“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. (V.11) The Pharisee, standing by himself prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week: I give tithes of all that I get’. But the tax collector standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to is house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

I was not humble at all, I was a self-righteous pretender. After coming to Mars Hill I was convicted over and over by God. I learned I was worshipping idols instead of worshipping God. I must always be on guard because it is easy to swap one idol for another and keep replacing God in my heart. I have learned that God is God and I am not, I want to rule over my life, and have my own way but in truth the only plan is God’s plan. I have learned that I am truly God’s child and that because of Jesus I am accepted by God, when God looks at me he sees Jesus because my real identity is in Christ. That is a mind boggling thing even now! I am still a sinner, but now there is hope because of Jesus’ sacrifice. No amount of “pretending” or “being good” or “earning my way” will save me. There is nothing I can add to the cross.

MH: How has Mars Hill helped you to develop and refine the vision for ministry which God has given you?
JA: About two years ago I went to Redemption Group. This is where I really got to take a good look at myself (remember I was a self-righteous Pharisee). We are blind to our blindness! I was finally able to crack open “Janice” and the Holy Spirit showed me things I had been blind to, idols I worshipped (me being the biggest idol), ways I tried to escape from everyday hardships through over-eating, television, reading trash and I found myself confessing things I never wanted to acknowledge I had done let alone say out loud, to God or any other person. I am a sinner, so I will never be “fixed” but going through Redemption Group helped me to acknowledge areas I need to work on and to heal from past sin caused by myself or inflicted on me, and to realize God has and is going through all the past and present with me! I am not alone, ever! I became a leader in Redemption Group and God has blessed me with loving and serving people who, like me, have sin they have committed or was committed against them. The Holy Spirit is revealing things to me about myself as I lead in Redemption Groups. He has shown me over and over again how he changes people and impacts their lives so significantly. It’s amazing to watch lives being transformed and learning from others who participate in the Redemption Group process!

MH: How has participating in community groups helped you to better understand and live out the Gospel?
JA: Now because of what Jesus has done in my life I have real community like never before. Through my Community Group I have found a new family, and with them I know I am in a safe place and that those around me will support me through my troubles, they will always love me an will hold me accountable to God’s word (what a relief that is) over having to pretend that I am “OK” all of the time!

MH: What has it been like going from member to Deacon?
JA: Now that I am a Deacon I am really excited to keep going forward with God’ plan! I am excited to see where God will take me, and what else he will bless in my life. A wise man just shared with me that you can only take someone as deep as you are, so you can never stop learning about and living out the Gospel.

Heading up the new women’s ministry will be our very own Stacie Rose. We’re excited to welcome her as Women’s Ministry Coordinator. Stacie shared her testimony with us, as well as a little more info on the upcoming training day.

Tell us a little bit about your testimony, your marriage, and your family.

I was raised in a Christian home and came to know Jesus at a very young age. In my college years, I tried to live my life independent of God and really made a mess of things. God continued to pursue me and draw me to Himself. He didn’t just make my life better – He forgave me of all and gave me an entirely new life. I am so thankful to God for His unfailing love, mercy, and grace!

My husband Mitchell and I have been married for 28 years and currently live with our family in Fall City. God chose to give us a constant reminder of how we’ve been adopted into his family by expanding our family through adoption. He has blessed with six children from one to fourteen years old.

How did you end up attending Mars Hill?

We visited Mars Hill Bellevue with friends who invited us about four years ago. We absolutely loved the strong Bible teaching and the emphasis on Jesus, and we knew immediately that this was the right church for our family. We then transferred to Sammamish in October of last year to help with the launch, and we’re very excited about having a church in our own back yard!

How have you been serving at Mars Hill Church, and what has best prepared you to lead as the Women’s Ministry Coordinator?

