Day of Pentecost

Worship Focus

"The Spirit's Power"

In Acts 2:1-21, the promise and hope of Pentecost is that the gift of God's Spirit bridges human division. It gives the capacity to communicate across language and race. People from different cultures and religions, with different values and worldviews, were given a common language.

It is a gift for prophecy that is poured out on all, women and men, the young and the old, enslaved and free, the straight and LGBTQIA+, black and white. The Spirit empowers us to transcend our differences and come together as one to spread the good news of the Risen Christ!

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

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

7th Weekend of Easter

Worship Focus

"A Summertime Christmas Gift"

During the season of Advent, “preparing” becomes a constant in our every day lives. We’re purchasing gifts, getting ready to travel or to welcome family, and of course, we are reminded that Jesus’ birth is near when we hear the words “prepare the way” in worship. But now, it is June and the season of Christmas is just a memory. How do we keep close the lessons of the Christmas season? How can we keep “preparing the way” not just in Advent, but every day of the year?

Hope to see you at worship this weekend as we are reminded of that abounding grace!  

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

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

6th Weekend of Easter

Worship Focus

"Saved by Grace"

One of the tenants that we as Lutherans hold dear is that we are saved by grace, not works. The saving work of Christ is already done. We can set our sights on doing our best and moving through the world unafraid of failing or getting it wrong. 

Hope to see you at worship this weekend as we are reminded of that abounding grace!  

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

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

5th Weekend of Easter

Worship Focus

"The Next Thing on My List"

Simeon had a very unusual "bucket list" request: he wanted to see the Messiah before he died. Simeon's desire bears the question: what is on OUR bucket lists? 

So many times, we focus on what we NEED to do before we die, instead of recognizing the day-to-day blessings that are right in front of us. 

What can we learn from Simeon's example? 

Deacon Tracy Katschke-Goss returns to the pulpit this weekend.

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

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

Worship Focus

"Jesus Welcomes the Rejected"

This weekend, as we continue the celebration of the 50 days of Easter, we hear a story from the early church. Phillip is called by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to meet an Ethiopian Eunuch. 

When the Eunuch learned from Philip that Jesus was the Messiah the prophet Isaiah was talking about, he asked to be baptized. Filled with the Holy Spirit himself, the Eunuch goes on his way rejoicing. The formerly rejected Eunuch is now welcomed and embraced as a Child of God.

Hope to see you in worship this weekend as we are reminded of Jesus expansive sense of belonging endowed to us in baptism!

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

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

Worship Focus

"LSSI Good Shepherd Weekend"

St. Mark's will join ELCA congregations all over Illinois in lifting up the ministries of LSSI! 

Please join us for worship as we hear from several St. Mark's members who are involved in LSSI ministries.  

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

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

2nd Weekend of Easter

Worship Focus

"Traveling with Jesus"

In the Gospel story for this weekend, two disciples encounter Jesus while walking on the road to Emmaus. Encompassed with grief, they fail to recognize that they are walking with their friend until much later. 

How many times in our travels down the road of life do we fail to recognize that we TOO are walking with Jesus? 

As we pause to celebrate the First Communion of four children, in what ways can WE pause to remember the various ways that Jesus walks with us? 

We welcome Deacon Tracy Katschke-Goss back to the pulpit.  

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

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

Worship Focus

Easter Sunday

 "Jesus is Risen! It's a New Day!"

On Maundy Thursday, Jesus says, remember me when you eat this bread and drink this wine, it is my body and blood given for you. 

When Jesus is arrested, the disciples scatter. 

A few of the women watch as Jesus dies on a cross on Good Friday. 

On Easter, upon hearing the angels proclaim the tomb is empty because Jesus has risen, they remember what Jesus foretold about his own death and resurrection. 

On Easter Sunday, we re-member, as in we gather again, as members of Christ's body to experience the power and promise of a new day. We proclaim "Alleluia!" as we also celebrate a new day and a new chapter at St. Mark's and beyond! 

We hope you will come and re-member with us!  

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

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

Worship Focus

Good Friday (Tenebrae)

We gather for a traditional "Tenebrae" or "Service of Shadows." 

During this candlelight service, 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.

Worship Focus

Maundy Thursday

The Maundy Thursday service is a solemn remembrance of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. 

Worship with Holy Communion, the end of Lent and the beginning of the Triduum, the Great Three Days. 

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

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

Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday Worship) 

Worship Focus

"We won't be silenced"

As Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt, Christians around the world enter Holy Week. 

This weekend, we will wave palm leaves and shout hosanna in praise of Jesus, the king of heaven and earth. The Pharisees tried to silence the crowd but there is no silencing what God is doing through Jesus.

We hope to see you this Sunday as we begin Holy Week. 

Then join us as the story continues through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. 

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

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

5th Weekend of Lent

Worship Focus

"Who I Am"

In life, there are descriptions, or "labels" that we would give ourselves, and there are the "labels" that others - family, friends, colleagues, strangers, enemies - would say about us. Some of these descriptors are words that bring us joy, while others cause us pain. 

Being "labeled" was a trait that Zaccheus knew well - as a tax collector, he was both envied and despised by his community. But to God, he was beloved, forgiven and cared for. 

What can WE learn from Zaccheus and God's great love for him? 

How can we let go of the "labels" that are placed on us and embrace being called to be loved children of God? 

This week we welcome Deacon Tracy Katschke-Goss

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

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