HERE I AM: LIVING OUT GOD'S CALL

2016 New Year Kickoff Service

By New Mercy Community Church

January 14^th, 2016

A new year doesn't necessarily mean new beginnings.

It doesn’t mean bad things, however.

In 2015, our theme was Greater Things: Stepping Into God’s Promise.

It was our most successful theme to date. It was easy to grasp and it struck a chord with the people in our church. It also resonated with individuals at various levels and produced excitement and expectation throughout the year. “Greater Things” became a rallying phrase for our various events, sermons, and activities.

However, while the idea of “greater things” gained traction during the year, the subtitle did not. The idea of “stepping into God’s promise”–a deliberate and action-oriented phrase–was unrealized, unfortunately. At the end of the day, the greater things of God should not result in merely feelings of excitement and stagnation, but transformation and action.

As a result, we want to use 2016 to take the greater things of God and be faithful stewards of those things.

Write your story here. (Optional)

ordination of new leaders

Two elders and six deacons answered God’s call to live out their lives as leaders of the church. Special congratulations to elders Sonia Kim and Peter Lee, Deaconesses Arleen Kang, Jennifer Luo, Yunmin Namn, Angelena Shim, Priscilla Yoon and Deacon Steve Yoon. We pray that this year will be a year of growth, spiritual revival and we ask the community to reach your arms out in prayer for them as well.

Write your story here. (Optional)

Here I am: Living out God's Call

Our theme for 2016 is Here I Am: Living Out God’s Call.

“Here I Am” is an evocative and picturesque phrase. When considered in the context of faith, it brings to the believer’s imagination a sense of surrender, willingness, and readiness. Ultimately, “Here I Am” captures and embodies obedience, one of the hallmarks of the children of God. In Christ, obedience is the greatest and most liberating thing to which he can call us–the believers in history that were the most free, the most effective, the most powerfully used by God all lived lives marked with obedience.

It is this idea of obedience that we believe God wants to be the centerpiece of New Mercy in 2016. Here I am, Lord, ready to obey. All Christians are called to be disciples, to be transformed, to serve, and to build his kingdom. We want 2016 to be a year where we live out this call of God through our obedience.