I currently serve in a support role to my husband who is a Community Group Leader and Community Group Coach. This includes leading breakout sessions with the women in our community group and organizing gatherings for community group leaders and their wives. I’ve participated in training for redemption groups and Volunteer Biblical Counseling and served on the prayer team. I’ve also had the opportunity to speak at various women’s and youth events throughout the years, lead women’s Bible studies, and even spend time previously as a Women’s Ministry Coordinator. I’m looking forward to serving at Mars Hill Sammamish as Women’s Ministry Coordinator and getting to know the women on the Plateau. God is at work, and I’m excited to join Him in what He is doing in this new ministry area!

Can you tell us about the upcoming Women’s Training Day?

On Saturday, March 3, we’ll be at the church from 10 AM to 4 PM having our first Women’s Training Day. Jen Smidt and I will speak on the topics of “Identity and Idolatry.” Shelly Jennings will lead us in worship, and lunch will be provided. Women can register online on The City. The fee is $15 for anyone registering by February 15 and $20 thereafter. It will be an incredible opportunity for us to get to know each other better and join together in God’s Word as He teaches us how to be the women He designed us to be!

Mars Hill: How has Mars Hill been impactful in your life?
Tim Elsbree: I first stepped foot into Mars Hill Church as a man that was full of deception, pride, perversion and doubt. I was the Pharisee with white washed walls. My words, and even some of my actions, painted a picture of a man following Jesus. My heart however, was on a completely different trajectory. God used Mars Hill as the vehicle to change my heart. Not just through the teaching, but also through the people of God. I began to see in the men a different kind of Christian, one who was strong yet gentle, tender yet tough.

The Holy Spirit used these men like lightning bolts through my soul. Before Mars Hill I saw Christianity as being all about me. Now I began to see Christianity as being all about this wonderful, pursuing God. It became so clear that Jesus was after my heart, for His glory.

MH: How has Mars Hill helped you to develop and refine the vision for ministry which God has given you?
TE: Specifically the Redemption Group ministry has helped me see and develop the gifts God has given me. Having been so impacted by the Holy Spirit as a participant, going from darkness where I was hiding my sin, lying about my hearts condition, and worshipping myself instead of Jesus. To a place where I could see I was a part of Jesus’ redemptive story changed everything for me. Not only did God pull me into His story, He also empowered me through His Spirit to live the life He was calling me to. As my heart began to change, Jesus placed the desire in me to help others through counseling ministries. I went from Redemption Group participant, to an apprentice and from there to a Redemption Group leader. Every step of the way God was refining and developing His call on my life.

MH: How has participating in community groups helped you to better understand and live out the Gospel?
TE: I’ve seen the whole spectrum of what it means to live as a follower of Jesus in a fallen world played out in community groups. It really is a beautiful mess. I’ve had the privilege to watch people come to a saving knowledge of Christ, I’ve seen people called to repentance and have been called to repentance myself. I’ve seen grass roots Gospel movements formed around people opening up to each other with their needs and prayers. We were created to be a part of God’s redemptive story, for His glory. Community Groups give us the opportunities to actual live it out.

MH: What has it been like going from member to Deacon?
TE: It’s been a long process for me. In a way I felt like Jonah, I heard God’s call and did my best to run from that call. I would always come up with a reason for why I shouldn’t serve as a deacon; I’m too busy at work, too busy with my family, too much of a sinner, fill in the blank. All the while Jesus was persistently pursuing and calling me to step up to the plate. Jesus just wouldn’t relent. No matter how hard I would try to run, He would send wave after wave of people to me needing help, looking for counsel, trying to figure out what it meant to be a child of God. God ultimately brought me to the place where he was asking me to make a decision. Either I’m fully His or I’m fully against Him. No more living in the margins. By His Grace I realized I’m fully, eternally Jesus’ my life is no longer my own, I want nothing more than to be a fool for Christ.

MH: How has your understanding of love for your family, love for the Body, and love for the Gospel grown?
TE: Simple, The Lord my God has shown His love for me through His Son. That has changed every part of my life, my family and my understanding of what it means to live for Him. I can’t really see if I’ve grown or if my understanding is deeper than it used to be, but I do know one thing. I’m excited to wake up every day and know that God is at work, I’m excited to be serving Him in my family, I’m excited to be one flesh with my wife and I’m excited to tell others about this awesome, pursuing God that sent His only Son to live a perfect life, die a death to pay a payment we could not pay, rose again defeating the devil, sin and death and is now reigning and ruling over His creation. That changes everything.

