The original Mars Hill Church was planted in a café, so when we moved to our second location we wanted to keep tables and chairs so a person can set down their coffee cup, open their Bible, and be free to take a few notes. We also believe that when people typically gather around a table in everyday life, they are most likely having a meal together and engaging in conversation. When the people of Mars Hill gather together on Sundays, we believe that it is a time of nourishing our souls through God’s word and engaging other believers in a time of fellowship and encouragement.

The blessing that God gave to Aaron to share with the people, which we continue to share with the congregation in our day and time, is a beautiful and profound reflection of God's intention toward His people. He wants to bless them. He wants them to experience His presence. He wants us to experience His grace and His protection. He wants us to know and experience the peace that our heart and soul longs for in this world. And that experience and that blessing should overflow in our expression of understanding and gratitude for that grace… and it is displayed in the way we live to extend His glory in the places of influence in which He has placed us and, ultimately, to the ends of the earth!

So, next time you hear one of the pastors share this great blessing, or any other form of blessing, take a moment to reflect on God's good intentions toward you and your response to such amazing grace and peace!

2 Corinthians 8, Paul attempts to motivate the Corinthian church to participate in relief efforts for the Jerusalem church. Rather than appeal to their will or to guilt or shame, Paul points to the gospel. Specifically, he points to the example of the Macedonian Christians who gave, gave above their means, and even begged to give. Paul then tells the Corinthian church that they know the same gospel as the Macedonians; “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for [their] sake he became poor, so that [they] by his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9).

In other words, give and share your possessions because you see how much you have been given in Jesus!

At Mars Hill Church we do not pass an offering plate. Instead, we encourage joy-filled giving rooted in and motivated by all that God has given us in Jesus Christ. If you would like to give an offering to God’s kingdom work through Mars Hill Church you can do so by dropping it in the “Joy Box” located at the exit on any Sunday. You can also give using our online “Joy Box” at pomh.org