What Is Worship the Westbury Way?
A church for all people‌ with more than enough love to go around.
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n Acts 2, we read the powerful Pentecost story of the Holy Spirit coming to Christ’s followers. They were together “in one place,” and those present were from “every nation under heaven.” Each were heard and understood in their own native language. Despite their differences, it was the Holy Spirit of God that united them in worship. At Westbury UMC, we live Pentecost every Sunday in many ways. Peoples from many nations gather to worship the risen Christ and are filled with the unifying power of the Holy Spirit. We are most faithful when we remove every obstacle that may be in the way of being the church that God calls us to be. When we commit to following Christ within a United Methodist congregation—just like here at Westbury—we take this vow:
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in His grace, and promise to serve Him as your Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races? Let us continue in our faithfulness in being the kind of church that Christ has opened to all. In doing so, we will remain true to our church’s core values of multicultural inclusiveness, grace, accountability, transformation and community. Won’t you join us in worshipping “the Westbury way?” Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Rev. Homer Williams
Senior Pastor
Associate Pastor, Pastoral Care
Rev. R. DeAndre Johnson
Rev. Hannah Terry
Associate Pastor, Worship and Music
Associate Pastor, FAM
All Ages
WORSHIP TOGETHER
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rom toddlers to teenagers, young people have a tremendous capacity for worship. Their presence and participation in worship is a blessing to God. As the psalmist writes: “ Young men and women alike, old and young together! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.” (Psalm 148:12–13) At Westbury UMC, we value the contributions of our children within this multi-generational family. Although we offer nursery care for infants through age 4, the congregation welcomes children of any age to worship.
SERMON READINESS We consider a child to be developmentally ready to be attentive throughout the entire worship service, including the sermon, by the time he or she enters the 3rd grade. As a way of recognizing this milestone and congregational expectation, rising 3rd graders receive a Bible. For younger kids, we offer an optional Children’s Worship Time during the sermon that reinforces the focus of worship for the day in an age-appropriate way. Listen for the pastor’s instructions for when K–2nd graders should make their way to the Children’s Wing. On Communion Sundays, children will return to celebrate the sacrament with their families. WAYS TO ENGAGE CHILDREN To assist young children in following along in the printed order of worship, you’ll notice graphic symbols out beside each new ritual or song (e.g., praying hands beside prayer time or a gift beside the offering). This design not only
What to Expect
aids pre-readers, but also benefits people with intellectual disabilities, people with English as a second language and those who are unfamiliar with worship elements. We welcome children to lead in worship by writing prayers, creating artwork for the altar, lighting candles, ushering, singing, playing instruments, etc. If you feel you need to leave worship for a time to tend to your children, we have a Family Room at the back of the Sanctuary where there are couches, toys and books, and a closed-circuit TV on which you can continue to see and hear the service. Please reserve the rocking chair for nursing mothers. WORSHIP ACROSS THE LIFESPAN There is a richness in worship when generations join together to bless God. Young and old and in between—no matter what your age—worship is the only thing we will do for eternity! We want parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members to feel affirmed and empowered in raising their children in the Christian faith. Your dedication to teaching your children how to worship is shared by the congregation as we are an extension of your family. When a child is baptized, all of us commit to “nurture this child in the faith.” Every Sunday, we reaffirm our baptismal vows as we faithfully welcome children to worship alongside us.
■ You may hear songs that are repetitive. This helps pre-readers to catch hold of the words and start singing too. ■ Because we welcome children in worship, we must learn to recognize their voices as God-pleasing, even if they seem distracting. ■ Worship may not always be perfectly quiet but it can still be reverent. Children learn the rhythms of worship from adults who model them regularly. ■ Be gracious. Parents may need assistance with uncooperative kids. Offer to help out with sincere kindness, not judgment. ■ Respect the different, sometimes simple prayers to which children connect. ■ Jesus told his wary disciples, “Let the little children come unto me” (Mark 10:14). We will model the same welcoming attitude toward the children in our midst.
All Nations
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WORSHIP TOGETHER
ith over 20 nationalities represented in our midst, Westbury UMC strives to create diverse worship experiences within this diverse community. Our church stands at the crossroads of neighborhoods made up of people from many nations, each one unique in God’s sight. How beautiful it is to be in a church as gifted and diverse as Westbury UMC! In the Spirit of Pentecost, each Sunday we look forward with eagerness to joining together in one place among the diverse voices we value here. Those voices may connect well with songs and prayers in other languages besides English—and that is part of what it means to worship the Westbury way. During the church’s listening posts conducted in 2010, we reacquainted ourselves with the community around us, learning about its increasing ethnic diversity. We affirmed both Westbury UMC and the community’s diversity as a gift of God and gifts are meant to be enjoyed and shared. We are blessed by a varied range of backgrounds and experiences at Westbury UMC and hope to reflect that diversity in our worship.
What to Expect ■ Don’t speak Swahili, French or Spanish? That’s okay! Someone in the pews around you does speak that language, so when you participate in global songs, you show honor to your neighbors’ culture and points of connection. The service will still be conducted primarily in English.
What to Expect ■R est assured that you will resonate with something meaningful during worship, even if some parts don’t reflect your preferences. ■Y ou may not be familiar with every song, but keep an open mind and softened heart. God may just be ready to bless you with new experiences and an appreciation for other cultures. ■Y our neighbor in the pew may not share your skin color, but each one shares a faith in the same Lord who transcends barriers of all kinds. Hallelujah!
All Races T
WORSHIP TOGETHER
he population in our community has grown and become more racially and ethnically diverse. In so many wonderful ways, God has positioned Westbury to model the multi-faceted kingdom of God for the world. Just look around you! In worship, we have traded in the often used labels “traditional” and “contemporary” and are beginning to worship in the way God is uniquely leading us. We are firmly grounded in our United Methodist roots. We embrace the tried and true liturgical aspects of our tradition. Rounding out our worship together, we praise God with the best of new compositions, as well as music birthed from different cultures around the world, black gospel songs and centuries-old hymns. Indeed, worship at Westbury is woven out of whatever kinds of song and prayer that best unite our voices to glorify God and point us to the scriptural focus of the day.
Westbury United Methodist Church
WestburyUMC.org
5200 Willowbend Blvd. Houston, TX 77096 713-723-0175