The Details

• March 3, 2012 | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Mars Hill Sammamish
• $15 if you register before February 15; $20 after
• Lunch will be provided

REGISTER HERE

Please note: Childcare will not be available for this event.

Mars Hill: How did you get into playing in a Mars Hill band?
Paul: I grew up in the Seattle area, and was part of a few secular bands that recorded and played in the Seattle area.  Mars Hill’s strategy for music and worship bands was a draw for me.  Most churches have a worship team that mixes musicians, and that works, but I really appreciate Mars Hill’s approach of building and developing bands and encouraging creativity.  With the multi-church model, Mars Hill has a pretty diverse cultural make-up and having bands developed from within the body ensures relevancy at each location.

MH: What is it like being in band?
Paul: It’s awesome.  A great way to use the talents God has blessed me with.  Developing the songs and arrangements for Sundays is great, but the relationships built within the band and the other service areas are a great part of it, too.

MH: What commitment is required to be a part of a band?
Paul: While being in a MH band is rewarding, it is also quite a bit of work!  Bands typically rehearse weekly, sometimes writing their own worship songs, and usually creating unique arrangements.  On Sundays then, band members arrive at church early and stay after the last service to pack up.

MH: What is your role with music at Mars Hill Sammamish?
Paul: I’m helping put bands together by bringing musicians together, and helping them develop their unique sound.  I am really excited about the opportunity in Sammamish and the Plateau.  The chance to preach the Gospel and reach the Plateau is foremost, but also the chance to build community and grow the church body.  It will be awesome to see God move and work in people, to step in and serve and become leaders.

MH: Are you looking for more people to serve?
Paul: Right now, we need band leaders, singers and musicians.  Opportunities are pretty extensive for musicians.  Bands serve the Lord and the body on Sundays, but bands can also get the opportunity to record and potentially tour.  The church is creating a record label to create more opportunities to expand on the Gospel’s mission through music.

MH: Do you have any highlights from serving in a band?
Paul: Witnessing baptisms is amazing. One in particular stands out from last Christmas.  The daughter of our band’s leader (Kenny) decided she wanted to be baptized.  We’re mid-song, and I can tell something is happening when Kenny’s wife motions to him from backstage, then points to their daughter, then to the tub, and we realize what is about to happen.  Kenny runs off-stage mid-song, Seth jumps up, grabs a guitar and finishes the song while Kenny baptized his daughter.  I couldn’t make this stuff, so cool.

If you are a singer or musician and want to serve, fill out this form or join the Sammamish Musicians group on The City.

This kind of full room is a powerful testament to God’s grace. A year ago, this same room held the small remainder of what had been a large and vibrant body at Evergreen Christian Fellowship. Over time, Evergreen had become smaller and smaller until they were at a point of crisis. Satan would have liked nothing more than to see a church wither away and die, but God had another plan to spread the name of Jesus on the Sammamish plateau. The leadership and members of Evergreen decided to join Mars Hill’s mission and use the foothold they had in the community to help plant Mars Hill Sammamish.

Fast forward just a few short months, and you can see a picture of God doing what he always does: reaching into a place where there was death and bringing new life. What Satan wanted to steal, kill, and destroy God has rescued, revived, and redeemed. Because of the power of the gospel the name of Jesus is being boldly proclaimed and loudly celebrated in a church home full of impassioned worshippers. God is good.

God had a plan
Mary and Guy have been around for a while, and their excitement was echoed everywhere this morning. “This is really the culmination of a long, long transition,” Guy said. “This right here is everything we’ve been working toward. But it’s not our work. This is God’s work.” That’s been a recurring theme throughout the history of Mars Hill, and really, throughout the whole of human history:God is at work. Over and over, he blesses us with the opportunity to witness what’s happening, and even to join him as His instruments to spread the message of his life changing gospel.

