First Time Visitor?
Welcome! We are so excited you are considering a visit! As a first time visitor, we are sure you have plenty of questions about us; like where to park, what is the dress code, what do we believe, and which service is right for you. So please, take some time to explore this page to learn more about St. Mark’s. If you still have questions when planning your visit, feel free to contact the church office at info@connectstmarks.com or at 717-653-5493. We hope to see you Sunday!
Our Location
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Located at 27 and 37 East Main Street in Mount Joy, St. Mark’s is proud to be located right in the heart of Mount Joy. We believe that God placed us in this community as a beacon of hope for these last 150 plus years. Over that time, St. Mark’s has grown from a small church that sat right on Main Street into a sprawling ministry campus with a beautiful sanctuary, many adult classrooms, a children’s education wing, an office building, three playgrounds, and so much more. To learn more about our location, visit our Campus page.
Parking & Main Entrance
When visiting St. Mark’s you will find our Parking Lot and Main Church Entrance behind the church. St. Mark’s has a large parking lot located right off of Appletree Alley. When coming from Main Street, at the Post Office intersection, turn right towards the large grain silos. Our Parking Lot and Main Entrance are just beyond the silos. You’ll find plenty of parking on the left of Appletree Alley, and our Main Entrance to the right. If you would like to drop off a family member, please feel free to use our car port before parking. If you need assistance, our Greeting Team will be more than happy to help.
Dress Code & What to Expect
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We know that visiting a new church can feel overwhelming. The first thing we want you to know is that you are welcome here. But here at St. Mark’s care about you, and not the clothes that you wear. We believe that God call us to worship just as we are. You are welcome to dress to the nines, to wear your work uniform, wear your favorite team’s gear, or rock your favorite hat and t-shirt combo. When arriving at St. Mark’s for Sunday morning worship, you will be greeted at the Main Entrance with a warm smile, a nice cup of coffee, acceptance, and love as we show you the way to the Sanctuary.
You are welcome here just as you are.
9:00 & 10:30 Worship
There are many different ways to worship, and many different ways to experience the powerful love of God. St. Mark’s offers two different services with two different styles of worship. Our 9:00 Service includes hymn based worship, organ music, and our dedicated chancel choir while our 10:30 Service includes band led worship, community prayer, and informality. For more information on our two worship services, please visit our Worship page.
Childcare During Worship
St. Mark’s believes that everyone should have access to worship, from the youngest of infants to the most seasoned of members. Childcare, in the form of Faith Factory Sunday, occurs at both services and is open to children in Preschool through 5th grade. Children will experience the first half of the service, then are called forward during the Children’s Message where they get a special moment with Pastor Helen. Following this time, they are ushered back to a classroom for a lesson, activities, crafts, and a special treat from Pastor Helen. For our youngest visitors and parents, we have a Family Room off the back of the Sanctuary equipped with a changing station, crib, rocking chairs, and a tv with a live feed of the services.
What We Believe
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We are a proud member of the United Methodist Church. As such, we believe, follow, and put into practice the Great Commission that Jesus gave his disciples in the Matthew 28:16-20:
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This commandment is our charge, and it is the very reason for St. Mark’s existence. For more information on the beliefs of the greater United Methodist Church, click on this link.
For more information on what St. Mark’s UMC believes, click on the Beliefs image below.
