Worship & Congregational Activities

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY: All Saints Sunday is Sunday, November 2. We honor those loved ones who have gone before us into the church triumphant by saying their names and ringing a bell toward the end of the service. We take this special time to pause, sit quietly, and remember those who have been important in each of our lives and in the life of St. Mark, those who have been our examples of faith and love, and those who remain in our hearts. You are invited to bring a photo or photos of loved ones you would like to remember on All Saints Sunday and place the photos in front of the altar. 

SHARE YOUR NEWS: Have you recently received a promotion at work? Changed jobs? Does your child/grandchild have a ball game or a part in a play coming up, or made honor roll? If there is something you would like to share with the St. Mark community, let us know! 

It is wonderful that we share our prayer requests and if we or someone we know has any needs. It also is good to share news that is something we want to celebrate as we journey on in our lives of faith here. We can celebrate together.

If you want to share any news, email stmarksnydertown@gmail.com or email Pastor David and we can include that in our weekly or monthly communications. And if you or another family member is doing something that is open to the public, such as a ball game or play or concert, etc., let us know and we can pass it along for people to mark on their calendars if they are able to attend.

We share the Good News of Jesus Christ with one another and with all we meet, and we can share in the good news each of you in this community may have.

MONTHLY COFFEE HOUR IN NOVEMBER CELEBRATES VETERANS: St. Mark’s monthly coffee is November 9 and will be a time to give appreciation for veterans. If you know of any veterans who aren’t part of the St. Mark community, invite them to this coffee hour, which will start around 11:30am in the Fellowship Room.

St. Mark’s Monthly Coffee Hours are usually held the second Sunday of each month. It is a time to have some fellowship together following worship and enjoy some refreshments. If you would like to help with coffee hours, contact Pastor David.

EXPLORE YOUR FAITH WITH OTHERS: Faith Explorers (Sunday School) classes for all ages are at 9:30am Sundays. The adult class meets in the second floor classroom. This fall the group will be going through the devotional book, The Chosen: 40 Days with Jesus.  

The family and youth class is doing something different this year. Each week will feature engaging activities and conversations around life and faith today for both youth and adults alike. For much of the months of November and December, the group will be planning for a special Christmas program that will be part of the January 4 worship service.

Anyone is welcome to come anytime you can! If you are interested in helping or have ideas for activities and discussion topics, contact Pastor David.

HELP DECORATE FOR ADVENT/CHRISTMAS: It is time to get out the tree and decorations! On Sunday, November 23, it is Christ the King Sunday, which is the final Sunday of the church year. Following worship that day, you are invited to help decorate St. Mark for Advent and Christmas. We will have a light lunch and then prepare the sanctuary and other parts of the church for Advent and Christmas and the start of a new church year. It is a wonderful family event and time to spend with your St. Mark family.

THE CHOSEN AND THE LAST SUPPER WRAP UP: Pastor David concludes the watch and discussion of season 5 of The Chosen, the multi season series on the life of Jesus Christ and his followers. The viewings will mostly be held 6:30pm Wednesdays on Zoom, with the last gathering to be held 6:30pm Monday, November 24. Season five of the series depicts the events of Holy Week and the Last Supper. 

If you are interested in the series, or if you are interested in having an in-person watch and discussion of the series, contact Pastor David.

LOOKING AHEAD TO ADVENT/CHRISTMAS: November 30 is the first Sunday of Advent and the start of a new church year. As always, St. Mark has a number of special events and services during the seasons of Advent and Christmas. Here are just some to mark down (subject to change):

• Midweek online Bible Study and Worship. Pastor David will lead a Bible study at 6pm Wednesdays on Zoom during Advent. Please note, the first week will be 6pm Thursday, December 4 because of a scheduling conflict. The study will be on the texts that will be part of the midweek worship service. The midweek services in Advent will follow at 7pm on Zoom and Facebook Live and will be an evening prayer service. The services include prayers, scripture readings, reflections, and music. The Bible study and worship services will be held December 4, 10, and 17.

• Holiday Open House on December 6. See page 6 of the newsletter and the flyer on page 11 for information. 

• Blue Christmas Worship. St. Mark holds its annual Blue Christmas worship service 2pm Saturday, December 20. While the service has usually been held at night, we wanted to have it during the day for those who don’t wish to drive at night, especially in the winter. The service is for anyone who feels grief, weariness, fatigue, or just wants some quiet and peace during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

• Christmas Eve worship will be 7pm Wednesday December 24.

• We also are planning for a Family Movie Night prior to Christmas and a youth and family program that will be part of the January 4 worship service. 

CHRISTIANS WITH RHYTHM CHOIR’S CHRISTMAS CANTATA ANNOUNCEMENT: St. Mark is sorry to announce that the Christians with Rhythm Choir’s Christmas Cantata scheduled for January 4 has been canceled due to health issues. We can look forward to hearing from the choir again later in 2026 when it presents its summer concert.

COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS: Highlights from the council’s meeting on October 9:

• Mr. Allgyer, who was hired to fix the belfry, has been out of town. Council is working to have an exact date when he can come fix the belfry.

• Council received the first quote for mini splits for air condition in the Sanctuary. At least one more business will be contacted for a comparison quote.

• A quote for new flooring in the pastor’s office was received from Gallagher’s in Lock Haven. Council decided to paint the office before installing new flooring, so a quote for painting will be obtained. The office upgrades will be funded from a generous donation received last year for non-routine property needs.

• The timetable for putting the parsonage on the market will likely need to be adjusted to conform with the terms of the management contract the church has with Davis Realty.

• The next council meeting is 7pm Thursday, November 13.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SET: St. Mark’s annual congregational meeting will be Sunday, December 14 following worship. It will be held in the Sanctuary. If you are a member of St. Mark, please plan to attend as during the meeting the congregation will be voting on the 2026 budget as well as voting for new council members.

CONSIDER COUNCIL: Would you like to guide St. Mark in the coming year and near future? With the term of some current council members ending, the church is looking for people to be on the new council that will start in January 2026. It is a chance to play an active role in what happens at St. Mark. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Pastor David or a current member of council. The council election will take place during the annual congregational meeting, held this year on December 14

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Yes St. Mark has its own YouTube channel @stmarksnydertown. Currently, the site has videos of Sunday worship services. We are looking to include content that would be meaningful to you and your faith formation/journey. If you have ideas, please contact Pastor David.

ENJOY SINGING? JOIN THE CHOIR: St. Mark Choir welcomes anyone who is interested in singing. Choir practices are held 7pm Tuesdays. Anyone who is interested in joining either the St. Mark Choir or Christians with Rhythm Choir, or both, is invited to join. If you have any questions, contact Pastor David.

HELPERS ON SUNDAYS: ​​Thank you to everyone who volunteers to help on Sundays — greeters, readers, etc. It is much appreciated and needed! If you would like to help on Sundays, you can contact Pastor David. Thank you!

GIVING ONLINE: Did you know you can make offerings to St. Mark online and also set up a schedule for continued offerings securely online using a credit card or bank account? This is done through the church’s online giving platform Tithely. Visit https://bit.ly/3bhr907 to give online. If you have any questions, contact Pastor David. 

MEETING WITH PASTOR DAVID: If you would like to meet or talk with Pastor David about anything, either in person, on Zoom, or a phone call, you are invited to contact him to set up a time.