Redeemer Lincoln Square

This upcoming Sunday is our annual Lessons and Carols service. We will celebrate the season through special music, traditional carols and readings of the Christmas story in languages around the world. Bring a friend and come join us! 👇

Sun Dec 10
10:30 a.m.
2 West 64th Street

“Owning my faith was certainly a process, and I would even argue that it’s [ongoing]. I did not grow up in a Christian family, but started attending church in middle school after my mom started attending. Even in college, I continued to grapple with new questions, explore different perspectives, and deepen my understanding of what it truly means to live out my faith in the world.

It was a gradual process of reasoning, considering, debating, and verifying. I've come to understand that there is no inherent conflict between faith and reason. In fact, what I find beautiful and unique about Christianity is that it encourages us to think, reason, and wrestle with God. It's not about blind acceptance, but rather a journey of exploration, introspection, and then being sent out.

The freedom to ask questions has deepened my faith and actually become a means of getting closer to those in my community. In fact, I think questioning has also instilled in me a greater respect and humility for others and where they may be in their faith journey. I love the fact that God made us curious creatures; it's as if He wired us to be curious so that the more we ask and seek, the more of His mystery and creation is made known to us.

Curiosity empowers Christians to be better followers of Jesus and, in turn, do more effective and compassionate mission work. In other words, we cannot say we love our neighbors if we do not know them or invest time in understanding their lives.

There is no other city where people of literally all beliefs, backgrounds, cultures, and languages come together. I know that New York is often a place where people are constantly searching for meaning, both in the traditional and broader senses of the word.

When I've encountered doubts or uncertainties, sharing my thoughts with fellow Community Group members has often led to insights and perspectives that I wouldn't have arrived at on my own. Ultimately, community provides a sense of belonging, a reminder that I'm part of something greater than myself. It's a source of strength and comfort, a reminder that even in the midst of doubt, there are people who care deeply for me and walk alongside me.” — Jenny Shi

Our annual Christmas party is in just THREE days! Come join us this Wednesday, December 6 at 7 p.m. We'll have food, dessert, dancing and more! Sign up here: https://redeemerlsq.com/christmasparty

Looking to get connected at LSQ? Join us for all the festivities going on in December.

“I’m a primary care doctor. It’s very heavy emotionally, because of the constant worry like what if something happens? What if I make a mistake? What if a patient gets hurt or dies, because of something that I didn’t do properly?

And meanwhile, I try really hard to do everything the right way. I always try to stay vigilant. Check the status with the patient. I take calls every night and through the weekend. I have my phone number available, so they can call me 24/7.

Maybe sometimes I overdo it to make sure that everything is going okay. That’s why I’ve had a problem all this time since I try to control what can happen. I can’t. Nobody can control it. [I get emotionally connected] to the patient. Sometimes it takes years to see [a positive outcome with them]. When I have patients who are very compliant, [that take care of themselves] that gives me a lot of satisfaction. I grow fond of them.

[At the end of the day], you try your best and something happens to the patient, what do you do? You try your best to avoid it, but it’s not because you didn’t try hard enough.

During COVID, I had some elderly patients who died. They stayed in the hospital for a few weeks and were never able to recover. The best thing to do is have a proper closure, talking to family, sharing your thoughts with them. Say condolences. Sometimes I send them a bouquet of flowers for the funeral.

I try to keep stable emotionally. It’s something that I’ve dealt with so regularly that I’ve realized that I’ve tried to do everything myself.

I’m so used to trying to rely on myself – my own self-worth, my own identity. [I’ve learned] that this is the source of my anxiety and that the biggest thing I need to do is to give up to God. To try to rely on myself is to try to play God. And when I actually [internalize that truth], that’s when [I do the best].

One of the most important things I’ve learned from Redeemer LSQ is that my identity is not apart from him. God has become the center of my life. Everyday you run into that same situation, if something happens in the office, what do you do? You’ve got to trust God, even when it is hard.” - Charles Lee

We're just 10 days out from our Annual Christmas Party! Come join us, whether you're new to Redeemer LSQ or have been attending for years. Whether you follow Jesus or whether you don't.

We will have food, dessert, dancing and more! Register by clicking the link in our bio.

"When I first moved to New York, I liked the anonymity. I really enjoyed being and doing whatever I wanted to do. You don’t have to conform to anything. But then that made it very lonely. Over time, I realized that’s all good and great for a little bit, but you can’t build a life like that.

