155 2nd Avenue* Westwood, New Jersey * 201-664-1325       

Dear Friends in Christ:

As we enter the month of May, my thoughts turn to Mother’s Day (May 13.)  I hope your thoughts will as well this year.  I consider this day as close to a Holy Day as you can come in the “secular” world, for the courageous and tenacious love of a mother is Holy in my estimation.  I always remember my father’s words to his three boys (of whom I am the youngest), “You are never too old to kiss your mother.”  (Of course, we know that meant we were never too old to kiss him, too, and we always did.)

Now before I wax on about the virtues of mothers, let me make my disclaimers — my mom used to frequently drive me nuts!  But I knew it was because of her love for me, and she had a big part in making me who I am today AND I know not every one has a good mom, although when you measure it all out there seems to be a lot more moms closer to the ideal than dads (I think we need to take a hint from this guys.)

To me, the most remarkable job moms do is the incredible nurturing, protecting, caring and teaching they do from the beginning, and I mean the beginning.  Carrying that tiny, embryonic life.  Protecting that life in their womb.  Denying themselves many things in order to protect and nurture.  Giving birth, more protection, more nurture, sleepless nights, always on call.  That baby cannot survive a day without its mother’s love.  Teaching every second of that newborn’s life in every way.

And all along, to some degree, preparing for the time they need to let that baby go off into life as an adult (?)

Wow!  that is an awesome job.  It’s a job that really requires a mom and a dad, both doing their part.

I hope you will be with us this Mother’s Day to give thanks for your mother.  I’ll be debuting a song I wrote several years ago for Mother’s Day, “Chances Are Good It Was Mother” at both services.

We’ll also be giving out pink carnations to everyone in attendance (one per person.)

Wherever you are, make sure to thank God for your mother on this day.

In Christ,

Pastor Thomas J. Pranschke

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 Below are two photos of our newly installed columbarium at Westwood Cemetary. Members, and their family members, are invited to consider this as an option for a final earthly resting place. Contact the church office for details.

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