Here is your weekly update for the Mars Hill Church Downtown Campus:
Important and Timely Items:
Dedicate your new kid this coming Sunday at the Mars Hill Downtown campus. Mars Hill does not baptize infants (see the ‘Becoming A Member’ section of the Call To Mission) but we do like to dedicate newborns to the Lord and covenant with parents to shepherd children in a relationship with Christ. If you are interested in participating at this week’s Mother’s Day service baby dedications please email downtown@marshillchurch.org
On a similar note we will be baptizing believers on Sunday May 25th at both the morning and evening services. More info will be forthcoming, but if you are a new believer or have never been baptized please get in touch with us at downtown@marshillchurch.org
A baptism of sorts will occur at the Mars Hill Men’s Advance as Mars Hill’s men are fully immersed into a weekend of teaching about Jesus, His glory and the ever-pressing need to kill our sin. The weekend has been titled “Jesus, Author and Perfecter” and will feature teaching by Pastors Mark Driscoll, Bill Clem, Scott Thomas and Tim Smith. Apparently this is going to be the last all-campus men’s advance, so don’t dilly dally and register now (space is limited)!
Important but not as urgent news:
Whether you are a long time member, new visitor or considering membership you need to get up to speed on the Mission of Mars Hill. The Call to Mission web page is a useful if not mandatory read for anyone wanting to understand the specifics of our mission to bring the Gospel to Seattle and beyond. Do you know what our specific mission statement is? Why does Mars Hill seek to ‘know culture’? And just where is this ‘city within the city’ that we are building? Find all the answers at The Call to Mission.
And speaking of cities and missions, one of your missions should be to join our aptly titled online network ‘The City’. The City is a web based social network for Mars Hill members and visitors that is sort of like Facebook but infinitely better since it actually supplements your community involvement at Mars Hill and keeps you connected with people who might actually fit the real definition of a friend. Plus you cannot ‘poke’ anyone in The City. New users must be invited by current users, so talk to your community group leaders or service leads to get plugged in…or check with the Info Desk in the Commons on Sunday.
Serving Needs at the Downtown Campus
This blogging stuff is fun. If you would like to help with the Downtown blog please email cyberjason2004@gmail.com
The Greeting Squad and the Security Team need help on Sundays. If the words greeting or security speak to your skillset, talents and/or desire to serve please email downtown@marshillchurch.org for more info.
As the Downtown campus begins to hit its early stride it is easy to forget how quickly Jesus has raised up our campus from conception to public launch. Here is a collection of links to local media about the Downtown campus which serve as a reminder of our unique location as a campus and the fast sprint it has been to get our campus launched. These links will also be archived as a page located at In The Media in our menu:
Church-wide items of importance for the last week of April/first week of May:
The 2008 Mars Hill Men’s Advance is but a few weeks away; May 16-18th at Warm Beach Camp. Previous year’s advances have been exceptional and this year should be no different. Speakers will include Pastors Mark Driscoll, Bill Clem, Tim Smith and Scott Thomas talking on the theme of “Jesus, Author and Perfecter”. Space is limited for the weekend event so register soon at the online registration form.
Join The City and be part of the Mars Hill’s online network that reflects real life instead of replacing it like other social networking sites. New users must be invited by current users, so talk to your community group leaders or service leads to get plugged in. You can also get hooked up to The City on Sunday’s by visiting the Downtown Campus’s Resource Center.
And what’s upcoming at the Downtown Campus:
The inaugural event of the Downtown Business Ministry is happening this Wednesday at the Downtown Campus from 5-7:30pm. The Business Ministry is working to reach both the Christian and non-Christian business population of the city. For the Christians it will be an opportunity to learn (via prominent business speakers every other month), network with other Christians (business opportunities, synergy, jobs, mentoring, internships, etc), and be missional to the city by inviting our non-Christian friends and colleagues. Cost is $15 at the door which includes a drink ticket and appetizers.
Baby Dedications at the May 11th Sunday Services. Details forthcoming, but if you have a child that you would like dedicated please mark the date on your calendar.
Thurday morning prayer continues every Thursday at the Downtown Campus from 7-8am. Show up, pray for the Downtown campus, pray for the upcoming Sunday Sermon, pray for our city and pray for many more to meet Jesus.
First off please do not forget the Mars Hill All Members Meeting Monday April 21st at the Downtown Campus. Do not miss this meeting, especially if you are currently a member or planning to become a member.