Starting the Real Marriage series
The launch of Mars Hill Sammamish also coincided with the beginning of the Real Marriage series. After a strong message about God’s plan for powerful, transforming, Christ-centered marriages, the men of Mars Hill were challenged to commit themselves publicly to leading their families, loving and serving their wives, and centering their families on Jesus. All across the sanctuary, couples were huddled with husbands praying over their wives and committing their marriages to the service of Christ.

Speaking to men, whom God appointed to lead in their homes, is the bulls eye on the Sammamish Plateau. We are located in the middle of a community of families. When the gospel infiltrates the marriages and families of their households, strong legacies of faith will begin to be established for the generations to come.

Reaching families with the gospel
This morning we witnessed how God is already using the commitment of His people to build a legacy for their families. Leah, a 17 year old student who was baptized today, wasn’t planning on that when she left home this morning. After moving several times as she was growing up, her family ended up in the area, and she joined a small group at Mars Hill Bellevue. “I realized it’s so much more than words,” she said. “I went from saying I believed in Jesus, really because my parents did, to taking initiative for my own faith. I’d been feeling convicted to be baptized for a while but hadn’t. But this morning, I saw my dad holding my mom’s hand and praying for her. I saw him leading our family, and I could just see that Jesus was doing something. I knew it was time to be baptized.”

Celebrating new life
A new church launching is a great reason to celebrate, and a new series to grow families and strengthen marriages is worth getting excited about, but ultimately, everything we do is about people meeting Jesus and coming to new life in him. There were eleven baptisms altogether this morning, and they were the perfect way to close our services.
Pastor Alex Ghioni was excited and emotional to see God’s work in Sammamish: “Watching Jesus before our very eyes fulfill His promise to build His church was amazing. The whole church was filled with joy this morning as we witnessed the Holy Spirit establish, move, and bless the church that Jesus died to ransom. Baptizing dozens and dozens at Qwest field last Easter was an overwhelming experience of joy. But watching eleven of our own people being baptized, professing their faith in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection was like watching my own children being born. There’s a great opportunity for the gospel to move forward on the Sammamish Plateau and beyond. Today we joined all of the Mars Hill Churches as a sister church in the Lord, and partner in the mission of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

On mission
Mars Hill Sammamish was just one of four new churches today. God is moving in huge ways, and we’re grateful for His grace in allowing us a part in His story. Sammamish represents an incredible opportunity to advance the gospel, and we’re excited to follow God where He takes us. To Him be the glory.

The launch of something only happens once. Make sure you are here to be a part of the history of what God has done, the reality of what He is doing, and the beginning of what He will do through us as we walk in His Spirit and are empowered by His grace.

Pastor Mark will start preaching through a new 11-week series based on his book “Real Marriage: The Truth About Sex, Friendship, & Life Together” We expect that every marriage will be touched, affected, challenged, and blessed as he brings the Word of God to bare on this important relationship in our lives. We’ll be talking about and applying these truths each week in our community groups, and so if you’re not in one yet this would be the perfect time to join one. And if you’re single, don’t checkout during this series! Pastor Mark gives you 9 reasons on his website why “Real Marriage” is also important to you.

This is an exciting season for us as a church and we’d love you to join us! We have services at 9 am and 11:15 with a newly revamped Children’s Ministry program for kids ages 5 months to 5^th grade.

As a side note, snow is in the forecast but we will not let that stop us from making sure Jesus is worshipped at Mars Hill Sammamish this Sunday, even if it dumps a foot. Make the trek either way—we’ll have shoveled sidewalks, a warm building, and plenty of hot coffee.

This is a very important question that parents are asking as we approach the 11-week-long Real Marriage sermon series, which begins at all Mars Hill churches this Sunday, January 15. I’ll take this blog post to explain as much as I can.

1. Children under the age of 12 are always welcome in our Children’s Ministry during our church services. Parents are also welcome to include their children in the service as we do with our ten-year-old son, Calvin, who has sat through services for a few years now as his preference, while our younger two kids still attendChildren’s Ministry. We believe parents can make the choice per child per year. But around age 12, we want the kids in the main service as a general rule.

