Epiphany

We celebrate the revelation of God incarnate, God enfleshed, on Epiphany with rituals and the gospel story of the Magi coming to pay homage to the child, after following the star and setting Herod on edge. For us it marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of God's revelation that Jesus is the messiah.

"Magi Parade"

During worship on Epiphany, we will have a procession of the Magi, the wise ones.

"Threshold Blessing"

During Worship we will also bless the threshold of the church to celebrate the magi blessing the home of the Holy Family on Epiphany, as well as Jesus blessing our earthly home in his incarnation.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table! We hope that you will join us.

1st Weekend of Christmas

"It's Still Christmas!"

As we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, the gospel for this weekend confronts us with the death of innocent children at the hands of Herod.

The birth of Christ does not remove the power of evil from our world, but its light gives us hope as we walk with all the “holy innocents” of past generations and today who have suffered unjustly.

In our gathering around word and meal, God continues to redeem us, lift us up, and carry us as in days of old.

Come to worship this weekend as we continue to sing Christmas carols, celebrate the birth of Christ and learn the story behind the 16th century English Christmas carol, The Coventry Carol.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table! We hope that you will join us.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we celebrate God being born on earth as a poor Jewish child, whom we call Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

With the angels we sing, “Glory to God!” 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table! We hope that you will join us.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we celebrate God being born on earth as a poor Jewish child, whom we call Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

With the angels we sing, “Glory to God!”

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table! We hope that you will join us.

Click Here For Previous Worship Services

“Kaleidoscope to Christmas”

Presented by Music Ministry

The Music Ministry at St. Mark's is ready to help you celebrate the season with a Kaleidoscope look at all the aspects of the Christmas Story surrounding the birth of Jesus.

The adults will share a Kaleidoscope of Christmas Carols from around the world following the reading of the different and unique birth stories from the bible. 

You will hear bells, voices, flute, percussion, soloists, and the moving accounts of Jesus Birth. 

In short, all the musical and biblical beauty of the season.

Please join us for this amazing musical event!

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table! We hope that you will join us.

3rd Weekend of Advent

"Advent Joy"

On this third weekend of Advent, we're exploring joy and how it can help us in the waiting as we prepare to come close to the mystery of Christmas. Isaiah, John the Baptist, and Jesus all point us toward joy, something different than happiness, entertainment, or contentment.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table! We hope that you will join us.

“Journey to Bethlehem”

Presented by the FDL Children’s Choir

The Children will share a 5-part look at Christmas during their program titled, "Journey to Bethlehem." 

You will hear, through narration and song, about; 

     1. The Hanging of the Greens, 

     2. Lighting the Advent Candles, 

     3. Gathering at the Manger, 

     4. Lighting the Christmas Tree, and

     5. Presenting the Gifts.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table! We hope that you will join us.

2nd Weekend of Advent

"Prepare ye the way of the Lord!"

Each year on the second Weekend of Advent we hear John the Baptist urging us to prepare for the coming of Christ. This coming Saturday/Sunday we hear also Isaiah’s famous poem about the wolf lying down with the lamb. 

Come to worship, and receive the blessings from the word of the Lord. 

We also look forward to welcoming new members this Sunday! 

Welcome to St. Mark's Patti and Glenn Decker, Margie Hardy and Nathan Placek! 

Thank you Hope Circle for providing cake to celebrate our new members!

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table! We hope that you will join us.

1st Weekend of Advent

"Are you ready?"

On this first weekend of the new year, we gather to get ready and prepare for Christ's arrival at Christmas. The church in it's wisdom gives us time to slow down, get ready, and consider what we need to make a space for Jesus' birth as we consider the good news for this year in the confluence of Jesus' history, mystery, and majesty we find on the first weekend of Advent.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table! We hope that you will join us.

Christ the King

"The Kin-Dom of God: Love and Justice for all"

This weekend, our Scripture readings describe the “kingdom of God” – and remind us that God’s kingdom is full of love, justice, and the well-being of all. 

