We’ve finally reached the pinnacle of Mark’s Gospel where the disciples finally realize who Jesus is (Mark 8:22-33), but do they really know who He is? It seems that everyone has a different perspective on who Jesus is and what He came to do, but who’s right? Unfortunately for all of them, none of them are, as God’s ways don’t always fit with our preconceived ideas. Join us this week as we learn why it’s important to know exactly who Jesus is, and what that means for our daily lives.

What is shaping your heart and mind?Everyone of us is shaped by something. It might be politics, social media, movie, books, if it's something we think a lot about or engage with regularly, we will be shaped by it. Our hope and prayer is that as we begin this new devotional study through the New City Catechism, we will be shaped more deeply be the truths of scripture found in this catechism. 
We encourage you to watch the devotional, and use the catechism for your personal devotions as well as in your families and small groups. 
Catechism Question:
     Q: What do we believe about the Holy Spirit?
     A: That he is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son, and that God grants him irrevocably to all who believe.
Memory Verse:
     John 14:16-17 "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."

Jesus’ identity is coming more into focus each week, yet people still refuse to believe who He is. As we study the first half of Mark 8 this week, we’ll see another example of Jesus’ extravagant provision for people, as well as some incorrect ways to respond to Him. As you take stock of your life, when are you tempted to forget or not trust in Jesus’ provision for you? Join us Sunday to learn how we should respond when Jesus provides for us!

What is shaping your heart and mind?Everyone of us is shaped by something. It might be politics, social media, movie, books, if it's something we think a lot about or engage with regularly, we will be shaped by it. Our hope and prayer is that as we begin this new devotional study through the New City Catechism, we will be shaped more deeply be the truths of scripture found in this catechism. 
We encourage you to watch the devotional, and use the catechism for your personal devotions as well as in your families and small groups. 


Catechism Question:
     Q: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through faith alone, where does this faith come from?
     A: All the gifts we receive from Christ we receive through the Holy Spirit, including faith itself.
Memory Verse:
     Titus 3:4-6 "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior."

Have you ever felt so dirty that no amount of showering felt like you could get clean? In this week’s passage (Mark 7:1-37), we’ll be taking a look at what truly makes someone unclean. As Jesus has done repeatedly throughout the Gospel so far, He will bring our focus back to what God wants and continue demonstrating God’s mission to reach the world.

What is shaping your heart and mind?Everyone of us is shaped by something. It might be politics, social media, movie, books, if it's something we think a lot about or engage with regularly, we will be shaped by it. Our hope and prayer is that as we begin this new devotional study through the New City Catechism, we will be shaped more deeply be the truths of scripture found in this catechism. 
We encourage you to watch the devotional, and use the catechism for your personal devotions as well as in your families and small groups. 


Catechism Question:
     Q: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God's word?
     A: Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ.
Memory Verse:
     1 Peter 2:9-12 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

What comes to mind when you think about the word “desolate”? It may bring up images of barren places, or something deserted and broken down: a wasteland. In our passage this week we’ll focus in on the idea of wilderness and the work God does in and for his people as they gather in a desolate place and God provides all that is needed in miraculous ways. 

What is shaping your heart and mind?Everyone of us is shaped by something. It might be politics, social media, movie, books, if it's something we think a lot about or engage with regularly, we will be shaped by it. Our hope and prayer is that as we begin this new devotional study through the New City Catechism, we will be shaped more deeply be the truths of scripture found in this catechism. 
We encourage you to watch the devotional, and use the catechism for your personal devotions as well as in your families and small groups. 
Catechism Question:
     Q: Should those who have faith in Christ seek their salvation through their own works, or anywhere else?
     A: No, they should not, as everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ. To seek salvation through good works is a denial that Christ is the only Redeemer and Savior.
Memory Verse:
     Galatians 2:16 "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."

The one in which we talk about simplicity.

We’ll be continuing our regularly scheduled preaching this week as we dive back into Mark 6:6-30. We’re picking it up right after Jesus’ rejection from his hometown and see how Jesus shifts his ministry focus moving forward. We’ll also see the end of John the Baptist’s ministry and consider how we should be continually carrying out Jesus’ ministry today. See you Sunday!