This January, we’re beginning a yearlong journey through the Word of God, in an attempt to better know our God, and who He has given us to be in Him.

To that end, our Sunday Studies immediately following the Divine Service will help us dig into the great gift He has given us in the Holy Scriptures.  On the first Sunday of the new year, we’ll begin a five-part series by Lutheran Hour Ministries called, “How We Got the Bible.”  It’s a video-based series hosted by Rev. Dr. Paul Maier: a professor of history at Western Michigan, an ordained LCMS clergyman, and a member of the LCMS presidium.  Dr. Maier will examine historical and physical evidence, helping us to understand this incredible book we call the Bible.  We’ll discuss the history of how this collection came together, and dispel some common myths which have again reared their ugly heads in our society.

When that five-week series is completed, we’ll spend (about) two sessions discussing the importance of Bible Study and personal/family devotions, and exploring some tools to assist us in building this important habit.  If you purchased and received a Lutheran Study Bible, please bring it along!  We’ll walk through that edition and help you to feel more comfortable with it.  Otherwise, bring along your own or your family Bible, and we’ll look at how you can use the tools you’ve already got to dig into God’s Word and take advantage of the great resources already at your fingertips.

Then as Lent begins (in mid-February already!), we’ll begin a study on the Lord’s Supper, and especially the Lutheran understanding of this great and wonderful Sacrament.  Especially leading up to Maundy Thursday and our commemoration of this Sacrament being instituted, this looks to be a meaningful opportunity for us to explore, discuss, and learn more about this incredible gift of Christ to His church.

Please plan on joining us each week immediately following our celebration of the Lord’s Supper.  It’s a safe place to bring questions and participate with your brothers and sisters… and it’s never too late to join in one of our studies.  Resources will be provided.

Haven't seen our newsletter in a while?  Want to refer back to a previous bulletin?

As always, there are things going on, and someone had a camera.  But that's a good thing!

Now available on our website, from any Flash-enabled web browser: Video of our services!  In order to reach a larger group, and to serve our members who may be unable to take part in person, St. Mark's is making our services available via streaming video.  Church services will be posted online a few days after they take place, and are freely available for viewing and download.

Please see our new video page at www.stmarkwb.org/video or our full video archive at vimeo.com/StMarkWB. 

Our first service is posted (Pentecost XVII), and more will follow in subsequent weeks.  Please bear with us as we fine-tune our recording and production processes, and learn how to make them a little more presentable.

To God be the glory!

From our brothers and sisters at Concordia Publishing House, a great new resource comes soon... The Lutheran Study Bible.  After over five years of development, it's almost here.  This Bible, containing the English Standard Version text (the same as what we use during the Divine Service on Sunday), is full of references, resources, charts, and notes upon notes about the Biblical text.  The project started with over 400 laypeople reading the Scriptures, and jotting down questions they had as they read.  These questions were then researched by leading Lutheran theologians from all over the world, and became the basis for the extensive explanatory notes included in this new Lutheran Study Bible.

Please note, this is NOT an update of the Concordia Self-Study Bible, but is a completely new book, built from the ground up for Confessional Lutheran Christians.  This is NOT the same as the similarly-titled Lutheran Study Bible or the ESV Study Bible from other publishing houses.  The Lutheran Study Bible is an incredible edition of God's Holy Word, and will be a great help to all of us as we continue to grow.

Read more about The Lutheran Study Bible online at www.cph.org/lutheranbible.  Samplers and more information are available from the church office, and will be handed out after the service on Sunday, September 27th.

On Sunday, September 13th, we kicked off our Sunday School program for kids of all ages.  With presentations, goodies, and discussion, we learned about the "Growing In Christ" curriculum by Concordia Publishing House.  Each Sunday, directly following the Divine Service, we'll offer instruction for both kids and adults.  The kids will gather in one end of the Fellowship Hall, led by experienced and dedicated volunteers.  The lessons consist of hearing from God's Word, assisted by crafts, colorful pictures, engaging activities, and even a puppet named Lilly.  All ways of teaching how God has been faithful to His people, culminating in His sending of His Son Jesus to die and rise again for the forgiveness of all of us.  During the Season After Pentecost (the Fall Quarter), the lessons explore the Old Testament accounts.  During the Festival Half of the Church Year (the Winter and Spring quarters), lessons are coordinated with the Gospel lessons followed in the Divine Service.  So each year, kids get to walk through the life of Christ our Savior.

The adults gather for the Sunday Study Sessions, with varying topics, led by Pastor Ferry.  Fall classes (beginning in October) will delve into the various major world religions (Christianity, Buddhism, Shinto, Jehovah's Witness, Mormons, etc.) and help us have a better understanding so we can defend ourselves and the truth.  These study sessions (and the Sunday School) strive to meet an 11:30am exit time each week.

For more information, please see our Sunday School page, or contact the church office.

Ever wonder how that picture turned out?  Did they get my best side?  Can I get some of the pictures of church events?

St. Mark's now has a pictures page on the internet!  Pictures of events are now available for you to view, download, and even order prints through your favorite provider.  When our church hosts events, we try hard to make sure we have some photos to remember you by!  We've set up a site where we can view and store these pictures, and you can enjoy them as well.

• View our featured event in a slideshow using the "Photos" link on the left of any page of this website.
• View our complete photo collection starting in late 2008, where we're uploading and archiving events. 
  Our main pictures page is at this address: http://picasaweb.google.com/StMarkWB

We hope this will be a great service as we celebrate the family into which the Holy Spirit has called us by His grace. 
As always, let Pastor know if there are any problems or questions.