Wooddale Articles

Everest VBS Registration 2015

joel.lombardo — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 17:30:37 +0000

Enter an icy adventure and learn to conquer challenges with God’s mighty power. Through games, crafts, stories, and more kids at VBS Everest will experience the truth of God’s Word in unforgettable ways. We hope to see you!

For children 5 years (by 9/1/15) through 3rd grade (completed).

Fall Programming Begins in Two Weeks

lee.ranney — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 11:00:00 +0000

It’s been a great summer at Wooddale, but now it’s time to turn the page. As we head into fall, a whole new chapter of ministry begins as fall programming gets underway. Here are some of the highlights:

September 13
Children’s Ministry Move Up Sunday
Big Groups
Young Adult LifeGroup sign ups

Serving Spotlight

lee.ranney — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 11:00:00 +0000

My nephew, Grant, got his first serving experience last year during Vacation Bible School when he visited me for the week. This summer when I suggested a possible camping adventure for our week together, he responded with, “Aw, but I want to volunteer again.” He so enjoyed his volunteer experience last year that he wanted to help out again! So that’s what we did.

Students Grow at Summer Camp

lee.ranney — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 11:00:00 +0000

From June 21 to 26, 45 fifth and sixth grade students from both Wooddale campuses enjoyed an amazing week at Camp Shamineau in Motley, Minnesota! Upon arrival, the students eagerly began a week of fun, adventure, and growth. The Camp Shamineau staff planned an eventful week of activities for the students. The students woke up promptly at 7 a.m.

The Senior High OCA Trip Changed Lives

lee.ranney — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 11:00:00 +0000

The Senior High OCA mission trip returned June 28 after a tremendous two weeks of ministry in Guatemala. Students and staff saw God at work in a mighty way as the Gospel was shared through mime and puppet shows and during athletic events conducted by the sports team.

It Was a Great Week at Vacation Bible School!

lee.ranney — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 11:00:00 +0000

We had a great week at Vacation Bible School! Here is one story that I’d like to share:

The Tradition of Generosity Continues

lee.ranney — Sun, 10 May 2015 11:00:00 +0000

For approximately 30 years, Wooddalers have generously given to provide food and supplies for those in need. Spring and Fall Food Drives are held each year to restock area food shelves so that families in need can receive the help they need. In 2014, for example, Wooddalers gave a record amount of food – 47,830 pounds.

Vision '22 Launch

joel.lombardo — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 20:19:35 +0000

This is an exciting time at Wooddale Church! Since the beginning of the year and our “Conquering Your Fears” series, over 400 new people have visited Wooddale. I have heard many stories of how the series, the book The Red Sea Rules by Robert J.

God Is Touching Lives in Children’s Ministry

lee.ranney — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 12:00:00 +0000

God is really at work in our Children’s Ministry. W.O.W. coordinator Marcia Hummel reports, “The W.O.W. (Woods On Wednesday) program has had as many as 264 children (pre-k through 4th grade) in attendance with more than 50 children making decisions to follow Christ. We are learning many of the attributes of God – all about who he is and what that means for our lives.”

A Window Into Sunday Morning

lee.ranney — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 11:00:00 +0000

Molly is 4. As she walked into Wooddale one Sunday morning, she excitedly ran down the hallway to her class to meet her teacher. She was warmly greeted and excitedly entered the room. Some other kids invited her to join them at a sand exploration station. As they played, their teachers talked with them about sand and they wondered together what sand had to do with the story for the day.

Build Your Giving and Serving Muscles

lee.ranney — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 12:00:05 +0000

‘Tis better to give than to receive. You’ve heard it all your life and you repeat it to your kids (especially this time of year). But did you know that this famous phrase is actually in the Bible? In Acts 20, the Apostle Paul quotes Jesus as saying, “‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” It turns out, modern science is proving what Jesus knew more than 2,000 years ago.

It Takes a Village…

lee.ranney — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Most people are aware of the African proverb that states, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This quote has been broadly applied to schools, communities and even society as a whole. So how might this look if applied at Wooddale Church? In other words, what would be the ramifications of the following, “It takes home and church to spiritually raise a child?”

Discovering God as a Child

lee.ranney — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 11:00:00 +0000

As a parent and a follower of Jesus Christ, you have a strong desire for your children to grow up believing in God. The challenge is figuring out how to encourage them along the path so they will claim that faith as their own. Simply dropping them off at a Sunday school class and hoping the teacher will take care of it is not sufficient.

Fall Adventures in The Woods!

lee.ranney — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 11:00:23 +0000

As we soak up the last few weeks of summer, our minds start to get reacquainted with what fall will look like. We want to invite you to join us in The Woods as we get ready to kick off our fall programs. Below are some important adventures and dates you’ll want to know about.

Tru^® Sunday Adventures: For nursery through 6th Grade.

