Yesterday we started a new sermon series called “Say Among the Nations” where we will be looking at Psalms that contain the theme “The LORD reigns.” God commanded Israel to invite the nations to join in declaring his glory. Jerusalem was to be the center of world-winning worship (Isaiah 2). In Acts 2 and I Corinthians 14 we find non-believers attracted and disturbed by worship. The Psalms we will be looking at remind us of the power of worship in which we naturally invite others to share in what we find praiseworthy and the fact that we become what we worship (Psalm 115).  So Christians are to worship in a way that glorifies God and attracts our neighbors.

This reminder of the centrality of worship in our lives is why I am excited to announce that we have hired Dr. Chris Weldon as our new Director of Worship Arts. Chris served in a similar role at Pacific Crossroads Church in Los Angeles for 12 years where he created organic, joyful and engaging worship experiences in a diverse, urban setting that included managing a team of over 60 worship leaders and musicians in a community of over 2,000 people. We look forward to welcoming Chris, Rebekah, Savannah (13), Lelah (12), and Dominic (9) to our RWS family in September as we together say and celebrate among our neighbors, “The Lord reigns.”

In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established
    as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills,
    and all nations will stream to it.
 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
    so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
    the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
— Isaiah 2:2-4

Goings On

• New service time reminder: Yesterday we started our new Sunday service time of 10:30 am. We will continue this service time into the fall to continue relearning what it means to be in community together.

• Visit the Gallery at W83: The latest gallery exhibit will be open through August 13. If you haven’t seen it yet, either stop by during the week or check it out after service.

• Care for babies in Central Park: This summer, serve Young Lives every Tuesday from 6-8 pm in Central Park. Set up, tear down, serve dinner and provide child care for teen moms.

• Pray for Hope for New York affiliates: HFNY invites you to “Pray for Our City” this fall. Join a new quarterly newsletter that will share prayer requests from HFNY affiliates.

• Volunteer in our kids and youth ministries: This fall we’re targeting our youth and kids ministries to be in full swing. But we need faithful adults to help! You don’t need to know all the answers and you’ll have plenty of support. We’d love to see our church become a church serving the needs of others and coming alongside each other as we all grow in our relationships with Christ, and that includes the younger members of our church! For WS Kids contact kids@redeemerws.com. For WS Youth contact westsideyouth@redeemerws.com.

• Submit a resume: We’re hiring! We are in great need for a position on the West Side for youth ministry. Please pass the word on or submit your resume!