Grow | Launches Sunday, August 4th
Have you been thinking about making Liberty Church your home? Join us for Grow, a 4-week course right after each service designed to help you get planted, discover who we are, what we believe, and how you can get involved. A light meal will be provided. Sign up at the Connections Desk in the Guest Lounge, online or by emailing: [email protected]. 12:45pm in Lower Manhattan at Scholastic, 8:45pm in Union Square at NY Film Academy

Blogging Workshop | Thursday, Aug 8th
Do you believe God is calling you to write? Blogging is a great outlet to share a message with a potential global reach. Jessi Marquez will be running a workshop including a brief overview of different blogging platforms, how to gain followers, design and blog theme, and analytics. This is a great workshop if you or any of your friends are interested in Blogging 101. To sign up email: [email protected].

Liberty Kids Camp | August 12th – 16th
We are less than one week away till our first ever Liberty Kids Camp this Summer! A fun week of crafts, snacks, games, and biblical lessons on God’s love and truth, all with the purpose of teaching kids what it means to stand strong for God! This is a great opportunity to invite your children’s friends along! Let us know if you’d be interested in volunteering during the camp week.

• Who: All kids ages 4-12
• Time: 8:30am - 12pm
• Where: St. Paul’s German Church, 315 W. 22nd St. (Between 8th and 9th)
• Cost: $55 per child for the week.

Register at the Connections Desk or online. Some sponsorships available for those experiencing hardship. For more information or for an application to volunteer please contact: brianne.brown@libertychurchnyc.com

Baptisms: Far Rockaway | August 17th
Water baptism is a rite of passage in following Jesus. If you have become a Christian but have not yet been baptized, we would encourage you to do so. Water baptism is a symbol of leaving behind your old life and embracing a new life in Christ. Also, please invite friends and family to share in your decision and support you on the day. To sign up, ask a question or if you would like to join us in supporting those being baptized, email: [email protected]

“And all who have been united with Christ in [water] baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.” - Gal. 3:23

Child Dedications | Sunday, August 25th
This is a great opportunity for parents to publicly declare their desire to lead and spiritually nurture their child in partnership with the Holy Spirit, so he or she will grow to love God and live their lives for His purpose. To sign up email: [email protected]. 11am, Lower Manhattan at Scholastic

Liberty Kids Relaunch | Sunday, August 25th
Liberty Kids is relaunching and it’s going to be better than ever! Our goal is to equip our children as the next generation of passionate world changers. We will have kids worship, games, a fun lesson and lots of special surprises. We encourage you to invite any families you know!

All Team Meeting | Thursday, August 29th
If you are currently volunteering or would like to start, we encourage you to join us for our upcoming All Team Meeting. This is a special time where we come together to hear at a leadership level the vision that God has given our church and rally together as a team. RSVP via:http://libertychurchnyc.eventbrite.com. 7:30pm, 359 Broadway, Floor #2 (Between Franklin & Leonard)

Liberty City
We have opportunities to get involved in helping the local community through Liberty City. Join us as we make a difference together.

• Covenant House A temporary home for teens who need shelter
• Creative Writing Workshop: August 7th at 7:30pm; Volunteers and writers needed. RSVP [email protected].
• Bowery Mission Kitchen Food service to the homeless community on Thursday, August 15th at 6:30pm; only 6 spots available, they fill up fast! RSVP [email protected]
• Neighborly Neighbors helping neighbors. Our local community outreach: Bag Packing Party: Sunday, August 25th at 2pm and Neighborly Visit - Saturday, September 7 at 10am. RSVP [email protected].

*Big thanks to the awesome members who volunteered extra time to our Neighborly resident needing an air-conditioning unit installed in the midst of the recent heat wave!*

Do you feel called to create for the Creator?

Register at the Connections Desk or online. Also let us know if you’d be interested in volunteering during the week. For more information or for an application to volunteer please contact: brianne.brown@libertychurchnyc.com.

• Who: All Kids 4-12 years old
• Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm
• Where: St. Paul’s German Church: 315 W. 22nd St. (Between 8th and 9th)
• Cost: $55 per child for the week

Grow | Launches Sunday, July 7th
Have you been thinking about making Liberty Church your home? Join us for Grow, a 4-week course right after each service designed to help you get planted, discover who we are, what we believe, and how you can get involved. Light meal will be provided. Sign up at the Connections Desk in the Guest Lounge, online or by emailing: [email protected]. 12:45pm in Lower Manhattan at Scholastic, 8:45pm in Union Square at NY Film Academy

Creative Team Workshop | Saturday July 13th
This workshop is intended to help those in all creative areas to grow in their design, skills and understanding of the Liberty brand. Anyone currently involved or interested in getting involved in the following areas is encouraged to attend: Stage Design, Communications, Graphic Design, Video, Lighting, Web Design. RSVP for more info at the Connections Desk or email: [email protected]. 11am-2pm, 359 Broadway, Floor #2 (Between Franklin & Leonard)

