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 !

     God’s knowledge is perfect. Our freedom is real. And the two do not contradict each other. Why? Because God’s knowledge is not casual. It is comprehrensive. He knows:

• every decision we will make
• every path we will walk
• every prayer we will pray
• every moment we will turn toward Him
• every moment we will struggle
• every moment His grace will carry us

     But we still get to choose. God’s foreknowledge is like the vantage point of someone standing on a mountain who sees the entire road – beginning, middle, and end – while we are walking it step by step.

     God’s knowing does not override our freedom. Instead:

• His knowledge surrounds our choices.
• His grace supports our choices.
• His sovereignity redeems our choices.
• His love accompanies our choices.

We are free. And He is God. And both truths stand together without contradiction.

     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!

     The Bible suggests that there will be a real, joyful experience of food and fellowship in the life to come. After His resurrection, Jesus Christ ate with his disciples (for example, fish and bread) to show that His resurrected body was real. He also spoke of drinking and eating in the future kingdom (such as the “wedding supper” imagery in Book of Revelation). Many Christians believe we will enjoy food and drink, though it may not be exactly like our earthly experience, such as eating Domino’s pizza or drinking a Bud Light beer.

     As far as living conditions in Heaven, Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. I go to prepare a place for you” (Gospel of John 14:2). Many interpret this as meaning that God has prepared a place of belonging and dwelling for His people, probably far superior to that of a room at a Hilton or Holiday Inn motel.

     Revelation also describes a renewed creation where people live with God – not just floating in a spiritual existence. Christianity traditionally teaches that believers will receive resurrected, glorified bodies – not just souls existing without form. Because of that, many Christians believe heaven will include real experiences: seeing, touching, gathering, celebrating, and enjoying God’s creation. And all with a newer, bigger, better version of our existing bodies !

     One thing the Bible emphasizes is that heaven/new creation will be better than the best things we know now. It says there will be no death, mourning, pain, or sorrow (Revelation 21:4), so whatever our life there is like, it will be of God’s presence an joy. I’m looking forward to it and I bet you are too !

     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!

1. “If you don’t know where you are going…then any road will take you there!”

2. “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.”

3. “The secret is not to find the meaning of life, but to use your life to make things that are meaningful.”

4. “Dig the well before you are thirsty.” (*Plan ahead for your needs*)

5. “A fall inot a ditch makes you wiser.” (*Learning from our mistakes*)

6. “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

7. “It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.”