As we get ready to preach through Mark, here is a helpful overview of his gospel.
Mark records in sixteen chapters “the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). This opening verse introduces major themes in the book―Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God.
After introducing the beginnings of Jesus by speaking of John the Baptist, Jesus’ baptism, and Jesus’ temptation (Mark 1:1–13), Mark gives a summary statement of what we find Jesus doing throughout the book: “Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God” (Mark 1:14–15).
Beginning with the call of four disciples (Mark 1:16–20), Mark records Jesus’ initial ministry in Galilee (Mark 1:16–3:6) and then summarizes by noting the region’s reaction to Him―people swarming to Him from all directions to be healed from disease and demons (Mark 3:7–12). Beginning his next section with the appointment of the twelve apostles (Mark 3:13–19), Mark then records Jesus’ continuing ministry in Galilee (Mark 3:20–5:43). Through the miracles and teaching of Jesus, both sections show Jesus to be the Christ and Son of God.
After coming back to his hometown Nazareth (Mark 6:1–6), Mark again begins with a focus on Jesus’ disciples and records the continuing ministry of Jesus (Mark 6:7–8:26). The disciples see, but not clearly, that Jesus is the Christ (Mark 8:27–30; cf. 8:22–26), a climactic confession that comes almost exactly halfway through Mark’s gospel. As Jesus continues to travel and teach to Galilee and the surrounding regions (Mark 8:27–10:52), Mark emphasizes through Jesus’ words that being a disciple of Jesus means understanding who He is (cf. Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:32–34) and losing one’s life by giving it away to live for Him (Mark 8:34–38; 9:35–37; 10:42–45).
Opposition mounts against Jesus as he teaches in Jerusalem (Mark 11:1–13:37), which leads to the record of events two days before His death (Mark 14:1–72), including the Jewish leadership’s rejection of Jesus’ claim to be the Christ and Son of God (Mark 14:61–64). After His trial before Pilate, Jesus is crucified and buried (Mark 15:1–47). Just after Jesus’ death, a Roman centurion confesses what Mark desired all his Roman readers to confess: “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39). The book ends by leaving the reader to wonder with the women at the emptiness of Jesus’ tomb after His resurrection (Mark 16:1–8).
As one can see, two dominant themes in Mark are who Jesus is (the Christ and the Son of God) and the cost that comes with being His disciple (suffering). As we study Mark together, may God help us to truly understand Jesus and genuinely follow Him.

-This outline of Mark more or less follows pp. 169–72 in D. A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo’s An Introduction to the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005).

"First Peter: A Living Hope in Christ" is a 10-week study of the Apostle Peter's first letter, using the Bible (1 Peter) and a study guide (available free of charge at our study). We will not only learn about our hope found only in Christ, but we will also learn how to study the Bible for ourselves in the process!
Beginning Sunday, September 14, please join us at 6:00 PM on Sunday nights scheduled for Women's Bible Fellowship. You can see our calendar by clicking here. 
Our Ladies' Bible Fellowship is led by Holly Huffstutler. She is our pastor's wife, holds an M.A. in Biblical Ministries, and is the mother of three small children.
To know the current passage and topic that we will be studying for upcoming Sundays, watch for our regular updates on Facebook and Twitter.

Our order of services for the upcoming month is below. Our hymnal is Hymns of Grace and Glory, a hymnal with over 700 hymns, including 80 selections from the Scottish Psalter. You can listen to the tunes for these hymns by clicking here. We also have our own supplemental booklet that includes a number of other older and recent hymns as well.

9/7

Hymn 23 - Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

Hymn 52 - Crown Him with Many Crowns

Hymn 139 - O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Booklet 24 - Salvation's Cup

Hymn 267 - There Is a Fountain

9/14

Hymn 36 - All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name 

Hymn 495 - Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

Booklet 41 - Why Do the Nations Rage? (Psalm 2)

Hymn 451 - O Thou in Whose Presence

9/21

Hymn 67 - Come Christians, Join to Sing

Hymn 42 - Praise Ye the Lord!

Booklet 44 - God is Our Strength and Refuge (Psalm 46)

Hymn 451 - O Thou in Whose Presence

9/28

Hymn 69 - O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing!

Hymn 49 - O God, Our Help in Ages Past

Psalm 23b 

Hymn 451 - O Thou in Whose Presence

Why so many? What’s the Difference? Confused? Have you ever wondered why there are so many churches and denominations? Where did they all come from? What are the differences? Do you have to belong to a particular church, or any at all, to go to heaven?

While some claim that association with their denomination is necessary in order to go to heaven, the Scriptures are clear that they only requirement is genuine faith in the work of Christ on are behalf. So why so many? What are the differences? Do they matter?

Beginning Sunday, October 5, we’ll take a few weeks to explore the origin and differences between our various denominations and sects. In the process, we’ll discover that eternal life is not primarily a matter of religion, but of relationship – a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Please join us for these informative and perhaps life-changing sessions.