God is spirit, and those who worship God must worship in spirit and in truth.

John 4:24

Worship is the heart of our life in Christian community. In worship we gather as a community to praise God and hear God’s message of peace, love, justice and reconciliation through prophetic preaching, provocative dialogue, outstanding music and heartfelt prayer. There are a number of special worship experiences offered throughout the year, including Jazz Sunday, Christmas Eve, Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, Blues Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Palm Sunday, Easter, Youth Sunday, Pentecost and More Light Sunday.

Communion is generally celebrated weekly in both services, a visible and vital reminder of Jesus’s invitation for us to join him at a table where all are welcome and none are ever turned away.

Music is an integral part of our worship life at St. Mark’s.    According to our Directory of Worship, song is a response that engages the whole self in prayer and unites the faithful when they gather to worship God. You will hear a variety of musical forms expressed at St. Mark’s, reflecting the diversity of our world and the varied gifts and talents of members of our community. All of it enhances our worship and draws us closer to the Divine.

We encourage the participation of children and youth in our worship services. We regularly include a “Children’s Moment” in the traditional 11:00 a.m. service and try to include activities and illustrations that help young people understand and enjoy worship. Older youth are invited to assist in the reading or acting out of scripture, serving communion, singing in the choir, ushering or becoming worship leaders. Child care and children’s enrichment are available during our worship time, but children are always welcome in our worship services. A “cry room” is located just off the narthex, providing an alternative for parents who would prefer a worship space where child-related noise and activity is not only welcome but expected.   

A time of fellowship and “feasting” takes place in the courtyard immediately following the 11:00 a.m. service.

If you visit one of our worship services, we hope that you will make yourself known to our co-pastors or other members of our community. Be sure to provide your contact information in the Guatemalan cloth-covered pads, which are located at the end of the pews (center-aisle side) in the sanctuary.  

The Worship & Spiritual Life Ministry Team currently meets the 2nd Wednesday of most months at
7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Anyone interested in worship, liturgy or the arts is encouraged to join us.