Worship Focus

"Tots and Pears"

We live in a culture with a bunch of cynics. Have you seen people complain about and mock others who offer thoughts and prayers to those in need? So how ARE we expected to respond? This weekend we see Jesus and the disciples helping people in need, mostly through healing. We'll look at their example and how that translates to us today. 

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

Worship Focus

 "Can I get a witness?"

In the old favorite hymn we sing, I love to tell the story, telling the story is fun and sometimes is really easy. We're all storytellers in some way. Jesus wants us to be witnesses. Is there a difference? This weekend we'll look at that.

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

Worship Focus

Easter Sunday

Come, experience the joy of the story that changed everything. Celebration of the Risen Christ through Proclamation, Holy Communion and Special Music. 

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

Worship Focus

Good Friday

During this candlelight service called Tenebrae or Service of Shadows, 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.

St. Mark’s welcomes all!

Worship Focus

"Triumphal Entry" Worship

Our Palm Sunday (Triumphal Entry) service begins with a procession of everyone waving palms, accompanied by organ and handbell choir. The joyful music, children's message, and sermon all focus on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and its significance for our lives.  

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

Worship Focus

 "Do Not Be Alarmed"

Nation against nation, earthquakes, famines, even a darkened sun! Yikes! Yet, Jesus responds, "don't worry." How is that possible? This week we look at how we need Jesus in the midst of all the difficult things in our world and how he gives us hope. 

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

Worship Focus

 "All the World's a Stage"

This week we hear Jesus warn about the dangers of being an actor. We do not usually think of his condemnation of the scribes in those words. This weekend we will look at these dangers and what they have to do with us, even those who do not spend time under theater lights. 

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

Worship Focus

 "God's free gifts!"

On this Sunday in Lent, we celebrate and learn about the wonderful gift of Baptism. Join us to see God at work through the water and God's Word. The Holy Baptism of Ariella Ruth Musial, daughter of Peter and Stefanie Musial, will be celebrated this Sunday during worship. 

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

Worship Focus

"I See Said the Blind Man" 

The majority of us are not blind. Yet how often do we just not see? Sometimes we don't see because we don't want to see for some reason. Sometimes we don't see because we are distracted by other things. Sometimes we don't see because we don't have the right information or are just not looking in the right direction. Lent is a perfect time to work on our passive and active vision. This weekend, as we meet the blind man who stood by the road, we will try to see how we need Jesus to help us with our lack of sight. 

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

Worship Focus

"It Is Impossible"

In the United States, the vast majority of us would be considered people with wealth, especially by the people of Jesus' day. Yet Jesus tells us it is impossible for a person with wealth to get into Heaven. This weekend we will explore not only how wealth could keep us from Heaven, but how many different kinds of wealth there may be blocking our way. We will also see just how God deals with our baggage. Not unlike the baggage of a camel at the eye of a needle.  

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.

Worship Focus

"My Phone is at 13%?"

In this day of mobile phones, electronic notepads, electronic book-readers, laptops, smart watches, etc, we seem to constantly be charging things or worrying that the charge is going to run out. How often have you been in the middle of something—or worse, about to start something important and realize your crucial electronic device is almost out of power? This weekend, just in time for the season of Lent, we will look at how Jesus' preparation for the biggest week of his life may guide us when we need more energy. 

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.

Worship Focus

"Ever been rejected?" 

Rejection never feels good. Whether we have not gotten a job, or not been included in a group for who you are, not been accepted into a school, rejection feels bad. When Jesus travels to his hometown he is rejected. Ouch! Donkeys aren't very glamorous. They don't have a great reputation. If a donkey and a race horse were lined up together, which one would you choose? 

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.

Worship Focus

"If I Could Just . . ." 

There is so much need in the world! It is easy to feel like our concerns are not worth bothering God. This week, we see how Jesus responds to not being bothered. 

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.

Worship Focus

"Apparently pigs CAN swim" 

Jesus sent demons into pigs. The pigs ran into the sea and drowned. Yet pigs can swim. This weekend we look at what Jesus was doing near pigs and what that has to do with the healing power of 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.

Worship Focus

"The Sowers Parable"

In the parable of the sower in Mark 4, we hear of the deep roots of our faith in the midst of unbelievable challenge and disbelief.

