Resources
Below are links to some really great, really helpful and informative resources.
Online Bible – ESV translation with optional audio
This free online resource has the full text of the Bible, which you can read or listen to. The translation is ESV – English Standard Version – which is a more literal translation than some others.
This free site has the Bible in multiple English translations. It is searchable by passage, keyword, or topic. There are reading plans, devotionals, and audio resources also available.
“The Small Catechism” written by Martin Luther is an excellent teaching tool which answers many common questions about the Christian faith. All of these answers have been taken from the Bible itself. It’s a great place to begin if you’re trying to increase your knowledge of the Bible or the Christian faith in general. Please note the menu (3 horizontal lines, or “hamburger”) in the upper right corner, to access all parts of the catechism.
The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS)
This is our parent organization. If you want to learn more about Lutheranism or about the projects, missions, and activities of the organization to which St. Mark’s belongs – look here!
Christianity 101 – “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis
A suggestion: “Mere Christianity” is a classic of Christian literature that explains in an easy, clear way what Christianity is about. It’s available from all major bookstores inexpensively and from the Mississauga library in paperback, audio, and e-book formats.
Christianity 101 – The Bible Project
The Bible Project is an online resource that does an excellent job of explaining the Bible and the Christian world view. Among their resources are numerous short, animated videos on a wide range of topics. Highly recommended! You can find them at the link above or search for them on YouTube as well.
Lutheran History
A number of years ago, one of our members, Milton Harmelink, presented a lecture about “The Reformation” to our congregation. This was a period of time where Christian leaders across Europe protested against many of the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church – and the Protestant churches were born. The Lutheran church was one of them. Below is a link to a pdf of the PowerPoint slides that accompanied the lecture, which are interesting on their own. They include pictures taken by Milton as he and his wife traveled to some of the places that figure prominently in the birth of the Lutheran church.
“The Reformation – People and Places: an Overview”
Lectionary (the Bible readings on Sundays)
Did you know that we don’t just pick random Bible passages to read during worship services? It’s all planned out forever by following what’s know as “the lectionary.” We use a 3-year lectionary: the readings repeat after 3 years (Year A, B, C). Many churches of various denominations use the same lectionary, sometimes with variations between churches. Here’s a pdf of the one we use at St. Mark’s (spanning approximately December 2024 – December 2025): 2024-2025 Lectionary Year C