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!

     Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a period of 40 days (excluding Sundays} leading up to Easter in the Christian calendar. It’s observed by many Chrisitan denominations, including Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Methodists.

     The day gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful. The ashes, made from the palm branches used on the previous year’s Palm Sunday, are typically applied in the shape of a cross with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This ritual symbolizes penance, mourning, and mortality.etc. 

     Lent is a time for Christians to reflect, repent, and prepare for the celebration of Easter through practices such as fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. It’s a period of spiritual renewal and growth, reminding the faithful of Jesus Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.

     Some Chrisitans usually plan on giving something up or doing without for the six weeks of Lent, such as giving up snacks, eating meat, candy, watching TV, going to the movies, drinking beer/wine, eating out, etc, as their own personal sacrifice for Lent. Do you have anything that you are willing to give up for Lent? Do you feel that you can make this sacrifice for six weeks?

     Jesus often spoke about transformation, renewal, and personal change. Some key messages that he shared about change were as follows:

1. Repentance:  Jesus emphasized the importance of repentance, which involves turning away from sinful behaviors and aligning oneself with God’s will. In Matthew 4:17, Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

2. New Birth: Jesus taught about the necessity of being “born again” to enter the kingdom of God. In John 3:3, he said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”                               When Jesus said we must be “born again”, he was not referring to any kind of literal or physical rebirth. He used the term “reborn” to affirm our need as individuals to be redeemed and spiritually transformed, refashioned, and remade through God’s saving grace and his eventual death on the cross. We must acknowledge that Jesus is our “savior” and that he had died for our sins to assure us that by doing so, we shall enjoy eternal life and happiness with him in heaven.

3. Inner Transformation:  Jesus focussed on inner change rather than the mere outward appearances. In Matthew 23:26, he said, “First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.”

4. Parables of Change: Jesus used parables to illustrate the concept of change and growth. For instance, the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) highlights the transformative power of forgiveness and repentance.

5. Faith and Transformation:  Jesus encouraged faith as a catalyst for personal transformation. in Mark 11:22-24, he taught that having faith can move mountains and bring about significant change.

     Jesus’ teachings on change were not just about individual transformation, but also about the collective renewal of society through love, compassion, and justice. They invite everyone to embrace a new way of living that reflects God’s kingdom.

     The Parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37, teaches several profound lessons:

1. Compassion and Mercy: The Samaritan showed compassion and mercy to the injured man, unlike the priest and the Levite who passed by. This highlights the importance of helping others in need, regardless of their background or circumstances.

2. Breaking Social Barriers: At the time, Jews and Samaritans had significant animosity towards each other. By making a Samaritan the hero of the story, Jesus emphasized that love and kindness should transcend social and ethnic boundaries.

3. True Neighborliness: Jesus used this parable to answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?” He illustrated that a neighbor is anyone who shows mercy and kindness, not just those who are close to us or similar to us.

4. Active Love: The Samaritan didn’t just feel pity, he took action. He bandaged the man’s wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for his care. This teaches that true love involves action and sacrifice.

     These lessons encourage us to show compassion, break down social barriers, and actively help those in need. Have you helped anyone in need lately ?

     Jesus emphasized the importance of love, forgiveness, and reconcilation when dealing with conflicts and strained relationships. Some of his key teachings about this subject were as follows:

1. Love Your Enemies:  Jesus urged people to love and pray for those who opposed them. In Matthew 5:44, he said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

2. Forgiveness:  Jesus placed a strong emphasis on forgiveness. In Matthew 18:21-22, when Peter asked how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him, Jesus replied, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” This highlights the idea that forgiveness should be limitless.

3. Reconciliation: Jesus encouraged resolving conflicts and seeking reconciliation. In Matthew 5:23-24, he said, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the alter and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

4. Golden Rule: Jesus taught the principle of treating others as one would like to be treated. in Matthew 7:12, he stated, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

5. Peacemakers:  Jesus praised peacemakers, indicating that those who promote peace are blessed. In Matthew 5:9, he said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

     These teachings highlight the importance of love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and promoting peace in relationships. By following these principles, Jesus encouraged people to overcome conflicts and build harmonious relationships. Let us all strive to be everyday peacemakers in our lives and one of God’s children.

1. “It is not the mistakes that we made that defines us, it is the choices we make afterwards that do!”

2. “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

3.  “To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step.”

4.  “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

5.  “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you ust keep moving.”

6.  “Happiness is not by chance, but by choice.”

7.  “We  must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

8. “You get what you give.”

9. “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says, “I’m possible !”

10. “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”