Holy Week at St. Mark's

  • PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP

    Saturday Worship, April 13, 5:00 p.m. 

    Sunday Worship, April 14, 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. 


    The Palm Sunday service signals the beginning of Jesus' journey to the cross. The service starts with a focus on his joyful entry into Jerusalem, with a procession of palm branches waving and sprinkling of water. The choir sings "Hosanna!" and the bell choir joins in the celebration. The service then moves from triumph to pending Passion, with the solemn recognition that Jesus will soon face betrayal and an unjust trial. 


    Nursery care will be available during Sunday services. There will be no Sunday School on Palm Sunday.

  • PALM SUNDAY BREAKFAST

    Sunday, April 14, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.


    Everyone is welcome to drop by and enjoy a bountiful pancake breakfast on Palm Sunday morning, before or after one of the services. Breakfast will be served in the St. Mark's Sanctuary Hall from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. A free-will donation will benefit our "Keep the Heat On" fund to raise money to replace the church's aging boiler. 

  • PALM SUNDAY CHORAL & ORCHESTRA CONCERT

    Sunday, April 14, 3:00 p.m.

    Aurora Community Chorale, Kristin Young, director

    Fox Valley Philharmonic, Steve Thurlow, director


    You are invited to a special choral and orchestra concert on Palm Sunday afternoon, presented in honor of all those who sacrifice their lives for our safety and freedom. The concert will especially honor those in our Aurora Community who did not hesitate to put themselves in harm’s way to save many lives. We also mourn the lives of so many recently lost to gun violence. Please join us for this very moving and one-of-a kind concert. There is no charge, but your free-will offering will help sustain these nonprofit music groups.

  • MAUNDY THURSDAY WORSHIP

    Thursday, April 18, 7:00 p.m.


    Maundy Thursday is the beginning of what is called "The Easter Triduum." It's part of a beautiful three-day worship event that concludes with Festival Worship on Sunday. On Thursday evening, we keep the feast that Jesus shared with his disciples on the night of his arrest. Hands are washed and blessed, and we close the service with the stripping of the altar.


    Nursery care will be available.

  • GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES

    Friday, April 19, 3:00 p.m. - Stations of the Cross

    Friday, April 19, 7:00 p.m. - Service of Shadows


    On Good Friday at 3:00 o'clock, we walk the Via Dolorosa (the stations of the cross) together, with hymns, prayers, and narrative.  


    At 7:00, we gather for the reading of The Passion of Jesus. Each of the seven sections is followed by silence for reflection and music. The sanctuary darkens, the tomb is slammed shut, and the bell tolls.


    Nursery care will be available during the 7:00 o'clock service.

  • EASTER WORSHIP

    Saturday, April 20, 5:00 p.m. - Festive Worship

    Sunday, April 21, 7:30 a.m. - Early Easter Worship

    Sunday, April 21, 9:00 a.m. - Festive Worship

    Sunday, April 21, 10:30 a.m. - Festive Worship


    On Easter, we gather to greet the risen Lord with bells ringing, choirs singing, and brass and timpani resounding in praise: HE IS RISEN! Come, join in the celebration and welcome life made new by Love.


    Nursery care will be available during the 9 and 10:30 services on Sunday. There will be no Sunday School on Easter Sunday.

  • EASTER BREAKFAST

    Sunday, April 21, 8:00 to 10:30 a.m.


    On Easter morning, our high school students will be serving a bountiful breakfast from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. for all who are worshiping with us. The menu includes breakfast casseroles, bagels, fruit, milk, juice, and coffee.  You and your friends and family are invited to drop in at our Sanctuary Hall to enjoy breakfast together before or after one of the Easter services. The students will have free-will offering baskets at the serving table, and all proceeds will go toward transportation costs for their summer mission trip.