If you've never visited St. Mark's for a worship experience, or a special event, here's some information to help you get to know us a bit better and to feel more comfortable when you do visit:
Pick one of several Worship Services each
week
We are a friendly, open faith community
and look forward to welcoming you. We gather for several different types
of services each week in our Worship Center - to help
you find your way around, here's a map of our
facility.
On Saturday evenings, we offer a "casual"
service at 5:00 p.m. ("Come as you are" jeans is normal at this gathering.)
On Sunday morning, we offer a traditional service at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in the Worship Center, as well as our Praise Service at 11:00 a.m. in the
Family Life Center. Each Sunday at 9:45 a.m., we also
offer educational opportunities for adults and children. The topics and location
are at listed at the Welcome Center each Sunday.
Finally, check out our Healing
Service
offered on the second Sunday of each month at 1:00pm in the worship center.
Have Children?
Your children are welcome to join you
in the worship service, or you can drop them off in our safe, friendly, staffed
nursery (ages 4 and under). The sitting
area just outside the Worship Center is wired for sound, so you can still hear
the services if you need to step outside to attend to the needs of your "little
ones". Typically, each week at both services, we
offer a Children's Sermon in which we encourage your children's participation.
We also offer numerous Sunday School programs for children ages 3 through high
school which meets every Sunday from 9:45am to 10:45am. Click
here for more information on our Christian Educational opportunities.
Hospitality
When you visit us,
please take advantage of the special parking spots reserved up front for our
visitors. When you enter the church from the parking lot on Sunday
morning, you will be welcomed by our special "greeters" with a warm hello, a
smile and a handshake. Our "Welcome Center"
is open to receive your questions and to share information about opportunities
for connecting, growing and serving. When you get to the Worship Center, you will be
greeted again by an usher who will provide you with a bulletin which will
include the information about the worship service, such as the flow of the
service, the songs we'll be singing that day, and the readings from the Bible.
A packet of weekly announcements is available on tables by the Worship Center
and by the Welcome Center. Everything you need to
participate in the service will be included in the bulletin.
Please join us each week in the Family Life Center for fellowship, coffee, and donuts from 9:30am-10:00am.
If you're interested in getting connected with other people in a faith-based community, check out our Get Connected section on this site, and specifically our Go! Groups (Growth Opportunity) which meet each Wednesday night to form connections, share a meal, and learn about God! Other opportunities range from joining a weekly bible study, joining any number of different voice or bell choirs, quilting groups, or even a "hands-on" service group which provides free oil changes for our neighbors.
Communion/Tithes and Offerings
There is no
pressure to receive communion when it is offered. Communion on Sunday
mornings is observed on the first Sunday of each month at our Traditional and
Blended services and is typically served
at the altar. Communion is also offered weekly at the Saturday evening
Casual service, as well as at the Praise Service on each Sunday at
11:00am in the Family Life Center.
You'll receive a communion wafer and either wine or grape
juice (on request), which is the real presence of Christ. During the
communion portion of the service, if you do not wish to receive communion, you
may choose to remain seated. Children who have not yet received Communion
instruction may come to the alter for a blessing. All visitors who
accept the real presence of Christ in Holy Communion are cordially invited to
receive Holy Communion with us at the altar.
Offerings are given by
those who consider St. Mark's Lutheran Church to be their regular place of
worship, and those who feel they want to give.
Would you like to get involved?
Check out our online
newsletter, our online monthly
calendar of events, or Get
Connected section of this web site
to find events, small groups,
support groups, or other service opportunities that may interest you.
Would you like to learn more about
Christian and Lutheran beliefs?
Our Welcome Classes are a great way to
start (see below), or if you're looking for more in depth educational
opportunities, check out the numerous opportunities for Christian education at
St. Mark's by clicking here. You can also keep
an eye on the "Upcoming Special Events" section on this website for new classes
which will be starting periodically.
Welcome Classes
Interested in joining St. Mark's as a
disciple? Welcome classes are offered frequently and are important
to participating fully in the life of St. Mark's.
Why become a disciple at St. Mark's? Become part of God's family and faith community at St. Mark's; Join with others to make a difference; Receive current publications and ministry updates; Have a voice in directing St. Mark's ministry.
What Will You Learn at the Welcome Class? Each one-hour class is designed to acquaint you with the basics of our faith, based on scripture, the vision and mission of St. Mark's as well as to acquaint you with programs and opportunities for service. The classes are typically offered on Sunday mornings during the Sunday School hour (9:45am-10:45am) and the specific dates are announced in the Sunday bulletin or in the "Upcoming Special Events" section on this web site. There are 6 weekly sessions and then a opportunity during a Sunday morning worship service to be received and welcomed into church membership.
Have other questions not addressed here?
Contact us at either 419-353-9305 or email us at:
stmarkbg@dacor.net