Our Mission Statement

Growing in Faith… Sharing God’s Grace

Do you recognize this statement?  It is the mission statement for St. Mark Lutheran Church.  You can find it on the front of the bulletins each Sunday and on our website.  When you think about this statement, it is a simple but profound statement.

Growing in Faith, each week when we worship together we are growing our faith.  When we come to a bible study or book study our faith grows.  Your faith even grows when you enjoy a cup of coffee with friends after worship.  When we are in community with others who we care for and who care for us, our faith grows.  Even if we don’t realize it.  Knowing someone loves and cares for you can make a difference.   

Sometimes growing in faith can be challenging and uncomfortable. I have found that my faith grows the most when I am challenged and feel uncomfortable.  The uncomfortable feeling, I am referring to is an internal discomfort.  A discomfort that makes you think deeper.  Scripture can be extremely challenging and some of it is uncomfortable.  Take a look at the book of Job, especially when all that Job has and loves is taken away or when his so-called friends begin to speak.  When we are challenged, growth happens.

Sharing God’s Grace, I often see you all share God’s grace with visitors.  It is beautiful to witness members of St. Mark greeting and showing kindness to folks who walk through the doors.  God’s grace is also shared when we feed those who are hungry, by donating to local pantries or feeding folks who come to our doors hungry.  God’s grace is shared in the uniform co-op where families can buy school uniforms at an affordable price, and when blankets and quilts are made by our Sew and Sews to be given away to Habitat for Humanity families, kids who come to Rock House, and to Remedies.  Simple acts of sharing God’s grace with people in need.  

God’s grace is shared when the young people of St. Mark collect items during VBS and Sunday School to give to local organization, and when the youth volunteer at Rock House or the food bank.  The young people of St. Mark helping those in our community. This is only a few examples of how we Grow in Faith and Share God’s Grace. 

How do you see St. Mark Growing in Faith…Sharing God’s Grace?  How do you see yourself Growing in Faith…Sharing God’s Grace?

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber