Yesterday was the first Sunday in Lent, a 40 day pilgrimage that culminates in Jerusalem (Holy Week) where the church celebrates a death (Good Friday) that opens the door to life (Easter). You can listen to the sermon here. Our guide on this journey is a selection of songs sung by Jewish pilgrims as they made their way to Jerusalem for their holy celebrations. These songs are commonly known as the Psalms of Ascent (120-134) and remind us that to be human is to be on a journey to somewhere, which makes lent a season for everyone. Maybe you are a Christian who has wandered off the path and longs to get back on the road with Jesus. Maybe you know someone, or are someone, who doesn’t identify as a Christian but whose own pilgrimage has left you wondering whether the road to Holy Week is the road that finally satisfies our existential homesickness. This universal longing was captured by Albert Camus who wrote that the reason we travel is because we want to cultivate our shared instinct, which is eternity. So join us as we cultivate this longing together as we make our way home.
For the Lord has chosen Zion,
he has desired it for his dwelling, saying,
“This is my resting place for ever and ever;
here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.
- Psalm 132:13-14
Happy 10 Years, RWS!
Yesterday was also the 10th Anniversary of the first worship service at W83. Click here to see a brief video we showed during the service that reminded us that the building houses the church, which is the family who collectively and individually seeks to love our neighbors and bring healing to our City.
Coming up
- Serve food at the Frederick Douglass Houses, Mar 10: Connect with and serve our neighbors living in the Frederick Douglass Houses by giving out food to the community. Come be a part of building relationships with and loving our neighbors in the West Side!
- Access our Lent page: Know about dates and times, Lent devotional and more
- 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.
- Don’t Walk By registration now open! Serve uptown neighbors this year during Saturday, April 9! The launch site will be The Salvation Army on 540 Lenox Ave, and Team Leader, outreach, hospitality, and more volunteer roles are needed. Connect with neighbors living on the street!
- 40 Days of Hope: Lenten Calendar Prepare your hearts for the Lenten season by focusing on ways to pray, serve, and give. Follow this “40 Days of Hope” calendar from our friends at Hope for New York!
