WORSHIP FOCUS

 "Swords into Plowshares" 

In the midst of a world that proclaims domination, war and violence as strength, God provides an alternative vision. In Isaiah 2, God lays out a vision for the people then and for us today. It’s a vision of fostering community that is more interested in providing food for the poor than producing guns to kill. 

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Patrick Fish

SPECIAL MUSIC

Glory Ringers Handbell Choir with Roar Teens

Lion’s Voice Choir

Katie Ulrich (vocal solo) 

If you are worshiping with us remotely, please download the Order of Worship to join in the singing, readings, and prayers. We also invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Justice for All" 

Our worship this weekend raises up our commitment to justice. What does “justice” look like in our fragmented world? How and where can we act justly?

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Al Bergh

SPECIAL MUSIC

Todd Carrico, organ

Lion’s Voice Choir

If you are worshiping with us remotely, please download the Order of Worship to join in the singing, readings, and prayers. We also invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"We Are All Saints” 

The leper and centurion in today’s Gospel reading are saints in this life — in the very same way we are all saints. We are saints in the here and now, and none of us is worthy to have Christ enter under our roofs. Saints and sinners that we are, we are also God’s beloved children, who by grace alone will one day be promoted to glory to live with all the saints in light

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Marnie Rourke

SPECIAL MUSIC

Todd Carrico, organ

Lion’s Voice Choir

Glory Ringers Handbell Choir

If you are worshiping with us remotely, please download the Order of Worship to join in the singing, readings, and prayers. We also invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Reformation and Confirmation”

It’s Reformation Sunday, and we’re wearing red! Even if you’re joining us from home, we invite you to WEAR RED for this festive day. This week's sermon will reflect on the wisdom of King Solomon and discuss what it means that we are a church of the "REFORMation." During this special service, ten of our confirmands will affirm their baptismal promises amidst the support of family, friends, and our congregation.

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Patrick Fish

SPECIAL MUSIC

Todd Carrico, organ

Mandel Family, strings

Callie Reimer-flute

Glory Ringers Handbell Choir

If you are worshiping with us remotely, please download the Order of Worship to join in the singing, readings, and prayers. We also invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"David: A Symbol of the Covenant and the Fall" 

This weekend, we move into the time of kings. When the covenant was established to Moses and then re-established through Joshua, God worked in and through judges. The Israelites wanted to be more like the rest and be ruled over by kings. God warned, but honored the people’s request for a king. King Saul is the first king God works in and through, but quickly shifts to anointing king David. While David was faithful in his role, he was also flawed and disobedient. We will see David’s sin on full display continuing the narrative lectionary. The focus is not on human sin, but instead, on David’s repentance and God’s merciful act of forgiveness. 

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Patrick Fish

SPECIAL MUSIC

Lion’s Voice Choir

If you are worshiping with us remotely, please download the Order of Worship to join in the singing, readings, and prayers. We also invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Joshua Renews the Covenant" 

This weekend, we are continuing our "coming together" theme, and talking about the Story of God’s deliverance and Joshua’s response: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Marnie Rourke

SPECIAL MUSIC

FDL and Sunday School Singers

Lion’s Voice Choir

If you are worshiping with us remotely, please download the Order of Worship to join in the singing, readings, and prayers. We also invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Covenant and Commandments" 

This weekend, we join Moses on top of the mountain, where he receives and transcribes the 10 commandments. God’s commandments are not meant to be controlling or a power play by God over God’s people. In fact, God’s commandments and covenants were never meant to exclude, discriminate, or control. That’s what people have done with laws and how people interpreted God’s laws over time. The 10 commandments were a gift meant to build up human community. The first 3 commandments are about how we align ourselves with God, and the remaining 7 have to do with our relationship to our neighbor. God isn’t about control or power over others, but instead, God is about compassion, care, and empowering humanity to live harmoniously together. 

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Patrick Fish

SPECIAL MUSIC

Lion’s Voice Choir

If you are worshiping with us remotely, please download the Order of Worship to join in the singing, readings, and prayers. We also invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

“God finds us and saves us” 

This weekend, we are discussing how good and faithful stewards help each other in order to find themselves so that they may share their time, talent, and treasure. 

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Marnie Rourke

SPECIAL MUSIC

Mandel Family

Lion's Voice Choir

Handbell Ensemble

If you are worshiping with us remotely, please download the Order of Worship to join in the singing, readings, and prayers. We also invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Joseph in Prison" 

This weekend, we continue in our Narrative Lectionary and track the movement of God and God's people in the Genesis narrative. We also enter our second week of the Stewardship campaign, "Coming Together in Joyful Giving." Our focus is on our Youth and Families ministries. Two of our church's vision priorities, center on strengthening and serving our children, youth, and families. 

Fittingly, our main reading is about God working in and through Joseph, who is best known for his amazing, colorful coat. A favorite Bible story amongst children and families. We continue to strive to be a church that proclaims God works in and through our young people.

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Patrick Fish

SPECIAL MUSIC

Glory Ringers Handbell Choir

If you are worshiping with us remotely, please download the Order of Worship to join in the singing, readings, and prayers. We also invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Call of Abraham"

This weekend, we focus on the Call of Abraham. God called Abram and Sarai to go on a journey of faith. Where is your faith journey leading you? God also calls us by name, but by what name do we call God? 

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Marnie Rourke

SPECIAL MUSIC

Lion's Voice Choir

If you are worshiping with us remotely, please download the Order of Worship to join in the singing, readings, and prayers. We also invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion: bread or crackers, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Human Being - Human Do-er"

After a month on leave, we welcome Pastor Patrick back to our pulpit, sharing the good news. 

In a world inundated with bad news, in a society where we are indoctrinated to believe our should be "go, go, go," and our worth is based on what we do each day, we need an alternative. Faith is that alternative. 

This weekend, we return to our roots, to the Creation story in Genesis. In creation, God created human beings. And God called both our labor AND our rest "good." In this week's worship, we dwell in that origin story together and collectively remember that Eve and Adam bore the image of God before they did anything in the garden. We are reminded that our dignity is in our being, not in our doing. 

WORSHIP FOCUS

 "Rehydrate" 

On this last weekend of our "Refreshing Hope" series, we welcome Pastor Paul Olson back to the St. Mark’s pulpit as our guest preacher. Pastor Olson is a familiar face to many St. Mark’s members, and we are glad to have this opportunity to reconnect with him. Prior to his retirement from full-time parish ministry in 2011, Pastor Olson served in five congregations, all in Illinois. Following that, he worked for Lutheran Social Services in Illinois (LSSI) in Advancement, and then served as Interim Pastor in parishes in Elgin, Evanston, and Aurora. In addition, he has worked with a number of congregations in helping them with Capital Campaigns and Stewardship programs. He and Evelyn live in Glen Ellyn. 

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Paul Olson

SPECIAL MUSIC

Kristin Young, piano

COMMUNION

If you are watching remotely, 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!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Redefined"

This weekend, we welcome Pastor Paul Olson back to the St. Mark’s pulpit as our guest preacher. Pastor Olson is a familiar face to many St. Mark’s members, and we are glad to have this opportunity to reconnect with him. Prior to his retirement from full-time parish ministry in 2011, Pastor Olson served in five congregations, all in Illinois. Following that, he worked for Lutheran Social Services in Illinois (LSSI) in Advancement, and then served as Interim Pastor in parishes in Elgin, Evanston, and Aurora. In addition, he has worked with a number of congregations in helping them with Capital Campaigns and Stewardship programs. He and Evelyn live in Glen Ellyn. Pastor Olson will be our guest preacher both this weekend and next (August 27/28). 

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Paul Olson

SPECIAL MUSIC

Kurt Muth, violin; Kristin Young, piano

COMMUNION

If you are watching remotely, we invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion:

bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

WORSHIP FOCUS

"In Christ There Is No Darkness at All"

We continue our August sermon series on the theme of "Refreshing Hope" with two scripture stories about hope. In the Old Testament reading, in the total darkness of a mass grave, God breathes life into dry bones. In the Gospel reading, a woman who has been shrouded in darkness because of hemorrhages that made her untouchable for twelve years is healed by touching the garment of Jesus, the Light of the World. The Light of Life casts out the darkness!

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Marnie Rourke

SPECIAL MUSIC

Gary Hoyne and Kristin Young, vocal duet

COMMUNION

If you are watching remotely, we invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion:

bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

WORSHIP FOCUS

“God So Loved”

During the month of August, our worship services will focus on the theme of “Refreshing Hope.” This weekend we welcome guest Pastor Al Bergh to our pulpit, and his sermon, “God So Loved,” will not only reassure us that “God so loved the world,” but also remind us that God calls us, in thanksgiving, to do the same.

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Al Bergh

SPECIAL MUSIC

Darragh Creaney, clarinet solo

COMMUNION

If you are watching remotely, we invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion:

bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

WORSHIP FOCUS

 "Called to Share Love”

During our worship in July, we've been following the themes from VBS, and this weekend we come to the theme "Grounded in God's love, we are called to share love." Our high school students put this theme into action this week on their mission trip to Minneapolis! They’ll be sharing their experiences during worship. This is always such an inspiring time. Come, hear and enjoy their stories!

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Patrick Fish

SPECIAL MUSIC

Katie Ulrich, vocal solo

COMMUNION

If you are watching remotely, we invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion:

bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

WORSHIP FOCUS

 "Enough. No more. No less." 

This weekend we follow the story of the Israelites in the wilderness. They’ve been rejoicing over their liberation from Pharaoh, but this is quickly tempered by the lack of food in the desert. They question if God will provide for them. It would be easy for us to judge them for their lack of trust, but we follow God's lead. God hears them and responds by providing food. This food is enough. Not too little. Not too much. Enough to feed every man, woman, and child. It's a reminder to us that God's provision is enough. 

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Patrick Fish

SPECIAL MUSIC

Kristin Young, vocal solo

COMMUNION

If you are watching remotely, we invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion:

bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

WORSHIP FOCUS

 "More Miracles Than the Stars" 

We are made in God’s image, yet living in a sinful world changes everything inside and outside of us. Miracles heal us, but we also need miracles to heal our broken world, so that it may live out God’s promises at the moment of creation: "And it was good.” 

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Marnie Rourke

SPECIAL MUSIC

Kristin Young, piano and vocal solo

COMMUNION

If you are watching remotely, we invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion:

bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Healthy Spirituality"

In a world filled with tragedy and threats, we need a faith that brings hope, peace, and joy. A healthy, holistic faith that entails service of others AND a healthy, holistic spirituality that includes a love of self: mind, body, and spirit. This week, we reclaim the importance of serving from abundance rather than emptiness. We reclaim a spirituality that unapologetically advocates for self. We reclaim a spirituality that seeks and lives in health. 

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Patrick Fish

SPECIAL MUSIC

Sandra Anderson, piano solo

COMMUNION

If you are watching remotely, we invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion:

bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

WORSHIP FOCUS

"God Loves to Create in the Light"

Knowing Christ, as the Word made flesh dwelling among us, is to know that in baptism we were born to share Christ’s light with all who walk in darkness.

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Marnie Rourke

SPECIAL MUSIC

Men’s Vocal Ensemble

COMMUNION

If you are watching remotely, we invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion:

bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Faithful across Generations"

In this week’s scripture narrative, Isaac is a 40-year-old bachelor without a wife or children. Yet this is the child through whom God promised to create great nations! Will Isaac repair his relationship with God? Will God's promise continue in and through Isaac? The good news is that God remains faithful and is deeply committed to everyday life, across every generation. As God was God of Abraham, God is also God of Isaac and God of Rebekah. Our God is a God of relationship, faithful to every generation—past, present, and future.

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Patrick Fish

SPECIAL MUSIC

Handbell Quartet: Sue Hilderbrand, Lisa King, Jon Miller, Melvin Smith 

COMMUNION

If you are watching remotely, we invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion:

bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Father-Son Outing Gone Wrong"

On a weekend when we celebrate all father figures, we focus on Father Abraham, who amongst Christianity, Islam, and Judaism is considered to be the father of faith. Much of his reputation comes from his obedience and willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. This weekend, we explore an incredibly difficult passage that causes more questions than answers. However, by dwelling in such a passage, it allows us to name, question, and grieve the challenging traumas and tragedies we experience in our world today. In a world full of violence and death, we recognize that this is not a passage that condemns religious violence. Instead, it's a passage that assures us God will provide. That God will be present in the worst of situations. And, most importantly, that God's promises will prevail. 

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Patrick Fish

SPECIAL MUSIC

Men’s Vocal Ensemble

COMMUNION

If you are watching remotely, we invite you to gather elements to participate in Communion:

bread or crackers, plus wine or juice.