🎯This Week at Mars Hill: Hope, Growth, & A Powerful Word

Happy Tuesday Reader,

We’re so grateful for you.

Week after week, your encouragement, prayers, and participation remind us what a truly special community we have here at Mars Hill Baptist Church of Chicago—Mars Hill Anywhere.

Whether you join us in person or connect online, you’re part of something bigger than any one of us, and we can’t thank you enough for your support and love.

​1️⃣ Looking Back: Last Sunday, we explored how prophetic leaders adapt to changing times, drawing inspiration from the message, When the World Shifts, Prophetic Pastors Shift.

2️⃣ Looking Ahead: This Sunday, we’ll find encouragement in Hope in Turbulent Times, a message designed to strengthen your faith no matter your challenges.

3️⃣ A Quick Spiritual Boost: Don’t forget to check out the new 2-minute devotional on our mobile app—it’s the perfect pick-me-up for your day.

4️⃣ Life Groups Are Back! Connect, grow, and share life with your church family. Stay tuned for group times and topics.

5️⃣ New Podcast Alert: Tomorrow, be sure to catch the latest episode of our podcast.

6️⃣ Supporting Mars Hill: Discover how you can continue to help us spread the message of hope and love.

Let’s make 2025 a year of faith, growth, and community. Keep reading to learn how to get involved and inspired from the start!

When the World Shifts, Prophetic Pastors Shift

Last Sunday, I planned to wrap up our “Missed Calls” series with the message, New Can’t Fix You.

Yet, as the world shifts, so must our focus. Prophetic pastors are called to speak truth to power and offer hope, even when seeing how things might improve seems impossible.

It’s about trusting God’s direction and responding with faith and courage in challenging times.

Join Us for Worship This Sunday: Log On!

We'd love for you to"Log on" to join our online worship community this Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 10:30 AM CST.

🖥️ Online Service

• Time: 10:30 AM CST
• Platform: Mars Hill Anywhere (YouTube & Facebook Live)
• Perfect for our digital family joining from home

Bring your family, friends, or neighbors—we welcome everyone at Mars Hill Anywhere! No matter where you are, Mars Hill has a place for you.

Scan the QR code in the image above for more details and to connect with us quickly. We eagerly anticipate seeing you—in person or online!

Recap: Hope in Turbulent Times​
🔥 The world is shaking, but your faith doesn’t have to. 🔥

We’re surrounded by political division, financial instability, and cultural chaos in these uncertain times. Fear spreads faster than faith, and too often, we place our hope in things that can’t hold us steady.

But there’s a better way—unshakable hope rooted in Jesus.

📖 Key Scriptures:

• Romans 15:13 – The trustworthy source of hope 🙏
• Daniel 2:21 – Who’s really in control of world events 👑
• John 14:27 – How to receive lasting peace ☁️
• Isaiah 26:3 – The secret to perfect peace 🤯
• Hebrews 13:8 – Why Jesus never changes 🔥

💡 In This Message, You’ll Learn:

• Why fear thrives when faith is absent
• How to stop putting hope in temporary things
• The one decision that will anchor you in any storm
• How to fight back when anxiety tries to take over

If you missed it, you can watch the entire message here: Hope in Turbulent Times.

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This Week’s Devotional: A Quick Spiritual Boost

A Quick Spiritual Boost​
We've got you covered if you’re looking for a simple way to recharge your faith. Here’s this week’s devo: “Hope in Turbulent Times.” Take a moment to read it today—it’s the perfect pick-me-up to help you refocus and draw closer to God.

Don’t have the app yet? It’s easy to get started. Click here to download the Mars Hill Anywhere app and access devotionals, messages, and more from your phone.

📱 Access it now: Click the Devotional tab on our mobile app to dive in.

Let’s grow together as we learn to trust God’s timing and step boldly into the opportunities He’s prepared for us. Don’t miss it! 🙌

Life Groups Are Back!

Life Groups are perfect for connecting, growing, and sharing life with your church family. This season, we’re reading Growing Older & Wiser by Dale Larsen.

You may be unable to stop the clock, but that’s no reason to shy away! Age brings unique gifts and new growth opportunities.

In this nine-session study, Dale and Sandy Larsen help us explore the Bible’s perspective on aging. Together, we’ll see how God can use the wisdom gained through years of life experiences to make a meaningful impact. It’s a journey to discovering that your best days may still be ahead.

Ready to join? Sign up here, and we’ll share group times and topics soon. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow in faith and wisdom with your church family.

🎙️ New Podcast Alert – Thursday, February 6, 2025 🎙️

This week’s episode, Unshakable: Finding Stability in a Shifting World, dives into the tension between an unstable world and our deep need for something solid to hold onto. When everything around us feels uncertain, where do we turn?

Join us as we explore how to anchor ourselves in what never changes—God’s truth, His promises, and the unshakable foundation of faith.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss it—set a reminder and tune in this Thursday!

How to Support Mars Hill

Your support helps us spread hope and share God's love with our community and beyond. Here are some ways you can get involved:

1. Give: Your financial gifts make a difference. You can give online through our secure website or use our mobile app.
2. Serve: We have many opportunities to serve, both in-person and virtually. Check out our website for current needs.
3. Pray: Please keep our church, leaders, and community in your prayers. Your prayers are powerful!
4. Invite: Do you know someone who might benefit from our message? Invite them to join us online or in person this Sunday.
5. Share: Help spread the word by sharing our social media posts or forwarding this email to a friend.

Your generosity keeps Mars Hill thriving and helps us reach more people with God's love. If you feel led to contribute, here are some ways you can support our ministry:

1. ​Online Giving: Visit our website to set up one-time or recurring donations securely.
2. Text-to-Give: Text MHGIVE to 33777 and follow the prompts.
3. Sunday Offering: Drop your gift in the offering basket during our in-person services.
4. Mail: Send checks to:

Mars Hill Baptist Church
PO Box 6159
River Forest, IL 60305

Remember, every gift, big or small, makes a difference. Your support allows us to:

• Maintain our temporary church home
• Fund community outreach programs
• Provide resources for Life Groups
• Expand our online ministry
• Invest in equipment, tools, cameras, and software to grow our online campus.

We're grateful for your partnership in spreading the Gospel and serving our community in person and online.

Please consider giving today and help us grow in faith and impact.

​Give Now!

Let’s step into 2025 confidently, knowing that God will guide us every step. I can’t wait to see you on January 5th as we begin this exciting journey together!

With faith and gratitude,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

P.S. Don't forget to "Log on” us online this Sunday at 10:30 AM Central for our online service. Set your reminder now! ⏰