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 !

    Scripture strongly suggests that every believer has at least one guardian angel- but the Bible does not explicitly say that every human being has one.

     Psalm 91:11 says: “He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” This is why most Christian traditions teach that believers have guardian angels.

     God uses angels to accomplish His purposes on earth. Angels can intevene in human afairs. They can protect people even before they come to faith.

     However, there are some rules and regulations that we cannot do with angels. The Bible is very clear:

• We do not pray to angels
• Wedo not command angels
• We do not seek their names
• We do not try to communicate with them

     Angels serve God, not us. They respond to His voice, not ours.

     Scripture consistently teaches that Jesus is the One who receives us, welcomes us, and brings us into the Father’s presence. “I will come again and take you to Myself.” – John 14:3.

     Jesus Himself said: “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” John 14:9. This does not mean the Father and Son are the same person. It means:

• Jesus perfecrly reveals the Father.
• Jesus is the visible expression of the invisible God.

     Jesus is the way into the Father’s presence. So, after Jesus welcomes us, He brings us into the fullness of the Father’s glory. 

     What will that be like? The Father is described as:

•  Radiant (Psalm 104:2)
• Majestic (Psalm 93:1)
• Holy (Isaiah 6:3)
• Dwelling in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16) 

But because we are redeemed, purified, and glorified, we will experience that holiness not as terror, but as beauty, joy, and overwhelming love. We will not be afraid. We will be home, sweet home!

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

     Church is the 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!

    Jesus used parables to reveal the truth to people who were open to God – and to conceal truth from those who were hard-hearted or only listening to trap him. People in Jesus’ day were farmers, fishermen, shepherds, merchants. So, Jesus used everyday images:

• seeds
• soil
• lamps
• coins
• sheep
• vineyards

     These were things people lived evey day. A parable sticks in your mind long after a sermon fades.

     Parables invited people to think, wrestle, and respond. It is not just a story – it’s a mirror. It forces the listener to ask:

• “Who am I in this sotry?”
• “What is God saying to me?”
• “What needs to change in my life?”

     Jesus didn’t want passive listeners. He wanted disciples who engaged. A parable reveals truth to those who want it.., “This makes no sense.”…. but hides truth from those who don’t.

     People who were spiritually open would say: “Explain this to us, Lord.” While people who were spiritually closed would say, “This makes no sense.”

     Most parables were fictional stories created by Jesus to teach a spiritual truth. They were realistic and based on everyday life. They were possible and not impossible. And they were symbolic where every element points to a deeper meaning.

     The Bible never describes literal square footage, architecture, or floor plans. Instead, Jesus uses the word “mansions” to communicate something far deeper, richer, and more personal.

     Your mansion is not a building – it is a prepared place made personally for you. Jesus is not talking about real estate. He is talking about relationship, belonging, and permanent residence in God’s presence. It will be a special place without walls, ceiling, or a roof. 

     How “big” will it be? Scipture never gives physical dimensions because Heaven is not limited by space the way earth is.

     Your dwelling will be perfectly suited for you, filled with God’s glory, a place of rest, purpose, and belonging, a place where nothing is missing and nothing is broken. It will be “big” in the sense that nothing in Heaven will ever feel cramped, limited, or lacking.

     And the best thing about it is that there aren’t any HOA fees, mortgage or rent payments, utilities, or property taxes  to pay for! 

• Faith doesn’t make things easy; it makes them possible.”
• When faith replaces fear, miracles begin.”
• God’s timing is perfect, even when your patience isn’t.”
• Faith is choosing to trust God even when you don’t understand His plan.”
• “A little faith can move mountains, a lot of faith can change your life.”
• “When you can’t trace God’s hand, trust His heart.”
• Faith is the bridge between where you are and where God is taking you.”
• “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.”