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.

Worship Focus

"For All Saints"

There is much confusion about saints. Some think they are only the very holy like Mother Theresa. Or saints are only people who have died. Perhaps we wonder how we could ever be counted among the saints. It is God who makes people holy. God does this based on what Jesus has done for us. God makes saints. See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.

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

"To Serve God and All of You" 

What does it mean to serve another? Does that draw up images of a waiter in a black vest with the company logo at some chain restaurant? Maybe you think of the late 19th and early 20th century in Britain where each person's uniform told exactly what service they performed for the members of the local aristocratic house. Or maybe you went to the abhorrent thought of a first-generation African American woman wearing little more than rags. What about President Biden? King Charles? Bishop Eaton? (She's the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, in case you don't recognize the name—closest thing we have to a pope.) 

This weekend, as we remember Martin Luther's service to the Church and as we celebrate with St. Mark's 9th graders as they affirm their baptism, Pastor Will helps us look at God's call to serve.   

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 is Work Through People"

In action and celebration God works through people. King David, who once was a lowly shepherd surprisingly becomes King over all Israel. Come and hear Pastor Paul speak on God's surprising ways of working through people today. And, yes, even through you and me! 

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

"Blood is Thicker Than Water" 

Blood is thicker than water is a common phrase in English. People usually say it when they are pointing to the importance of loyalty to one's family. This weekend, join us as Pastor Will explores what some believe to be the origin of this adage and how it relates to Naomi and Ruth. To quote Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride, "I do not think it means what you think it means." 

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

 "Rules(?) To Live By" 

The ten commandments were given by God through Moses to the people of Israel. They are seen as fairly clear, straightforward, and foundational building blocks for Jews and Christians. Many even see them as the core of the Constitution and legal system of the United States. Yet, are they? Legal battles over the commandments and their appropriate place in public art and architecture have been fought in multiple places in this country. Through the ancient Israelites, God added 603 additional commandments to guide the chosen people. Then Jesus pared them way down. On Sunday, Pastor Will helps us wade through the simplicity and complexity of God's commands, including how they impact 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 of Past, Present, and Future" 

From Pr. Patrick Fish

For my final sermon at St. Mark’s, it feels fitting that our main reading is the call of Moses. I have often compared own call story to Moses. Similar to Moses, I too have often objected to God’s call and pleaded for God to send someone else. Anyone else. The good news is God persists. This weekend, we hear God calling us to a new day. We join Moses in taking off our sandals and walking with God on hallowed, holy ground. 

Together, we remember all God has done in the past 5 years. 

Together, we recall all God has done presently in the Jordan year - 2023. 

Together, we rejoice in all that God will do in and through us for many, many, many years to come. 

If you are worshipping at home, download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

If you are at home, 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.

Pastor Pat helps us focus on a God who calls us to a new horizon. 

If you are worshipping at home, download the order of worship here to join in the singing, readings, and prayers.

If you are at home, 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.

Pastor Will will help us see how God's time is generally better than our time! 

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

If you are at home, we invite you to gather elements (bread or crackers, plus wine or juice) to participate in Communion. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table! We hope that you will join us.

Worship Focus: "Eden-centric vs. Ego-centric" 

On Rally Day weekend, as we celebrate our adult & youth programming returning, we return again to the Narrative Lectionary. Over the next 10 months, we will walk through the Bible from Genesis to Judges to Kings to Prophets to Jesus to the early Church. We begin this weekend with the Yahweh Creation account (Gen. 2). In this Creation Narrative, we see creation is ongoing, relational and interdependent. 

This weekend, Pastor Fish will help us to reclaim our origins from Eden and become more Eden-centric.

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.

Pastor Will will remind us how hearing stories from others broadens our understanding. 

Telling stories can change the lives of others, even the world. 

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.

Pastor Fish will discuss how the sacred is not beyond us; the sacred is within us and amidst us.

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!

Pastor Fish will help us to dwell in the imagery of rocks and stones. As living stones, we don’t build up walls to keep people out; instead, we join together in God’s work to build wells for the thirsty.

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!

Would you ever just open your door to someone you don't know? Of course not! None of us would...except when we do. This week, Pastor Will reminds us to be mindful about who influences us most and how we can be sure it's God.

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!

This weekend, Pastor Will, explores a casual conversation about current events between two friends- a conversation that was the vehicle for the full power and presence of God. 

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!

This weekend, during both worship services, our high school youth will be sharing what they learned and experienced during their mission trip last week in West Virginia. As God worked in and through the lives of Samuel and David, God is absolutely at work in the lives of our youth. 

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!

The Spirit Intercedes. God Saves!

Pastor Fisher will deliver this week's sermon. He will focus on how God is always active and present in our lives. 

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!

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!

This week, Pastor Fisher will help us look at the simple way to know what God wants.

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

"God is Calling"

On average, a person living in a metropolitan city sees around 250 advertisements each day. There are so many voices competing for our attention. Throughout Scripture, God disrupts and interrupts to call God's people to BIG things. We proclaim together that God is still moving and working. God is still speaking and calling us to BIG things. The question we will ponder this weekend is how do we discern God's voice amidst the noise? 

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

To fully participate, please download the Order of Worship and gather elements to participate in Communion at home: a cracker or piece of bread, plus wine or juice. 

St. Mark’s welcomes all to the table!

As we conclude our June sermon series on having an active faith, we pause and dwell in Jesus' parable about the rich fool. Jesus uses a parable to warn against our love of money and calls us instead to be generous and good stewards with all God has given us. Pr. Patrick will attempt to take a page out of Jesus' playbook and use the story of the Jordan shoes to illustrate how our God is a God on the move. 

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!

Pastor Al Bergh will deliver this week's sermon. He will focus on the Lord's prayer and the importance of praying in our individual and collective relationships with God. 

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!

This week, Pastor Will invites us to take a look at Jesus' use of the parable of the Good Samaritan as part of his answer to the question of "What must I do?"

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!

Pastor Will Fisher will be delivering the sermon this week! 

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!

This weekend we celebrate the day of Pentecost and the many gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

Pastor Al Bergh will be delivering the sermon. 

Glory Ringers and Roar Teens Handbell choirs will be using bells, chimes, and silver melody bells to share the beautiful Offering Anthem "Spirit of God." The hymns will also reflect on the power and mystery of the Holy Spirit. 

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!

This Sunday is Music Celebration Day! 

Our worship service includes special music from:

Lion’s Voice Choir

Glory Ringers Handbell Choir

Roar Teen Handbell Choir

Brass Quintet

Timpani

soloist Katie Ulrich

Percussion

We celebrate our gifted musicians and all they bring to our faith community. In addition, this weekend we welcome 20 + new members to our church. We celebrate our unity together in Christ, who has made all things new so that we now forever stand in God’s grace. 

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!

This Mother's Day weekend, we give thanks for all the mothers and all those who have mothered us. During the service, we are also celebrating our HS seniors and commissioning them into their next chapter

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Absurd Love"

The sermon this week centers us in Paul's letter to the Romans and dwells upon a love that defies all logic. A love we can only experience in and through Jesus Christ. A love we receive freely as gift. Join us in worship to anchor yourself again in hope and hear again the good news that you are reconciled, liberated and justified.

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

"Healing the Divisions"

We are called to love one another—to heal the sick and be merciful. In Jesus’ name, we shall never be ashamed of the Gospel because it is the source of our faith. 

Pastor Marnie Rourke will be delivering this week's sermon. We are glad to welcome her back to St. Mark's worship this weekend! 

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

SPECIAL MUSIC

“Morning Has Broken” - Lion’s Voice Choir

“Lean On Me” – Kristin Young & Lion’s Voice Choir

“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” – 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

"Mutual Ministry in a Multi-Cultural World"

The Book of Acts is full of stories that sharpen, sustain, form and fascinate faith. This weekend, we dwell in one of those inspiring stories as we reclaim the Holy Spirit as the primary actor in the early church. We will reflect on how we can emulate that same Spiritual-led faith as the Church today- in and through real and flawed churches, cities, and individuals. 

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

"Transformational Encounter"

Who was Jesus' ministry for, exactly? At Jesus' birth, he was proclaimed the light to all nations. In his resurrection and ascension, he established Himself as Lord of all. By Acts 10, Jesus' story is beginning to unfold and be fulfilled—and God's vision for a community of impartiality, inclusion, difference and diversity is being made clear. We are made clean by Jesus, regardless of what we do. 

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!

FIRST COMMUNION SUNDAY

This is always a special service, from the children’s choir opening worship to the celebration of students who will be receiving their First Communion. We are excited to honor these young saints on this special day. 

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!

Join us for a joyful Easter celebration, beginning with the Great Easter Procession. The choir sings “Alleluia” and the bell choir rings as they process to the front of the sanctuary. Throughout the service, we continue to raise our voices in joyous song, rejoicing in the proclamation that “Christ is Risen!” 

WORSHIP FOCUS

"The Tomb is Empty: He Is Risen!"

Cosmic disruption. Divine interruption. Earth-shaking news. Together, we will gather together to join Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the other women outside the empty tomb. Jesus' resurrection has changed everything, and it is time for us to celebrate and rejoice that Christ is risen! Alleluia! 

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

SPECIAL MUSIC

Lion’s Voice Choir

Glory Ringers Handbell Choir

Brass Quintet

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!

Our Good Friday service is a traditional "Tenebrae" or "Service of Shadows." The story of Christ’s crucifixion is told in seven readings from Matthew, each followed by contemplative music. Gradually candles are extinguished until the sanctuary is dark. Then the “tomb” is slammed shut and a bell tolls 33 times, once for each year of Jesus' life on earth. The service closes in darkness as we sing “Were You There?” and we depart in silence. 

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

ALL are welcome!

Our Maundy Thursday worship is a solemn service, as we remember Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. We honor his act of washing their feet by participating in a similar ritual with handwashing. We share Communion together, and the service closes with a darkening of the lights and stripping of the altar, to prepare for the betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion of Jesus. We depart in silence.  

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. You may also want to have a large bowl of water and towels available so you can wash hands at home during the handwashing ritual. 

St. Mark's welcomes all to the table.

Join us for Palm Sunday worship! This celebratory service begins with a procession of waving palms and joyful music from the Lion’s Voice Choir and Glory Ringers Handbell Choir. At the end of the service, the focus shifts, and we close with the singing of “Go to Dark Gethsemane,” which marks the beginning of Holy Week. 

WORSHIP FOCUS

"Triumphant Entry”

In a world that believes might and power is paramount, Jesus arrives at Jerusalem with a counter-procession to show a new power is here. This Palm Sunday, we wave our palms and rejoice together that Jesus’ different kind of kingship is here to stay! 

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 here. Just not where we thought.” 

Where is Jesus? Where we least expect it! In his last teaching before he is arrested, Jesus offers a profound glimpse into his nature. He identifies himself as a member of "the least of these." In the hungry. In the thirsty. In the stranger. In the naked. In the sick. In the prisoner. In the faces, the voices, and the people that society considers insignificant. Exactly where he calls us to be.

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

"Bingo, Bridesmaids & Bridegroom” 

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, he presents real moments of grace. Things like inclusive banquet feasts, much like our "ABC Night" this Saturday evening. But in addition to words of grace, Jesus also provides plenty of teachings on darkness. We are called not just to the easy wins but also to be faithful in both the light and in the darkness. The good news is that Jesus is the living parable who always joins us in the darkness. 

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

"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!