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Welcome to St. Mark Lutheran Church

Our Beliefs

The Bible is a foundation for our beliefs about God and our relationship with others. The Scriptures tell us:

  • “1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NRSV)
  • In addition, we hear, “15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.” (John 14:15-17 NRSV)
  • “25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you.26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:25-27 NRSV)

These illustrate what we believe. We believe in the triune God. God is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus redeems us, and the Holy Spirit calls us to faith and gives us gifts. Those gifts exist so we can reach out to others, minister to their needs, and point all to God’s love and plan for us. The Spirit’s gifts enable our church to prosper. We believe salvation comes through faith alone in Christ’s saving work.

When we gather at the foot of the Cross of Christ mentally and spiritually, we receive hope to live as a disciple of Jesus; we reflect his love; and we seek to carry out our vocation of serving others’ needs which we receive by our baptism. 

Our Purpose

St. Mark Lutheran Church glorifies Jesus Christ when we know, live, and share the Word.   

Guiding Principles:

We know the Word through

          Study of the Bible

          Developing and nurturing relationships with Jesus and others

          Worship

We live the Word through

          Prayer

          Perseverance

          The power of the Spirit

We share the Word by

          Boldly crossing boundaries, welcoming all

Our Purpose expresses mission: St. Mark’s Mission. We are formed around faith in Jesus Christ, Word and Sacrament, and a heritage that calls us to be re-formed and to live and share the Good News. We serve Jesus Christ by ministering to his people. We worship God together. We share God’s love through fellowship, spiritual development and outreach. We glorify Jesus Christ in all that we do.

Our Purpose gives us identity. We are: A family of believers who worship and pray together; A place of gathering for members and those who need a place to play, sleep, or learn; A beacon of stability and faith in our neighborhood; A growing, loving group with vision for the future.

Our Purpose says we touch many lives. The Ministries of our Church: Worship Services, Sunday School, Youth Group, Counseling, Bible Study, Prayer Groups, Women’s Ministries, Men’s Ministries, Spiritual Retreats for all ages, Confirmation Class (classes to assist in faith formation of our youth), Alpha (exploring your faith), Vacation Bible School, and many more ways to grow.

Our Purpose says we share with our neighborhood. Who uses our building besides our congregation? East Toledo Family Center (enrichment courses and sports activities for teenage youth), Interfaith Hospitality Network (one of a group of churches that offer our facilities for a week for recently homeless people to sleep and eat), Cub Scouts, Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon, Various sports teams who need temporary practice space, Northwestern Ohio Synod gatherings.