“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Proverbs 18:21)
Words have power. They shape our understanding of reality and our perception of who we are. It’s no surprise that when the serpent first attempted to lure humanity away from God, it was not through brute force but through the subtle yet life-altering power of deceptive words. Anyone who is dismissive of the power of words will find themselves at their mercy, tossed to and fro by waves of words that wash over us daily.
Every day, we are immersed in a sea of words – from media, from others, and from the quiet voice within our own hearts – all trying to tell us who we are. Emails cry out to be answered, promising a sense of completion and worth when others recognize our competence. The news provokes us to anger as algorithms are increasingly designed to privilege the stories that most stoke outrage. Social media stirs envy and vanity, encouraging us to measure ourselves against the most curated versions of others and to constantly present ourselves to the world for validation.
The wonder of the Bible is that through it we can hear God’s words – words that cut through the fog of lies and reorient us to reality. If you find the world’s words leaving your heart feeling anxious, fearful, and disheartened, learn to refresh your soul in the life-giving words of Scripture. Our workshop on the spiritual practice of Scripture will allow you the opportunity to consider how you can cultivate afresh this life-changing habit in your own life.
Grace and peace,
Paul
Spiritual Practices workshop: Scripture
Sunday, November 23 at 1:15 pm
redeemerws.com/spiritualpractices
Do you long for a spiritually vibrant and mature faith, but struggle to figure out how to get there? In this series of monthly workshops, we explore various spiritual practices and work through how to live them out in our busy and complex world. Scripture is our topic for November. Lunch is provided, but please register in advance.
We have three new Pilot Community Groups meeting in Astoria, Hudson Yards, and the Upper West Side! Pilot Community Groups are brand-new Community Groups (CGs) that commit to meeting for a minimum of seven weeks for the purpose of building a gospel-centered community. They are especially designed for those who are new to RWS or have never joined a CG before. Similar to our ongoing CGs, Pilot Groups gather for Bible discussion, prayer, fellowship, and mutual encouragement. What makes Pilot CGs distinct from established CGs is that everyone is new to one another. Click here to sign up.
Upcoming
- Nov 19 | Family Night
- Nov 20 | Grief & Loss Support
- Nov 21 | WS Youth Friendsgiving Potluck
- Nov 23 | Spiritual Practices Workshop: Scripture
- Nov 24 | The Gratitude Way: An Evening with Girma Bishaw
- Dec 3 | Sing, Play, Speak
- Dec 6 | Birthday Party for Jesus
- Dec 12 | W83 Opening Reception | “Place We Find Ourselves”
- Mar 7 | Premarital Seminar
Get Involved
RWS Job Opening: Elementary Sunday School Teacher
Listen to the new song, “Happy and Blessed,” from Redeemer West Side Music.
Sign up to serve one Sunday a month at RWS.
Volunteer with West Side Youth on Friday nights.
Subscribe to our Neighborhood Engagement Newsletter.
HFNY: Support Hope For New York’s Christmas outreach to provide toys to families in need this Christmas season. They are raising $90,000 to provide toys to 40 stores across the five boroughs!