One way that St. Mark shares God’s love with our neighbors is through our partnership with Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI). Representatives from LSSI will join us for worship to share more about how your support shares God’s love with many of our neighbors each year.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table! We hope that you will join us.

23rd Weekend after Pentecost

"The Story of God's Abundant Love"

In our gospel this Sunday Jesus calls us to testify, to tell the story of God's abundant love in our lives.

That testifying can look like telling someone the story of Jesus found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, or Paul. It can look like telling people the story of how God has worked in our own lives. It can look like giving young people Bibles or giving help to those who need it or speaking out against injustices.

It is in this testifying that we build our muscles for hope and find the strength to live through the unlivable.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table! We hope that you will join us.

22nd Weekend after Pentecost

"Longing for Hope"

When the Sadducees encounter Jesus with a technical question, he responds by humanizing and placing divine value upon each character in the Sadducees’ hypothetical scenario. Jesus’ response is about resurrection and about naming people as children of God and of light. The answer Jesus gives the Sadducees is about God, whose presence means life.

This is about God’s promise of resurrection in the face of death, and about life in the face of and in spite of death. The Gospel for this weekend proclaim hope in the face of hopelessness and urge us to do the same. Come to worship for hope and inspiration.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table! We hope that you will join us.

All Saints

"Where The Veil Is Thin"

Who are the saints, and what do they have to say to us? Rather than being perfect Christians, the saints are people who have been made whole by the grace of God, through baptism into Christ. The communion of saints is a diverse array of witnesses who remind us of God’s continuing faithfulness, past, present, and future. 

In the picture painted by the gospel reading from Luke, the saints challenge us to embody the surprising, world-reversing ways of the reign of God. 

Hope to see you this weekend!

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Reformation/Confirmation

"God's Abundant Love, Our Faith Journeys, and the Glow of Abiding in the Heart of God."

Local power outages interrupted the video streaming and recording of our Worship Service. We captured much of the service from an alternate personal source that limited our ability to record sound. Thank you for your understanding.

This week we celebrate more great moments in our life of faith. In the gospel we hear Jesus calls to abide in the word and be set free to love and serve our neighbor. As we celebrate Reformation Day and Confirmation we focus in on the moments when God's abundant love showed up in our lives and we lived in response to it and showed loved and served others. 

You're invited to wear RED for Reformation to represent how the Holy Spirit is always reforming the church!

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Installation of Pastor Krista and Deacon David

"The God of the Yet"

Fourteen years after standing in the same sanctuary for my ordination, I will be returning to celebrate how God is still at work—calling, sending, and creating something new. In a world that often looks backward for meaning, Jesus meets us on the shoreline and calls us into what’s next.

This sermon invites us to honor the past without being defined by it and to trust that God is not finished yet.

As your stewardship season tagline says, God is taking St. Mark's from Transition to Transformation!

I can't wait to celebrate what God is doing at St. Mark's, where my ministry began, and with Pastor Krista and Deacon David, my friends from seminary.

See you all on Saturday!

    Peace,

    Pastor Brian Wise

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

17th Weekend after Pentecost

"An Attitude of Gratitude"

It’s a miracle! Multiple miracles! The waters of holy baptism have healed us. 

The body and blood of Jesus in holy communion have made us clean. 

We have died with Christ and been raised with him. 

For all this we have returned to offer thanks. 

From this place we are sent on our way rejoicing to share the good news. "Hope to see you this weekend!"

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

17th Weekend after Pentecost

"Are We There Yet? Faith and the Between Time."

As we reflect on the bridge we're building at St. Mark's between the past and the future, between the Heart of God and the World, and between where we are now to God's visions by the leadings of the Spirit, the Gospel reminds us of the role of faith as we build, labor, walk, and stretch to the other side.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

16th Weekend after Pentecost

"Bridge to the Future: A Solid Foundation"

As we continue our stewardship season, Building Bridges, this week we remember that we stand on the shoulders of the many generous disciples of Christ who came before us at St. Mark's. They helped build a solid foundation and now we get to continue strengthening

that foundation in a new time. 

