Worship Services
Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
A traditional service, communion is served the first Sunday of each month
Special worship services are held on Holy Days, such as Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Christmas Eve. Contact the church office for dates and times.
Visitors are always welcome.
How do we worship?
| Greetings and Announcements | All are greeted; announcements about church life are made. | |
| Prelude |
We prepare quietly for worship, to silence our hearts and focus on God. |
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| Lighting of the Christ Candle | Symbol of Jesus, the "light of the world;" the candle reminds us of the presence of the living Christ. | |
| Call to Worship | We are invited to begin our worship of God with words of adoration. | |
| Prayer of Adoration | The prayer amplifies our praise of God. | |
| Hymn | We sing as we continue our worship and praise. | |
| Prayer of Confession | We recognize our frailty and brokenness before God. We are called to confess our sin to God and one another, which we do first together, then individually in silence. | |
| Assurance of Forgiveness | Having confessed, we can be sure of God's grace and forgiveness; it is cause for celebration! | |
| Gloria Patri | Praise to God in three persons - in thanksgiving for God's forgiveness! | |
| Prayer for Illumination | We ask God to help us hear the reading of scripture. | |
| The Old & New Testament Readings | Readings from the Bible typically are from each testament; selected by the minister, usually read by a lay person. | |
| The Anthem | A choral piece that serves two purposes: to lift our hearts to God and to give us time to digest the scripture readings. | |
| Sermon | An interpretation and application to current life of the scripture texts for the day. | |
| Hymn | Our singing reminds us of the message of the day. | |
| Prayers of the People | We lift our hearts in prayer, usually led by a lay person; we pray for our city, our world, our church, our neighbors, ourselves. The prayer ends with the unison Lord's Prayer (Our Father... debts and debtors ...). Responding to God's Word The offering is introduced, and all have a chance to respond to God by giving a financial gift. |
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| The Offertory | A musical piece aimed at lifting our hearts to God in praise and adoration. | |
| The Doxology | "Doxo" means "praise" in Greek; we praise God for God's goodness to us. | |
| Hymn | We sing to close the service and prepare us to take the joy of worship out into the world | |
| Benediction | We receive God's blessing as we leave worship. | |
| Postlude | A concluding musical piece to help folks make the transition out of worship. |
Sacraments
We recognize and celebrate the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Christian
parents may present their children for baptism as a sign and seal of God's
promise to them as being of God's covenant. Adults, not having been previously
baptized, may be baptized upon profession of their faith in Jesus Christ
as Lord and Savior.
The Lord's Supper is celebrated every Sunday during the 8:30 a.m. service, and on the first Sunday of each month, and the first Sunday of each religious season in the
10:30 a.m. service. All baptized Christians are invited to partake of the elements.
Sunday School
Sunday School is 9:15 Sunday mornings, except for Easter Sunday.
- Adult classes:
- Gleaner's - a traditional Bible study class featuring different leaders each month. This is St. Mark's longest running class. Located in Princeton Hall.
- The Bible Connection - studies for this group vary based upon the needs and interests of the members. Located in Princeton Hall.
- Men's Bible Study - led by the pastor, Fred Abney, this class explores the Bible, with ample discussion, chapter by chapter. Located in the MDO Office, in Princeton Hall.
- Journeys through
the Bible - this young adult class looks at Biblical stories.
- Youth and Children:
- Nursery
- Toddlers - 2 and 3 years old, located in Austin Hall
- Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, Princeton Hall
- Grades 1 through 3, Princeton Hall
- Grades 4 through 5, Princeton Hall
- Junior High - 6th through 8th grades, Family Center
- Senior High - 9th through 12th grades, Family Center