Pentecost: The Spirit is Present Through Us: Educators Share Stories of Resilience and Beauty

Apostles' Creed: An Introduction

A creed is a formal statement of core beliefs or guiding principles. Often a creed is composed of ‘I Believe’ statements and these statements could and should lead to actions informed by the creed. Living out the actions resulting from the creed tells outside observers who we are. The Apostles’ Creed is neither written in the bible, nor was it written by Apostles. However, it is an encapsulation of the entire bible, and captures the Triune nature of God. There are three articles in the Apostles’ Creed, each starting with an ‘I believe’ statement.   Today’s message is brought to us by Pastor Jason, and the scripture reading comes from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, Chapter 2, verses 5 - 11.  After Jason’s message, Pastor Tania leads the congregation in the Ionian Creed.   Ionian Creed: We believe that God is present in the darkness before the dawn; in the waiting and uncertainty where fear and courage join hands. Conflict and caring link arms, and the sun rises over barbed wire. We believe in a with-us God who sits down in our midst to share our humanity. We affirm a faith that takes us beyond a safe place: into action, into vulnerability and onto the streets. We commit ourselves to work for change and put ourselves on the line; to bear responsibility, take risks, live powerfully and face humiliation; to stand with those on the edge; to choose life and be used by the Spirit for God’s new community of hope. Amen

The Blessing of Hospitallity: The View From Tanzania

Guests are a blessing. Jesus told the Disciples to go out and share the good news, and that they would be showered with hospitality. Hospitality is the process of a stanger taken under protection of the host for a given time during the period of hospitality. The disciples needed hospitality because of the dangers of the world and their vulnerability. Sometimes the roles of those who need welcome and those who offer welcome can change and both parties can do both the welcoming and receiving  welcome. Today's message comes from Pastor Sarah. Our Gospel comes from John  Chapter 10, verses 40-42. Our scripture lesson is Psalm 100.

Race Equity: A Westwood Core Value

The Gospel of John tells us that we are freed by faith alone, and crucified in Christ. However, our culture is trying to remove our remembrances of the sacrifices and the contributions of our non-white brothers and sisters with the intent that we forget. Westwood stands diametrically opposed to this attempt to rewrite history.  Today's message comes from Pastor Jason. Our Gospel comes from John  Chapter 8, verses 31 - 36. Our scripture lesson is from 2 Samuel, Chapter 13, verses 20-22.

Affirming LGBTQIA+: A Westwood Core Value

The church exists for all of the people of the world. It doesn't exist to keep us comfortable and cloistered behind our walls. When we live the mission and the Holy Spirit gets unleashed, the endings are unimaginable. Each of us has the good news of God's gift to be shared anywhere and everywhere. Today's message comes from Pastor Sarah. Our scripture lesson comes from Psalm 100, and our Gospel comes from Matthew Chapter's 9 verse 35 to Chapter 10, verse 8.

Child Well-being: A Westwood Core Value

The Gospel of Matthew shares that a value for Christian discipleship is both creating a welcoming space for children and pursuing their well-being in our communities.  This values isn’t just something decided on, but comes from being swept up into God’s story of grace and calling in Jesus. Today's message comes from Pastor Jason. Our bible reading is Psalm 127, and our Gospel comes from Matthew Chapter 9, verses 18 - 26.