2024
DCC Mercy Update | November 2024
Mercy Ministries, Mercy Update | by Pastor Justin Keogh
The Mercy Ministry Updates are a regular snapshot of our Mercy Ministries in DCC, where we are working to serve and uphold the value and dignity of God’s most vulnerable image-bearers in our city.
GOSPEL FRAMEWORK
As God’s inspired Word, the Bible displays God’s good design and our radical need for a savior, found only in Jesus, and calls us to live out our new identity in Christ as we engage the world around us.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
Psalm 146:5-9
In Psalm 146, and throughout Scripture, we see God’s care for his people on the margins of society – the oppressed, the hungry, the prisoners, the blind, the sojourners, the widows, and the fatherless. While neglected and cast aside by society, God affirms their dignity and value by attending to their needs. This is a picture of our own condition: we are blind, slaves to our sinful nature, alienated from God, without help or hope, and spiritually dead apart from God’s gracious intervention in Christ (John 9; Rom 5:6-11, 6:15-23; Eph. 2:1-12). God’s caring heart is meant to be the example we follow, as we “go and do likewise” for others in their physical and spiritual needs (Luke 10:25-37).
It is this love and grace bestowed on us in Christ that animates our service toward others through our Mercy Ministries. These ministries serve those on the margins of our city, seeking to declare and demonstrate this good news. We do this through various partnerships, events, and Mercy Focus Areas – which provide a multitude of opportunities to do good to our neighbors in need. Read more below about our current focus areas and upcoming events to find out how you can join us in serving this season.
REFUGEES
Through our partnership with World Relief of Western Washington, we’re hoping to launch a “Good Neighbor Team” to care for a newly arriving family in the new year. Join us for an info session on Sunday, November 24 at 9am to learn more! Register here.
BLOOD DONATION DRIVE
We’re hosting our next blood donation drive with Bloodworks Northwest on Wednesday, December 4, between 9am-3pm. Blood donations are a simple, safe, and life-saving way to tangibly bless our neighbors. Donations are used for treating patients with trauma, cancer, or other serious conditions. Sign up to donate here.
HOMELESSNESS
As a church downtown with many homeless neighbors, we’ve partnered with Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission to address the great need in our city. It can be overwhelming at times to know how we can help, so we’re hosting UGM for a training on engaging homelessness on Sunday, December 8, at 12p following the gathering (lunch will be provided). Register here.
FAMILY ADVOCACY MINISTRY
We’ve combined our Life and Foster Care and Adoption focus areas into one Family Advocacy Ministry. We are working with youth in foster care this season by helping with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families’ (DCYF) Christmas gift giveaway. We’ll be sorting gifts on Saturday afternoon, December 14. Register here.
STAY CONNECTED
These events are just a snapshot of the ways in which we serve throughout the year. You can learn more through our Mercy Ministries webpage, and consider joining our ongoing focus area groups in Church Center to hear more regular updates, events, and opportunities to serve:
For the Kingdom,
Pastor Justin