Teaching Truth and Transforming Lives
Our mission
Meet our team
Pastors
Mike Sheldon
Senior Pastor
Rev. Tim Duerr
Director of Discipleship & Outreach
Staff
Mike Edge
Director of Worship and Life Development
Kathy Grandprey
Preschool Director
Paula Stoup
Christian Care Coordinator
Rendy Horner
Director of Loose Ends
Seth Kravig
Campus Administrator
Elders
Dwight Stoup
President
Damon Fetty
Andy Nold
Brett Halley
Chuck Ribbe
Brandon Kurz
At St. Mark Lutheran Church, we transform lives by:
- Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with as people many as possible
- Teaching the Scriptures as God’s Truth in a way that relates to people’s lives… so that they might grow closer to Jesus and be transformed by His promises
- Sending people out to serve others to witness to the love and power of Jesus
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1 :1, 1:26–27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2; 1 Corinthians 13:14
Man
Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates man from God.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3–6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
Eternity
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11–13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; 1 John 5:11–12; Matthew 25:31–46
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1–5, 14:10–30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:1
Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
Eternal security
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3–5
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7–13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1
The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to all men. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
Baptism
Scripture presents the following statements about baptism.
First, infants need to be redeemed from their inherited state of sinfulness. The Bible says, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5).
Second, no individual of any age has a free will in spiritual matters, including the ability to make the decision to come to faith. St. Paul clearly states that, by nature, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God” (Romans 3:10–11).
Third, the faith of both an adult and of a child is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8–9)—the work of the Holy Spirit, who accomplishes it through the means of grace. Therefore God’s Word and baptism are more than mere symbols. But as Peter says, baptism now has the power to save. It’s a means of forgiveness to those who receive it and is profitable no matter one’s age (1 Peter 3:21).
To learn more about baptism or getting baptized, contact Pastor Mike.
Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41; Ephesians 2:8–9; Matthew 28:19–20
Communion
The Lord’s Supper or Communion is God’s gift to believers to sustain, uplift, forgive, and encourage them in their Christian life. It is God’s true presence along with Christ’s promise that, through the eating and drinking of this sacrament, we receive forgiveness for our sins and consolation for our souls.
What must you do to prepare yourself to receive such a gift? Believe you have sinned and are in need of a Savior. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior; you desire to turn from your sins and, with the help of God, intend to do so. Believe that Jesus Christ is present with His body and blood in the bread and wine offered to you in this sacrament as a means of His grace. Realize that anyone who eats and drinks while not recognizing the Lord’s Body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.
Matthew 26:26–30; Mark 14:22–26; Luke 22:19,20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–29
St. Mark Lutheran Church Phoenix is part of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS).
How to become a member
Take our 6-week Welcome Home Class series. Once you’ve completed the series, our congregation and team will welcome you during our New Member Sunday and reception.
Transferring from another Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregation? Simply send a request for a membership form, then complete and return it. You’ll then be welcomed at our New Member Sunday and reception.
