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 !

     We exchange gifts at Christmas because the practice blends ancient winter festivals, biblical symbolism, and Christian traditions. It reflects generosity, the gifts of the Magi to Jesus, and the influence of figures like St. Nicholas, later transformed into Santa Claus. Ho-ho-ho….Merry Chtristmas to everyone and Happy Birthday Jesus!

     Jesus acknowledged that conflict is part of human relationships, but he offered profound guidance on how to respond when harmony feels out of reach. In Luke 6:27-28, He said “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

     Jesus didn’t promise that we would always get along – but He did command us to respond with grace, even when others are hostile. He valued those who actively seek reconcillation, even when it’s difficult. 

     Jesus often responded to difficult people with questions that revealed their motives. This approach invites reflection rather than confrontation.

     So, when we struggle to get along with someone, Jesus calls us to love, seek peace, and sometimes-wisely -step back. It’s not pretending everything’s fine, but about chosing a response that reflects God’s heart.

     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!

1. “Jingle Bells” wasn’t written for Christmas. It was originally written in 1857 by James Lord Pierpoint as a Thanksgiving tune.

2. The Statute of Liberty is the biggest Christmas gift. In 1886, France gave the Statute of Liberty to the United States as a festive gift.

3. The first artificial Christmas trees were made of feathers. In 19th-century Germany, the very first  artificial Christmas trees were made from goose feathers dyed green.

4. Tinsel used to be made of silver. The Christmas tree bling was once a top-tier luxury. In 17th Century Germany, artisians hammered thin strands of pure silver to drape across Chrsitmas trees.

5. Coca-Cola popularised Santa’s  red suit. Santa used to come in many colors (green, blue, and even brown). But coca-cola’s 1930’s ad campaigns dressed him in bright red and it seems to have stuck ever since.

6. Christmas was once banned in America. It used to be illegal in Massachusetts. The Puritans banned it in 1659, claiming the celebration was sinful excess. The ban lasted until 1681 and Christmas  later became a federal holiday in the U.S. in 1870.

7. “Silent Night” is the most recorded carol.

8. Santa Claus is based on a real person. He was inspired by  Saint Nicholas of Myra, a4th-century bishop known for his generosity.

9. Candy canes originated in Germany in the 1600’s, when a choirmaster gave sugar sticks bent into shepherd’s crooks to keep children quiet duirng long Christmas  services.

     December 25 is not the actual birthday of Jesus. The Bible does not record the exact date of his birth, and historians generally agree that the choice of December 25 was made centuries later for symbolic and practical reasons, not because it was the day He was born.

     In Luke 2:8, it is noted that the shepherds were “living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Scholars point out that shepherds did this in spring through early autumn, not in the cold of December.

     Christmas Day is a symbolic date chosen by the early church, not Jesus’ actual birthday. The real date remains unknown, but the celebration focuses on the meaning of His birth rather than the calendar detail.