Wondering what to expect during worship at St. Mark's?
From nametags to the dismissal at the end of the service, this guide will hopefully help you to know what to expect when worshiping at St. Mark's on Sunday mornings. When you are welcomed at the door by a greeter or usher, feel free to ask them any other questions you may have!
Nametags
Before entering the sanctuary for worship, please wear a nametag sticker so that Pastor Gary and the congregation may greet you by name. Many of our members wear nametags every Sunday so you may also greet them by name. We promise not to call you out as a visitor in front of the congregation, but will greet you privately before or after the service!
Following Along
As you enter the sanctuary, an usher or greeter will provide you with a bulletin which outlines the order of worship for each service. During the 8:30am contemporary service, projection slides are used to lead worship. The 11am traditional service makes use of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW red hymnal) which is provided in each pew. It's usually a good idea to mark the pages and hymns using the bookmarks available in each ELW prior to the traditional service.
Confession and Forgiveness
Near the beginning of each service, we confess our sins to God in unison (following the slides or hymnal) and in silent reflection, before receiving assurance of God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Prayer is an essential element in every worship service at St. Mark's. Some prayers are spoken in unison during worship, while others are offered by Pastor Gary or an assisting minister. Fold-down kneelers are available in each pew for those who prefer kneeling, rather than standing, during prayer.
Children's Message
All children are invited forward for a short children's message and prayer offered by Traci (meet our staff). Parents are welcome to escort young children forward to join the children's gathering.
Scripture Readings
Several passages from God's Word are usually read by a lector during every worship service. Bibles are available in each pew for those who wish to read along with the spoken word. The Gospel reading, for which we stand as able, is usually read by the presiding minister.
We might also read a Psalm responsively during some services. This means that a lector or cantor will read, or sing, the first half of each verse, with the congregation responding in unison with the second half. A worship leader will provide direction to the congregation in each case.
Proclamation of the Word
He who has ears, let him hear. Matthew 13:9, The Parable of the Sower
Immediately following the Gospel reading, sit back and let your ears do the hearing as Pastor Gary proclaims the Word of God. Check out our YouTube channel to explore our archive of past sermons.
Sharing of the Peace
We always share Christ's peace during each Sunday service at St. Mark's. First, the presiding minister will share the peace with the congregation, to which we respond "and also with you." We then take a few moments to share that peace with our neighbors. Feel free to roam around the sanctuary if you feel called to share the peace far and wide. Don't know what to say? A simple "peace be with you" will do just fine, or respond "and also with you."
Offertory
We offer our gifts to God as ushers pass the offering plate throughout the pews. In lieu of donations directly into the offering plate, many worship participants choose instead to make use of our online giving option.
Celebration of Holy Communion
We celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday during both services, as long as Pastor Gary or another ordained minister is present to administer the sacrament. All baptized believers in Jesus Christ are welcome to the Lord's Table, when directed by the usher to come forward by pew.
As Lutherans we believe that Christ's body and blood are truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine when joined by the Holy words spoken by Christ at the Last Supper. How can this be? Simply put, it is a matter of faith. Jesus said "this is my body, given for you" and "this is my blood, shed for you." Jesus does not mislead or deceive. Faith in these words means having faith that Jesus Christ died for us on the cross. We are justified by this faith, and therefore receive by the grace of God forgiveness of our sins and salvation.
Holy Communion at St. Mark's is often distributed by the method of intinction. Each person receives the host (bread or wafer), and then dips it into the chalice of white grape juice or wine. Gluten free wafers are also available for those having such dietary restrictions. At other times, the congregation is invited forward to kneel or stand, as able, at the Communion rails to receive the host and a small cup of wine or grape juice.
Children who are too young for the Lord's Supper receive a blessing from Pastor Gary or the assisting minister. It is ultimately a family decision whether a child receives the sacrament. Children at St. Mark's typically receive First Communion in approximately the 5th grade after receiving instruction on the subject.
The Dismissal
Each Sunday service is closed with a reminder of our mission:
Saved by Grace, we are called to celebrate, serve, and make disciples for Christ
Time for Fellowship
After the 8:30am contemporary service, please join us downstairs in the fellowship hall for coffee, juice, and doughnuts before Sunday School begins at 9:45!
