We’ll do all we can to ensure that you experience great music, welcoming people, an encouraging message and an environment of warm hospitality when you visit Westwood. Here’s some helpful information:
Finding Westwood:
We are located just north of the intersection of Highways 5 and 41 in Chanhassen (our mailing address says Excelsior but we are located in Chanhassen). Enter at Westwood Drive at West 78th Street (there is an entry sign) or off Tanadoona Drive. Click here for a map and directions.
Service Times:
We offer identical services at 8:30, 9:45, 11:05am and 5:00pm, all on Sunday. If you come to our most popular hours at 9:45 or 11:05 and have children that will take advantage of our great children’s programming, plan to arrive 15-20 minutes early so that you have time to get them registered through our convenient computerized check in system.
Our service at 5:00 is called “ELEMENTS” and is alternative in environment and music expression from that offered on Sunday morning. Click here for more information.
When You Visit:
There are designated visitor parking spaces near the front door. Feel free to take advantage of them! As you enter the building you’ll be greeted by someone who can also direct you to the Welcome Center, to the Children’s Area, to the Worship Service and they will be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
Children’s Ministry
Our ministry to kids and families is biblically-based, relational, creative, engaging and relevant to life. Our programs are designed to promote learning, growth and friendships with other children and adults. Children’s programs are provided for children in nursery-grade 4 during all of our Sunday worship hours. We use a computerized security check-in procedure that utilizes photo name badges and receipts to ensure your children’s safety. Come early on your first visit so you can be introduced to this system. In addition, all of our staff and volunteers working with children are thoroughly screened and trained. Our Children’s Team makes learning age-appropriate and fun. Children are grouped by their age and enjoy both large group activities and small group relationship building with peers and a same gender coach. The focus is on helping children develop a strong relationship with God. If you live in the area, chances are that school mates of your children are already here at Westwood! Click here to learn more about our ministry to kids:
Birth-age 5
Grades 1-5
Arts Programming for Kids
Student Ministry:
Westwood’s Student Ministry plays a critical role in helping students in grades 5-12 experience a dynamic love relationship with Jesus Christ. We accept students where they are—no strings attached, inviting them to journey further in their relationship with God.
CrossRoads is for 5th and 6th graders and is offered at 9:45am and 5:00pm.
Xchange is for 7th-9th graders and is offered at the 11:05 hour.
En Route is for 10-12th graders and is offered at the 11:05 hour.
Worship Service
As you enter the service an usher will hand you a Program that contains information on current opportunities. A tear-off panel serves as a registration card where you can tell us of your visit and request a call from a pastor, list prayer needs or ask for additional information. The Program also includes information on the service, space for taking notes to help you remember key points and an offering envelope which is intended for use by our regular attenders. There is no expectation for guests to participate in the offering.
Westwood services are dynamic and inspiring. As we express our worship to God, the music is celebratory though the style varies. Most Sundays you’ll experience a blend of updated traditional hymns, along with the contemporary songs of today. Worship is led by vocal ensembles, praise bands, and occasionally a choir and orchestra. We value variety and creativity! If you listen to stations like KTIS (98.5 FM), you will already be familiar with much of the music used in our worship services. We encourage you to participate by singing or clapping along. You may also choose to quietly reflect on the words which are projected on our side screens.
The thought-provoking messages present biblical truth in such a way that you can apply it to your life situation and respond to it. Wherever you are in your faith journey, the relevant messages will help take you to the next step. We think you’ll find the messages to be encouraging and helpful to your daily life. Many past messages are recorded on CD and DVD and are available to order at the Resource Center in the Commons area. Recordings of the messages are also available online through our website or through podcasts. Click here to go to the online message page.
Following The Service:
If you would like to meet our Senior Pastor following the service, you’ll find him down front greeting people. He’d love to meet you. Confidential prayer is also available with members of our prayer team following each of the services.
Stop by the Café Connection area in the Commons for a cup of coffee. As a first time guest, it’s our treat! If you didn’t stop by the Guest Reception area on your way in, do so following the service to meet some friendly folks and receive helpful information. To learn more about Westwood beyond the services, attend “Getting Acquainted” which is held the third Sunday afternoon of each month. Click here for more information.