Dear family,
No matter what your current circumstances are, God has not forgotten about you. Psalm 136:23 says, "It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever." Jesus remembers us, not because of our loveliness, but because of his lovingkindness.
Downtown Seattle Farewell Bash
You’re invited to celebrate with us!
Mars Hill Downtown started as a church in the most notorious nightclub in Seattle and ended in the oldest church in the city. Every step in between has been a nonstop, whirlwind witness of Jesus working mightily and mysteriously in the city he loves.
The party begins with one combined Sunday service at 11 am on October 5. At the close of the service, we’ll share stories and testimonies, and then have an old-fashioned church potluck, not unlike that which has happened for decades in the very building we’ve been blessed to worship in for our brief, powerful, blessed two years.
Come with a dish to pass. Come with a story to share. Come celebrate with us on this special day all that Jesus has done over these past six wonderful years.
Please RSVP on Facebook or on The City.
2014 Annual Coat Drive
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus told his disciples that whatever they did for the “least of these,” they did for him. At Mars Hill, we want to follow Jesus’ words with our actions. Last year’s church-wide coat drive was a huge success. In total, we collected 1,547 coats across all our churches.
Donated coats piled high at Bellevue in 2013.
We want to bless our communities in the same way this year! Our coat drive will begin this Sunday, Sept. 28. You’ll be able to donate coats until October 12.
Women's Study Groups Launch
Many of our churches launched Women’s Study Groups within the past two weeks and have seen great participation. Some are going through Elyse Fitzpatrick’s newly-released Good News for Weary Women study, reading through the book and watching the group video lessons. While others are using the 1 John: Love One Another study guides to learn and go deeper in the current sermon series book of Scripture.
If you are a woman who is eager to go deeper in the Word of God and deeper in relationship with other women in your church and community, please talk to your Women’s Ministry lead or lead pastor.
Women from Mars Hill Sammamish pray together.
Mars Hill West Seattle had a great crowd!
Mars Hill Phoenix Becomes Phoenix Bible Church
This Sunday will be bittersweet for our family as Mars Hill Phoenix will gather for the last time under that name. In the difficult decisions that were made this month due to the current financial crisis, Pastor Tim Birdwell and Mars Hill Phoenix were informed that their location would unfortunately be closed. However, Pastor Tim, the leadership of Mars Hill, and the family members of Mars Hill Phoenix prayed much and discussed the option of becoming an independent church because Jesus and his bride are always primary, any name and affiliation are secondary.
Pastor Tim shared this, "We know that Jesus is bigger than our current situation and we also know that the church is simply a gathering of Jesus’ people. This transition is great evidence that it really is all about Jesus."
We grieve having to release them as a Mars Hill church, however we are so excited for them to continue on as Phoenix Bible Church under the leadership of Pastor Tim. Please pray for Phoenix Bible Church, this committed family of believers, that Jesus would bless them continually and mightily. Pray also that he would allow them to continue reaching many people in Phoenix for his glory alone.
Dawg Days at Mars Hill Ballard
School has started at the University of Washington in Seattle and there were thousands of students scurrying around campus trying to acclimate to new schedules and a new year. Mars Hill Ballard had a booth there on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Our volunteers had coffee and hot cider available for anyone interested and many took advantage of the free offer during the cool and rainy days this week. They had many good conversations including quite a few people that were familiar with Mars Hill. Some students were searching for a church and some just chatted while they enjoyed their warm drink.
One girl asked a lot of questions even though she claimed to be a Buddhist. She was very thankful for the hot cider and thanked us for being on campus. Please pray for students at UW, Seattle Pacific University, and many other schools that are back in session. Pray that Jesus would allow Mars Hill to reach collegiates in each of our cities.
Staff Chapel
Pastor Matt Rogers addresses the staff on behalf of the BOAA.
Lead pastors and staff members pray over Pastor Sutton Turner.
Staff member Eleazar Ruiz enjoys the time in God’s Word.
At Staff Chapel this week, the staff had the special opportunity to pray over Pastor Sutton Turner in light of his recent resignation. Pastor Matt Rogers (unpaid Bellevue elder, Chairman of the Board of Elders, member of the Board of Advisors & Accountability) spoke to the staff regarding Pastor Sutton’s departure. He also shared how Mars Hill needs to grow in many ways. It was quite helpful for the staff.
After the time of prayer, Pastor Dave Bruskas continued his series in Colossians focusing on the phrase “in him” which appears several times in 2:6-15.
Interest Meeting for Short-Term Mission Trips to Ethiopia
Mars Hill will be hosting several short-term mission trips to Ethiopia in 2015.
We are so excited to host these trips in partnership with our friends at New Covenant Foundation. Several lead pastors went with Pastor Sutton Turner earlier this year to be trained and equipped to lead you this upcoming year.
In order to better inform you of the details of these trips to Ethiopia, we have organized a formal interest meeting for those in the Puget Sound area.*
Here are the details:
- What: Ethiopia Short-Term Mission Trips Interest Meeting
- Who: anyone interested in serving our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia on a short-term mission trip
- Why: to inform you of pertinent details regarding the upcoming trips
- Where: Mars Hill Bellevue (the Danz Building), 620 106th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
- When: Monday, September 29, 2014 at 7–9pm
We look forward to seeing you! You bring your excitement for the mission field and we’ll bring the coffee!
*If you do not live in the Seattle area but would still like to receive the information that will be given during this meeting, please click the second option on the form: “I will not be attending, but I would like more information.”
We are so encouraged by your overwhelming support and requests to know how you can pray for our church. Here are some ways that you can be praying for Mars Hill:
- For Pastor Mark, Grace, and the kids. Pray for protection, safety, peace, and security. Pray that they would embrace the sovereignty of God during this difficult season.
- For your lead pastors, executive pastors, and local church pastors. That they would be empowered to faithfully and prayerfully care for you, the people of Mars Hill.
- For our current financial crisis. Pray that our members and attenders would be faithful and obedient in their giving and stewardship. Pray also that we would be wise in all financial decisions.
- For those who are hurt and confused. Pray that they would seek the Lord and also seek help from pastors and their community of believers.
- For the Board of Elders (BOE). Pray that they would have wisdom and clarity as they continue the investigation. Pray for strength and perseverance.
- For Pastor Sutton Turner and his family. Pray that God would provide a new job opportunity quickly. Pray that Jesus would continue to multiply Sutton’s work and efforts that were accomplished while he was here.
Sammamish: Mark came to the church last Tuesday morning asking for a copy of the Bible. Pastor Tim Patton made sure he got a nice study Bible and began to dialogue with him about it, Jesus, and the gospel. He described himself as coming from an atheist background but now saw himself as more "spiritual.” Later Mark shared that no one from a church had ever taken the time to talk with him like this before. He attended the service on Sunday, sat in the front row, followed along in his Bible, and had lots of questions about the sermon and service. He stayed afterwards to talk with a number of people and asked how he could serve at our church. He has lots of questions. Please pray that Mark’s continued exposure to the people of Mars Hill Sammamish will be a part of what God uses to draw him to Jesus for salvation.
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