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.

"Jesus Heals a Leper"  

Jesus is not standing still. 

He acts, he preaches, he heals. 

Jesus meets people in their need; 

Jesus meets you in your need. 

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 may be the best of times and Christmas may be the worst of times" 

Our lives are filled with a myriad of experiences and emotions. This week we have heard the good news of Jesus' birth through worship: carols, Word, and Communion. Bells have rung, and candles have been lit. Trees and nativities have directed us to the babe born in a manger. It's still Christmas! In this weekend's message this weekend, Gospel writer Mark gives away the ending at the beginning. Good News. It's still good news that we can trust; even with all that's going on in the world and our lives. 

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.

"Making Known What Has Been Told" 

We all know the story of Christmas, or at least some version of it…or is it versions? It is possibly the most celebrated story of the Bible. We each experience in different personal ways; ways that are influenced by family of origin, ethnicity, economics, education, geography, and much more. The shepherds “made known what had been told them” (Luke 2:17). What was told to you? More importantly how do you make it known? As we take a break from the secular merriment of the season on Christmas Eve, we will look at our call to make it known. 

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.

"Making Known What Has Been Told" 

We all know the story of Christmas, or at least some version of it…or is it versions? It is possibly the most celebrated story of the Bible. We each experience in different personal ways; ways that are influenced by family of origin, ethnicity, economics, education, geography, and much more. The shepherds “made known what had been told them” (Luke 2:17). What was told to you? More importantly how do you make it known? As we take a break from the secular merriment of the season on Christmas Eve, we will look at our call to make it known. 

Our 4:00 PM celebration includes a message especially for children. 

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.

"Expected, yet unexpected!" 

One of my favorite characters in Advent is John the Baptist. His birth and ministry is the turning point from the Old Testament prophets to being the prophet preparing the way for the Messiah. John the Baptist does things in surprising ways with connections to God's activities previously. Even his birth is unusual. He is born to Zechariah and Elisabeth, who are way, way, past the usual age for childbearing and rearing. This reminds us that God acts in ways that are at the same time usual and unusual. Not a new theme, as we remember that Jacob, Moses, Sampson, and others had unusual births. Our lives can seem unusual and have unexpected times. John the Baptist is a sign that God works even in those times! 

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.

"Rebuilding the Temple"

The push to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and what that means to us all these centuries later, as we wait and prepare for the coming of Christ. 

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.

Children's Christmas Program

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.

Music Ministry Advent Celebration! 

Please join us as St. Mark's Music Ministry presents an "Advent Celebration" this weekend. There will be readings from the books of Isaiah and Matthew, and wonderfully arranged Advent Anthems. Your heart will be filled with hope and wonder at the coming of the Christ. 

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.

Worship Focus

"Count Down to the Promise"

Advent is upon us. It is time for Advent wreaths and Advent calendars. There are so many different types of Advent calendar; from the paper ones that reveal a picture each day, to candy ones, to a bottle of wine for each day of Advent. We use them to mark the progression of the season. As we begin this new Liturgical year this weekend, we will look at what it means to be a people progressing toward a season which much of the world is already celebrating.

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.

Worship Focus

"Reading Makes the King" 

Christ the King Sunday is the last day of the liturgical Church year. It is the Sunday when we focus on the fulfillment of the story that begins with an infant king on a straw throne. This year in the Narrative Lectionary we hear a short excerpt from the story of another of Judah's great kings. Join us as Pastor Will tells about how King Josiah reformed the people of Israel by reading them a story and how we are re-formed into the Kingdom of God through the story of our King. 

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.

Worship Focus

"What do you do with rotten fruit?" 

This weekend we hear about some metaphorical less than productive vineyards. Think about that. What would you do if you went out to harvest your grapes and got nothing but rotten fruit? Isaiah shares God's reaction and it's not pretty. Pastor Will helps us see what God's reaction says to us. 

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.

Worship Focus

"God Never Gives Up"

Ever feel like you could never be worthy of God's love? At services this weekend hear how God's love never gives up on God's children. Come and see how all are welcomed. 

BIBLE SUNDAY - Second graders will be presented with their own Adventure Bible following Hymn of the Day

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.