2010 finds our congregation in a unique place. We are celebrating the 3rd anniversary of our Church Renovation, which added some much-needed space and made our facilities accessible to those with mobility concerns. This past year, we completed the renovation of our Parish House, which includes the Church Office, Pastor's Study and rooms for Sunday School and meetings. Attendance in worship and education has risen steadily over the past few years: our parking lot is regularly full and we are quickly running out of classroom space. God's plan is for his kingdom to grow:
He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." (Mark 4)
The growth of God's kingdom through the church is something that God brings about ("all by itself"). Our role is to be fertile soil in which the kingdom can do its work and bear fruit. As we look to the future of St. Mark, we have opportunity to purchase an adjacent property, which would allow us to meet our growing needs and better serve our community. We are currently in the midst of a capital fund drive to raise money for the purchase of this property. Will you prayerfully ask the Lord to guide us in this process? Ask also for a spirit of generosity that seeks to bless his kingdom work by preparing some fertile soil through your contribution. And remember, God's challenge to give comes with a promise of blessing (Malachi 3 - "Bring the whole Tithe into the storehouse....and see if I don't pour open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing upon you that you cannot contain it!")
For more information, please contact the church office at 624.1766 or email pastorsmith@stmarkmendon.org