We hope you’ll join us to celebrate Liberty Church Brooklyn’s first anniversary this Sunday at 9:30 am. As we look back over the year, it’s astounding to know that by God’s grace a movie theater transformed into a place where hundreds of people have made decisions for Christ and many who had faith but were missing a faith community found home.

At this time last year, you could walk past the Regal Cinemas on Court Street on a Sunday morning without being greeted with a smile. The theaters in the basement sat dark and empty.

When Liberty Church Brooklyn started holding services there on January 19, 2014, they put a stake in the ground for Brooklyn to make a space where the miraculous could happen as God grew his church in the borough once known as the “city of churches.”

Vince

“I still have the flyer hanging on my refrigerator that I found in the mail announcing the Liberty Church Brooklyn launch on January 19, 2014. Somehow I knew I had to be there. I sensed my life was about to change. And it did. Sometimes we tend to forget the drastic shifts that take place in our lives when they don’t happen overnight. It’s been a year now and this week I have been reflecting on who and where I was about this time last year.

“The funny thing is I don’t feel very different. However, all it takes is a quick inventory and look back to accentuate all that has actually taken place. I think of prayers that have been answered, friendships formed, community that has become my foundation and a relationship with God that is intimate, genuine, strong and thriving. Not to mention some pretty cool happenings like leading people to worship God through singing, writing new songs and meeting the best friend a guy could ever have. God is still working for sure, I am not perfect, but I am free.

“I think many of us, knowingly or not, can keep hidden the person we are destined to be. It’s as if that person, the best possible you, is just waiting for the right environment to thrive. Well, Liberty Church has been that environment for me. It is a place where community and love, acceptance and grace, are a sincere and celebrated culture of the heart. It is a place that fosters an environment of maximum growth in the best possible way, enabling us to become all that God has called us to be. To come to Liberty is to come home.”

Sarah

“I missed launch Sunday by a week because I used to never check my mail. But I am certainly one of the lives that Liberty Brooklyn impacted immediately. And by impacted I mean completely and utterly, 100%, dead-to-old-self-and-consumed-by-God transformed. There’s no way that I could describe here what that means completely, but I found what I moved to New York to chase: a passion and purpose worth dedicating my whole self to, something to live for, even die for, and one I can’t tolerate not sharing with everyone. Thank you Liberty for your vision and diligence! (I even check my mail now!)”

Nathalie

“At Liberty I met so many people that love God and love one another. In my community groups I became close to people, prayed with them and they prayed for me—those are life-changing, relationship-building moments. I have a deeper relationship with God and my marriage is so blessed by being able to serve God and grow together. I have learned so much, and see so many demonstrations of God’s power, including my own healing.”

Dominika

“I chanced upon a community group meeting in April that seemed to be about marriage. (I’m neither married nor in a relationship.) A good friend of mine invited me to join her. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but was quickly overcome by a positive atmosphere, encouragement, and insight everyone was sharing. Quite simply: there was so much love (and God, although I did not know it at the time) in the room!

“It wasn’t until joining a community group myself this past summer that I started to call Liberty Church Brooklyn home. This past fall I got baptized and joined a serving team, and can say that I have found ownership of the treasure that is Liberty Brooklyn. I am about to lead a community group, and am excited to see how God through our church will transform the lives of more people! My life will never be the same, and I am so utterly thankful for that. Although I am still working on becoming a Brooklynite myself: GO BROOKLYN!!!”

We hope you won’t miss this special Sunday as we will be sharing more stories of transformation and celebrating Brooklyn.

Standard Podcast [ 47:07 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Paul Andrew preached this message titled “American Idle” at our service in Soho on January 11, 2015.

Subscribe in iTunes to the LibertyChurchNYC podcast to receive new teaching automatically.

Sunday Services-
Brooklyn – United Artists Cinema 9:30am
Soho – Scholastic Auditorium 11am
Union Square – Union Square Ballroom 5 & 7pm

It’s a new year with new ways you can be involved at Liberty Church!

Next Steps Kicks Off | Sunday, January 4th

Have you been thinking of making Liberty Church your home? Then join us for Next Steps! This is an invitation to come get to know us and to get involved. The course runs for four weeks directly after each service and is designed to help you join a team and find out about the visions and values of our church. Whatever your next step is here at Liberty, we want to empower you to step into all that God has for you!

A light meal will be provided. Sign up at the Connections Desk in The Lounge, or by emailing [email protected].

21 Days of Prayer and Fasting | January 5th–25th

Beginning Monday, January 5th, through Vision Sunday, we are going to be praying and fasting together as a church to start the year focusing on what God has in store for us.

There is great power in unity. James 5:16 (ncv) says “…pray for each other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays, great things happen.” Imagine what could happen in all of our lives if we united together in prayer! We’d love you to be part of it!

Community Group Sign Up | Sunday, January 11th

We’re so excited to kick off sign ups for the upcoming Community Group season!

