Isaiah’s prophesy of a young woman who will bear a son, naming him Emmanuel, is the foretelling of Matthew’s gospel about the annunciation and birth of Emmanuel, “God with us.” Christ’s living presence helps us during these final days of Advent, as we pray, “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” always trusting that he lives in […]
Third Advent Midweek
This year’s Advent Midweek “Service of Word and Prayer” is adapted from All Creation Sings, a new worship resource of the ELCA. The theme of this year’s Advent series, is “Holy Interruptions, Holy In-dwellings,” a reminder that God often interrupts our plans and encounters us in the midst of life’s busyness, dwelling in us with grace and […]
Third Sunday of Advent – Lessons and Carols
Today’s “Service of Lessons and Carols” (see the “Music Notes” on page 18 of the bulletin) is a St. Mark’s tradition that reaches 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 […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Second Advent Midweek
This year’s Advent Midweek “Service of Word and Prayer” is adapted from All Creation Sings, a new worship resource of the ELCA. The theme of this year’s Advent series, is “Holy Interruptions, Holy In-dwellings,” a reminder that God often interrupts our plans and encounters us in the midst of life’s busyness, dwelling in us with grace and […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Second Sunday of Advent
At the heart of our Advent preparation stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning. As the darkness increases we turn toward the approaching light of Christ. For Christians he is the root of Jesse, the righteous judge who welcomes all, especially the poor and meek of the earth. […]
View the Sermon (PDF)First Advent Midweek
This year’s Advent Midweek “Service of Word and Prayer” is adapted from All Creation Sings, a new worship resource of the ELCA. The theme of this year’s Advent series, is “Holy Interruptions, Holy In-dwellings,” a reminder that God often interrupts our plans and encounters us in the midst of life’s busyness, dwelling in us with grace and […]
View the Sermon (PDF)First Sunday of Advent
Christ is coming! The season of Advent reminds us that Christians are a people awaiting Christ. As we wait, Christ continues to come to us in Word and Sacrament. He comes to us in the holy supper in the bread and in the wine. Though we vigilantly watch for the promised day of salvation, we […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Thanksgiving Eve
For many of us the celebration of Thanksgiving centers around meals shared with family and friends as we give thanks to God for the abundance of the created world, the harvest season and for all of God’s gracious gifts. We also offer thanksgiving for our common life together as a society and for the peace […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Christ the King Sunday
Today, the church year ends with Jeremiah’s promise of a righteous Branch, a shepherd and king, who will execute justice and righteousness in all the land. On Christ the King Sunday, we celebrate and worship Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God, through whom all things hold together. Christ is the prophet, priest and […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
“O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.” As the church year draws to a close, the words of the Psalmist remind us, “He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.” We are not to be weary in […]