2. We have completely revamped our Mars Hill Kids curriculum for this year and it is fantastic. Click here to learn more.

3. Nearly every week of the Real Marriage sermon series will be fitting for all ages. The first half of the series will be about families and friendships. The second half of the Real Marriage book is about sex for married couples. But since the sermons will be to a broader audience, they will not be nearly as specific or detailed as the book. For example, in chapter 10 of the book, “Can We __________?,” we answer specific marital intimacy questions. For the Sunday sermon based upon that chapter I will not cover the same kind of content. Instead, I will be doing a general sermon on Christian discernment regarding how to make decisions when the Bible does not speak to an issue, without referencing sex specifically.

4. On March 4, we will be dealing with the topic of pornography in a sermon entitled, “The Porn Path.” On that week, if you have young ones who are under the age of 12, you will probably want to make sure they are in Mars Hill Kids that week, as the topic will be of a more mature nature.

That sermon will be recorded before a largely collegiate audience on the pain of porn, including my interview with former pastor’s daughter who grew up to be a porn star and has since returned to a vibrant relationship with Jesus.

That being said, if you have children who are 12 or older, I encourage you to have them in service to hear the message. The reason for this is that the #1 consumers of porn are boys between the ages of 12 and 17. Chances are your kids in that age range have either been exposed to pornography or will be soon, and they may even be actively looking at it. This will be a good opportunity for parents to open up a discussion about this destructive force in our society that is increasingly becoming accepted and wide-spread.

If you question how much your kids know about porn, next time you are at the grocery store take a moment to read the headlines on the cover of the women’s magazines that scream at kids every day and ask yourself if they may already know far more than you think.

To all our parents—thank you! Thank you for being part of Mars Hill Church and caring about your kids. As a father of five, I genuinely appreciate the questions and hope this helps.

By virtue of reminding us of our connection to Jesus and his people, baptism and Communion are supposed to be incredibly meaningful. In Christianity, baptism and Communion have been sacred rituals practiced for thousands of years in every culture by people who, by faith, trust in Jesus alone for salvation.

What does baptism mean?

We believe the Bible presents baptism as an outward witness of an inward faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

Christian baptism is an act of obedience to the command of Jesus, declaring the believers faith in and identification with their crucified, buried, and risen Savior. It is a visible declaration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The believer being baptized is immersed beneath the waters in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, which expresses the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, which expresses the believers’ death to sin and the buriel of their old life, and then emersed out of the water, which expresses the believers’ resurrection to a new kingdom life in Christ Jesus. Furthermore, baptism identifies a Christian with Jesus, the universal church, and the local church.

Jesus commanded that all Christians be baptized. The apostles commanded that all Christians be baptized, which explains why the book of Acts and records of the early church show that baptism was practiced consistently.

We understand baptism to be the sign and seal of membership in the covenant community. Baptism is for all persons as they join the community of the church.

Who should be baptized?

The consistent witness of the New Testament is that someone first believes in Jesus and then is baptized. This is called believers’ baptism. Never do we witness the reverse order where someone, such as an infant, is baptized and then later believes in Jesus.

We see six lines of support for this position in the New Testament.

1. In the precursor to Christian baptism, John the Baptizer required that people repent of sin before being baptized. (Matt. 3:2; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3)
2. Every baptism in the New Testament is preceded by repentance of sin and faith in Jesus. (Acts 2:38–41; 8:12; 9:18–19; 10:44–48; 16:14–15, 29–36; 18:8; 19:1–7; 22:16)
3. Baptism is reserved solely for those people who have put on Christ. (Gal. 3:27)
4. Baptism shows personal identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. This can only happen when someone has trusted in Christ for salvation. (Rom. 6:1–10; Col. 2:12)
5. The Bible does record occurrences where entire households were baptized. (Acts 10:33, 44–48; 11:14; 16:15; 1 Cor. 1:16) In these cases, the Bible also records that each member of these households believed in Jesus and was saved. (John 4:53; Acts 18:8; 1 Cor. 16:15)
6. Both Jesus and his apostles gave the command for disciples to be baptized as an expression of that discipleship. (Matt. 28:19, Acts 2:38)

Do you have to be baptized to be saved?

