Palm Sunday at 1013 West Park Row

This past Palm Sunday was something special — a beautiful reminder that while we may come from different church families, we are truly one in Christ. The congregations of IBCA, Mosaic, and Crossroads came together for a powerful joint worship service that was filled with unity, celebration, and the presence of God.

After 9am prayer, the service opened with a vibrant time of worship, led by a combined worship team made up of members from all three churches. Different voices, different styles — one spirit. As we lifted our hands and hearts together, it was a taste of heaven: people from different backgrounds, cultures, and congregations, united in praise.

One of the most beautiful aspects of the service was the collaborative teaching. Pastors from each church each brought a short word, building on the other from communion, to the message in Psalm 20, to the benediction. Different voices — one message: Christ is our common ground, and the Church is stronger when we come together.

After the service, we moved from the sanctuary to the table — where another kind of communion took place. Each church shared a meal. Strangers became friends. Familiar faces deepened in connection. Stories were exchanged, prayers were shared, and the kids ran around like they'd known each other for years.

In a world often marked by division, this joint service was a clear declaration: We belong to each other at least for one Sunday and hopefully more in the future. The local church is not meant to be isolated — it’s meant to be in relationship, in partnership, and in fellowship with the larger body of Christ.

We walked away reminded of Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:4–6:

“There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Thank you for showing up, stepping in, and worshiping with open hearts. Let’s keep building bridges, praying for one another, and finding joy in being better together.

Stay tuned — we’re already dreaming about the next one on Mother’s Day.—Tyler Arp