Visionaries | Friday, July 26th
Visionaries is the business community of Liberty Church and we gather regularly to equip, encourage and enable each other to see our personal visions and the vision of our church come to pass. This Visionaries Gathering will include a panel on “Sales”, a skill we all need to develop & understand regardless of our profession. RSVP via: http://libertychurchnyc.eventbrite.com. 7:30pm, 359 Broadway, Floor #2 (Between Franklin & Leonard)

Wave Conference, Virginia Beach | July 31st – August 2nd
We’re headed to Virginia Beach at the end of the month for the much-anticipated Wave Conference 2013 and all are invited to attend. Speakers for this year’s event include the Wave church’s very own Steve & Sharon Kelly, Tommy Barnett, Paul De Jong, Chris Hill, Chris Durso and special guest, worship leader/singer songwriter, Darlene Zschech! Sign-up online. Let us know if you’re coming. You don’t want to miss this one!

Liberty City
Liberty City is our sister organization focusing on local and global outreach. Stop by the connections desk in the guest lounge to find out what’s coming up and how you can become a member and get involved.

Liberty Kids Camp | August 12th – 17th
Introducing our first ever Liberty Kids Camp this Summer! A fun week of crafts, snacks, games, and biblical lessons on God’s love and truth, all with the purpose of teaching kids what it means to stand strong for God! This is a great opportunity to invite friends along! Also let us know if you’d be interested in volunteering during the week.

• Who: All Kids 4-12 years old
• Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm
• Where: St. Paul’s German Church: 315 W. 22nd St. (Between 8th and 9th)
• Cost: $55 per child for the week

Register at the Connections Desk or online. For more information or for an application to volunteer please contact: brianne.brown@libertychurchnyc.com

This Sunday, we’ll be celebrating dads, both naturally and spiritually. In anticipation of this day, we asked long-standing member, Heath Kirkendoll, who is a father of two young boys to talk about what he has learned about a Father’s love:

When I became a parent, I instantly knew my own son’s cry apart from anyone else’s. In a room of crying babies and kids (shudder), I know whether any of the cries are one of mine. And my kid’s cry moves me to action. My oldest is three and a half now, and most of the time when he cries it is because he hurt himself doing something we warned him not to do or because he is blocked from doing something he is not supposed to do. But that does not keep me from running to his side and consoling him. A lesson afterward, yes, but in that moment, he needs comforting, and my love. My love.

It still blows my mind that there is someone out there who wants me before anyone else (except for Mom, of course). Knowing that he wants me uniquely is shaping me into the Dad I am becoming. He wants me uniquely, because I know him uniquely. I know how to talk to him; I know how to console him. He knows he will not be disappointed when he comes to me. I’m his Dad. And when he has a question or needs help, he comes to Dad. When he wants to play with his trains or his Legos, he comes to Dad. When something is broken, he comes to Dad. When he wants to feel proud of a feat, he comes to Dad. I can’t put into words the feeling I have when he comes to me. Nor can I describe how it feels when he leaves satisfied.

Being a Dad has taught me so much about relationships, both with other people (especially my wife) and with God. A dad is meant to be someone we can go to (or run to) to get help, advice, to spend time with, to comfort us, to cheer for us. And why our dads? Because they know us intimately, which is why God is the ultimate Dad. No one knows me better. When I mess up being a dad, I am put at ease because I know I have the best teacher on how to be a dad, my own ultimate Dad.

But there are real challenges to being a dad as well. As one of my own spiritual dads at Liberty Church, Bob Green, has said: “Being around children, especially your own, brings out who you are”. Since becoming a dad, I’ve had to deal with my own impatience, anger, and superficiality—things I thought I had rid myself of since suppressing them a long time ago. But it’s been great to have Bob around to teach and model how to go to my own ultimate Dad to deal with these things, which are not being suppressed but redeemed now. Fatherhood is allowing me to really understand and live Psalm 23. I am comforted and guided by my own Dad, and he helps me to comfort and lead my sons. I love this!

Community Groups | Kick off this week
It’s not too late to sign up for a Community Group, the discipleship community of our church. They’re a great way to build relationships and get plugged in. We have a group for everyone at every stage of life. Sign up online or in the Guest Lounge on Sundays.

Prayer Meeting | Thursday, June 6th
Open to anyone who loves to pray and wants to join to pray for each other, our church, our city and beyond. 7:00pm, 359 Broadway, Floor #2 (Between Franklin & Leonard)

Visionaries | Friday, June 14th
Visionaries is the business community of Liberty Church and we gather regularly to equip, encourage and enable each other to see our personal visions and the vision of our church come to pass. RSVP via: http://libertychurchnyc.eventbrite.com. 7:30pm, 359 Broadway, Floor #2 (Between Franklin & Leonard)

Father’s Day Service | Sunday, June 16th
This is the day when we get to celebrate dads, both naturally and spiritually. Join us at both communities and bring your father, grandfather and friends who are dads or about to become one.

