9. 

     This beatitude elevates peacemaking to a divine calling. Jesus doesn’t just bless those who avoid conflict – he blesses those who actively work to resolve it, reconcile others, and build harmony. To be a peacemaker is to reflect the very nature of God.

     Jesus also preached about showing love towards your enemies. He said “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44. Here is a prayer that our church family at WPC can pray together for peace in the world:

“Gracious God,

     You are the source of true peace, and you have called us, your church, to be peacemakers in this world. As we gather in your name, unite our hearts in love and humility.

     Teach us to listen with compassion, speak with grace, and act with courage. Where there is division, may we be agents of reconcilation. Where there is hurt, may we bring healing. Where there is injustice, may we stand firm in truth without violence.

     Let our fellowship reflect your kingdom, where mercy triumphs, and love casts out fear. Empower us and our world leaders, Lord, to be your hands and feet, sowing peace in our homes, our community, our church, and in the world.

     In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen.”

     Are you ready and willing to answer Jesus’ call for us to be peacemakers? We can answer his calling by reciting this prayer for peace not only in our church, but in our own homes as well.

     Weekly worship is how we stay centered on God. Life pulls us in a hundred directions. Sunday worship recenters us. 

     Church is thge weekly rhythm that reminds us who God is, who we are, and what truly matters.

     Practicing faith was never meant to be lived alone. Christianity is personal, but never private. Scripture consistently describes bellievers as a body, a family, a flock, a temple made of living stones. 

     You can pray alone, read Scripture alone, and worship alone, but you cannot be the church alone. Gathering with others shapes us in ways solitary faith cannot.

     Church isn’t just about what you receive, it’s also about what you bring. Your presence strengthens someone else’s faith, even if you don’t realize it. Skipping church doesn’t make God love you less, but going regularly helps you become more like Christ.

     Going to church on a regluar basis is a rehearsal for enternity. Worship is a taste of the Kingdom. Every Sunday we:

– sing the songs of heaven

– hear the word of God

– gather with the people of God

– remember the hope of resurrection

– it’s a weekly reminder that our story ends in joy. 

     In summary then, we go to church because it helps us stay close to God, grow in our faith, and be part of community that encourages us. God uses worship, Scripture, and fellowship to shape us into who He wants us to be.

     Come join us on Sundays ! You will be glad that you did and so will God too!

     The Bible shows that God  used humor on different occasions.

1. God asks Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry?” – a question that exposes Jonah’s sulking in a humorous way.

2. Jesus used exaggeration ( “a log in your own eye “) to mkae a point in a way that would have made His listeners smile.

3. God names Abraham’s son Issac, which means “laughter”, because Sarah laughed when she heard she would have a child in old age.

Creation itself is proof of God’s divine humor such as:

– penguins waddling

-giraffes with necks too long for their own good.

– otters holding hands

– babies giggling before they can speak

The world is filled with things that make us smile. That’s not an accident. A God who created joy must Himself be joyful.

Humans laugh because we are made in God’s image. We don’t get humor from nowhere. If we love jokes, laughter, play, and joy; it’s because God placed those things in us as reflections of His own nature.

God’s humor is always loving, never cruel. God’s humor is not sarcasm or ridicule. It’s the kind of humor that

– lifts burdens

– brings people together

– helps us see the truth

– heals the heart

It’s the humor of a loving Father, not a mocking critic. A good example of truthful humor is the expression, “Happy wife…Happy life !”

     The Old Testament promises divine protection through angelic beings. Psalm 91:11 declares, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways,” indicating that God dsipatches angels to watch over his people.

     Hebrews 1:14 in the New Testament reinforces this role: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” This verse portrays angels as a group of heavenly servants assigned to aid believers in their journey of faith.

     Both Psalm 91:11 and Hebrews 1:14 use the plural term “angels”, suggesting that each believer is surrounded by a host rather than a single guardian spirit. The Bible doesn’t specify an exact number of angels assigned to an individual; it simply assures us that God’s command extends to multiple angelic agents sent for our good and protection.

     And all of this spiritual service is provided to us for free by God, with no expectations of tips, other than a sincere appreciation and gratitude for God’s love and generosity for us!

     It is best to keep in mind when you respond to them that the goal is to give them an answer that is true, simple, and hope-giving, while leaving room for them to grow into deeper understanding as they mature. Some examples of your response that speaks to a child’s heart, but is still theologically solid, are as follows:

1. “God put you here because he loves you and wanted you to exist. You are not an accident – you are part of His plan.”

2. “God put us on earth so we can learn to love Him, love other people, and take care of the world he made.”

3. “God made you with special gifts. Part of your purpose is discovering those gifts and using them to help others.”

4. “We’re part of God’s big story. He made the world good, and He wants us to help bring kindness, joy, and goodness into it.”

5. “God put you on earth because He loves you and wanted you to be part of of His family. He made you special, with gifts no one else has. He wants you to learn to love Him, love others, and help make the world a kinder place. and as you grow, He’ll help you discover all the wonderful things He made you to do.”

     So, welcome to God’s family ! We’re glad that you are with us and giving never ending thanks to God for this opportunity to love and serve him and others too!