20 Mar Open Doors at Holy Week

Greetings Westwood Community,

On Easter, we get to open our doors to welcome our community to share the joy that is at the heart of our faith tradition as we celebrate resurrection. In a world that’s so often divided by age and race, economic status, gender, sexual orientation, and ideologies, our Gospel keeps breaking down barriers, calling us to practice hospitality that welcomes all, and affirms the divine image in each one of us. I want to invite you to help us share this gift, and make all of our Holy Week an especially welcoming time.

First: I hope you will make plans to spend Easter with us!

Our Sanctuary is such an incredible, bright, holy space, and Easter worship is always inspiring. At 9:30, our Sanctuary choir will be joined by brass and timpani to lead transcendent music; our children will sing, and our Chimes Choir will play. I look forward to preaching about hope.

Our Loft Gathering will happen in our beautiful sanctuary at 11:45am, when the Singers of Soul Gospel Choir will join our Loft Band for inspiring worship music, and Dr. Carter will bring a message of liberation and love.

And there’s an Easter Tea Party! From 10:30-11:45, join us on the courtyard for food and fellowship amid beautiful flowers and beautiful community! There will be activities for kids and families, including real bunnies (!).

Second: I hope you will invite someone new to join us for Easter. There is no invitation more effective than a personal invitation, and I encourage you to think about who you might extend one to.

Third: I encourage you to volunteer to help make it all happen. Sign up to help with the Tea Party, or email Pastor Diana to see if you’d be willing to help with the bunnies. I know so many of you already have regular volunteer roles–you sing in the choir, and help as greeters. Please know it’s always helpful if you show up ready to be a friendly, welcoming leader in our community, making sure someone else feels at home in our midst.

Of course, there’s plenty of additional ways to show up during Holy Week, too–this Sunday, we’ll celebrate Palm Sunday. (Diana wanted me to remind families to meet up on the plaza outside the Sanctuary at 9:25 for a Palm Procession!) There’s an afternoon organ concert, featuring our very own Josh Roebuck. And next week we have a Maundy Thursday Sound Bath, and Good Friday worship in the Loft. Read about it all online at www.EasterAtWestwood.com.

I look forward to sharing this meaningful season with you.

grace and peace,
Pastor Molly