Dear friends in Christ,
I was initially going to tell you that this Sunday we will be discussing the concept of Covenant. But as I have been working on my sermon over the past week, I’ve come back again and again to how this church is living and embodying the Covenant. Perhaps in the past you’ve heard the Ten Commandments presented as a list of Do’s and Don’ts that will be used as the ultimate litmus test for righteousness. However, it is rarely approached as a basis for living in beloved community, in relation to the other two covenants of Noah and Abraham. This church has a rich history of living out the covenant, and this past week we have had opportunity after opportunity to recommit to the Covenants with each other and with our greater community.
Please join us this Sunday as we explore the Covenant handed to Moses through the lens of our history, present, and future as West Hollywood United Church of Christ. We will hear a special Word from Rev. Lisa Bove, and dedicate and bless a special symbol of Covenant with the Trans community.
A Special Note
This past Sunday we hosted a vigil and march in honor of Nex Benedict, the teenager in Oklahoma that recently died after a violent altercation in their school bathroom. A special thanks to Tere Riordan and Pam Apostolou who showed up early, worked throughout the 3+ hour event, and stayed late to tidy up. I am especially grateful to Ryan Cassata for mentioning his desire to hold the vigil so that I could offer our sanctuary for the purpose. Neither of us imagined that three days later there would be over 300 people filling our sanctuary, fellowship hall, courtyard, and sidewalk.
The full video of the Nex Benedict vigil that was held in our sanctuary can be viewed here. I asked for a few minutes to address the assembly, and my message starts at 14:31.
We received a lot of coverage in the news, and I encourage you to check it out.
Channel 7 Eyewitness News was there, and you can watch their news article here.
Click here to read a shout-out from a local blogger on Facebook.
This is the original statement mentioning our church from WeHo Mayor John M. Erickson
A Special Note
Thank you to our 12-step groups who gather in our Fellowship Hall during the week. They decided to replenish the paper towels in our hands-free dispensers. These are expensive to refill, and they don’t make the refills for our models anymore, so they found an accessory and upgraded the machines so they could refill them. Thank you so much to these wonderful groups!
SAVE THE DATE
March 10 @11:00 AM – Reception of New Members! We will be receiving three new members during worship. This is a communal and covenantal worship service, and we need everyone there to participate. If you are interested in joining West Hollywood UCC but were not able to attend the class on February 23, please reach out to Pastor Tracy as we will be arranging another class soon! Email pastor@wehoucc.org or call or text (323)793-9059.
Holy Week Activities:
March 24 at 11:00 am – Palm Sunday with Parade of Palms
March 27 at 7:00 PM – Prayer Group
March 28 at 6:30 PM – Maundy Thursday Soup Supper
March 30 from 9 AM – 12 Noon – Making Easter Bonnets at our Knitting Ministry Potluck Brunch
March 30 – The Let My People Show (7:30 PM) with Cocktails in the Courtyard (6:30 PM)
March 31 at 11:00 AM – Join us for a festive worship service and Easter Bonnet Parade
April 1 – 7 – Pastor Tracy will be out of the office
April 7 – Guest Preacher Rev. Sue Fisher
We will look forward to seeing you there!
Many blessings,
Pastor Tracy
