New Year, Fresh Start!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Looking for a fresh start emotionally and spiritually as you start a new year?  St. Mark is offering two great opportunities for you: 

First, all are welcome to "start over" this new year with a new sermon series focused on positive change that Jesus brings into our lives.  Series starts January 2nd!

Second, if you're looking for a place to GROW in God's love and GO with His love to help our world, you're invited to join our Starting Point membership course beginning on Sunday, January 17, 10:30am or Monday, January 18, 7:30pm.  Click HERE for details and to sign up.

Here's what some recent Starting Point course participants had to say: 

"I absolutely LOVED attending Starting Point classes. Thank you for the opportunity to join St. Mark Church, we are so thankful that God has led us to you."

"It was reassuring, in the classes, to know that St. Marks teaches and preaches the true Word of God directly from the Bible."

"I really enjoyed the classes. I relearned a lot of information that I forgot about since I was confirmed 20 years ago."

May God richly bless you and your family as you start a new year.  You matter and are loved!

THE LETTER ... that shows you make a difference!

The following letter is from a family that we served in our food pantry and with the Christmas giving tree.

My name is XXXX..my wife XXXX and I and our two sons XXXX and XXXX want to just say THANK YOU.  Its been a very hard year for us and St Marks has been the biggest blessing.  I have had multiple health issues and it has kept me from working a lot this year and i barely pay rent every month and it isnt looking good.  We pray a LOT lol.  We have been blessed with two amazing sons and it is my single goal in life to provide them, and my wife with a happy healthy life.  St Marks has seriously helped fill in those gaps my health has created. This christmas the only gifts under our tree were from you and your members and we know the gifts arnt the important part of this holiday..the gift from God of his son here on earth is. But to hear your own childrens laughter and joy when the paper goes flying really helps a parent connect our feelings with the enormity of Gods gift to us.  Thank you for helping us this year and we pray all of you have a very very blessed Christmas as well!  

PLEASE SHARE THIS LETTER WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS THIS CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR!

10 things-not-to-say-to-your-kids

Every parent wants to be a better parent. There is a lot of great information out there that will help you be a better parent. Here is something my wife Lydia ran across just today.

http://thekidcounselor.com/2011/01/10-things-not-to-say-to-your-kids/

GROW & GO                                                        

 “To establish a dynamic Christian congregation that is an inspirational magnet for every member of our community providing an opportunity to GROW a meaningful personal relationship with Jesus and then to GO make a difference now and for eternity.”    

THE THREE PILLARS OF THE GROW & GO VISION

Offer compelling worship

Grow healthy adults

Intentionally serve others in Jesus’ name

See you this weekend!

God's People Are Shining Jesus' Light

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light...For to us a child is born...He will be called Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:2, 6).  

I love the lights of Christmas.  They remind me of the inspired words of Isaiah written 700 years before Jesus was even born.  Jesus came to shine in the darkness.  He came to erase the darkness of sin in our lives.  That darkness causes pain, guilt and shame.  Notice the red lace next to the lights on our Christmas tree in the picture?  That red reminds us of the real reason why baby Jesus was born: to shed His blood to free us from the darkness of sin and give us the hope of eternal life.

I thank Jesus for shining His light into my life.  I also thank Jesus for shining His light through my fellow Christians!  This past month, we had over 300 St. Mark partners, adults and children, involved in our Bake, Rake, & Take community service project around our school.  You shined Jesus' light of peace to hurting people.

Through our annual Christmas Giving Tree initiative, our partners have blessed 162 needy children this Christmas season with gifts.  You shined Jesus' light of hope to hurting children.

Thank you, God's people, for shining Jesus' Light of love this Christmas season.  I am privileged to serve with you.  Be bold.  Shine brightly.

Bring your family and friends to our Christmas services...
Christmas Eve: 3:00, 5:00 or 7:00pm at our De Pere site (2066 Lawrence Dr, De Pere)
Christmas Day: 9:00am at our Green Bay site (1167 Kenwood, Green Bay)

Merry Christmas!  - Pastor Chris -

Click HERE for Answers & Video

How well do you know the Christmas story?

Most of us know the general outline because we’ve heard or sung it or watched it being enacted in the Christmas programs at the local church or in the storyline from those endless Hallmark Christmas movies. We know about the shepherds, the angels, the “Wise Men,” the star, the innkeeper, camels, the long journey of Mary and Joseph, the baby in the manger, and we know about the gold, frankincense and myrrh. But how much of what we know is tradition and how much comes from the Bible?

Let's see what your Christmas IQ really is? Please answer the following questions below without first looking at the Bible or your Bible app on your phone. This is a wonderful tool to use when you gather his family and friends to celebrate this Christmas season.

http://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/christmas-iq-test.html

Many of you have requested the video of the poet who welcomes you to church during the FIVE2.  Here is the video.

Jesus Loves Planned Parenthood Staff

I was finishing off a second plate of turkey when my news app flashed the message, "Hostage situation at a Colorado Planned Parenthood office". I don't know about you but my nerves where already a bit on edge because of the worldwide threat of terrorism. My first thought when I read the text... AGAIN, SERIOUSLY!!! Another violent shooting... Yet another example of a fool with a gun ending someone's life. My frustration only grew as I heard more...

The guy went on his senseless rampage because he was pro-life... 

Does this incongruity bother anyone else?

Does abortion end life that God has created? Yes. Is every life sacred to God? Yes. Does God want us to enter places where abortions clinics (like planned parenthood) and execute the staff? Certainly not. There are numerous ways in our country we can speak up and defend unborn children. Violence is not the answer because violence doesn't change hearts or bring people closer to Jesus.

Jesus loves all people, enough to take the punishment we deserved for sin. Jesus loves all people and loves to lead them toward godly changes in their life. This is the message that we need to promote. This is the message that brings peace to a woman who has had an abortion. This is the message that can change the staff person who stands behind Planned Parenthood.

There is an amazing story about Abby Johnson, a planned parenthood advocate who changed. It was the shock of seeing an abortion performed and the genuine kindness of the Christians next door changed her and led her to Christ. I recommend checking out a 2 minute summary of Abby's story Here to see what our peaceful witness to Christ can do.

This current event reminds us of the value all life has to our Savior and much more his desire to spend eternity with each of us. Check out and support organizations that are reaching out to mom's facing a scary reality, they're pregnant and don't know what they are going to do with the little life inside of them. Bay Area Life Center is doing a great job of helping mom's choose life for their child and know Jesus their Savior.