I think the biggest thing I had to get over [in New York City] was making an appointment with your friends to see them. I was very offended in the beginning when I wanted to hang out and they said, “oh, no, I’m not free. Do you want to meet in two weeks or three weeks, or even a month?” I thought “oh my gosh, why do I have to make an appointment with friends?”

That made me very sad. I thought, okay maybe they don’t want to be friends. But then I realized that’s just the nature of the city, because everyone is so busy. Growing up, nowhere else did I have to make an appointment, it was usually just last minute, like “do you want to grab dinner or see a movie tomorrow?”

When you first move here, no one tells you that’s actually normal and it’s not because [people] don’t want to hang out with you. It’s a weird thing to get used to. [But] I think you can meet some great people here. And I’ve learned that people will come and go in your life. Sometimes you’re there to bring something to their life, and sometimes they are there to bring something to your life.

And sometimes [the friendship lasts] forever. And I think if you make the effort, it’s an amazing thing. When I first came here, I thought I’d be here five years and I’m out. Now I’m still here twenty years later. So as soon as you get here, don’t waste time and build your community instead of thinking “oh I could only be here one or two years. Why put effort into building community?”

I love coffee and I drink coffee every day. I thought that [LSQ’s] coffee clubs would be a really nice way to meet and talk to people and get to know them a little bit easier, without feeling like it was super structured. When you start the day talking to people, it’s much nicer than not talking to people and going straight to work.

I really enjoy having people to talk to and start my day. It actually makes me much happier. We’ve shared about things we want to pray for, or things that are happening in our lives, or whatever is happening in the city. Anything. So the conversation can vary, depending on who is there. And since the coffee clubs are small, it allows you to get to know people a little bit better than a quick hello in passing.

Vulnerability for me takes time. What is scary about vulnerability is being hurt by people. I've had friends who I thought were close to me just stop being my friend without telling me why. I've had people who have spoken badly about me behind my back.

But my closest friendships [in the city] have accepted me for who I am, so there is no judgment. They accept all of me, my good and my bad. And they’re very forgiving when I’m [being] difficult. That gives me a sense of comfort to allow me to be who I am, without worrying about their reaction or how I’m perceived or any sort of reputation that may come when I act a certain way. This all takes time.

But friendships don't have to be forever. It can be, “oh I met this person and we had a great friendship, but sometimes life happens.” You hope there is no animosity or anything bad that happened. But just time and distance, if you were to move. But they’re still your friends at the end of the day.

You can still call on them at some point, if you ever come back to New York City. So anyone who moved, if I hadn’t heard from them in five years and they called me up, and they said, “hey, how are you?” I would love that. I would love to see them.

So there’s no downside to making friends here, even if you’re here for a short period of time. I always appreciate when someone makes an effort to build friendships. That to me shows that you’re trying your best, and I would more than meet them halfway." - Jenny

Justice has increasingly become one of the main values of modern culture. As beautiful as that is, we must consider if the way we go about enacting justice is the correct approach. Tomorrow we continue our fall series as Pastor Michael unpacks “The Justice Narrative”. We encourage you to invite a friend and come join us! 👇

Sun, Nov 12
10:30 a.m.
2 West 64th Street

P.S. Ginny Owens, our new Community Engagement Specialist, will join Pastor Michael for Question and Response (Q&R) after service to discuss your questions and further unpack the implications of this narrative.

The illusion of freedom paradoxically leaves us trapped in a self-imposed constraint. We’re cast off on a remote island, cutting ourselves off from the very things we need the most. The truth is that the right restrictions and limitations are what lead to flourishing.

To learn more, head over to our YouTube channel and watch the full message from Sunday, “The Freedom Narrative”.

In past generations, freedom used to be defined as freedom from one's self. Today, freedom is defined as the ability to do whatever you want. Tomorrow we continue our fall series "How to Recognize Narrative That Move Us", as Pastor Michael unpacks "The freedom Narrative". We encourage you to invite a friend and come join us! 👇

Sun, Nov 5
10:30 a.m.
2 West 64th Street

Looking to get connected at Redeemer LSQ? There are many opportunities upcoming in November, from coffee clubs and a seminar to a special Q&R panel and a dad’s social!

Visit redeemerlsq.com/events for more!

“It was always in the back of my mind that it would be such a dream [to move to New York City one day]. I never really thought I could actually do it, but it just happened. I graduated college and moved here the week after. Initially, I was overwhelmed with the stimulus of it. The city was really big and very different compared to what I was used to [growing up in the South].

