Worship & Congregational Activities

WEATHER WATCH: As we continue in the heart of the winter season (regardless of whatever Groundhog Phil has to say on February 2!), just a reminder about how we will communicate any changes to worship or other events at St. Mark. If weather conditions or something else causes us to postpone, cancel, or change anything happening at St. Mark, we will use our Call Multiplier system with an announcement, send out an email to anyone on our email list, and post on our social media platforms — Facebook and Instagram. If you aren’t on our Call Multiplier list and/or email list, and would like to put on them, message Pastor David.

ASH WEDNESDAY: The season of Lent begins on February 18 with Ash Wednesday. We will offer drive-through ashes for anyone who wishes to receive ashes but can’t attend the worship service in person. The drive-through ashes will be done from 5:30 to 6:30pm at the side door entrance. You can pull up your car near the entrance and Pastor David will come out to administer ashes. Worship for Ash Wednesday is at 7pm and will include Holy Communion and imposition of ashes.

MIDWEEK OPEN DISCUSSION AND DISCERNMENT, AND WORSHIP IN LENT: On Wednesday evenings in Lent, starting February 25, Pastor David will be on Zoom, starting at 6pm, and will be open to studying pieces of scripture and/or having discussions and discernment of faith and following Jesus. Come into the Zoom room and bring your thoughts and questions as we discern together Biblical texts and this call of following Jesus.

Then, at 7pm on Zoom and Facebook Live, St. Mark holds midweek online worship. The worship services are based on a series created by A Sanctified Art called, “Tell Me Something Good.” It invites us into a time of “grounding ourselves in the Good News” during Lent. The services include confession, prayers, scripture reading and reflection, and music.

CALLING ALL THRIVENT MEMBERS: If you currently hold Thrivent contracts, you are entitled to direct some of their charitable funds to organizations of your choice at no additional cost to you. You need to direct these funds each year, so please consider choosing St. Mark as your recipient. If you have questions or need help, please contact Pastor David.

COFFEE HOUR IN FEBRUARY: St. Mark’s monthly coffee hour is February 8 and follows worship. Spend some fellowship time together and enjoy some refreshments. St. Mark’s Monthly Coffee Hours are usually held the second Sunday of each month. 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, and they resume on Sunday, January 11 following a Christmas break. 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 features engaging activities and conversations around life and faith today for both youth and adults alike. 

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.

WEEKLY MORNING PRAYER: Pastor David holds weekly morning prayer on Facebook Live. The morning prayer services are usually held at 9am Wednesdays. If the time or day changes, it will be posted on Facebook. The services will take a break during Lent since St. Mark will have midweek evening prayer and worship services during the season of Lent.

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.

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 following worship on Sundays during the winter months. 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.