In the early 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached a sermon called “On Being a Good Neighbor.” In the sermon, Dr. King is reflecting on the meaning of Jesus’ well-known parable about the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). What makes the Samaritan such a good neighbor is his radical selflessness. Dr. King puts it this way:
I imagine that the first question the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But by the very nature of his concern, the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I don’t stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” The good Samaritan engaged in a dangerous altruism.
The gospel tells us that Jesus is the ultimate good Samaritan, the ultimate neighbor, who saved his people through radical selflessness and sacrifice. May the reality of what Jesus has done for us turn us into a people who are radically selfless in how we serve and care for our neighbors.
With hope,
Pastor Bijan
RWS Membership Class
Sunday, January 25 at 1:15 pm
To be a member of a church is to make a public promise to live according to the Word and to support the work of the congregation. Interested in pursuing membership? This required class helps prospective members learn the gospel, theology, and ministry of Redeemer West Side, so they 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. Click here to sign up.
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
- Jan 21 | Family Night
- Jan 22 | Grief & Loss Support Group
- Jan 25 | RWS Membership Class
- Jan 25 | WSY Interest Meeting: Mission Nassau
- Jan 29 | Young Adults Winter Ball at Redeemer East Side
- Feb 7 | Community Salsa Night
- Feb 8 | Common Table: Youth Sunday Meals
- Feb 9 | Sing, Play, Speak
- Feb 11 | CFW Vocation Lab
- Feb 15 | Volunteer Choir
- Feb 15 | Spiritual Practices Workshop: Fasting
- Feb 27 | WSY Winter Retreat: The Great Escape
- Mar 7 | Premarital Seminar
Get Involved
RWS Job Opening: Elementary Sunday School Teacher
Volunteer with West Side Youth at their upcoming Winter Retreat (February 27 to March 1).
Lend a hand at our monthly Church Family Meals.
Serve at our welcome table for one Sunday a month at RWS.
Subscribe to our Neighborhood Engagement Newsletter.
HFNY: Don’t Walk By is coming up on Saturday, February 28! Join our church and other New York City churches in serving unhoused and hungry guests together. Over 400 volunteers are needed to serve at The Salvation Army on West 14th Street, so find a friend and serve together!
