WORSHIP FOCUS

"Living Garments” 

When a person—young or old—is baptized, we say that they have "put on Christ.” This weekend, we will spend a little time pondering this phrase and wondering what it means—or might mean—in our lives. 

Download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We welcome Pastor Linnea Wilson as our guest preacher. 

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the Table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Be a Thermostat”

Unlike the thermometer that READS the temperature in a room, a thermostat CHANGES the whole feel of a room. So many people change and react with the environment. We are called to a different type of life. One in which we aren't changed by the environment; instead, we are the saints who change the environment. 

Download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the Table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Restorative Forgiveness”

First the good news: We worship a God who doesn't count the amount of times we ask for forgiveness. We worship a God who gives grace freely, who forgives completely, and loves abundantly. To the deserving and undeserving alike. Now, the hard news: We, as God's saints, are called and expected to live a life of reconciliation and restoration. Christ teaches us in this weekend's scripture that forgiveness is worth fighting for. 

Download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

We welcome you to Ash Wednesday worship with the people at St. Mark’s. The service includes hymns, a sermon, Communion, and the imposition of ashes. 

Download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Faithful Listening”

During this social media-filled time, one question we can ask ourselves is: “Who do I listen to?” Related questions are many, but how about grappling with this one: "If the story of my life were told, what would stand out as being important?"

Download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

We welcome guest preacher Rev. Linnea Wilson to our pulpit. Pastor Linnea was called to ordained ministry as a second career; she has served among God’s people in Naperville, Lemont, Homewood, and Mt. Prospect. Now, as a retiree, she fills in for her colleagues when they are away from their ‘flock.' She has been married to Lanny—a physician and academician—for almost fifty years; they have two adult sons and two special daughters-in-law. Pr. Linnea likes to travel, read mysteries, cook, and putter in her garden. She is very glad to be with us in worship this weekend. 

SPECIAL MUSIC

Glory Ringers Handbell Choir

Lions Voice Choir

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Eat Your Wheaties, Church”

Jesus' parables on weeds and wheat remind us that we live in a world and a Church that includes both saints and sinners. While it's easy to judge others as weeds and conclude we are wheat, we are called to continually assess and re-evaluate how we are living into the teachings of Jesus. Following Jesus' teaching means eating our Wheaties, for Jesus needs champions ready to share God's abundant love. 

Download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

SPECIAL MUSIC

Children singing "Siyahamba" (South African Hymn)

Lion's Voice Choir

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Jesus’ Greatest Hits”

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount includes his grand finale of greatest hits. Hits that include:

     Don't condemn. 

     Seek, 

     knock, 

     ask, 

     and find. 

    Golden Rule. 

    The Wise and the fool. 

    Two foundations, two builders, two responses, two outcomes. 

These are all given to help us, as Christ followers, to become a community shaped by God's will, God's Kingdom, and God's vision for justice. 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

To show our solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters, and our commitment to anti-racism work, during Black History Month we will be including special elements in our worship services. Each week, we'll be singing Black spirituals and focusing on a key Black historical figure. 

Download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

SPECIAL MUSIC

“Wade in the Water” - Kristin Young, piano solo

“Built on a Rock” - Lion’s Voice Choir

“Grace Alone” - Kristin Young, vocal solo

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Kin-dom Prayer” 

God’s will, God’s reign, God’s Kingdom has arrived, and this changes everything. In a world that treasures success and individual accolades, Jesus teaches us the prayer to help us orient ourselves with Kin-dom living. 

This Sunday, St. Mark’s is celebrating “RIC weekend” with 995+ other RIC churches around the United States and Canada. It’s an annual worship celebration created to share our commitment to the ongoing work of welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ people in the life of the church. For more information about RIC and St. Mark’s “RIC Welcome,” Click here to visit our website.

SPECIAL MUSIC

“Come, Now Is the Time for Worship” - Kristin Young, vocal solo

“Lay Up Our Treasures in Heaven” - Lion’s Voice Choir

“Wonderful, Merciful, Savior” - Kristin Young, vocal solo

Download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Wisdom of the Beatitudes”

Blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek, the hungry, the mourning, for they shall inherit the Kingdom. This is vastly different how the world defines and understands blessing; however, this is new life and new Kingdom that has arrived through Jesus. This weekend, we dwell in Jesus’ radical, countercultural teachings of the Beatitudes that highlight KIN-dom living. 

SPECIAL MUSIC

 "Here I Am to Worship" - Kristin Young, vocal solo

 "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" - Glory Ringers Handbell Choir

"Psalm 1" - Kristin Young, vocal solo

Download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Jesus Is With Us in All Our Struggles” 

Some reflections on fighting for justice. 

Download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

“Give Me Jesus” (traditional American spiritual) – Kristin Young, piano solo

“This Little Light of Mine” (African American spiritual) – Lion’s Voice Choir

“The Blood That Jesus Shed For Me” – Kristin Young, vocal solo

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

 "Baptism. It’s Transformational!"

Baptism is more than a ritual; it’s transformational! Baptism is more than water and words; it’s a visible and tangible way God declares and proclaims we are God’s beloved children. How do we see Baptism and reclaim its power and mystery in our lives? 

Download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

SPECIAL MUSIC

 "Beautiful Savior" – Kristin Young, piano solo

"This Is My Son, My Beloved" – Lion's Voice Choir

"I Stand in Awe" – Kristin Young, vocal solo

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

WORSHIP FOCUS

"New Year. New Beginnings. New Challenges."

The anticipation of Advent has passed. On Christmas morning, we rejoiced with the Holy Family at the good news that the Savior was born. But, quickly the tone shifted from delight to danger. The Deliverer had to be delivered. This weekend, we once again join the Holy Family; however, this time, we find them on the run, seeking refuge from harm.  

Download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

A traditional lessons and carols candlelight Christmas Eve worship service. Includes vocal and bell choirs, a brass quartet, and a string trio. 

The closing candle lighting during the singing of “Silent Night” makes this a memorable evening for all. 

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

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

A candlelight Christmas Eve worship service geared especially toward families. Includes a children’s message, plus young musicians singing and playing bells, brass, and clarinet. 

The closing candle lighting during the singing of “Silent Night” makes this a memorable service for all ages. 

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

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

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

"O Antiphons" 

A musical celebration highlighting each of the seven ancient "O Antiphons,” which we know today as "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." 

Download the Order of Worship here.

SPECIAL MUSIC

Lion’s Voice Choir

Glory Ringers Handbell Choir

Annie D’Amico-Vargas, flute

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

 "Light to the Nations"

As days grow dimmer and darker quicker, we dwell in the prophet Isaiah's vision of the new day Jesus has brought to our world. It's one where the prisoner is set free. It's one where justice reigns. It's one where our light makes it possible to see things that were invisible otherwise. Dwelling in the light of Christ means being light-bringers and light-bearers in the world.

Download the Order of Worship here.

SERMON

Pastor Patrick Fish

SPECIAL MUSIC

Lion's Voice Choir

Kristin Young (piano 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!