As a church, one of our three core values is that we are a community—not a crowd. And Community Groups are an excellent way to get plugged in. From book studies to fitness activities to discovering your purpose, there’s a group for everyone across all three Liberty communities.

Groups fill up fast, so be ready to sign up at the Connections Desk in The Lounge or apply online starting January 11th.

Worship Night | Wednesday, January 14th

One of the clearest ways to encounter God is through worship. It is during our time in His presence that God gives us
revelation about the role He wants to play in our lives.

Our Worship Nights are a time where we create a space for God to move while we seek His presence and fullness of joy. Everyone from everywhere is welcome, so invite friends, co-workers, roommates, and neighbors alike to worship with us.

We will have childcare available offsite for sleeping children under the age of 3. Please RSVP by Wednesday, January 7th, to [email protected].

7:30pm at St. Paul’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church, 315 W. 22nd St, New York, NY 10011

Brooklyn Anniversary | Sunday, January 18th

Happy Birthday, Brooklyn! We hope you’ll join us and bring a friend for our first anniversary celebration at Liberty Church Brooklyn. We are eager to celebrate what God has done in only one year since we began weekly services in the borough once known as the city of churches!

9:30am at Liberty Church Brooklyn, 106 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Vision Sunday | Sunday, January 25th

We’d love you to be part of our Vision Sunday celebrations. It’s a great weekend to invite family and friends as we release our latest short film about the vision and story of our church. There’s so much to be thankful for as we celebrate our fourth anniversary together as a church.

Don’t miss one of the most significant milestones of the year. Let’s come full of faith for the great adventure ahead!

Visionaries Kick Off | Thursday, January 29th

Visionaries is a community of business people who sow into the vision of Liberty Church and who seek to partner with God in their workplace to make a difference, not just a living. We gather several times each year to encourage, enable and equip each other to have lasting impact in our workplaces, in our businesses and in our careers, and to financially support projects that expand the vision of our church.

Join us to network with other business professionals, hear about projects for the upcoming year, and learn how to be part of Visionaries for 2015. A light dinner will be provided at 7:30pm. If you have any questions or to RSVP for meeting details, please email [email protected]. See you there!

Liberty Live

If travel or business has you out of the city, you can still be part of Liberty Church! We livestream our entire 11am Soho service each week at Liberty Live so you can stay connected even if you’re away.

Liberty City

Liberty City is our sister organization that meets practical needs in our local neighborhoods. To find out how you can serve with your community, visit the Connections desk in The Lounge or email [email protected].

She is Free| April 23rd–25th (Early Bird Pricing ends January 31st!)

In April we will hold our first She Is Free Conference, committed to helping women experience true freedom—spirit, soul and body. Register in the Lounge at each community or online at sheisfreenyc.com. Early bird registrations are $149 through January 31st. For more information, email [email protected].

Daily Prayer

God, invade New York City. Awaken the hearts of every person. And once awakened, heal whatever is broken.

God, make New York City a city of relentless Christ followers. Fill every local church in New York with your Holy Spirit and presence. Let every community in New York be transformed by your power and presence.

Bring unity and racial harmony to our beautifully diverse city. Give our leaders wisdom and a heart to serve. Restore families. Bring justice. Heal New York.

God, do what only You can do. Transform my city, and use me. Use my mouth to boldly tell people how amazing You are. Use my hands to compassionately reach out to my friends and family. Use my feet to fearlessly go to the places of New York where you are needed most.

God, let all of New York know how good, powerful and amazing you are. This is my city. This is my prayer.

Week 1: Our City

Jan 5, Awakening: Pray for an awakening of faith in the hearts of everyone in New York that will result in our city being transformed by God’s love and power. Pray people will be awakened to their God-given purpose and destiny.

Jan 6, Miracles and Physical and Emotional Healing: Pray that God would heal those who are fighting illness or disease, and that God would heal the brokenhearted in our city.

Jan 7, Racial Harmony and Unity: Pray for all neighborhoods and communities to come together, forgive when needed, and work to build a peaceful, unified New York. Join with Andi’s prayer for our city.

Jan 8, City Government Leaders: Pray for God to give our leaders godly wisdom in making decisions for our city. Pray for protection, strength, and courage for the police officers who serve our city, and for God’s blessing in their relationships and families.

Jan 9, Justice and Peace in Our City: Pray for God to transform the dark places of our city. Where there is crime and violence, let there be peace and justice, as the hardest hearts surrender to God.

Jan 10, Homeless in Our City: Pray for the homeless in our city that they find the resources they need to get back on their feet, and that we reach out compassionately to help them.

Week 2: Our Communities

Jan 11, Community: Pray that the community groups forming this month would build deep levels of relationship and discipleship while pursuing God. Pray for group leaders to be encouraged in their faith. And pray that more and more people will call Liberty home and be welcomed into community.

