Study of Mark: Jesus challenges us to bear spiritual "fruit" by nurturing "good soil" in our lives and allowing God to use even our tiny "seed" to do great things for Him.

Study of Mark: Jesus broke the rules by associating with bad people, forgetting the past, and overlooking the law and as a result He started a movement.

Study of Mark: Jesus can and does bring physical healing in the world today; but more importantly, He points us to a greater need which all of can share - the need for forgiveness.

Study of Mark: Jesus commands us to repent, to REthink our lives and start a movement that He can use to change lives.

What if we realized the opportunity we've been given to join with Jesus in loving those who need help the most by giving an unbelievable present, Jesus Himself?

What if we celebrated and gave more of the best gift of all that God first demonstrated for us: the gift of presence?

What if we chose the Kingdom of Emmanuel over the Kingdom of Consumption and let that influence where we stop and worship this Christmas?

What if we spent a little less on the stuff that doesn't matter, choosing instead to give more of our time to the people we love and more of our resources to the people who have nothing?

Thankfulness is a choice we make and when done is rewarded with more of God's presence.

The Church is the community of God's redeemed people and exists to continue the mission of God in the world - reconciling creation to its Creator - by demonstrating God's love, mercy, and forgiveness in action.