It only took us a year and a half since coming to LA, but we FINALLY found a church! I'm so excited and for the first time in a long time...I'm feeling fed spiritually. I know our main focus in attending church shouldn't be for our own selfish needs, but coming off the missionfield battered and bruised, I'm in need of some serious healing. New City has already helped me to begin the process to wholeness.It takes us about 30 minutes to get to church each Sunday, but it is worth every minute of the drive. NCC is a brand new church in downtown LA and their focus is to bring together people of every walk, culture, and ethnicity. It looks a lot like I envision heaven...just on a smaller scale. As soon as you walk in the door, you are covered in love from those around you. There is a vulnerability amongst the members that encourages honesty and realness.
NCC is a hospital. They are welcoming in sinners of every walk and lovingly tending their wounds. They don't compromise on truth though. Their love of all people doesn't equal acceptance of sin. They don't ignore the disease that is killing each person walking into their midst, but make sure that they are aware of what is truly making them sick and then seek to bring them to the healing table of the Great Physician.
Sitting in the NCC is uncomfortable sometimes for those who are used to normal evangelical churches...but we like that we're being stretched. It is good for a weekly reminder of why Jesus came to this earth in the first place. I don't think He or the disciples were comfortable with all the sick and maimed people that came around Him either. But He welcomed them, loved them, fed them, and ultimately for many, healed them. What better example to follow than this?!
If you're ever in the LA area on a Sunday...we'd love to have you join us! You will be loved and challenged...and more importantly meet Jesus amongst "the least of these."
You can check out more about the church here:
http://www.newcitychurchla.com/index.cfm
That's great, Maria! I know how important having a comfortable and comforting church can be. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah! That's awesome Maria! I can't wait to catch up and hear all about it! Love you!
ReplyDeleteI have heard of this church, is it a branch. Wow what are they doing different? Curious, I like churches that are real and try new things. Cool, I'm so happy for you, it is so important to find a good church and church family.
ReplyDeleteI took us a year to finally find our church here in Sacramento. California is a tough spot for good churches, isn't it? :) I'm glad you guys have found a church home and are starting to get settled.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how THRILLED I am to hear this great news! Wonderful. It's amazing the difference it makes to have a church family and a group of people you can commit to, and who commit to you. Praise God! Maybe sometime we can come visit!
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