• Make room for life

    "Make Room for Lent"

    Rather than seeing Lent as a time to "give up" something, what if you approached it as a time to "make room" for something?

  • walk the way of kindness

    40 Random Acts of Kindness

    A great way for kids and adults to engage in a simple Lenten practice by looking for small ways to share God's love each day.

  • love with generosity

    The Neighbor Project

    Our Lenten offering is going to The Neighbor Project, changing neighborhoods, communities, and lives one home at a time. 



We invite you to walk The Lenten Path with us.

Take a 40-day journey toward spiritual wholeness.

  • ASH WEDNESDAY

    WEDNESDAY, FEB 22

    11 AM service

    NOON to 1 PM DRIVE THRU ASHED

    7 PM SERVICE (also livestreamed)

    We invite you to three different options for Ash Wednesday this year.  The morning service at 11 a.m. and the evening service at 7 p.m. will include hymns, sermon, Communion and the imposition of ashes. The evening service will also be livestreamed on YouTube, and the video will be available to watch afterward. Click here to download the Order of Worship if you are participating from home.


    NEW THIS YEAR! DRIVE THRU ASHES. During the lunch hour on Ash Wednesday, we are offering an opportunity anyone in the community to drive through the church parking lot to receive the imposition of ashes and a blessing. The entrance is 27 S Edgelawn Drive, just south of Galena. All are welcome!

  • "RISE AND RECLAIM: A TRUE FAST FOR LENT"

    6-WEEK JUSTICE STUDY OFFERED BY THE PEOPLE'S LOBBY

    THURSDAY, FEB 23 THROUGH MARCH 30

    6:30-8:00 PM VIA ZOOM

    How can the church reclaim its voice in the public square? Have we done this faithfully in the past? Can we do it now? The local community group of The People's Lobby is inviting people to come together to study how scripture and the words of Jesus inform us about church engagement in public affairs. The sessions are 1.5 hours each week, for 6 weeks, via Zoom. The first half of each session will be instruction, followed by small group breakout discussions.  Pr. Patrick Fish of St. Mark's is part of the core team planning this event. Come for meaningful conversations with an awesome group!  For contact and registration information, visit https://actionnetwork.org/events/rise-and-reclaim-a-true-fast-for-lent

  • "40-DAY JOURNEY WITH DIETRICH BONHOEFFER"

    5-WEEK LENTEN STUDY

    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1 THROUGH MARCH 29

    10-11:30 AM, ST. MARK'S COMMUNITY ROOM

    The 40-Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer introduces Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a courageous German theologian and Lutheran pastor who was imprisoned and later killed by the Nazis, and whose writings have inspired and influenced Christians around the world. Each chapter includes a reading from Bonhoeffer’s writings, scripture selections, a journal-writing exercise, and a prayer. The study group gathers weekly for discussion, and all are welcome! Books are available for $10 through the church office: 630-897-6891.

  • LENTEN PRAYER SERVICE

    "Holden Evening Prayer"

    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 7:30 PM

    The "Holden Evening Prayer" was written by Marty Haugen while he was the musician-in-residence at Holden Village, a Lutheran retreat center in Washington State. This lovely setting of vespers follows the traditional form while using contemporary and inclusive language. Come for an immersive experience of music, prayers, and peaceful reflections.

Lenten resources for you and your family

If you'd like a one-page Lenten flyer for reference, click here.

  • lenten devotional

    "make Room for Lent"

    The author of "Make Room for Lent" poses a revolutionary idea: "Lent is a prime time to make room for life and give every day a chance." For each of the 40 days of Lent. Rev. Joseph Sica offers a short reflection, scripture, and prayer to help you realign your priorities and find new meaning in your relationship with God. Free copies of the book are available at the St. Mark's Welcome Center. 

  • lenten practice

    40 Random Acts of Kindness

    The 40 days of Lent are a great time to put kindness into action. Make it a Lenten practice in your household—kids and adults—to look for small ways to share God’s abundant love each day. Pick up a “Kindness” action sheet at the Welcome Center or download a copy for some suggestions. Check the "Kindness" display on our sanctuary glass wall for more ideas!

  • lenten generosity

    give to The Neighbor Project

    St. Mark's gladly supports the valuable work of The Neighbor Project in Aurora. This year, our Lenten offering will go to their "Networked Saving" program, which is successfully helping people get out of generational poverty and into homeownership. This not only changes the future for a family, but also impacts the community and generations for years to come! Click here to make a donation.

  • LENTEN WORSHIP

    SATURDAYs @ 5 PM

    SUNDAYs @ 10 AM (also livestreamed)

    We invite you to join us for worship, to experience the hope, healing, and wholeness of gathering together in song, prayer, learning, and Communion. St. Mark's offers Saturday evening services at 5 p.m. and Sunday morning services at 10 a.m. The Sunday worship service is also live on our YouTube channel., The service video is also available afterward so you can watch at your convenience.


    For the worship focus each week, check the "Upcoming Events" page.