Dr. Tim Johnson, Lead Pastor, looks at Jesus' praying in Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-42). In the garden, Jesus knew that His immediate desire to be spared, but He bowed before His ultimate value of sparing us. God is working through hard circumstances to transform us. He is with us in the peaks and the valleys. Instead of focusing on the lack, we should give the lack to God and trust Him to provide. 

 Dr. Bret Welstead, Pastor of Worship and Creative Arts, looks at Mark 12:12-26 and the Passover / The Last Supper. When we worship, we rehearse or enact God's story. Not so that we can perform but can be formed. The purposes of the Lord's Supper are:

Memorial - looking  into the past to remember how God has saved us.
Communion - looking at the present to see how we are one in Jesus.
Eucharist - looking into the future with thanksgiving to the return of Jesus.

Dr. Tim Johnson, Lead Pastor, looks at Mark 12:28-34 and the Greatest Commandment.  We are called to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength; the totality of our being. In addition, we are to love our neighbor as ourself as everyone we see is loved by God and is being pursued by Him. There are no other commandments greater than these.

Bible Reading
Mark Readings: https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/25017-the-gospel-of-mark-part-three
Lenten Readings: https://newcovchurch.org/lent/

Pastor of  Family Ministries looks at Mark 11:1-33.  Jesus enters Jerusalem being worshipped and then sees what is happening; comfort, status and money were masquerading as worship. We are not to hold on too tight to things that we miss what God really wants for us. 

 Continuing the series, Who Do You Say I Am, Pastor of  Adult Discipleship Brent Watson looks at Mark 10:32-45. Jesus reminds the disciples that greatness in His kingdom is not measured by how many serve or work for you. Rather, who ever wants to be great must be a servant and to be a slave of all. 

Bible Reading Plan
The Gospel of Mark, part 2

https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/24362-the-gospel-of-mark-part-two

Continuing the series, Who Do You Say I Am, Dr. Tim Johnson looks at Mark 10:17-31 and the rich young ruler. The young man approached Jesus thinking that eternal life was a transaction that he could conduct. However, following God is not about religion, it is about a relationship with the creator of the universe. If we want God to be our Savior, then we have to replace what we already have or are looking to as a savior.

Bible Reading Plan
https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/23777-the-gospel-of-mark-part-one

Who is Jesus? It’s a question people have been wrestling with for 2,000 years with an answer that has the power to change your life forever. In part one of a seven-part devotional journey through the Gospel of Mark, we’ll examine Mark 1:1–2:17. Discover why it was said of Jesus, “We have never seen anything like this.”

 https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/mark/

Beginning the series, Who Do You Say I Am, Dr. Tim Johnson provides an overview of Mark and who Jesus is. Jesus produces the unsurpassable glory of God which emanates from Him. He is the Glory of God. We cannot receive the benefits of faith without exercising faith. It is faith which transforms us from unbelieving believers to believing believers.

Bible Reading Plan
https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/23777-the-gospel-of-mark-part-one

Who is Jesus? It’s a question people have been wrestling with for 2,000 years with an answer that has the power to change your life forever. In part one of a seven-part devotional journey through the Gospel of Mark, we’ll examine Mark 1:1–2:17. Discover why it was said of Jesus, “We have never seen anything like this.”

 https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/mark/

 Finishing the series, Hope In Hardship, Dr. Bret Welstead looks at 1 Peter 5:1-14. Peter reminds the readers and us that we are to be humble, stand firm in the faith when trials come and that we will be restored. 

 Continuing the series, Hope In Hardship, Dr. Tim Johnson looks at 1 Peter 4:12-19. We are not to be surprised at the trials that we face in our lives. Rather we are to rejoice in participating in the sufferings of Christ. What if the unpleasant adjustements to daily life become a course to be taken of breakthroughs in our life?

Bible Reading Plan
https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/22291-learning-from-the-persecuted-church

Learning from the Persecuted Church

Christian persecution is one of the biggest human rights issues happening in our time. Today, over 260 million Christians are living in places where they experience high levels of persecution. We can learn great things from those who boldly witness for Christ, no matter the cost

 Continuing the series, Hope In Hardship, Dr. Tim Johnson looks at 1 Peter 4:8-11. We are encouraged to love each other deeply, even those with whom we may disagree and to offer hospitality to one another; use the gifts that we have been given to serve others thereby showing them God's grace. 

Bible Reading Plan
https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/17500-available-break-through-busy-to-connect-with-god

Available: Breaking Through “Busy” to Connect with God“

If you’re stuck in a rut, stressed, or anxious, make yourself available to God. In this 5-day devotional, learn specific ways you can be present with God and invite Him to work in your life, and start experiencing the peace, strength, and joy that comes from being available.