Westwood UMC - Los Angeles, CA

This is a season of revelation: of new insight and new clarity about the calling God sets before us. We are invited by God not to simply live in the world as we understand it. Instead, we are asked to envision the beloved community that becomes possible when we live with Christ-like love. Jesus tells us to let our lights shine, so that what God is doing through us might be visible to the world. We are called to make a difference for others. Sunday, February 8, 2026 Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter

This is a season of revelation: of new insight and new clarity about the calling God sets before us. We are invited by God not to simply live in the world as we understand it. Instead, we are asked to envision the beloved community that becomes possible when we live with Christ-like love. Even when they aren't the blessings we asked for, we are invited to honor what God is doing in and around us. Sunday, February 1, 2026 Rev. Molly Vetter

Familiar words of faith—especially the call to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God"—can suddenly feel newly urgent and radical, reminding us that the heart of the gospel is an uncompromising commitment to love, compassion, and care. Drawing on Jesus' proclamation of the "kingdom of heaven," this is not as a distant afterlife or political project, but as a present, lived obedience to God's expansive love that reshapes how we belong, act, and care for one another. Through examples ranging from the Martin Luther King Jr. lecture to prayerful public witness against violence and injustice, we see how the kingdom of heaven is "at hand" whenever communities choose solidarity, healing, and hope. Ultimately, we are called to clarify our mission in this season: to tend bodies and hearts, stand with the vulnerable, refuse exclusion, and hold on to one another in trust that God's dawn of justice and love is already breaking among us. Sunday, January 25, 2026 Rev. Molly Vetter

This is a season of revelation: of new insight and new clarity about the calling God sets before us. We are invited by God not to simply live in the world as we understand it. Instead, we are asked to envision the beloved community that becomes possible when we live with Christ-like love. We have to pay attention, because God doesn't always show up in the ways we expect; God is doing a new thing. Sunday, January 18, 2026 Rev. Molly Vetter

This is a season of revelation: of new insight and new clarity about the calling God sets before us. We are invited by God not to simply live in the world as we understand it. Instead, we are asked to envision the beloved community that becomes possible when we live with Christ-like love. We begin from love, the love of a God who chooses to be with us in it all, who knows us as we are, and who calls us beloved. Sunday, January 11, 2026 Rev. Molly Vetter

Christ is born, yet it feels as if the world has not changed. The temptation to give up is strong, especially in the face of violence. But the magi don't let Herod's fear-driven demands stop them from honoring the newborn Christ or returning home by a different way. They model for us what it looks like to be led by hope, moving through fear without letting it paralyze us. As our Christmas series ends and a new year begins, we proclaim: our journey continues, and fear won't have the last word. We will also celebrate the sacraments, communion and baptism. It is our joy to baptize three children: Omotanwa Iara Bamgbose Woodley, Olujimi "Olu" Ayotunde Bamgbose Whitaker, and Olatunji "Tunji" Tonali Rios. Sunday, January 4, 2026 Rev. Molly Vetter

The Holy Family fears for their safety and for their child's life, like so many refugees around the world. Their valid fears motivate them to move—and so they seek refuge in Egypt until it is safe for them to return home. Instead of trying to push fear away, what if we used it as fuel? What if we harnessed that incredible source of energy for good, fighting for a world where no one fears for their safety? Sunday, December 28, 2025 Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter

Join us for one combined Westwood UMC worship gathering as we celebrate Christmas in joyful worship as the children retell this sacred story. With music from our Loft Band, and on our Sanctuary organ, we invite you to celebrate this holy day in our beautiful sanctuary. This Sunday, our children share the Christmas story in scripture with their presence, as we celebrate the gifts of Emmanuel, God with us. "Give me your hand" might seem counter to how we usually respond to fear, but what if fear can result in connection instead of isolation? We don't live out our callings in isolation—our communal flourishing depends on each person stepping into their calling despite their fear. How can we offer support to one another? When do we need to accept an outstretched hand? And can we use our power and privilege to stand in solidarity with people whose lives are at risk? Sunday, December 21, 2025 Rev. Molly Vetter

When we step forward in faith, we're not necessarily leaving our fears behind. In the calling of Mary and Elizabeth, we are reminded that most callings begin with some degree of self-doubt, trepidation, and uncertainty. When taking uncertain steps forward, we may be comforted to imagine the mother of God saying "yes" with a trembling voice. Whatever the reason she then retreats to her cousin Elizabeth's house, whatever the fears and threats she faces, she steps forward anyway, with the words of the Magnificat forming on her lips. Sunday, December 14, 2025 Rev. Molly Vetter

