In September we introduced our new vision statement – we are a community living out a sacred call by Jesus to love our neighbors and heal our city. The heart of this aspiration is Jesus’ call to follow him into a life that brings the resurrection power and glory of heaven into our lives and the lives of our neighbors and community (Mark 1:15-17). The implication of this aspiration is that we need to be taught how to live. Aristotle wrote that we owe more to our teachers than to our parents, for though our parents gave us life, our teachers taught us the good life. Jesus’ call to follow him is a call to become his apprentice in the way of life as it was meant to be. (John 10:10) 

At Redeemer West Side our definition of a disciple (apprentice) is someone who spends time with Jesus, learns from Jesus, and imitates Jesus in all they do by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Dallas Willard in his book “The Divine Conspiracy” summarizes following Jesus this way:

The assumption of Jesus’ program for his people on earth was that they would live their lives as his students and co-laborers. They would find him so admirable in every respect—wise, beautiful, powerful, and good—that they would constantly seek to be in his presence and be guided, instructed, and helped by him in every aspect of their lives. For he is indeed the living head of the community of prayerful love across all time and space.

The implication is that as we spend time reflecting on the beauty, glory, wisdom, grace, goodness and love of Jesus we will not only be changed but will long for others to know and follow Jesus. In many ways inviting others to follow Jesus is summarized by this quote by the poet William Wordsworth:

What we have loved, Others will love, and we will teach them how. 

As you begin another week take the time to read the text below and ask God to fill you anew with wonder and gratitude for being invited into Jesus’ sacred call of discipleship.

In Christ,

David

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

— Colossian 1:15-20

Support WS Marathon Runners

The 2021 TCS New York City Marathon is coming up and today we wanted to take a moment to highlight three West Side members who are participating!

Elder Paul Gross, and members Susie Quintana and Sandi Taylor are both running and fundraising for our ministry partner, Hope for New York, to provide for our neighbors in need. There are 15 total runners on Team HFNY and collectively they are seeking to raise $75,000 and each individual runner is seeking to raise $5,000 toward that collective total.

Pray for our three runners to have stamina and be steadfast throughout the race. Together, our West Side runners have already fundraised over $8,500, and you can still support them through giving—go to hfny.org/marathon to find each runner’s profile.

Coming up at RWS

• Join our team: We are seeking to fill several positions on our team as soon as possible. Please spread the word!
• RSVP for the Gallery at W83 Artist Talk, October 27: Join the Gallery at W83 for a conversation with Hannah Robinett as she shares about her process, inspiration, and the stories behind specific pieces currently on view in her exhibit “Truly, I Tell You.” Event is free and open to the public, please RSVP.
• Support Redeemer Counseling Service, November 4: Celebrate the ministry of RCS as they bring God’s renewal to the people of NYC and beyond. Join their virtual benefit to experience how our counselors care for and restore each client with gospel-centered therapy. 
• Attend a WS Dads Pub Night, November 10: All dads (and soon-to-be dads) are invited to join a pub meetup in the neighborhood with other dads from RWS! Location TBD.
• Submit an idea for the gallery: Are you an artist with an idea for an art show? As a community gallery, the Gallery at W83 focuses on artists living and working in our neighborhood, the Upper West Side, as well as in New York City and surrounding communities. 
• Save the date for a worship night, November 19: As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re mindful that we have much to be grateful for as a community. This gathering will be an extended time of singing and prayer to express our gratitude for God’s provision and presence in our lives. Pastor David will give a very brief message and the RWS worship team will lead us in worship.
• Attend volunteer training for The Open Door: Empower immigrants by attending a training session to become and ESL teacher. Volunteers need to commit for two hours: one hour for an in-person training, followed by one hour of conversations with students. Volunteers need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
• Pray on Wednesdays with Do For One: Pray intentionally with and for adults with disabilities in NYC. On every other Wednesday of each month, take turns leading prayer through the Gospel of John.