The purple Lenten banners revealed a beautiful sunrise Easter Morning. Christ is risen! Flowers adorned the base of the cross which was draped, not in purple, but in red and gold. Thanks once again to our retired pastor, David I. Nelson for making art an integral part of worship at St. Mark Lutheran Church.
After reading Matthew’s gospel, 28th chapter, Pastor Eric told us that on this glorious Easter morning he had a joke, a song, a technical term, and a bottom line to share with us. He explained the term ‘collaborative eschatology’. The first word meaning working together with Jesus and the second word having to do with the…
With nightfall, our Lenten observance comes to an end. We gather with Christians around the world to begin the Three Days during which we participate once again in the saving power of Jesus’ passing over from death to life. At the heart of the Maundy Thursday liturgy is Jesus’ “mandate” or command, to love one…
Please join us for Holy Week worship! April 17th – Maundy Thursday Worship with Holy Communion – 7 pm. April 18th – Good Friday services – noon and 7pm April 20th – Easter Morning Services – 8:30am and 11:00am Breakfast between services with free-will offering to benefit High School Youth Group. Please bring a fresh…
Many members of the congregation helped bring the dramatic message of Palm Sunday alive at St. Mark. The Passion Narrative, according to the Gospel of Matthew, was presented through responsive readings, special instrumental and vocal music, and our choir singing rounds of “Hosanna, Hosanna!” We all waved palm leaves commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.…
There was an eager and energetic group Saturday April 5th in the Community Garden. Ten rows of potatoes were planted (thanks to SMOGS for pre-digging the trenches). Cardboard was placed and chips were spread for a new picnic area right by the Community Garden. The lovely cedar picnic table built by Mike D.…
For the last several weeks the sanctuary has displayed a rugged cross and purple banners symbolizing our time of reflection. We see a road to the cross starting at our baptismal font. On Palm Sunday, palms were added to symbolize Jesus entering Jerusalem as the King and then shortly after arrested and sent to the…
Tonight we heard Jesus’ command to love one another and were introduced to Simon Peter. Bob B. offered a reflection that Pastor Beth wrote based on the perspective of Peter’s father, Jona. The hatred brewing among the religious authorities is in sharp contrast to the love Jesus commands. Who is right? Who is wrong? Where…
Come celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem as we wave palm branches and sing “Hosanna!” this Palm/Passion Sunday, April 13 at 8:30 and 11:00. After the rejoicing with “Hosannas,” the tone of worship changes as we listen and participate in the Passion narrative according to the Gospel of Matthew and feast on the bread of…
The gospel for this Fifth Sunday in Lent, John 11:1-45, reveals Jesus’s power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. The prophet Ezekiel prophesies God breathing new life into dry bones. To those in exile or living in the shadows of death, these stories proclaim God’s promise of resurrection. In baptism we die with…