Come to worship this weekend and be nourished with the holy meal to be sent out in service once again.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

"Using your Powers for Good: Building Bridges" In the texts this week we see two pictures: one of those using their powers for good to make the world a better place and others who use their powers to serve their own interests regardless of who they trample on. The gospel reminds us that we have been gifted by God with everything we need as individuals and communities to build bridges and make our world a better place. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

The most important symbol for Christianity is the cross of Christ. For centuries, Christians have dedicated September 14 as a day to honor the cross as a sign of our salvation. This weekend, we will consider the cross as our strength and guidance. We look to the cross as an example of Christ’s sacrificial love for us. We will also consider what it means to be a bridge builder as we kick off our stewardship season- Building Bridges. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

13th Weekend after Pentecost

"Our Original Covenant"

Please note that we have posted Saturday Worship for this weekend. Sunday's Worship and Rally Day activities were outdoors and could not be recorded.

As we celebrate "Rally Day" and begin our joyful year of work at church and ministry in the world we hear a beautiful reminder in our texts this week of the original covenant, the seed of all our ministry.

God loves us so that we might love this hurting world.

Deuteronomy reminds us that this original covenant invites us to choose life and to nurture it.

Jesus, in the gospel, reminds us that our love of God fuels and shapes all the other love we give in this world.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

12th Weekend after Pentecost

"God's Hospitality"

This Sunday we hear the Good News about God's hospitality. We also hear our call to share that care for others and love of strangers in our communities and neighborhoods.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

11th Weekend after Pentecost

"Call and Invitation"

Call and invitation are a theme for this weekend. Really, this theme is like a bright blue thread that weaves throughout all of scripture, tradition and our lives.

Jesus embodies the God who calls us over to a place that matters, where we can see and be seen . . . and in so doing recognize divine power ancient and ever new. God called Jeremiah to build and to plant. 

So now God calls Deacon David and Pastor Krista to be leaders of the congregation of St. Mark’s – who is called – all together to build and to plant for today and for tomorrow.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

10th Weekend after Pentecost

"Fiery Mercy" 

This weekend will be the third and last of Pastor Krista's three-week sermon series leading up to the congregational call vote on August 23 and 24. She reflects on how the assigned Biblical texts tie in with how the mission and vision of St. Mark's matches her vision and gifts for ministry. 

Pastor Krista and St. Mark's have been in a long season of transition and are now in a season of transformation. 

The gospel for this coming weekend is surprisingly harsh: being a believer brings not peace, but dissension. 

The bread and wine at the table of belonging will strengthen us for our future, no matter what comes. 

Due to a power outage, we were unable to livestream worship on August 18. However, we were able to capture the Gospel and Sermon on a camera phone.

9th Weekend after Pentecost

Worship Focus

"Staying Ready"

This weekend will be the second of Pastor Krista's 3-week sermon series leading up to her congregational call vote on August 23 and 24. She will be reflecting on how the assigned Biblical texts tie in with how the mission and vision of St. Mark's matches her vision and gifts for ministry. 

Pastor Krista and St. Mark's have been in a long season of transition and are now in a season of transformation. Our journeys have come together for such a time as this. Jesus invites us to stay ready for all that God is doing in our midst! 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

8th Weekend after Pentecost

Worship Focus

"God's Transforming Grace"

Over the next three weeks, Pastor Krista will be preaching the assigned Biblical texts and tying in how the mission and vision of St. Mark's matches her vision and gifts for ministry. 

Pastor Krista and St. Mark's have been in a long season of transition and are now in a season of transformation. Our journeys have come together for such a time as this! 

We move forward in God's transforming grace!

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

7th Weekend after Pentecost

Worship Focus

"The Lord's Prayer"

The Lord's Prayer is something deeply treasured by many Christians. We each have a story of why it means so much to us, who taught us the Lord's Prayer and which version we prefer.

