About LPUMC
Our congregation is one of the primary Methodist churches serving Lexington Park, MD. As a United Methodist Church, we are dedicated to the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Who We Are
Welcome to Lexington Park United Methodist Church. We are a community of faith rooted in a simple but powerful calling: loving God and loving others. As a United Methodist congregation, we believe that our faith is best lived out through action and open doors.
We take great joy in being a multi-generational family. Whether it’s through our vibrant kids and youth ministries — where the next generation discovers they are loved and valued — or through our unique local missions, there is a place for you here.
We are especially honored to host the only Clothes Closet in St. Mary’s County. By partnering with local health centers, social services, and nonprofits, we work to ensure that every neighbor in need has access to quality clothing. At LPUMC, we aren’t just a church in the community; we strive to be a heart for the community.
OUR MISSION
In Lexington Park, as it is in heaven, living the Lord’s Prayer on the streets of our city.
OUR VISION
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the community.
Our Values
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Worship
As a gathered community, we nurture our faith through authentic acts of worship. Together, we glorify God by offering our shared, diverse gifts, and uplifting unified praise as the entire body of Christ.
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Study
We are deeply committed to following Jesus by studying His teachings, both in our personal time and together in small groups.
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Fellowship
We are so thankful for the community God has built here. That is why we make time to show up for one another and share our stories.
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Service
Through acts of service - both near and far - we demonstrate our love and become the hands and feet of Jesus.
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Community
Because all people are made in the image of God, we joyfully commit our time, talents, and resources to serving and uplifting our neighbors.
Our Beliefs
The United Methodist Church as a whole shares a great deal with other denominations. Explore what we believe about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and more.
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God, who is one, is revealed in three distinct persons.
We believe in the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ. God became human in Jesus whose life, death and resurrection demonstrate God's redeeming love.
The Holy Spirit is God's present activity in our midst. When we sense God's leading, God's challenge, or God's support or comfort, it's the Holy Spirit at work.
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Genesis 1:27 asserts that we've been made in the image of the Creator. Like God we have the capacity to love and care, to communicate, and to create.
We believe that God created human beings in God's image.
We believe that humans can choose to accept or reject a relationship with God.
We believe that all humans need to be in relationship with God in order to be fully human.
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The church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ's life and ministry in the world today.
We believe that the church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ's life and ministry in the world today.
We believe that the mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
We believe that the church is "the communion of saints," a community made up of all past, present, and future disciples of Christ.
We believe that the church is called to worship God and to support those who participate in its life as they grow in faith.
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We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice. We approach it in four distinct ways:
A Diverse Library: The Bible is a collection of 66 books written over 1,000 years in three languages. It includes everything from history and poetry to letters and gospels, all woven together to tell the story of God’s relationship with humanity.
Sacred Scripture: These books were tested by faith and proven by experience over generations. We recognize them as our "rule for faith and practice"—the authoritative standard for how we believe and live.
God Speaking to Us: We believe the Bible contains everything necessary for salvation. Its authority comes from God’s Spirit—inspiring the original writers, guiding the church in choosing the books, and speaking to us today as we study the words together.
A Guide for Life: We don’t just read the Bible; we put it to work. It informs our worship, our preaching, and our daily lives. We study it carefully to understand what it meant to the original hearers and how it calls us to change our lives today.
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The kingdom or reign of God is both a present reality and future hope.
We believe that God is actively transforming the world, and we are invited to be part of that work. Our hope isn't just "optimism" — it is a trust in God’s promised future.
The Vision of Shalom: The Bible points us toward a future of Shalom — a world of plenty, justice, and harmony. This is more than just the absence of conflict; it is a world where everyone has what they need and lives in right relationship with one another.
The Kingdom of God: Jesus taught that God’s reign is already breaking into our lives. Through his life and resurrection, we see the beginning of a "new creation" where greed and injustice are replaced by love and grace.
The Church as a Sign: While we are imperfect, the church is called to be a living preview of God’s future. We strive to show the world what God’s kingdom looks like through acts of courage, compassion, and reconciliation.
Our Part to Play: We don’t just wait for a better world; we work for it. As "Easter people," we join in the dawning of God’s kingdom by serving our neighbors, seeking justice, and living out our faith in everything we do.
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The United Methodist Church believes God's love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people's lives to risk interpreting God's love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. The church helps us think and act out of a faith perspective, not just respond to all the other 'mind-makers-up' that exist in our society.
Meet our Pastor
Introducing Pastor Mark Jarema! He began serving Lexington Park United Methodist Church on July 1, 2026. Mark is passionate about connecting timeless biblical truths to the everyday lives of those he serves, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and loved.
His previous call was with the Greater Brunswick Charge, where he served as Associate Pastor and as Campus Pastor for Jefferson United Methodist Church.
Before answering his call to ordained ministry, Mark built a career across corporate, government, and military settings. He holds a Bachelor of Theology from Metro Baltimore Seminary, and God has used this varied background to shape how he walks alongside his congregation today.
Mark is the author of several books and has produced a gospel album with musicians from across the globe. He looks forward to growing alongside his new church family in faith, service, and belonging.
