Today we welcome and install the Rev. Alexandra Joy Rode, a full Elder (pastor) in the United Methodist Church, as the Associate Pastor for Family Ministry at St. Mark’s. Thank you for your presence at this service and we ask that you remember Pastor Ali in prayer as she begins her ministry among us.
January 11, 2026, The Baptism of Our Lord
In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by […]
View the Sermon (PDF)January 4, 2026, Second Sunday of Christmas
Within the gospel reading’s profound words lie the simple message that God is revealed in a human person. Though we may try to understand how the Word existed with God from the beginning of time, the wonder we celebrate at Christmas is that the Word continues to dwell among us. Christ comes in the gathered […]
View the Sermon (PDF)December 28, 2025, First Sunday after Christmas
As we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, our gospel today confronts us with the death of innocent children at the hands of Herod. The birth of Christ does not remove the power of evil from our world, but its light gives us hope as we walk with all the “holy innocents” of past generations […]
View the Sermon (PDF)December 24, 2025, Christmas Eve / The Nativity of Our Lord
In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good news 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 21, 2025, Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. In Matthew’s account of the annunciation and birth of Jesus, he is called “Emmanuel, God-with-us.” Joseph responds to this message with faith and trust in God’s command, setting an example for us. As Paul writes, God calls us and when […]
View the Sermon (PDF)December 17, 2025, Third Advent Service of Word and Prayer
In this Advent season, we await Emmanuel: God with us. The Holy Spirit gathers us into a community of prayer. This week’s reflection is “Power to become the children of God.”
View the Sermon (PDF)December 14, 2025, Third Sunday of Advent
Our Gospel text from Matthew finds the reader in waiting for confirmation from Jesus to John the Baptist that he indeed is the Messiah. Jesus responds to John with the promise that the faith of the disciples might be made real by what they ‘hear and see’. In the passage from Luke, Mary receives a […]
View the Sermon (PDF)December 10, 2025, Second Advent Midweek Service of Word and Prayer
In this Advent season, we await Emmanuel: God with us. This week’s Advent Reflection is “Do not be afraid.”
View the Sermon (PDF)December 7, 2025, Second Sunday of Advent / Lessons and Carols
Today’s “Service of Lessons and Carols” (see the “Music Notes” on page 22) 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 the good news […]
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