At the end of the day, what matters most is that we pray- whatever words or language or posture we take. Jesus teaches us to pray in the Lord's Prayer.

God is pleased with the cacophony of languages, versions and hearts of God's beloved.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

6th Weekend after Pentecost

Worship Focus

"Hearing & Doing" 

How many times have you listened to the story of Martha and Mary and wondered: which sister would I be? Would I be the sister who is doing this and that, or the one who is sitting at the feet of Jesus? 

Interestingly enough, we do not have to choose - we can actually be BOTH Martha and Mary! 

Jesus teaches us through his words to the sisters that it is just as important to listen and HEAR one's neighbor as it is to use our own hands and feet to SERVE. 

We will explore the ways that we can be Jesus' hands and feet in the world today - by listening, by talking, by helping, by simply sharing God's wondrous love.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Good Samaritan"

The gospel for this weekend is the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan. Come to worship to consider this story again and to pray that we ourselves will embody such mercy.

The bread and wine of the table will strengthen you for such a life.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

4th Weekend after Pentecost

Worship Focus

"Every Day Missionaries"

St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words."

We are all called to be missionaries, spreading the good news of God - in actions and in words. In the gospel reading for this weekend, Jesus sends out seventy disciples to spread the word of salvation.

Come to worship to hear the story; gather at the feet of Jesus; and then be sent out as missionaries for Christ in your daily life.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"No Ifs, Ands, or Buts!"

Excuses are a part of our everyday lives, and whether we want to admit it or not, each one of us has used an excuse at some point in life. Right or wrong, excuses have and will continue to be used for missing homework or work, to explain a delay, or to get out of a commitment.

But, what happens when excuses are given to Jesus? 

How does Jesus respond and can we use Jesus' words to turn our excuses into action?

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Mission Trip: Telling the Story"

Join us for worship on Saturday or Sunday as we hear from the youth and adults who were in Louisville, KY this week on a mission trip!

The theme for the week was: Dust: Follow Jesus Closely. They explored what it can look like to respond to God’s love and follow Jesus closely, just like his disciples.

As we learn to follow closely, we will start to look like Jesus in the ways we love and serve others. May we follow Jesus so closely that we are covered in his dust.

We can't wait to hear their stories!

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Holy Trinity

Worship Focus

"Mysterious God: Three in One"

The weekend after Pentecost is celebrated each year as Trinity Sunday, a day on which the church meditates on the mystery of our God, one divine unity of three distinct presences.

Each way that we speak about the Trinity is inadequate. Indeed, a God we could understand wouldn’t be much of a God.

Join us this weekend as we are gathered into the life of our unfathomable God!

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Day of Pentecost

Worship Focus

"The Spirit's Power"

In Acts 2:1-21, the promise and hope of Pentecost is that the gift of God's Spirit bridges human division. It gives the capacity to communicate across language and race. People from different cultures and religions, with different values and worldviews, were given a common language.

It is a gift for prophecy that is poured out on all, women and men, the young and the old, enslaved and free, the straight and LGBTQIA+, black and white. The Spirit empowers us to transcend our differences and come together as one to spread the good news of the Risen Christ!

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

7th Weekend of Easter

Worship Focus

"A Summertime Christmas Gift"

During the season of Advent, “preparing” becomes a constant in our every day lives. We’re purchasing gifts, getting ready to travel or to welcome family, and of course, we are reminded that Jesus’ birth is near when we hear the words “prepare the way” in worship. But now, it is June and the season of Christmas is just a memory. How do we keep close the lessons of the Christmas season? How can we keep “preparing the way” not just in Advent, but every day of the year?

Hope to see you at worship this weekend as we are reminded of that abounding grace!  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

6th Weekend of Easter

Worship Focus

"Saved by Grace"

One of the tenants that we as Lutherans hold dear is that we are saved by grace, not works. The saving work of Christ is already done. We can set our sights on doing our best and moving through the world unafraid of failing or getting it wrong. 

