Sunday is the traditional day for worship, both the first and eighth day of the week, the day when Christ resurrected from the dead on Easter.  Thus, all Sundays of the year are festivals of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Tradition developed throughout the history of the church for other days of importance in the liturgical year.  Some of these days are also celebrated at St. Mark’s.

Reformation Sunday

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Church. Many consider this act, the calling for a public debate on the abuses in the church, as the start of the Lutheran Reformation.  On the Sunday preceding, we celebrate Reformation Sunday. The liturgy will be based on the tradition of Luther's German Mass (Deutsche Messe), in which liturgical songs from the historic service of Holy Communion are replaced with hymns (metrical paraphrases) from the time of the Reformation.

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All Saints Sunday

The first day of November has long been considered the day on which the saints who do not have their own day are commemorated.  In the Lutheran tradition this has expanded to all who have died (since all are both saint and sinner).  On the Sunday following November 1, we remember all those who have died in the past year, as well as all the saints in all times and places.  Part of the funeral liturgy is adapted for the Gathering rite.

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Nativity of Our Lord – Christmas

Christmas is a celebration of the Incarnation, when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  At St. Mark’s we have multiple opportunities to celebrate Christmas.  On Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) the youth re-tell the story with the annual Christmas pageant at 5:00 pm.  Later that evening, at 8:00 pm, we again hear the story of Christmas as the choir leads us in Lessons and Carols.  Near the end of the evening, at 11:00 pm, we celebrate the Incarnation with a candlelight choral Eucharist.  The festival celebration of Christmas comes on Christmas Day (Dec. 25) at 10:00 am.

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St. Mark’s Day

April 25 is the commemoration of Mark, the first evangelist.  Since our congregation is named after him, we celebrate his day with a festive service of Holy Communion and a potluck with entertainment.

Other opportunities for worship occur throughout the year.  Check the online calendar for more information, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .