Every point of the Scout Law helps guide young people to make ethical and moral decisions over the course of their lives. Ideally, they remind themselves of the tenets that follow the words “A Scout is…” every day. But we can all use a reminder. Each February, around the time of the BSA’s birthday, we ask Scouts to focus on the 12th point of the Scout Law: reverent. Through the celebration known as Scout Sunday, Scouts can reflect on their faith. The Scouting program, which features Cub Pack 107, Troop 107, and Troop 1107, here at Westwood First Presbyterian Church is more than just an activity for our youth to learn about the outdoors, earn merit badges, or advance in rank. Scouting provides fun, fellowship, and training to our youth, emphasizing honesty, self-reliance, and respect. Through a year-round program, it affects character, citizenship, and personal growth.

As the Boy Scouts of America celebrates its anniversary—and as we begin our year-long celebration of 100 years as the chartering organization for Troop 107—we welcome the Cubs, Scouts, leaders, volunteers, as well as their families and friends. We salute the amazing volunteers who serve as Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, and in other positions of leadership. Westwood First is truly blessed to have the opportunity to partner with the Cubs and Scouts in this ministry, as we look for new ways to work together and come together as a community of faith.

First Scripture Reading: Psalm 133                                               

1 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion.   For there the LORD ordained his blessing, life forevermore.

Second Scripture Reading: James 2:14-18                             

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Surely that faith cannot save, can it? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?  17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from works, and I by my works will show you faith.

Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17                                                 

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing, but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.