Hope to see you at worship this weekend as we are reminded of that abounding grace!  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

5th Weekend of Easter

Worship Focus

"The Next Thing on My List"

Simeon had a very unusual "bucket list" request: he wanted to see the Messiah before he died. Simeon's desire bears the question: what is on OUR bucket lists? 

So many times, we focus on what we NEED to do before we die, instead of recognizing the day-to-day blessings that are right in front of us. 

What can we learn from Simeon's example? 

Deacon Tracy Katschke-Goss returns to the pulpit this weekend.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Jesus Welcomes the Rejected"

This weekend, as we continue the celebration of the 50 days of Easter, we hear a story from the early church. Phillip is called by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to meet an Ethiopian Eunuch. 

When the Eunuch learned from Philip that Jesus was the Messiah the prophet Isaiah was talking about, he asked to be baptized. Filled with the Holy Spirit himself, the Eunuch goes on his way rejoicing. The formerly rejected Eunuch is now welcomed and embraced as a Child of God.

Hope to see you in worship this weekend as we are reminded of Jesus expansive sense of belonging endowed to us in baptism!

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"LSSI Good Shepherd Weekend"

St. Mark's will join ELCA congregations all over Illinois in lifting up the ministries of LSSI! 

Please join us for worship as we hear from several St. Mark's members who are involved in LSSI ministries.  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

2nd Weekend of Easter

Worship Focus

"Traveling with Jesus"

In the Gospel story for this weekend, two disciples encounter Jesus while walking on the road to Emmaus. Encompassed with grief, they fail to recognize that they are walking with their friend until much later. 

How many times in our travels down the road of life do we fail to recognize that we TOO are walking with Jesus? 

As we pause to celebrate the First Communion of four children, in what ways can WE pause to remember the various ways that Jesus walks with us? 

We welcome Deacon Tracy Katschke-Goss back to the pulpit.  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

Easter Sunday

 "Jesus is Risen! It's a New Day!"

On Maundy Thursday, Jesus says, remember me when you eat this bread and drink this wine, it is my body and blood given for you. 

When Jesus is arrested, the disciples scatter. 

A few of the women watch as Jesus dies on a cross on Good Friday. 

On Easter, upon hearing the angels proclaim the tomb is empty because Jesus has risen, they remember what Jesus foretold about his own death and resurrection. 

On Easter Sunday, we re-member, as in we gather again, as members of Christ's body to experience the power and promise of a new day. We proclaim "Alleluia!" as we also celebrate a new day and a new chapter at St. Mark's and beyond! 

We hope you will come and re-member with us!  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

Good Friday (Tenebrae)

We gather for a traditional "Tenebrae" or "Service of Shadows." 

During this candlelight service, we hear the Passion story in seven readings, interspersed with contemplative anthems from our vocal and handbell choirs. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

Worship Focus

Maundy Thursday

The Maundy Thursday service is a solemn remembrance of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. 

Worship with Holy Communion, the end of Lent and the beginning of the Triduum, the Great Three Days. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday Worship) 

Worship Focus

"We won't be silenced"

As Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt, Christians around the world enter Holy Week. 

This weekend, we will wave palm leaves and shout hosanna in praise of Jesus, the king of heaven and earth. The Pharisees tried to silence the crowd but there is no silencing what God is doing through Jesus.

We hope to see you this Sunday as we begin Holy Week. 

Then join us as the story continues through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

5th Weekend of Lent

Worship Focus

"Who I Am"

In life, there are descriptions, or "labels" that we would give ourselves, and there are the "labels" that others - family, friends, colleagues, strangers, enemies - would say about us. Some of these descriptors are words that bring us joy, while others cause us pain. 

Being "labeled" was a trait that Zaccheus knew well - as a tax collector, he was both envied and despised by his community. But to God, he was beloved, forgiven and cared for. 

What can WE learn from Zaccheus and God's great love for him? 