This Advent, we jump to the end of John the Baptist's ministry to hone in on a moment when deep fear and suffering cause him to question the impact of his life's work. With him, we also ask: "Have my efforts made a difference? Is God truly at work?" Even more: Is my hope solely dependent upon outcomes, tangible proof, or positive change? We are called to a hope that shimmers still, even when things feel impossible. We are called as a community to keep hope alive for one another. Sunday, December 7, 2025 Rev. Molly Vetter

From global ecological disaster to national political crisis to local violence - and even the recent vandalism of our church sign - we, like those who first heard the Good News of Christ's birth, long for God to "break in" and stop the harm. What a strange and beautiful gift to remember that the good news of Christmas is made for a time like this: in the first chapter of Luke, verse five reminds us that the gospel story starts "in the time of Herod," a ruler remembered for his brutality and suspicion. Our Advent journey this year invites us to name our fears, trusting in the power of divine hope to break in, still. Sunday, November 30, 2025 Rev. Molly Vetter

Join us for our tradition of one, combined worship gathering this Sunday, as we celebrate generosity this Thanksgiving Sunday. With musical leadership from our organ, the Sanctuary Choir, and the Loft band, Pastor Molly will preach on our new Westwood UMC mission statement. It calls us to the work of growing Jesus' beloved community, a calling that unites us across our diversities in the shared work of justice and compassion. Our shared witness is a testimony of hope that has the capacity to change our world. Sunday, November 23, 2025 Rev. Molly Vetter

Our newly-adopted mission statement describes our values of justice and compassion, a pair of values that express our public and private commitments to Christ-like acts of mercy. These values are an expression of the ancient wisdom of scripture, including from Hebrew prophets and in Jesus life and witness. This Sunday, we continue a focus on our congregation's mission, as it invites each of us to be a part of this community and its "Chorus of Generosity." Sunday, November 16, 2025 Rev. Molly Vetter

In this powerful sermon, theologian and author Kat Armas—drawing from her new book Liturgies for Resisting Empire—invites listeners to confront both the external and internal forces of empire that shape our imaginations, relationships, and faith. Reflecting on the story of the hummingbird and the mission of Westwood UMC, Armas reminds us that true liberation begins within: in the slow, sacred work of unlearning fear, hierarchy, and scarcity so we can embody God's abundance and kinship. Through the stories of Exodus, the wilderness, and the early church, she paints a vision of "kingdom" as kinship—a community of mutuality, justice, and love that resists domination and embraces difference. Her message calls us to be like the hummingbird: small but steadfast, carrying drops of courage and compassion to help heal the world, one act of resistance and love at a time. Sunday, November 9, 2025 Special Guest preacher Kat Armas, with Rev. Molly Vetter

We are pleased to welcome Sharon Rhodes-Wickett back to our Westwood pulpit for All Saints Day this year. Sharon was Senior Pastor of Westwood UMC from 1994-2006, and was a regular leader in our midst more recently in retirement. We are glad that she is returning to help us remember the saints who have gone before us. We encourage you to bring photos or mementos of loved ones you remember on this occasion to set on the altar during worship; you can bring them up to the altar before or during the prelude. After worship, please reclaim your items to take them home. Sunday, November 2, 2025 Rev. Dr. Sharon Rhodes-Wickett

In our Gospel lesson, Jesus uses parables to give essential and needed reminders about how God's dreams are different from our dominant culture. Jesus celebrates faithfulness that looks more like anti-hero than classic icon. This week, the gospel centers on and celebrates the great faithfulness that is shown through our vulnerable humility. Sunday, October 26, 2025 Rev. Molly Vetter

In our Gospel lesson, Jesus uses parables to give essential and needed reminders about how God's dreams are different from our dominant culture. Jesus celebrates faithfulness that looks more like anti-hero than classic icon. This week, the gospel centers on and celebrates whose great faithfulness comes through uncomfortable persistence. Sunday, October 19, 2025 Rev. Molly Vetter

In our Gospel lesson, Jesus uses parables to give essential and needed reminders about how God's dreams are different from our dominant culture. Jesus celebrates faithfulness that looks more like an anti-hero than a classic icon. This week, the gospel centers on and celebrates a stranger (a foreigner, an outsider) who shows us the greatest faithfulness. Sunday, October 12, 2025 Rev. Molly Vetter

Our Season of Creation concludes with a feast of grace - a celebration of World Communion Sunday, and a call to trust in our capacity to be a part of God's dream of flourishing for the world. Even when it's difficult, even when our efforts seem so small, we are called to work for the well-being of all creation. Sunday, October 5, 2025 Rev. Molly Vetter

Our Season of Creation continues with lament—honest recognition of environmental harm and heartfelt compassion. Borrowing words from the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah, our lamentations give way to healing as our repentance points us toward God's justice, and a renewed commitment to God's vision for a flourishing world. Sunday, September 28, 2025Rev. Molly Vetter