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!

     Mana, often described as “bread from heaven”, was a miraculous food that the Israelites depended on during their 40 years in the wilderness, according to the Bible. It is said to have appeared like small white flakes or wafers on the ground each morning, and it tasted like honey or fine pastry. The Israelites would gather it daily (except on the Sabbath) and use it to sustain themselves.

     Its exact nature has sparked curiosity and discussion for centuries. Some scholars have suggested natural explanations, such as a type of resin from desert plants or secretions from certain insects, while others view it as as a purely divine provision. Regardless, mana represents a powerful symbol of sustenance and faith in the biblical narrative.

     Likewise, we should be grateful for the food that God provides for us everyday on earth and thankful for the hands that it prepared it for us as well. This is why many Christians say a short prayer of grace before they eat their daily meals.

     When Jesus said “love thy neighbor”, He wasn’t just talking about being nice to the people next door. He was radically expanding the definition of neighbor – and the depth of love we’re called to show.

     He emphasized it in Matthew 22:39, calling it the second greatest commandment – right after loving God with all your heart. Jesus redefines “neighbor” as anyone in need, regardless of race,  religion, or social status.

     The kind of love that Jesus was referring to was not just kindness, but sacrificial, inconvenient, and generous love. It means going out of your way, even when it’s uncomfortable or costly. 

     So when Jesus said “love thy neighbor,” He meant everyone you encounter is your neighbor, and you’re called to love them with the same grace and care you would want for yourself.

     Are you recognizing now who is your neighbor and what you are doing to show your love for them?

     Jesus gave power to his twelve apostles to perform miracles, including healing the sick and casting out demons. In Matthew 10:1, Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and granted them authority over unclean spirits and the ability to heal every kind of disases and sickness. Similarly, Luke 9:1-2 describes how Jesus empowered the twelve to proclaim the kingdom of God and perform healing.

     However, Luke 10:17 also mentions that seventy disciples returned with joy, saying that even demons were subject to them in Jesus name. This suggests that beyond the twelve apostles, others were also given miraculous abilities at different times. So, it looks like back then if you weren’t fortunate enough to meet Jesus personally to ask for his healing, you would have another 82 other disciples to seek out for their blessing too!

     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.

1. “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

2. “Surely it is more generous to forgive and remember, than to forgive and forget.”

3. “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the atribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi

4. “To err is human; to forgive, divine.”

5. “Forgiveness is above all a personal choice,  a decision of the heart to go against natural instinct to pay back evil with evil.” – Pope John Paul II

6. “Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, because hate in your heart will consume you too.” – Movie Actor Will Smith

7. “Forgiveness is a strange thing. It can sometimes be easier to forgive our enemies than our friends. It can be hardest of all to forgive people we love.” – Fred Rogers, AKA “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” TV show .