IN THIS WEEK’S UPDATE
• Fruit of the Spirit
• Elder Board Candidate
• Elder Board Update Recap
• Welcome to Woodcrest Brunch
• Outside the Walls
• Last Week's Insights
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2026
This Sunday, we wrap up our series on the Fruit of the Spirit with self-control, and at first glance, self-control doesn’t seem to fit. When we put it alongside the other segments of the Fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and faithfulness, it sounds out of place.
So why would Paul include self-control in the lineup? Join us this weekend as we explore this final segment of the Fruit of the Spirit.
DUANE EPPERSON | ELDER BOARD CANDIDATE
Duane Epperson is being recommended for congregational affirmation as a member of the Elder Board. If affirmed, Duane will begin a three-year term in October 2026.
Duane has been a Columbia resident since age five. He attended school here and met his soulmate and spouse of 32 years, Trish. They are the proud parents of three grown children, Kaitlin, Cameron, and Nick. Life at home stays wonderfully lively with four dogs in the yard and their very first grandchild on the way.
Duane works remotely for a healthcare IT company. In his free time, he enjoys tackling DIY projects and woodworking or planning their next trip. Their travels have taken them around the globe, including memorable adventures in Jamaica, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, and Zambia.
As a third-generation Christian, Duane has been rooted in the church his whole life, and faith is at the heart of everything he does. He and Trish have attended Woodcrest for more than a decade, serving in several capacities, including Kidcrest. They are also licensed foster care providers, and opening their home to teen mothers and their babies has been one of the most profound blessings of their lives. Duane is deeply humbled and excited to serve Jesus as a member of the Elder Board.
If you have questions, affirmations, or concerns, please contact the Elder Board at board@woodcrest.org by September 11. Copies of Duane's bio are available at the Welcome Center or upon request from Ruben Zamarripa at boardpresident@woodcrest.org.
Thank you for your prayers and support as we seek God's guidance in this process.
ELDER BOARD UPDATE RECAP
July tithes and offerings totaled $62,504. With Dollar Club contributions and interest income, total income for the month was $84,361. This included $20,471 from a quarterly interest payment on the CD purchased with proceeds from the building sale. July expenses totaled $65,652, resulting in income exceeding expenses by $18,709 for the month. Year-to-date income has exceeded expenses by $36,543. Thank you for your generosity.
Average weekly adult attendance in July was 200, an increase of 17 adults per week over June. Average weekly giving was $15,626, slightly above the year-to-date average.
Coil Construction continues to make good progress on the Kidcrest remodeling project. Photos of the areas under construction were shared, and an open house for the entire church is planned when the project is completed, currently projected for early October.
The recruiting firm assisting with the co-pastor search has identified two new vetted and qualified candidates and presented them to the Elder Board on August 26. Initial interviews with the candidates are being planned for next week.
Beginning October 4, the monthly update from the elders will be shared during the monthly luncheon, allowing the information to reach more of the congregation.
WELCOME TO WOODCREST BRUNCH
Sunday, September 13 | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
Welcome to Woodcrest Brunch is a chance to get to know Woodcrest beyond Sunday mornings. Whether you’re new to Woodcrest or you’ve been coming for a while and want to get more connected, join us for brunch, meet some people, learn more about who we are, and discover ways to find your place in the Woodcrest community. RSVP here.
OUTSIDE THE WALLS
Woodcrest will serve a meal for our neighbors in need at Loaves and Fishes on Saturday evening, August 29, at the Opportunity Campus on Bowling Street.
Volunteer shifts are still available from 4:30–6:15 PM to help with serving and cleanup. We’d love to have you join us! Contact Sherry for more details.
LAST SUNDAY'S INSIGHTS
Matt Gordon continued our Fruit of the Spirit series by exploring faithfulness, reminding us that our ability to remain faithful is deeply connected to how much we trust the faithfulness of God. From the Garden of Eden onward, the persistent lie has been that God cannot fully be trusted. But Scripture tells a different story: God has proven His faithfulness, ultimately through Jesus, and our faithfulness grows as we learn to trust His.
Highlights
• Faithfulness is sustained trustworthiness over time. It includes steadfastness, reliability, integrity, and perseverance, especially when the initial excitement has faded.
• We are always faithful to something. The question is what or whom receives our deepest loyalty, whether God or things like approval, money, comfort, control, or our own desires.
• The lie beneath our unfaithfulness is often the suspicion that God will not be faithful to us. Like Adam and Eve, we take matters into our own hands when we doubt God's goodness, provision, or promises.
• God's faithfulness goes first. We cannot earn His love, repay Him, or make ourselves worthy through performance or sacrifice. In Jesus, God has already demonstrated the depth of His love and faithfulness toward us.
• Micah 6:8 gives us a picture of faithfulness in response to God's: act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. We serve others, extend the mercy we've received, and stay close to God through the journey.
• Walking humbly with God is intentionally steady and relational. Staying close allows us to notice His faithfulness, talk with Him honestly, and keep walking even when we struggle or fall.
Takeaway
God is faithful, so we can be faithful too. The more clearly we see and trust His steadfast love, the more our lives can reflect it. Rather than trying to earn God's favor, we respond to what He has already done by acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with Him, becoming faithful reflections of the God who was faithful first.
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