"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is Near.
... Beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing,
whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
And keep on doing the things you have learned and heard and seen
... and the God of peace will be with you." Phil 3:4,8-9
... Beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing,
whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
And keep on doing the things you have learned and heard and seen
... and the God of peace will be with you." Phil 3:4,8-9
ABOUT MARK
Rev. Mark F. Sturgess is the son of a Presbyterian minister, raised in the small church tradition of rural Missouri. Mark graduated from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, where he received Bachelor degrees in Computer Studies (B.A.) and Pipe Organ Performance (B.M.). At Northwestern, Mark was a student of the concert organist Wolfgang Rübsam, with whom Mark specialized in 19th and early 20th century French organ repertoire and period keyboard technique of the Baroque era. Mark has appeared in recital at the RLDS Auditorium, Independence Missouri, Rockefeller Chapel, University of Chicago, Christ Church Cathedral of St. Louis, and for the mid-Missouri chapter of the American Guild of Organists. In March 2016, Mark will be appearing on the Rivera UMC arts series, presenting his first pipe organ recital in 25 years. Mark is also a singer -- bass baritone -- and has been a devoted member of the Camerata Singers of Long Beach for over a decade.
After graduating Northwestern in 1991, Mark was hired by a Chicago based consulting firm and was promptly transferred to Southern California. Mark’s first career was in database design and systems analysis for major manufacturing companies. "Working in corporate America, I learned how healthy and unhealthy corporate culture impacts employees. I also learned what organizational efficiency looks like and how to achieve it."
After graduating Northwestern in 1991, Mark was hired by a Chicago based consulting firm and was promptly transferred to Southern California. Mark’s first career was in database design and systems analysis for major manufacturing companies. "Working in corporate America, I learned how healthy and unhealthy corporate culture impacts employees. I also learned what organizational efficiency looks like and how to achieve it."
According to Rev. Sturgess, “When I heard the call to ministry, I was not a professional musician: I knew music ministry was not my vocation. At the time, I was also terrified of public speaking; biblically, that didn't seem to be a decisive excuse. Through the encouragement of others, I recognized that God was calling me to be a pastor.” Mark received a Master of Divinity degree with honors, from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin Texas, and later completed United Methodist studies at Garret Seminary, Evanston, IL.
In 2002, Mark was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in June 2014 was admitted as a full Elder in California-Pacific Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. His call to ministry has now been vetted by two denominations. “Life is too short to go for three."
In 2002, Mark was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in June 2014 was admitted as a full Elder in California-Pacific Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. His call to ministry has now been vetted by two denominations. “Life is too short to go for three."
Rev. Sturgess served as associate pastor of First United Methodist Church of Torrance, CA for six years, and as Sr. Pastor of Riviera United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach, CA since July 2008. Mark's gifts and passions for ministry include preaching, teaching and worship; coaching traditional congregations to spiritual health and vitality; post-modern biblical interpretation; and advocacy for full inclusion of LGBT Christians in the life the church.
Under Pastor Mark's leadership, Riviera UMC has received over 115 new members, 46% of these by Profession of Faith. At Riviera, Mark has presided over the Baptism of 9 Adults, 23 Children and led 21 youth to affirm their faith through confirmation. In 2012, Mark challenged Riviera's Outreach program to perform 5,000 acts of local service annually and in 2014, Riviera surpassed this number with over 8,200 acts of service in the community. Riviera generously supports mission programs worldwide and was celebrated in each of the past four years as one of the California-Pacific Annual Conference's mission-giving congregations.
Under Pastor Mark's leadership, Riviera UMC has received over 115 new members, 46% of these by Profession of Faith. At Riviera, Mark has presided over the Baptism of 9 Adults, 23 Children and led 21 youth to affirm their faith through confirmation. In 2012, Mark challenged Riviera's Outreach program to perform 5,000 acts of local service annually and in 2014, Riviera surpassed this number with over 8,200 acts of service in the community. Riviera generously supports mission programs worldwide and was celebrated in each of the past four years as one of the California-Pacific Annual Conference's mission-giving congregations.