How can we let go of the "labels" that are placed on us and embrace being called to be loved children of God? 

This week we welcome Deacon Tracy Katschke-Goss

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

4th Weekend of Lent

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Closing the Chasm"

This weekend we hear the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It's a poignant allegory which highlights the need for compassion. 

Jesus is always at work to close the chasms that separate us from each other; especially those who are struggling. 

How can we be part of Christ's important work? 

Hope to see you at worship this weekend as we share in Word and Meal. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

3rd Weekend of Lent

Worship Focus

 "Come! [Repent!] Eat!"

We are called to be God’s people—kind, loving, accepting and, above all, grateful. To answer that call requires us to turn away from the ways of the world where mean-spirited-ness, hate, distrust and thankless-ness reside. As God’s people, called out from the world, we are fed at the table of grace. 

This week we welcome back Pastor Linnea Wilson

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

2nd Weekend of Lent

Worship Focus

"Lament Over the City" 

This is a picture of the front of the altar in Sky Chapel at The Chicago Temple- a United Methodist Church in the Chicago Loop at the intersection of Washington and Clark across from The Daley Center. In this carving, Jesus is shown weeping over the city of Chicago because people still do not know the things that make for peace. 

Of course, this is not only true for the city of Chicago - but really anywhere.

This weekend, we will read Luke 13:1-9, 31-35 in which Jesus laments over the city of Jerusalem and desires to care for them as a hen gathers her brood under her wings. 

Come hear the good news of Christ's love for all which has the power to transform our lives and our cities. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

1st Weekend of Lent

Worship Focus

"Go and do likewise"

This weekend we hear the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan. We are reminded that the love we show to our neighbors is fueled by the love that Christ has first shown us. In the same way, God’s mercy enables us to go and do likewise. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Ash Wednesday" 

We welcome Pr. Krista Zimmerman.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"A Ray of Hope" 

This weekend, we will hear the story of Jesus' Transfiguration - a moment when Jesus showed to Peter, James and John that He was both fully divine and fully human. During the Transfiguration, Jesus knew the fate that lay ahead of Him in Jerusalem, but still encouraged his disciples to keep on spreading a message of love, hope and kindness to the world. 

This message is still powerful today, as is the realization that being hopeful is HARD. In hard moments, how do we hold on to Jesus' ray of hope?  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Know Forgiveness, Know Love" 

 We are coming to the end of February, Valentine's month, the month of Love. 

Today we hear Jesus make a connection between how much one has been forgiven and how much one can show love. Do the two always work together? Or can they be mutually exclusive? We know there are different kinds of love—though Jesus is usually talking about one very specific kind of love. Are there differences in kinds of forgiveness? 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Blest to be a Blessing"

Pastor Linda Seyenkulo will be our guest pastor this Sunday.  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Compassion" 

In this Epiphany season, we continue to hear of Jesus' compassion for all people. We are loved by God and we share God's love. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"They're Not Fair You See" 

How do you feel when you are treated unfairly? How about when you see someone else being treated unfairly? What if the person who is being unfair is actually someone you are meant to trust? What if they carry authority over you or others? 

Let's see what Jesus did and maybe a little of what Martin Luther had to say about it. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"The Disciples: Origins" 

This Sunday we hear how Jesus called the first four disciples: Simon, Andrew, James, and John. 

Today we might call it their origin story. Spider-Man, Batman, even Harry Potter has an origin story. Not unlike those of the disciples, each one’s story sets up the rest of their life in one fell blow. 

What about your origin story—your “call?” 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"For All People"

Jesus came to care for all people. That is our mission as well. God works through us and calls each of us to reach out to all people--today. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Reflect Your Faith" 

As the Epiphany season begins, we give thanks for the gift of baptism. God loves you, God chooses you, and God sends you out to shine God's light in the world. We seek to reflect our faith in all that we do. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

2nd Weekend of Christmas

You and I also look forward to God's activity among us.    All are welcome to attend! 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

"Looking Forward"  This weekend we continue to celebrate Christmas! The gospel reading connects a first born child with the ancient Jewish ritual. Mary & Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple. They hear from Simeon and Anna, about who their son will be. They too, look forward to God's future with Jesus.