I was only here for about 10 months before COVID-19 hit. I’m still trying to process everything that has happened the past three years. The world is definitely more separated than it used to be. My career path has changed completely. I’m mostly remote, so I don’t see my boss and teammates [often]. So I don’t have any physical connection with them.

Times with one another physically have been more important to me, and that’s when I feel the most seen. People were really welcoming when [I first came to LSQ] and they would invite me to things. I think what really got me plugged into LSQ was during COVID we had a little group meet outside of church.

I still have good friends from that group and see them at least once a week. It’s really important to know that you’re cared for and loved. It’s important to have a place where you feel safe. To have a place with people that you can talk to, listen to and grow with. A place where you can share, and being vulnerable is super important. Not having to put up a front, and truly being able to share what’s inside of you, including all the ups and the downs.

A close friend from that group, Tricia, and I still look forward to debriefing our week with each other. It’s a time and a place where we know that we’re going to be there for one another.

We often [aren’t vulnerable] because we’re scared of people knowing our weaknesses. But it’s something that you can’t really live without.” - Annalaura Cranford

In past generations, freedom used to be defined as freedom from one's self. Today, freedom is defined as the ability to do whatever you want. Tomorrow we continue our fall series "How to Recognize Narrative That Move Us", as Pastor Michael unpacks "The freedom Narrative". We encourage you to invite a friend and come join us! 👇

Sun, Oct 29
10:30 a.m.
2 West 64th Street

Registration closes tomorrow for our “Relationships, Friendship and Dating Seminar!” This event is being hosted alongside Redeemer Downtown at Salvation Army on 14th Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost for entry is $10. Sign up here: https://redeemer.tpsdb.com/OnlineReg/13262

These are a few of the main points from Pastor Michael's message this past Sunday - "The Happiness Narrative". If you haven't gotten a chance to listen to the full message yet, head over to our YouTube!

We're often told that life is all about what makes you happy, but is this really true? Tomorrow we continue our fall series "How to Recognize Narratives That Move Us", as Pastor Michael unpacks "The Happiness Narrative". We encouraged you to invite a friend and come join us! 👇

Sun, Oct 22
10:30 a.m.
2 West 64th Street

These are just a few little nuggets from Pastor Michael’s message this past Sunday — “The S*x & Intimacy Narrative”. If you haven’t gotten a chance to listen to the full message yet, head over to our YouTube!

“I used to put a lot of my identity in success and good grades and getting into a good school. A lot of it was putting expectations on myself and where I could find my value and worth, [as well as] seeking approval from other people.

Society tells you if you do all of these things and follow these steps, you’ll have a good career. That can be really misleading in that you can put so much time and energy into it, and not have the outcome be what you expected it to be. So if you don’t have the good job or the good grades, what are you left with?

Back then, the thought of failure would leave me completely panicked. I would be so consumed with those thoughts and it would lead me to think that I wasn’t capable or sufficient in anything that I do. My head would be swirling.

The change in mindset came in knowing that God loves me, and not for the things that I do at work. I don’t have to prove anything to him, because he already loves me. He created me and wanted me here, and there is purpose and meaning behind that. While grades and work are definitely important, my identity is first and foremost as a child of God – not a straight-A student.

That title means more than any of the other titles that I have.

Understanding the unconditional love of God helped me live differently. I worry less about the results of the exam or the outcome of the project now. I ask God for the ability to trust him with the outcomes.

I remember someone telling me that I can be encouraged, because I can bring God to work everyday. And so I actually have that on a little board [in my bedroom]. I used to feel like I had to do everything on my own, but he’s in the details. As long as I do my best, and [remember] it’s not in the results, [that] it’s in his hands, he’ll take care of whatever it will be.

My ultimate purpose and meaning is no longer in what my boss says or what my co-workers say. And that’s been so refreshing. There’s a different answer and different path that means so much more [than the one I was previously on].

I can rest in finding my ultimate joy and satisfaction in God and his love for me. And that is infinitely powerful.” - Bianca Wu

Tomorrow we continue our fall series "How to Recognize Narratives That Move Us", as Pastor Michael walks us through the s*x and intimacy narrative of our culture. You won't want to miss this one! Bring a friend or three and join us! 👇

Sun, Oct 15
10:30 a.m.
2 West 64th Street

Single? Dating? Join us for the “Relationships, Friendship and Dating Seminar”. This is a joint event between Redeemer LSQ and Redeemer Downtown. We’ll have interactive teaching and small group discussion, considering the essential elements for flourishing relationships of all kinds. Light breakfast and snacks will be provided. The fee for the seminar is $10. Link in bio to sign up!