If you own a Roku, you can now subscribe to the Woodland Hills channel through your Roku device and watch sermons on your TV. To add the channel, just go to the “Spiritual” category and look for this image:

For those who don’t know, a Roku is a set top device, similar to an Apple TV, where you can subscribe to different “channels” that stream media content to your television using your internet connection. Sermons will show up at the same time our podcast is available (Monday afternoon). A little background on how we’re able to offer this…

A while back we heard from a podrishioner and web developer, John Calhoun. John had a Roku and wanted to watch Woodland Hills’ sermons through it. Roku allows anyone with enough coding skills to create their own private channel, so John threw together some code and created a channel that streamed WH sermons. He then contacted us and asked if we wanted to make it an official public Woodland Hills channel and we said “sure!” Thanks to John for creating this and sharing it with us!

Echo is part of the Emerging Generation ministry at Woodland Hills and focuses on 7th-12th graders

So why and how is the Echo ministry different? The kids actually want to attend each week. They are building relationships that carry on outside of the group, they are doing service projects and they have worship sessions that rival the main WH Services.

I talked with Erica Hunt, WH’s Emerging Generation Associate Pastor. Erica is one of five WH staff members working with youth. This group is doing amazing things because they aren’t limiting God, or the kids.

Echo is drawing 7-12^th graders from all over the metro area because they have found the sweet spot of loving God, each other, diving into God’s word, discussing, doing good works, and having fun. Because they have a team of committed youth ministry veterans, they are able to administer giving kids major leadership roles.

Phrases of praise that participating kids often use to describe Echo include “home away from home” and “community” and “extended family.” Erica explained how she, sees “kids getting excited to be a part of something bigger than themselves. They realize through experiences here that it’s not just about ‘me and God.’ Echo gives them chances to use the gifts God has given them and it’s amazing to watch it happen.”

Echo On Any Given Wednesday

Beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays about 80 7th-12th graders converge on Woodland Hills. They start off with a relaxed social time (games and music) in two different team rooms (geographically based to foster deeper lasting relationships). Next, the students go to a whole-group worship and teaching time, then break off into their dialogue groups to discuss the night’s teaching, aka “spinning the diamond.” At 8 p.m. 10-12^th graders head out and the 7-9^th graders stay for Journey group (small group) time. Tenth-twelfth graders meet at a host’s home on Sunday evenings for their Journey group time.

Every week, same time, and same place – unless students are meeting in homes – Echo is building God’s kingdom, one beautiful person at a time. That’s a mission worth Echoing throughout all time.

More About Echo

Find out more about Echo on their web page, Facebook page or contact Erica at ehunt@whchurch.org or 651-287-2070. You can also pick up information about Echo at the Hub.

I can relate to Timothy as much as any other character in Scripture. As a young minister three years into my first pastorate, I am becoming more and more aware of both my own abilities and shortcomings, growing in gratitude for those the Lord has and continues to use to pour into my life.

In my first few years of ministry as a pastor in a moderately sized church in Northern Ontario, Canada, I’ve felt compelled to compile a list and thank the many “Paul’s” who have either knowingly or unknowingly invested both time and energy into my life. Greg Boyd and other preachers at Woodland Hills have served as my “pod-mentors” in the faith and this letter is my opportunity to express my heartfelt thank you.

My introduction to Greg Boyd came six years ago in seminary when a former theology professor, at the conclusion of a lecture on the providence of God, encouraged me to read the book “God of the Possible”. Pushing past the few in the class who were strongly opposed to the book, (imagine that-people taking issue with something Greg has written!) I promptly headed for the campus library where I found the book and read it cover to cover in one sitting. It was the first of many of Greg’s writings and teachings which gave form and articulation to theological issues which I had been wrestling with, unable to coherently communicate.

The following semester, “God at War” was the primary reading for a spiritual warfare course (I didn’t quite get through that one in one sitting but I ate it up nonetheless). Since then I have been a Woodland Hills “podrishoner” and have been encouraged and challenged week to week by the Spirit-infused messages which renew my mind (Rom. 12:2) and pierce my heart (Heb. 4:12).

In April 2010, my mother Nancy, who had been to me spiritually, what Timothy’s mother had been to him, went to be with the Lord-after eighteen years of battling various forms of cancer and the even more pain-filled emotional trauma which accompany such afflictions.

It was an early morning in April 2010 when mom took her last breath immediately after my two sisters and I concluded singing “Jesus Loves Me”. Little did I know that at that time, the death of my mother coincided with Greg launching a sermon series entitled “Scandalous Love”. For the next 7 weeks, God used that series of messages to do a deep work within me in the midst of my pain and grief, reminding me of the scandalous, outrageous love of God seen most clearly in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is fitting that I write this pod-story and reminisce about my mother on the day that she would have celebrated her 62^nd birthday. Although we threw her some awesome birthday parties over the years, I know they pale in comparison to the eternal party she is a part of now! I am celebrating the reality that she is now experiencing the fullness of God’s love beyond anything we can see or imagine (1 Cor. 2:9, Eph. 3:19).