Second, Pastor Tim Gaydos has checked in with a video blog with a short ’state of the campus’ address at the one month milepost since the campus launch. Please take a moment to watch the video:
Third, the Downtown campus is hosting a hip hop show this coming friday, April 25th at 7pm. God’s Block Ministries is presenting the ‘Welcome To Our World’ show featuring a few local artists as well as some out of town artists making their way through Seattle on tour.
Fourth, Thurday morning prayer continues every Thursday. Show up, pray for Seattlites to meet and worship Jesus, pray for the Downtown campus, pray for the following friday’s hip hop show and pray for the fifth thing…
the Mars Hill Men’s Advance - May 16th - 18th 2008
Mark you calendars for this upcoming event. Past men’s advances have been exceptional, and this year should not be any different.
After last Saturday’s splendid all day marathon of sunshine Seattle has returned from bizarro world to our regular serving of grey skies and rain. Fortunately there are several upcoming opportunities at Mars Hill Downtown that will help keep your mind off of the precipitation, including:
Mars Hill All Members Meeting - Monday April 21st at the Downtown Campus
Dude, you do not want to miss this meeting, especially if you are currently a member or planning to become a member.
Join The city- Or rather, get yourself invited to the city because it is only available to join by invite at the moment. However you are able to get into The City you will be happy you did so. The City is Mars Hill Technology’s online community that will supplement, not replace, real community involvement at Mars Hill. Think ‘Facebook’ but with real friends, or think MySpace without the need for disinfectant. However you think about, please keep an eye out for The City because it will be instrumental for future involvement with Mars Hill Downtown.
Mars Hill Men’s Advance - May 16th - 18th 2008
Mark you calendars for this upcoming event. Past men’s advances have been exceptional, and this year should not be any different.
As usual there is morning prayer on Thursday at 7am.
The “Business Ministry” is working to reach both the Christian and non-Christian business population of the city. For the Christians it will be an opportunity to learn (via prominent business speakers every other month), network with other Christians (business opportunities, synergy, jobs, mentoring, internships, etc), and be missional to the city by inviting our non-Christian friends and colleagues.
Next Event: Mars Hill downtown – Happy-Hour/Fireside Chat with Brent Turner
Who: Christians and Non-Christians, Mars Hill Members or not (If you have a job or want a job, if you are an employee or an employer, you should be a part of the Mars Hill Business Ministry)
When: Wed. April 30th, 5-7:30pm
Where: Mars Hill Downtown Campus (We’ll alternate between a social offsite location and business speaker at Downtown campus).
2333 Western Ave Seattle WA 98121
Cost: $15 which includes a drink ticket (beer/wine/soda) and appetizers.
At the bi-monthly discussion meeting we will cover topics such as:
· How do we “serve” as leaders to our employees and customers every day?
· How do we grow and encourage one another. Mentoring, breakouts, etc.
· How do we present out faith in our businesses without boasting in it.
· Is our goal to invest in our employee’s or do we use them to maximize ROI.
· Servant leadership is the foundation of running a business which glorifies God; Jesus is our best example of servant leadership.
· How do we invest in our employee’s and serve them well while still generating profit?
· Is prayer part of our work life? Or just before lunch… if that at all.
· Should our company mission statements talk about Jesus?
· Why does it matter if people know I’m a Christian businessman?
· How do we set biblical standards in our business that may be at odds with culture and/or the law? Sexual orientation, etc.
· Should I only seek to hire Christians?
· Should I make a point to do business with other Christians?
If you have been around Mars Hill for a few years you may remember a staple re-occurring event that has been happening since our church’s beginnings in 1996; Film and Theology. For those of you unfamiliar with Film and Theology, the basic idea is to gather, watch a movie and then discuss the Gospel threads (or lack thereof) to be found in the film’s story. There is a brief but useful explanation of the ideas behind Film and Theology here if you are looking for more info.
Since our recent expansion into multiple campuses some of you may have been wondering “does Film and Theology still happen anywhere” and “is there still room for Film and Theology amidst everything else happening at Mars Hill”? Pastor James Harleman of the Mars Hill Wedgwood campus wants you to know that “Film and Theology” has moved, and has been renamed “Cinemagogue”, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t open and welcome for all members and guests of all MH campuses to attend.
This Friday at 7pm, at the Wedgwood Campus, we will be watching the movie “Enchanted” (rated PG) followed by the discussion - “Fairy Tales: Folly or Faith?”