You and I also look forward to God's activity among us.    All are welcome to attend! 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Christmas Eve

We are offering two beautiful Christmas Eve services, one at 4:00 p.m. and one at 8:00 p.m. 

There will be Holy Communion & candle lighting at both services. 

All are welcome to attend! 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Christmas Eve

We are offering two beautiful Christmas Eve services, one at 4:00 p.m. and one at 8:00 p.m. 

There will be Holy Communion & candle lighting at both services. 

Our 4 p.m. service is geared towards families. 

All are welcome to attend! 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

We journey with Mary on the mystical happenings found in Luke’s story of the Birth of Christ. 

We will witness Mary from the first visit of the Angel Gabriel, to her visit to see her cousin Elizabeth, to her song of gratitude to God. 

We will hear her story from the pages of Luke and from the beautiful music of the choirs and instrumentalists in St. Mark’s Music Ministry. 

Sure to add Mystery, Beauty, and Joy to your final days of Advent. 

All are welcome to attend! 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Mary's Mystical Journey"

We journey with Mary on the mystical happenings found in Luke’s story of the Birth of Christ. 

We will witness Mary from the first visit of the Angel Gabriel, to her visit to see her cousin Elizabeth, to her song of gratitude to God. 

We will hear her story from the pages of Luke and from the beautiful music of the choirs and instrumentalists in St. Mark’s Music Ministry. 

Sure to add Mystery, Beauty, and Joy to your final days of Advent. 

All are welcome to attend! 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Hear Ye! Hear Ye!" 

No more let sin and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Good Gifts"

This week we hear about God's spirit of giving. Perfect timing as we are in the midst of getting and giving the illusive perfect gift for loved ones.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Children's Christmas Program & Worship" 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"How can we stand against the lions?" 

As Advent begins, life may move more rapidly. Endless parties, shopping, holiday specials, gatherings, school and work deadlines; these lions put pressure us. By God's love and grace we can remain faithful to the God of rescue. From Daniel there are strategies for times we feel trapped. Even in times like these, God is with you.

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Christ the King

"Crown Him with Many Crowns" 

Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne; 

hark, how the heav'nly anthem drowns all music but its own. 

Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee, 

and hail him as thy matchless king through all eternity. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"I Don't Know About You, Dummies" 

We are told we are all called by God. The question is, what are we called to do? We're also told to follow in the example of those who went before us. Is that enough? What happens when God wants something new, something different? This weekend we will look at God's call to do action and how God changes us through the call and the action. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Jonah - Our merciful God of outrageous grace" 

What happens when we are asked to do something we really would rather not do? This weekend we hear about the prophet Jonah. Most remember the tale of the whale. That wasn't the only time he tried to avoid what God asked him to do.  

How can we react to God's love? 

This weekend is the start of our response to God's light we've seen in the stewardship project. Also, Jacob Everly is being brought on Sunday for baptism. And there are many who will be reacting from elections. May we respond to each other with the love of God in Christ. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"God Cares for the Widow" 

Today God sends Elijah to help a poor widow. Elijah asked her for some food. She had nothing. And by a miracle her jar of flour was not empty. She gave Elijah some food. God provided for her. 

When we have nothing left, how is it that we are able to go on? 

When tragedy strikes, how can you go on? 

When the unexpected happens, how can God's providing yet be seen? 

This weekend we remember those who have died in the past year. For each person, a bell will toll and a candle will be lit. In the narthex there will be a table of votive candles that anyone can light in remembrance of a loved one.  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"That's Not How Any of This Works!"

Those times when you are listening to someone explain a thing or watching people do something and you just have to scratch your head and wonder whether he or she or they actually know that the boat has been missed? 