Get to Know Wooddale’s Disability Ministry

lee.ranney — Sun, 04 Aug 2013 11:00:40 +0000

Perhaps you have a special place in your heart for individuals who have physical, mental or emotional needs. If so, Wooddale Church has an outstanding way to engage your help – the Wooddale Disability Ministry. Be prepared! The rewards of your participation could be spiritually life-changing.

Wooddale Worldwide Website Scavenger Hunt

lee.ranney — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 11:00:00 +0000

How much do you know about Wooddale's emphasis on missions? This information scavenger hunt will help you get to know what Wooddale Worldwide is about and highlight some of the ways you can get involved. You can find the answers on Wooddale’s website. The appropriate pages are listed next to the questions. Have a world of fun!

What Every High School Student Needs to Know

lee.ranney — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:56:18 +0000

Parents are often leery of the high school years. They are fearful that the children they have raised will turn against them, reject their faith and get into all sorts of trouble.

Ready for Junior High?

lee.ranney — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 11:41:58 +0000

So you have a child approaching seventh grade. Getting the jitters? Afraid your child won’t fit in? We have good news! Here at Wooddale, there’s a haven for junior high students.

Helping Your Child Find Peace in a Crisis

lee.ranney — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:50:10 +0000

As you prepare for takeoff as an airline passenger, you are given specific instructions on what to do in case of an emergency. This list includes warnings that you should always fit your own mask before helping your children. The reason for this is that if we aren’t breathing, we won’t be able to help those around us.

Appropriate Boundaries for the Use of Technology

lee.ranney — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:39:34 +0000

In a world where a “like” on Facebook® or Instagram® is equivalent to support or a way to tell someone you love them, there is no question that technology is playing an enormous role in how youth today view relationships and communication with each other.

Be a Part of Something Great

lee.ranney — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 00:53:44 +0000

Every week the Wooddale WEEK publishes volunteer opportunities under “Got Service?” You may read that section each week and conclude that your particular interests, talents and abilities are not needed. That would be a faulty conclusion. These “ads” provide just a glimpse into the many volunteer opportunities at Wooddale.

Check-In Tags 101

christina.ludwig — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 00:52:21 +0000

All I wished I’d known about check-in tags and didn’t
by Carol Garborg

Sharing Christ With Their High School

lee.ranney — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:19:32 +0000

“God is good!”

Two high school football team captains won’t be back on the Eden Prairie High School campus this fall, but their legacy of faith and dedication to the Gospel will remain in the student body.

Wooddale Junior High Kids Go A.W.O.L.

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:33:27 +0000

A.W.O.L. (A Work of Love) is a Wooddale Junior High summer ministry at Maple Hill Estates, a mobile home park in Corcoran, Minnesota. From July 15-20, twenty-five Wooddale students and eleven staff joined students and staff of Wayzata Free Church in presenting a Vacation Bible School program in the morning for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students.

Getting Ready for Fall

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:16:21 +0000

Fall is quickly approaching and we would like to inform you of some exciting news in Children’s Ministry for the 2012-2013 school year! Please note the following important details:

Working Together for Seamless Transitions

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Wooddale’s Children’s, Student, and Young Adults ministries are always humming with activity. But what happens when a student is ready to “move up” to the next program? Change can be daunting, so Wooddale’s staff teams up to strategically plan these transitions for students to make them comfortable, seamless and, of course, lots of fun.

Vacation Bible School Has a Huge Impact!

lee.ranney — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Imagine the thrill of listening to over 650 energetic youngsters singing in unison, “You, you, you, you can trust God, you can trust God!” That’s what occurred every morning the week of June 18 in the Worship Center of Wooddale’s Eden Prairie campus during Vacation Bible School (VBS). The theme was Sky: Everything Is Possible With God – Mark 10:27, and this was reinforced by key learning phrases such as, “No matter how you feel, trust God.”

These People Love Junior High Students

lee.ranney — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

It takes a specific combination of creativity, energy, enthusiasm, empathy, discipline and spiritual maturity to effectively lead a ministry to junior high students. Wooddale is fortunate to have three such people in leadership of the Junior High Ministry. Junior High Pastor Heather Flies is well known for her exuberant personality and ability to relate and minister to 7th-9th grade students.

Volunteering With the Apprentices

lee.ranney — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:16:00 +0000

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

This could be the theme verse for the Apprentice program – and Grace Smith’s life story. She’s always been ready to help at church. These days, Grace is helping in Wooddale’s Apprentice program.

Baptism Is Part of Your Spiritual Journey

lee.ranney — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:54:07 +0000

Your spiritual life can be viewed as a journey. For believers in Jesus Christ, the significant milestones on the journey include the time you make the decision to become a Christ-follower. Another significant milestone is the day you are baptized.