After that, May will feature “No Country for Old Men” while June will feature “Juno”.
Cinema is a modern day pulpit; people flock to their local multiplexes, group together, and find themselves moved by a worldview revealed in story form, allowing themselves to be emotionally led by directors and screenwriters who influence how we feel, think, and even act. Cinemagogue features monthly film viewings at the MHC | Wedgwood Campus, followed by an expository exploration of narrative themes and spiritual parallels. For more on cinema and spirituality, visit www.cinemagogue.com
This spring Mars Hill Church is ‘Calling to Mission’ all members and prospective members. Pastor Jamie Munson describes this idea on the Mission and Vision blog:
The Call to Mission is how were describing the collective effort this spring (and beyond) to renew, dedicate, and consecrate our commitment to Jesus and the mission he has given our church. In order to establish this call for transformation, maturity, and fruitfulness, updating and improving the way we care and provide for people at Mars Hill.
Doctrine: Pastor Mark’s next sermon series (starting this Sunday) that will also serve as our new and improved member class.
An updated member process for prospective members of the Mars Hill family.
Current members will be asked to renew their commitment.
If you are not a regular reader of the Mission and Vision blog it is worth the time to read Pastor Munson’s post in it’s entirety and also become familiar with the Call to Mission web page. The CTM web page in particular is a great resource for understanding or re-familiarizing yourself with the core DNA for why we do church and what being on mission truly means.
All Member Meeting Later This Month
April 21st at 7pm we will be meeting as the body of Mars Hill Church to connect on the mission and vision of the church. More details coming soon, but please mark your calendars.
The City
Mars Hill Church has launched The City, a social networking tool that will help downtown members and attenders interact online and supplement their community involvement with Mars Hill Church. The City will be one of the coolest upgrades to Mars Hill Community in recent history, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for upcoming information about how to get involved.
Thursday Morning Prayer
Every thursday morning from 7 to 8am we gather for prayer at the downtown campus. Please join us as we kneel before Christ in humility on behalf of Mars Hill and the downtown campus.
Current Serving Needs
Mars Hill Downtown is looking for men to supplement the security ministry during Sunday services. Additionally we are looking for volunteers to help lead the resource center on Sundays. If you would like to know more about either position please contact downtown@marshillchurch.org
This past Sunday the former Tabella Nightclub was resurrected as Mars Hill Downtown and this coming Sunday we get to celebrate THE resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It was an amazing day on Sunday as 750 people made it out to either the morning or evening service! We actually ran out of chairs at the morning service and numerous people were forced to stand in the very back of the commons area. If you were present, you know that it was tight (especially during communion) and possibly a bit uncomfortable, but everyone had a great spirit as we were and are part of Jesus’ huge plan in downtown Seattle. Thanks for being flexible. Of course we had some well-wishers out for the inaugural service but we are going to have to seriously consider another service if in a couple weeks we are at 75% capacity. Jesus is building His Church.
It was very cool to see the local media be blown away with the transformation and see how many people showed up on day 1. They were very impressed and appreciated the hospitality that was shown to them. It reminded me of Matthew 5:16:
“Let your light shine before men so that they see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
You can check out a couple of the stories that were put together here:
This is another big week as there are two special services planned:
Good Friday - 7pm - Children’s Ministry available -
This will be an intense and sobering service as we honor the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Easter Services - 10am - 6pm - Children’s Ministry available
Easter is usually the one day each year that people will attend church. Invite your neighbors, friends, family out to one of the services as we celebrate the resurrection.
New Horizons Benefit Concert with Everclear - April 5 - 8pm with special guests Red Letter This concert is sponsored by New Horizons and the proceeds will go to helping this great ministry serve Seattle’s street youth. Tickets are $15 (plus ticket charges) and will be available Thursday at 10am via www.ticketweb.com
Prayer Group - Every Thursday - 7am-8am at the campus Prayer is absolutely vital to our relationship with Jesus and to the health and spiritual growth of this church. Join us every Thursday.
MHC | Downtown Campus Content
The 2008 Mars Hill Men’s Advance is but a few weeks away; May 16-18th at Warm Beach Camp. Previous year’s advances have been exceptional and this year should be no different. Speakers will include Pastors Mark Driscoll, Bill Clem, Tim Smith and Scott Thomas talking on the theme of “Jesus, Author and Perfecter”. Space is limited for the weekend event so register soon at the 
