Advent Seasonings/Christmas Joy - St. Mark's Lutheran Church

So...Do You Deliver?

December 31, 2023 • Pastor Jim Mericle • Galatians 4:4–7, Luke 2:21–40

Today we complete our Advent Seasonings/Christmas Joy series as we say goodbye to 2023 and welcome in the new year. On Christmas Eve we celebrated the great delivery we receive from God in Jesus Christ. Today, we are asked the question? What do we do with that gift? Just keep it to ourselves or do we also deliver the good news of God's great love for us with his gift of salvation given through Jesus?

Christmas Joy: God Delivers (4:30pm)

December 24, 2023 • Pastor Jim Mericle • Isaiah 7:10–15, Luke 1:26–38, Luke 2:1–20

Tonight we experience the joy of Christmas as we focus on how God delivers for us once again in the gift of Jesus to us. That on this day, we remember his birth and also the promise that God is always here with us to walk with us, forgive us, and give us hope. Our service includes both our Children's and Pop-up Choirs, a special gift for our children at the Children's message, the singing of several Christmas carols and that special moment of lighting our candles and singing Silent Night and sharing in a Christmas prayer.

Christmas Joy: God Delivers

December 24, 2023 • Pastor Jim Mericle • Isaiah 7:10–15, Luke 2:1–14

This morning is the 4th Sunday of Advent and it is also Christmas Eve Day so we will be moving from Advent to Christmas in this service as we focus on how God delivers for us in the gift of Jesus, a gift to the world in this new born whose birth we celebrate with Mary and Joseph and the Angels and Shepherds so long ago. Join us as we sing Christmas Carols, hear our pop-up Choir sing the modern Christmas Hymn, "Noel" and welcome Christ into our hearts once again. We will also be gathering for the sacrament of Holy Communion, so have your bread/cracker and wine/juice ready for that time.

Do You Have Reservations?

December 17, 2023 • Pastor Jim Mericle • John 3:16–19, 1 John 4:7–12

Today we continue our Advent series, Advent Seasonings, with a focus on Love. We will also be serving Communion, so if online, have wine/juice and break/cracker ready if you wish to join us at the table. The table is open to all for a blessing and to all baptized to receive communion.

Are You Prepared?

December 10, 2023 • Pastor Jim Mericle • Genesis 18:1–15, Mark 1:1–8

Today is the second Sunday of Advent and we will focus on how we prepare for Christmas and how we prepare for life now and eternally. Our Children's Choir will also be singing.

What Are You Hungry For?

December 3, 2023 • Pastor Jim Mericle • Genesis 2:8–9, John 6:35–51, Genesis 1:27–31

Today we begin the Advent Season and our Sermon Series: Advent Seasonings/Christmas Joy. Today we focus on the food we crave during the holidays and the spices that make them so good and remind us of this Holiday season. We explore what are we truly hungry for in our lives and how we call only truly be filled by the God who provided us with everythings and invites to receive the bread that satisfies - Jesus - the Bread of Life. Communion is also being celebrated today. If you are watching online have bread/crackers and wine/juice ready for when communion is served.