One of my favorite lines from the hymn Joy to the World is “let every heart prepare him room.” A few years ago, as my husband and I awaited the birth of our first child, those words took on new meaning. In our small one-bedroom apartment, we literally had to make room – clearing closets, shifting furniture, and creating space in every corner – to welcome our baby daughter home.
Now, as we prepare to welcome our second child, I find myself making room again, both physically and in my heart. That experience has helped me understand something about Advent: to prepare room, not just in our schedules or homes, but in our hearts.
Advent invites us to slow down and prepare – to expectantly make space for God’s presence, and for the life, hope, and love he is growing in and among us – both now and in the days ahead. Where might God be inviting you to make room this Advent – in your heart, your home, or your life? May the rest of this Advent season be a time of hope, expectancy, and trust in God’s nearness.
With joy,
Jamie
We are looking for leaders and hosts to help start a new cycle of Pilot Community Groups in 2026!
Pilot Community Groups are brand-new Community Groups (CGs) that commit to meeting for a minimum of seven weeks for the purpose of building gospel community. Pilot Community Groups are especially designed for people new to RWS or who have never joined a CG. Like ongoing CGs, they bring people together for Bible discussion, prayer, fellowship, and mutual encouragement to live out the Christian faith.
Upcoming
- Dec 24 | Christmas Eve Services
- Jan 4 | Mandarin Speaking CG
- Jan 7 | Artist Talk: Place We Find Ourselves by Jennifer Ahn
- Jan 9 | WSY Group Returns
- Jan 11 | New at RWS
- Jan 11 | Spiritual Practices Workshop: Prayer
- Jan 14 | Prayer Cohort 1
- Jan 17 | Middle School Girls Movie Night
- Jan 18 | Learning to Share Your Faith
- Jan 21 | Family Night
- Jan 25 | RWS Membership Class
- Feb 11 | CFW Vocation Lab
- Mar 7 | Premarital Seminar
Get Involved
RWS Job Opening: Elementary Sunday School Teacher
Please consider joining us in financial giving as we pursue our 2025-2026 vision: knowing the living God, and helping others know him too
Serve at our welcome table for one Sunday a month at RWS.
Volunteer with West Side Youth on Friday nights.
Lend a hand at our monthly Church Family Meals.
Subscribe to our Neighborhood Engagement Newsletter.
