IN THIS WEEK’S UPDATE
• Sunday Gathering: Learning to Move Again
• Monthly Luncheon
• Elder Board Update
• Last Week’s Insights
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2026
Last week, we looked at the differences between King Saul and David. Both were chosen by God and anointed by God, but they reacted very differently when things did not go their way. Saul compromised his faith with small acts of disobedience and took matters into his own hands. David trusted God and depended on Him in every battle. David discerned and asked, “What is God doing?” while Saul reacted and asked, “What am I losing?”
When David became king, he had grown into a spiritual giant. He wrote psalms of praise, relied on God for each step as a leader, and followed wherever God led. But as we will see in this week’s cautionary tale, strength in one season does not guarantee faithfulness in the next.
Join us as we continue Learning to Move Again and examine how we guard our hearts in seasons of strength just as carefully as we do in seasons of struggle.
MONTHLY LUNCHEON
Join us after the service for our monthly luncheon in the gym. This month’s main dish will be a magnificent casserole featuring baked beans, bacon, ground beef, cheese, and more, with salad on the side.
Feel free to bring a dessert to share. You are also welcome to stop by early to help set up or stay afterward to help clean up. These lunches are a simple way to share a meal, linger a little longer, and connect with one another.
ELDER BOARD UPDATE
The monthly update from the elder board was presented on February 22 and is summarized below. If you have any questions, please contact the elders at board@woodcrest.org. Copies of the handout with the top desired qualities for the co-pastor role and five-year trends in attendance and giving are available at the Welcome Center.
Strong Financial Turnaround
Woodcrest ended 2025 financially stable, paying off its $3 million mortgage, becoming debt-free, reducing annual expenses by over $240,000, and fully funding benevolence through a $41,500 Christmas offering. The church begins 2026 in the black and will continue providing monthly financial updates in the weekly email.
Balanced 2026 Budget with Co-Pastor Included
The 2026 budget projects $900,000 in income and $884,200 in expenses, including salary and benefits for an additional co-pastor. Leaders plan to cover operating costs through regular giving while reserving long-term investment funds from the property sale for strategic, future-focused initiatives.
Co-Pastor Search Progressing Well
A national search has produced four strong candidates, with multiple interviews completed. The board is seeking a spiritually mature, collaborative leader with strong preaching ability, relational skills, family ministry experience, and alignment with Woodcrest’s core values. A hiring decision is expected soon.
Kidcrest and Youth Renovation Plans
The church is preparing for a summer remodeling project, approximately 12 weeks in length, to improve safety, functionality, and learning environments for children and youth. An experienced project manager is being engaged to oversee detailed planning, bidding, and contractor coordination.
Ministry Development and Congregational Engagement
Plans are underway to launch a discipleship training pathway for the entire congregation, beginning with staff and lay leaders. Volunteer teams are also being organized to assist with weekly cleaning as facility needs have shifted following the sale of the property.
LAST WEEK’S INSIGHTS
Last Sunday, Kelly Wright continued our Learning to Move Again series by contrasting King Saul and David, showing how fear of losing control can turn into jealousy and grasping, while discernment keeps us aligned with God’s timing.
Highlights:
• Watch your default question under pressure: “What am I losing?” versus “What is God doing?”
• Saul spiraled when he stopped seeking God and started seeing David as a threat.
• David refused to force the outcome. He trusted God with the process and the timing.
• Not every “open door” is direction. Some are character tests.
• A simple discernment path from Ruth Haley Barton: prayer of indifference, prayer for wisdom, gather and assess information, seek inner confirmation or peace.
The Takeaway
Do not rush what God has promised. Seek God, discern His timing, and choose the faithful next step instead of grabbing control.
OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF
• Check out Kidcrest, our children’s ministry HERE
• The Loop: sign up for our student ministry newsletter HERE
• Watch services at WoodcrestWorldwide.org
• Engage on Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
• Download the Woodcrest App: CLICK
• Last, but definitely not least: Set up a recurring donation