Nametags
Before entering the sanctuary for worship, please wear a nametag sticker so that Pastor Gary and the congregation may greet you by name. Many of our members wear nametags every Sunday so you may also greet them by name. We promise not to call you out as a visitor in front of the congregation, but will greet you privately before or after the service!
Following Along
As you enter the sanctuary, an usher or greeter will provide you with a bulletin which outlines the order of worship for each service. During the 8:30am contemporary service, projection slides are used to lead worship. The 11am traditional service makes use of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW red hymnal) which is provided in each pew. It's usually a good idea to mark the pages and hymns using the bookmarks available in each ELW prior to the traditional service.
Confession and Forgiveness
Near the beginning of each service, we confess our sins to God in unison (following the slides or hymnal) and in silent reflection, before receiving assurance of God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Prayer is an essential element in every worship service at St. Mark's. Some prayers are spoken in unison during worship, while others are offered by Pastor Gary or an assisting minister. Fold-down kneelers are available in each pew for those who prefer kneeling, rather than standing, during prayer.
Children's Message
All children are invited forward for a short children's message and prayer offered by Traci (meet our staff). Parents are welcome to escort young children forward to join the children's gathering.
Scripture Readings
Several passages from God's Word are usually read by a lector during every worship service. Bibles are available in each pew for those who wish to read along with the spoken word. The Gospel reading, for which we stand as able, is usually read by the presiding minister.
We might also read a Psalm responsively during some services. This means that a lector or cantor will read, or sing, the first half of each verse, with the congregation responding in unison with the second half. A worship leader will provide direction to the congregation in each case.
Proclamation of the Word
He who has ears, let him hear. Matthew 13:9, The Parable of the Sower
Immediately following the Gospel reading, sit back and let your ears do the hearing as Pastor Gary proclaims the Word of God. Check out our YouTube channel to explore our archive of past sermons.
Sharing of the Peace
We always share Christ's peace during each Sunday service at St. Mark's. First, the presiding minister will share the peace with the congregation, to which we respond "and also with you." We then take a few moments to share that peace with our neighbors. Feel free to roam around the sanctuary if you feel called to share the peace far and wide. Don't know what to say? A simple "peace be with you" will do just fine, or respond "and also with you."
Offertory
We offer our gifts to God as ushers pass the offering plate throughout the pews. In lieu of donations directly into the offering plate, many worship participants choose instead to make use of our online giving option.
Celebration of Holy Communion
We celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday during both services, as long as Pastor Gary or another ordained minister is present to administer the sacrament. All baptized believers in Jesus Christ are welcome to the Lord's Table, when directed by the usher to come forward by pew.
As Lutherans we believe that Christ's body and blood are truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine when joined by the Holy words spoken by Christ at the Last Supper. How can this be? Simply put, it is a matter of faith. Jesus said "this is my body, given for you" and "this is my blood, shed for you." Jesus does not mislead or deceive. Faith in these words means having faith that Jesus Christ died for us on the cross. We are justified by this faith, and therefore receive by the grace of God forgiveness of our sins and salvation.
Holy Communion at St. Mark's is often distributed by the method of intinction. Each person receives the host (bread or wafer), and then dips it into the chalice of white grape juice or wine. Gluten free wafers are also available for those having such dietary restrictions. At other times, the congregation is invited forward to kneel or stand, as able, at the Communion rails to receive the host and a small cup of wine or grape juice.
Children who are too young for the Lord's Supper receive a blessing from Pastor Gary or the assisting minister. It is ultimately a family decision whether a child receives the sacrament. Children at St. Mark's typically receive First Communion in approximately the 5th grade after receiving instruction on the subject.
The Dismissal
Each Sunday service is closed with a reminder of our mission:
Saved by Grace, we are called to celebrate, serve, and make disciples for Christ
Time for Fellowship
After the 8:30am contemporary service, please join us downstairs in the fellowship hall for coffee, juice, and doughnuts before Sunday School begins at 9:45!