Guest Speaker: Matt Keller | Sunday, June 23rd
Matt Keller of Next Level Church in Fort Myers, FL will be speaking at both communities on June 23rd. We know he will have a timely word that will impact our lives. Bring a friend! 11:00am in Lower Manhattan at Scholastic, 7:00pm in Union Square at the Ballroom

Worship Open Night | Wednesday, June 26th
Sing or play an instrument? Come to open worship night and begin the process of getting plugged into the team. You’ll hear our vision and get to know the rest of the team. Ultrasound Studios, 251 W. 30th Street

All Team meeting | Friday, June 28th
If you are currently volunteering or would like to start, we encourage you to join us for our upcoming All Team Meeting. This is a special time where we come together to hear at a leadership level the vision that God has given our church and rally together as a team. RSVP via: http://libertychurchnyc.eventbrite.com. 7:30pm, 359 Broadway, Floor #2 (Between Franklin & Leonard)

Liberty City
Liberty City was honored to be recognized at the Covenant House Volunteer Appreciation Dinner last month! Thanks to all members who attended!

• Wednesday June 26th 7:00pm - 9:00pm: Covenant House: Etsy Workshop We’re taking a team of creatives, and entrepreneurs to teach teens about using Etsy effectively to market their own creative endeavors. Join us! [email protected]
• Sunday June 30th 2:00pm-4:00pm: Neighborly Bag Packing Party Spend social time together as we pack bags to give away at Neighborly.
• Saturday July 6th 10:30am-12:30pm: Neighborly Join us downtown for community outreach meeting practical needs of people in challenging circumstances. [email protected]
• Our team is growing! We’re looking to fill a couple key roles:
  • Photographer: Join our creative team and help share our stories!
  • Member Relations: Love people?! Have some free time mid-week?
  • Email [email protected] for more details

If you have a heart for prayer, join us this Thursday as we meet collectively to pray for each other, our church, our city and beyond.

Unsure or haven’t been to a prayer gathering before? Below is a snippet on “How God Answers Prayers” by Shilvy Yee, our Union Square Prayer Team Leader:

“Think back to New Year’s Eve 2012. All throughout the world, feelings of excitement and hope filled the air as the countdown to the new year began. At the stroke of midnight, we greeted 2013 confidently with shouts of joy as we embraced our loved ones. Now, five months later, the halfway mark of the year approaches. How has this year lived up to the hope and expectation you had at the beginning of the year? How have your prayers for this year been answered? So often with our prayers, particularly during waiting seasons, we wonder how God will answer.

“Simply put, He answers with the best. He answers you with an eternal, omniscient perspective saturated in His immense love for you. Sometimes His answers are yes, other times no; or yes but in His timing or way. However He chooses to answer, we can take comfort in knowing that His way is the best, for He tells us in Isaiah 55:9 (NIV), “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

“If you’ve received a no or are waiting for an answer to prayer, humbly ask God to give you insight; He’s a loving, trustworthy God who generously gives wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5) and works out all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

“If the peace and joy of hope is becoming a distant memory, give yourself a spiritual checkup and ask yourself, “Have I stopped trusting God?” In Romans 15:13 (NLT), the apostle Paul wrote, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” When we trust God, we fling open the door for abundant hope, joy, peace-and answered prayers. Verses like 1 Chronicles 5:20 reveal that God answers the prayers of those who trust Him.

“Prayer is a beautiful, incredible gift that God has given His children to partner with Him to effect change in this world and to develop an intimate relationship with Him. This Thursday, our church will be gathering in a spirit of unity to pray. We hope you’ll join us in this powerful time of prayer!”

Prayer Meeting Details:

- Thursday, June 6th at 7:00pm
- 359 Broadway, Floor #2 (Between Franklin & Leonard)

Four more days until the night when all ladies in the NYC area can come together to attend Liberty Sisterhood Girls Night In on Thursday, May 23rd. We asked Shawna Kaszer, who co-leads Liberty City, on how this vital women’s ministry has impacted her life:

“Liberty Sisterhood is a family of covenant friendships with women I respect and admire. Older, younger, at different walks and in different seasons, there is always a sister nearby to offer advice, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, and a good laugh to share.

“My beautiful Mom passed a few years ago, but God has not left me without many spiritual Mothers in my life thanks to Sisterhood. Having women I can turn to that pass down wisdom, prayer, and encouragement has been such a reminder of God’s love for me. In turn, I have the honor of passing down wisdom, prayer, and encouragement to younger women I call sisters as well.

“Through good times and bad, joy and sorrow, I know that I will always have this group of women by my side. Countless phone calls, texts, dance parties, tears and laughter have already been shared between us all, and I’m honored I get to be a part of a family of such real, genuine, capable and remarkable women.

“When we come together and bring all of our life experience into one room, I feel empowered and supported to take on whatever is waiting for me in the world. Recently, I found a passage in a book called “Spiritual Java” that says it well:

“Best of all, covenant friendships, when they are built on knowing each other after the Spirit, have the effect of calling us back to our true identity in Christ. They refresh our connection to our purpose and to who we are in Christ, and when our vision for those things is renewed, usually our strength is renewed, too.”