Jan 12, Salvation for a Specific Friend or Family Member: Pray specifically for someone in your world that needs God, that they would come to know and accept God’s extraordinary love and sacrifice that comes only through Jesus.

Jan 13, Stronger Faith: Pray for people’s faith to be strong, especially for those who have walked away from God, that they would be reminded of His goodness and faithfulness. Pray that people at Liberty Church live a life that is honorable, pure, and holy. Pray that our words and actions reflect Christ always.

Jan 14, Worship Night: Pray for a revelation of God’s love to enrich our worship together. Pray for the spiritual health of all those who give their creative talents to the church and that they would be empowered to lead others to lives of greater intimacy with God. Join the worship team’s prayer for worship nights.

Jan 15, New Believers: Pray for new believers to grow in their faith and understanding of God’s Word. Pray they build strong relationships and become a part of a local church where they can use their gifts and talents to serve and make a difference.

Jan 16, Pastors and Churches in New York: Pray for churches and pastors in New York, that God would bless them, give them wisdom and help them reach more people for Christ. Ask God to send out workers into the harvest field.

Jan 17, Pastors and Leaders of Liberty Church: Pray for our pastors, staff, team leaders, and their families for health, strong marriages, wisdom and revelation, emboldened vision, and unity with each other.

Week 3: Our Ministries and Missions

Jan 18, Brooklyn and Zimbabwe: On Brooklyn’s first anniversary, pray for new strength to sustain our newest communities in Brooklyn and Zimbabwe. Pray that they would witness decisions for Christ, growth in community, and favor and impact in their neighborhoods. Pray for the pastors and leaders and missionaries in Brooklyn and Zimbabwe.

Jan 19, New Cities and Missions: Pray that God would go before us to prepare the way in neighborhoods in need of life-giving churches. Pray that he would lead us in wisdom toward our 20/20 vision of impacting 10 communities by 2020. And ask that he would give us resource to sow into missions, church planting, and benevolence causes, such as Liberty City, the Association of Related Churches, and Vision Rescue.

Jan 20, Women in Our City: Pray that the sisterhood of women at Liberty would be strengthened, so that we can extend the love of Jesus and the call of freedom to women in New York City and beyond through She is Free. Pray for boldness and courage and opportunities to shift the balance for freedom, restore femininity, and free the enslaved—body, soul, and spirit.

Jan 21, Men in Our City: Pray that the men of New York would have an extreme heart for God and Christ-like character. Pray that as they engage in worship they would be strengthened to be great husbands, fathers, brothers and leaders in their families. And pray for the ministry of The Company to bring new life to the men of Liberty.

Jan 22, Visionaries in Our City: Pray for the business people in New York to be called to a higher level of purpose in the workplace. Pray that God would pour vision into our careers and open doors for transforming our industries.

Jan 23, Families: Pray that God would bless the families in our church and city, that marriages would be strengthened and healed, and that God would restore families that are broken. Pray for the lonely in New York to find home in God’s house.

Jan 24, The Next Generation—Children and Youth of New York: Pray for our young people to be bold and courageous Christ followers. Pray that our youth and children will grow in their understanding and knowledge of God and their passion for His house. Pray for teachers, professors, parents, and childcare workers to find freedom in their calling to build strong children.

Jan 25, Send Us: Pray that God would give us courage and boldness to serve our city and that we would impact our workplaces, schools, communities and families for God.

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” Psalm 145:18–19

*Adapted from Oasis Church’s 21 Days of Prayer Guide

Beginning Monday, January 5th, through Vision Sunday, we are going to be praying and fasting together as a church to start the year. Since there is so much power in fasting, prayer and being united, we’d like to invite every member of our church to join us for this special time set aside for God.

James 5:16 (NCV) says “When a believing person prays, great things happen.” Imagine what could happen in all of our lives if we united together in prayer!

The purpose of fasting is to draw nearer to God, individually and corporately. We’ve collected these links as resources for how to fast so that we can all draw our attention to what he is speaking to us rather than to the process of fasting.

Daily Prayer Guide for 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

Bible Reading Plan for 21 Days of Fasting from You Version

21 Days of Prayer and Fasting Participant Guide, Gate City Vineyard

Fasting: types of fasts and basics, Church of the Highlands

Food List for the Daniel Fast, Lakewood Church

Quick Tips for Fasting, Jentezen Franklin

Standard Podcast [ 46:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Rhema Trayner preached this message titled “Internal Cleanse” at our service in Soho on January 4, 2015.

God wants us to grow in strength, depth and maturity. The only way to do that is to allow Him complete access to every part of ourselves so we can have the strong foundation to support what He wants to do in our lives.

Subscribe in iTunes to the LibertyChurchNYC podcast to receive new teaching automatically.

Sunday Services-
Brooklyn – United Artists Cinema 9:30am
Soho – Scholastic Auditorium 11am
Union Square – Union Square Ballroom 5 & 7pm