Recently, I felt compelled to formally introduce our congregation to this Greg Boyd character whose books I had often referred people to (“Letters from a Skeptic” and “Is God to Blame?” have helped numerous people in my circle of influence to work through difficult questions and tragic life experiences) and whom I often quote during sermons. During a recent sermon series, I shared Greg’s 2009 message “Gatekeepers of the Royal Son”. The message struck a chord with myself and the entire congregation, as we took an honest look at how we, much like the disciples of Jesus, can and do get in the way of people genuinely looking for Jesus.

2012 kicked off with an addition to our sanctuary–a wrestling ring from in which I’ve been preaching a series of real and raw messages about wrestling with God. Greg’s courage and brutal honesty has challenged me to do likewise in preaching the gospel (no one has jumped in the ring to body slam me yet, although we’re only halfway through the series!) and God’s been honouring our “realness” as he has been challenging some of our assumptions and re-centering us on Christ and his love in a powerful way.

On behalf of myself, my beautiful wife Sylvie and a small church in cold, snowy Northern Ontario, striving, by God’s grace to be a more faithful bride, thanks Greg and the Woodland Hills family for your continued witness of love and truth and the courage to speak out against the lust for violence, political power and distorted views of God much of the church has and does subscribe to. In doing so the Holy Spirit has used you to “fan into flame the gift of God within us” (2 Tim. 1:6).

For the next three weeks we’re running Sustain 2012, and encouraging people who download our sermons to help support our church on a regular basis by signing up as sustaining podrishioners. (“Podrishioners” is our name for parishioners who podcast our sermons.)

Originally, a group of donors made commitments so that WH will receive an additional $160 for each sustainer who gives regularly in any amount (up to 150 sign-ups). More matching donations have come in, so that number is now up to $225 per sustainer!

Thank you to our matching donors, and to our podrishioners – we truly appreciate your partnership!

Find out more about how you can become a sustaining podrishioner.

This is certainly one of the most significant changes we can imagine for our weekend services, and our leadership teams will be working hard to sort out a plan for the future in the coming weeks. Norm has talked with leadership about how the change can be handled in as wise a manner as possible, and the current plan is for a three-month transition before he officially steps out of the ministry at the end of April.

We’d like to take a moment here and publicly thank Norm for the ways that he’s served and led in our church body for so long. He has poured himself into our worship ministry, the staff, and the scores of people who have volunteered under his leadership. He is leaving us with a strong and vibrant ministry that has helped define our weekend services for a very, very long time. We’re eternally grateful for his Kingdom service at Woodland!

Please join us in prayer for this entire situation. Pray that God clearly leads Norm and his wife, Di, about what’s next for them, and that he clearly leads us so we can transition into a post-Norm worship ministry as smoothly as possible.

Join us on Friday, February 10 from 5:00-9:00 pm for a fun-filled family-friendly night!

• Kid’s Carnival: $5 per child gets unlimited access to all carnival games and bounce house. Carnival food also available to purchase.
• Chili and Cornbread dinner: $7/adults, $3 for kids 10 and under. Includes all chili fixings, cookie and a beverage.
• Silent auction, Cake walk and Raffle
• Live Music from Greg Wollan, Ruth Richmond, Dave Harland and Deynn Hampton.

Fundraiser is for Mary Swanson, a WH Covenant Partner recently diagnosed with leukemia.

Other Ways to Help

Donations of any size are always welcome.

Donate Via PayPal: Click on the button below to donate directly to Mary’s trust fund at Wells Fargo.

Donate by Check: You may also donate by check in either of the following 2 ways.

Checks can be made payable to ”For the Benefit of Mary P. Swanson” and dropped off at any Wells Fargo Bank or mailed to:

Wells Fargo Bank
Re: For the Benefit of Mary P Swanson Account
IDS Center Skyway Level
80 South 8th St Suite 281
Minneapolis MN 55402

Or send to Woodland Hills (Charitable receipts are available upon request):

Woodland Hills Church, Attn: Mary Anderson
1740 Van Dyke St.
St. Paul, MN 55109

We are also accepting donations of baked goods for the cake walk!

For more information contact Michelle at michelleissocial@gmail.com or 651-206-7605.

Parents, take the night off knowing your children are having a great time! Parent Night Out is on Tuesday, February 14 from 6:00-8:30 pm here at church. Heroes Gate will provide fun activities, a movie, crafts and a light snack for children ages birth through 11 years old.

This is FREE if you preregister by Sunday, February 12 using the link below (preregistration helps us plan ahead for supplies and volunteers). Otherwise, it will be $10 per child at the door.

REGISTER NOW

DOWNLOAD PERMISSION FORM (PDF)