What We Believe

We believe in the one, triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, John 10:30, Colossians 2:9, John 15:26

We believe in God the Father, who existed before all things and is the Maker of all things.
1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 4:6, Malachi 2:10

We believe in God the Son, Jesus Christ, who was sent to save us from our sins. He was made man, lived a perfect life, and demonstrated his divinity with miracles. He was crucified and died for our salvation. He rose from the dead in a physical resurrection and ascended into heaven, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
John 3:16, John 17:3, 1 Timothy 2:5, Colossians 2:9, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Corinthians 15:3, Romans 6:9, Acts 1:9-11, Romans 8:34, Revelation 22:12, 2 Timothy 4:1

We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who is worshiped and glorified with the Father and the Son. He is the Lord and Giver of Life, the Helper who intercedes for the Father to us, and he spoke through the prophets and Apostles. He still works in the life of all believers through prayer, the Word of God, baptism, communion, and equips all believers with his gifts. Without the work of the Holy Spirt, we cannot believe in the Lord Jesus or come to him.
Philippians 3:3, Job 33:4, John 14:26, 2 Peter 1:21, John 6:44, 1 Corinthians 12:3

We believe the Bible is both the inspired and inerrant Word of God. The 66 canonical books of the Bible are the sole rule and norm by which all doctrine is examined and judged. The Word of God is living and powerful. Because of this, we do not place ourselves in authority over the Word of God, rather the Word of God has authority over us.
John 1:1, Isaiah 40:8, 2 Timothy 3:16, Matthew 24:35, Acts 5:29

We believe all people are sinners and fall short of the glory of God. Not simply because we sin, but also because we are sinful by nature, being born into a world thoroughly corrupted by sin. As such, all people are destined to die and spend an eternity apart from a perfect God were their sins not forgiven through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Romans 3:23, Psalm 51:5, Romans 5:12, John 3:18, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, John 1:12, Romans 10:9, John 14:6, Acts 4:12

We believe God loves all people and wants them to be saved through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ that they may live in a present and eternal relationship with him.
John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:4, Luke 14:23, John 14:3

We believe the Church is the gathering of God’s people who place their faith and hope in Jesus. When we actively gather in the local church, we are a part of the universal Church and members of the body of Christ. The local church is called by God to demonstrate his kingdom by serving their surrounding community.
Matthew 16:8, Romans 12:5, Matthew 18:20, Hebrews 10:24-25, Ephesians 2:20-22

We believe God gives us his true body and blood in the bread and wine of communion for the forgiveness of our sins. Christ welcomes anyone to receive this meal who acknowledges they are a sinner and believes he gives them his promised body and blood in the bread and wine for the forgiveness of their sins.
Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 10:16, John 6:55

We believe in one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Through the waters of baptism, God gives his promises of salvation, adoption, and forgiveness of sins. As such, baptism is not something we do for God, it is something God does for us. Because we believe baptism is a free gift of God for all people, we continue the first–century practice of baptizing both infants and adults.
Ephesians 4:4-6, Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Peter 3:21, Galatians 3:26-27, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Matthew 19:14, Acts 18:8, Act 16:15, Colossians 2:11- 12

We believe God calls his Church to join him on his mission to save the world, so as many as possible may be rescued from the dominion of darkness and enter into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 14:23, 1 Peter 2:9

As a member congregation of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, we acknowledge and accept all the confessional writings of the Lutheran Church contained in the Book of Concord from the year 1580 as true and genuine expositions of the doctrines of the Bible. These confessional writings are the three Ecumenical Creeds, the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, Luther’s Large Catechism, Luther’s Small Catechism, the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, and the Formula of Concord.

Communion

We believe the Bible teaches Communion is a sacred meal where Jesus offers us his true body and blood in the bread and wine for the forgiveness of our sins. If you are a baptized follower of Jesus and believe the following statements, please celebrate with us:

  • Jesus died and rose from the dead for my sins.
  • I am a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness.
  • I am sorry for my sins.
  • I set aside any refusal to forgive others.
  • Jesus’ true body and blood are given to me in the bread and wine of communion for the forgiveness of my sins.

Our Model

Our model of ministry is to help you take the four steps to experience Jesus in the ways he’s promised. The easiest way to think of these steps it is to picture the crowds of thousands of people following Jesus, beginning with the outside edges.

1) SEE JESUS

Everyone in the crowds following Jesus was there to see him. They wanted see if what they had heard was true.

In the same way, Jesus says others see Jesus when we serve them (Matthew 25:37-40) in his name.

How we do this:
From service events like Prosper the City to ministries like Our World for Children, we work hard to serve our community so they see Jesus through serving in his name.

2) HEAR JESUS

People in the crowds following Jesus could stay on the outside edge, watching him for as little or as long as they’d like. But if they were convinced by what they saw, they’d step forward into the crowd to get close enough to hear what he had to say.

In the same way, Jesus promises we hear him speak through His Word (Matthew 24:35, John 14:10, Luke 6:47).

How we do this:
We commit ourselves to the faithful preaching of God’s Word on Sunday mornings, so you can hear Jesus through his Word in weekly worship.

3) SPEAK WITH JESUS

Once again, people in the crowds following Jesus could stay within ear-shot, listening to him for as long as they needed. People would leave, people would stay (John 7:40-43), but eventually, people with a burning would push and elbow (Luke 8:42) their way closer to Jesus to speak with him (Luke 12:13).

God’s Word promises Jesus gathers with us when even two or three gather in his name, and we engage in conversation with his people (1 Peter 4:11).

How we do this:
We have a heavy emphasis on Small Groups at St. Mark so you can speak with Jesus through conversation in Small Groups.

4) TOUCH JESUS

Finally, when people in the crowds were convinced Jesus was who he said he was and could do what he said he could do, they would push through the crowd to touch him (Luke 8:42b-48), that they might receive what he has to give.

In the same way, Jesus promised you can touch him through the waters of baptism (John 3:5) and the bread and wine of communion (Matthew 26:26-28).

How we do this:
We structure our activities and ministry to make it possible for you to touch Jesus through baptism and communion.

Wherever you might be in the crowds that followed Jesus, please know there is a place for you at St. Mark to help you see, hear, speak with, and touch Jesus in the ways that you need!