Redeemer West Side | WS Update: Remember the Poor

WS Update: Remember the Poor

March 6, 2023

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on which ash is placed upon our foreheads in the shape of a cross as we are reminded that we are dust, and to dust, we will return. In other words, death is inevitable. It is a strange and disconcerting ritual that launches the 40-day journey to another death on a Friday Christians call ‘Good’. But it is a ritual that reminds us that no matter what our current circumstances are, we are weak and dependent. This reminder not only softens our hearts as we reflect on our relationship with Jesus but also is to soften our hearts to those in our communities whose experiences of life are closer to the dust than ours. Those caught in the grip of poverty, homelessness, addiction, and unemployment. It is why Lent is associated with almsgiving, the tradition of giving money and food to the poor. We are all dust and we all need each other. You can look here for opportunities through our church community to serve those in need, but let me also encourage you to look to your neighbors who might be struggling and find ways to remember together not only that we are dust, but also the hope that comes from the cross on which Christ died which removed the sting of death.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ – Matthew 25:34-36

Thursday Night Open Prayer

During this season of Lent, we will be opening up the sanctuary for prayer on Thursday evenings, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, throughout the month of March. This will be a quiet space for anyone to come pray, worship, and reflect on their own.

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David Bisgrove

David has a M.B.A. and Master's in Public Health from Columbia University and previously worked in healthcare finance and administration. He began working at Redeemer as the director of finance and operations in 1998, while also pursuing his M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 2005 as an assistant pastor who oversaw worship and evangelism, counseling, stewardship and family ministries. Now as Senior Pastor, David loves standing at the door on Sundays talking to people on their way in and out of worship.