This Sunday, as we celebrate the Reformation and as eight young people Affirm their baptism, we are going to see how Solomon, Jesus, and Martin Luther responded to such situations with people of God. Then we will see how we can follow any or all three of their examples when we see it today.  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Unconditional Love" 

No strings attached. Ever? Is that really possible? How can we ever love unconditionally?  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!  We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus

"Is it a Boon or a Boom?"

This week we hear Hannah's plea to be a mother and her response when her request is granted. Her prayer is full of gratitude and promise. Not unlike that of the yet to come Magnificat of Mary, it speaks of God empowering the faithful from their place of social inferiority while pulling down those whose own power and authority has replaced their faith, respect, and sometimes common sense.  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

Worship Focus

"Golden Calf" 

Moses is away for more than a month. He’s up there on retreat with God. People put pressure on Aaron, urging him to do something, anything. They want a god they can see, and they want it now! Caving in, Aaron collects gold jewelry from the people, melts it down, and crafts a golden calf. Then he puts it on an altar and announces a festival. 

How do you think Moses, and of course God, reacts? 

What do we do when we cannot see God acting fast enough for us? This is the story and song of humans.  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

Worship Focus

"Family Hold Back"

What traditions does your family have for meals? 

Were they different at special events or holidays? 

Jesus ate with his disciples all the time. We don't hear a lot of stories about the everyday meals. However, Passover, specifically the one he knew would be his last, gave us tradition born of older tradition. This weekend we look at that tradition and how it fits both special events and everyday meals.  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

Worship Focus

"No one likes a know it all dreamer" 

When one acts against another, it can start a cycle of violence. That's how wars start. One group invades another's turf. Frequently, the other then responds. Before long those two sides are at war. Our personal lives are like that too. People say, don't get mad, get even. God's people too can be caught up in that same back and forth cycle. Joseph's story is about acting in a different way.  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

Worship Focus

"Like the Stars in the Sky" 

God makes big promises. The one God made with Abram seemed impossibly big. Abram believed God's promise instantly. In fact, Abram is known for his belief and trust in God. Do we follow Abram's lead? Can we? How and where does it lead for us?  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

Worship Focus

"In the Beginning" 

The summer sermon series on worship had come to an end. Now that we are moving into Fall, we return to the Narrative Lectionary for the final year of the four-year cycle. Remember the Narrative Lectionary was created to provide a way to tell more of the Biblical story than does the traditional Revised Common Lectionary. Focused on "story," this week we begin with Creation, specifically one of the two biblical versions of the creation of humanity.  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

Worship Focus

"Worship Through the Moments of Life" 

We've talked about how our weekly worship works throughout the summer. 

Is once a week enough to be gathered as the family of God, hear the Story of God's work in Jesus Christ, be strengthened through God's grace, and respond to God's gifts with celebration and Spirit-guided service? The early followers of Christ did not think it was enough. For the first century church worship was incorporated as part of a regular meal, often daily. For centuries, the most devoted worshiped 3-7 times each day, following a schedule called the Divine Office. It would be difficult in our modern world to be so devoted to worship. 

This weekend we will look at some of the ways we meet God in formal worship other than our weekly corporate worship.  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

Worship Focus

"Worship, Serve, Repeat" 

The Infinity Sign can represent coming into worship, then going out to serve the world in Christ's name.  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

Worship Focus

"Bloodiest Wedding Ever"

- What's the appropriate mood for Communion? 

 - Do I cup my hands or reach for the bread with my fingers? 

 - What's going on at the Altar before Communion? 

 - What happens to the left-over bread and wine? 

 - Where is God in all of this? 

These questions and more will be addressed in part through the funny story of the bloodiest wedding ever. 

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

Worship Focus

"Preparation for Prom" 

What do you have to do for a big event, like prom? 

What preparation needs to be done? 

How do you know if you've prepared enough? 

Does that kind of getting ready make you more worthy than others at the prom? 

And what does that have to do with being ready for Communion?  

Download the Order of Worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.