On the first Sunday of Christmas, we see Jesus growing in our humanity, just as we also continue to grow in the wisdom of the Lord. Today, we too have returned to the house of the Lord “to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God,” who has gifted us with a Savior. Paul’s words, […]
View the Sermon (PDF)December 24, 2024, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good tidings for all people. His birth as the long-awaited Messiah is the one that Isaiah wrote of who will bring endless peace, establishing justice forever. Paul reminds us that the grace of God through Jesus […]
View the Sermon (PDF)December 22, 2024, Fourth Sunday of Advent
Mary’s song of praise known as “The Magnificat” reveals a God who is merciful from generation to generation, who fills the hungry with good things and sends the rich away empty. During Advent, Mary’s words remind us of the Savior upon whom we wait. He is the Prince of Peace who scatters the proud and […]
View the Sermon (PDF)December 18, 2024, Third Advent Midweek Prayer
We ask God to restore our hope in this Advent time of watching and waiting, to give us a spirit of wisdom and understanding, and to reveal to us that our lives and stories are tied together, that we are healed, forgiven, and made whole by God to feed, forgive, and free all his children.
View the Sermon (PDF)December 15, 2025, Third Sunday of Advent
John the Baptist promises one greater than he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit, and Paul encourages the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord. On the third Sunday of Advent we know the Lord is near. He comes to us in word and in the Eucharist with forgiveness and peace that renews our hope […]
View the Sermon (PDF)December 11, 2024, Second Advent Midweek Prayer
In this Advent season, we await the One who says, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God, and they will be his peoples.”
View the Sermon (PDF)December 8, 2024, Second Sunday of Advent / Lessons and Carols
Today’s “Service of Lessons and Carols” (see the “Music Notes” on page 18) is a St. Mark’s tradition reaching back into 19th century England with the singing of carols and the reading of lessons in preparation for the season of Christmas. During today’s service, may you hear again the grace of the good news expressed […]
View the Sermon (PDF)December 4, 2024, First Advent Midweek Prayer
In this Advent season, a voice in the wilderness calls out, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” joining the prophets and calling us to righteousness.
View the Sermon (PDF)December 1, 2024, First Sunday of Advent
Advent is about the “coming days.” God’s people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks. The ancients anticipated a “righteous branch to spring up for David.” The Thessalonians awaited “the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints.” Jesus’ contemporaries […]
View the Sermon (PDF)November 24, 2024, Christ the King
Even after Israel had experienced the vagaries of kings, the people still longed for a true king to set things right. He would have the king’s title of Anointed One (Messiah); he would be the “one like a human being” (Son of Man) given dominion in Daniel’s vision. Jesus is given these titles, even though […]
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