Salvation is solely a gift given to people whose faith rests in the grace of God to forgive their sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus. For example, when the Philippian jailer asked what was required of him to be saved, Paul did not mention baptism but simply said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus.” Likewise, the thief who died on the cross next to Jesus was promised by our Lord that “today you will be with me in Paradise,” though he had not been baptized. Someone can be unbaptized and yet be a Christian who is destined for heaven.

Nonetheless, even though one can be a Christian without being baptized, a Christian should be baptized. If nothing else, Jesus commanded baptism to show in outward sign the inward covenant relationship we have with him. Similarily, married people are married regardless of whether they wear their wedding ring, which is the outward symbol of their inward covenant relationship. But I, for one, am glad that my wife wears her wedding ring.

Baptism is the biblical way in which we show that by the power of the Spirit, we died to our old way of life through the death of Jesus, and live a new life through the resurrection of Jesus, cleansed from our sin in the same way that water cleanses us from filth. Therefore, being baptized does not make someone a Christian. Not being baptized does not cause someone to stop being a Christian, but a Christian should be baptized.

Get baptized on January 15^th

We’re excited to baptize anyone who is interested at the services for our official launch of Mars Hill Sammamish at 9:00 and 11:15 on January 15^th. If you are ready to follow Jesus in baptism please click this link and fill out the form so we’ll be ready to assist you in your desire to take this important step as a disciple of Jesus. On the same day, we’ll be celebrating the launch of Mars Hill in Portland, Orange County, and Rainier Valley. Pastor Mark will also be teaching the first part of the Real Marriage. It will be a great celebration and a great day to invite friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else who needs Jesus and doesn’t have a church home. We’re excited to see you there.

Content for this post is excerpted from pp 112–119 of Vintage Church, by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears, copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, www.crossway.org.

God is at work in Sammamish, and we’re all witnesses of His grace. Over the next two months, you’ll be hearing about how Jesus is changing lives through the ministry of Mars Hill Church – our new series will highlight the beginnings of Mars Hill, the opening of our various churches, and the new churches that will open next year.

• 4 new churches Sammamish, Rainer Valley, Portland, Orange County
• 3 states Washington, Oregon, California
• 2 reasons We love God and people
• 1 day January 15, 2012

For more information about how you can give to support the mission, talk with your community group leader or visit marshill.com.

Coat Drive — Benefits Tent City in Issaquah

Bring in coats, blankets, sleeping bags, hats, and socks that will be donated to Tent City in Issaquah. Drop off at Mars Hill Sammamish on any Sunday or at the offices during the week.

Christmas Services — December 25th

Mars Hill Sammamish will have two Christmas day services but not Christmas Eve this year. Services will be at the regular times, 9am & 11:15am, with live preaching from Pastor Mike Wilkerson. Bring the whole family for a day to worship Jesus and hear the gospel preached.

Student Vision Night — January 8th 6:30pm

Parents, students, and leaders are all encouraged to come out to Mars Hill Sammamish to learn what student ministry will look like on the Plateau. Brian McCormack will lay out the vision, strategy, and mission behind the ministry as we reach out to students with the Gospel.  Fill out this form or a Connect Card to get involved today.

Baptisms — January 15th

People getting baptized is evidence that God is at work in and through our church. We will be hosting baptisms on our official grand opening day, January 15th. If God is calling you to be baptized, please fill out this form, a Connect Card or email sammamish@marshill.com.

Love Kids? — Serve in Children’s Ministry

God has blessed this church with an abundance of children and it’s our responsibility to nurture them and teach them the Gospel. Our Children’s Ministry team is short on volunteers and needs your involvement in this mission. Fill out a Connect Card to get involved today.