Our guide this Lenten season has been the Psalms of Ascent which were sung by Jewish Pilgrims as they made their way to their own Holy Weeks three times each year. In his spiritual autobiography titled “A Song of Ascents” E. Stanley Jones describes his pilgrimage this way:

“In this spiritual autobiography, I shall sing my song of the pilgrimage I am making from what I was to what God is making of me. I say ‘what God is making of me’, for the best that I can say about myself is that I’m a Christian-in-the-making.”

As I mentioned in yesterday’s sermon the journey is one of becoming who God intended us to be, what the ancient philosophers called virtues and what Scripture identifies as fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Yesterday’s Psalm reminded us that a follower of Jesus is one who is content, like a weaned child, or as Paul described it while sitting on death row a contentment in all circumstances, whether plenty or want. The capacity to face the uncertainty and chaos that currently surrounds our daily lives with that kind of inner peace is something we all long for and was what Jesus told his followers he came to leave with them (John 14:27). Jesus secured it for us objectively through his death on the cross (Isaiah 53:5) and the work for us on this Monday morning is to take that objective peace and work it into our lives so that we subjectively experience it. How?

1. Read Psalm 131 (below)
2. Identity areas of fear, anger, anxiety, etc that rob you of peace
3. Read Isaiah 53:5
4. List 3 things for which you are grateful
5. Offer it all up to Jesus and ask for his peace today, knowing he is with you
6. Listen to the new song Chris Weldon wrote and introduced in our service yesterday.
7. Go in peace

My heart is not proud, Lord,

    my eyes are not haughty;

I do not concern myself with great matters

    or things too wonderful for me.

But I have calmed and quieted myself,

    I am like a weaned child with its mother;

    like a weaned child I am content.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord

    both now and forevermore.

• Psalm 131

Don’t Walk By

Connect with uptown neighbors living on the street for the final Don’t Walk By weekend. Training will be provided, and either a vaccination card or a recent negative COVID test are required during check-in. Read the FAQs on the sign-up page for more info!

Coming up

• Become a member of RWS, Apr 3: Our Membership Class helps you learn the gospel theology and ministry of Redeemer West Side. We cover what’s behind the five membership vows, how a PCA church is led, and how members step into our sacred call to love our neighbors and heal our city.

• Sign Up for Faith & Work 101, April 4: This introductory 7-week cross-vocational course is designed to challenge you to take an in-depth look at your particular field through the lens of the gospel. Our Spring offering of Faith & Work 101 will take place at W83 on Monday nights from 7:00-9:00 pm starting April 4. 

• Be part of a conversation about Mental Health, Apr 7: This is an event hosted by WS Youth but its audience is adults, not youth. Dr. Kate Glerup from Redeemer Counseling Services will lead the conversation, equipping adults in key subjects like the mental and emotional impact of social media, its addictive potential, its role in identity development, and how to help youth set boundaries and process the content they encounter online.

• Register for the opening reception of Everything Matters, Apr 8: Over the past six years as art director at City Relief, Corey Hayes has taken portraits of NYC’s homeless community. The Gallery at W83 in partnership with City Relief presents twelve images that hopefully challenge our stereotypes of “the homeless” and inspire us to engage with people living on the margins of our city. Exhibit runs through June 5, 2022

• Sign up for New at RWS, Apr 10: If you’re new to Redeemer West Side, we welcome you to come learn more about our church and get connected to community.

• Register for the Youth membership Class, Apr 24: This class helps potential members learn the gospel theology and ministry of Redeemer West Side so you can join the church. We cover what’s behind the five membership vows, how a PCA church is led, and how members step into our sacred call to love our neighbors and heal our city.

• Preparing our hearts for Easter: This season, we partnered with Hope for New York on the 40 Days of Hope Lenten calendar. As you continue to pray, serve, and give, lean into supporting HNFY’s affiliate partners through a special offering on Easter Sunday. We are committed to loving New Yorkers in need, so prepare your hearts for giving on Easter Sunday.