Author: Amanda Hamra

23nd Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, November 16, 2025

Order of Worship

Prelude “Reverie” by Sandra Eithun
Blessed be the Holy Trinity
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God
Absolution
Hymn 796 How Firm a Foundation
Prayer
First Reading: Malachi 4:1-2a
Hymn 270 Hark! The Herald vs. 3 “Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace....”
Psalm 98 (Lector speaks verses; congregation sings Hymn Refrain “Joy to the World”)
Children’s Message
Hymn W&P 37 Father I Adore You
Gospel: Luke 21:1-19
Sermon
Hymn 260 The King Shall Come
Apostles’ Creed
Prayers of Intercession
Gathered with one voice...
Offering / Offertory
10:30 Anthem “Thank We All Our God” arr. Jason Krug
Offering Prayer
The Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer (spoken at 8:30; sung at 10:30)
Communion by Intinction
Choir Anthem ”Over My Head” arr. Mark Patterson
Blessing and Benediction
Hymn 439 Soon and Very Soon
Hallelujah! Go in peace.
Thanks be to God. Hallelujah!
Postlude

Today Congregation Meeting 9:45 in the Nave
9:30am CONNECT for all ages
11:45 Instrumental rehearsal
3pm Beginning Bell rehearsal
4pm Ukulele Choir
5pm Pageant practice

Prayer Concerns St. Mark’s Members: Bob Anderson, Mike Carter, Ruth Ann Swart, Peter Cuocolo, Bill Swart, all who are homebound, all who are caregivers.
St. Mark’s Friends & Family: Tommy Barone (brother of Charlie Barone), Luz Ortiz (friend of Peter Cuocolo), Adam Mann (son-in-law of Saleebys), Wes and Judy Koch (friends of the Hokes), Brynda Bechtold, Dave & Annette Simpson (friends of Peter Cuocolo), Renee (friend of Cindy Wilkins), Dave (friend of the Greene Family), Colin Goracke (Jack & Melanie Altman’s grandson), Cindy Munsey Hall (friend of Peter Cuocolo), Glen Bannister (Sharon Roy’s brother-in-law), Betty Lowe, Sue Wilson (Michelle Corbett’s mother), Bleier family, Sandra Davis, Rick Barger (friend of Kathy Jo McLean), Zebulon Hounslea (friend/student of Judy Fletcher), Maria Cuocolo, Ronnie & kids, Emma (15- Hodgkins Lymphoma), Keith LaPrelle (nephew of Karen Pettit), David Moregas (friend of the Kecks), Harriett Hepler (Barbara Overcash’s sister), James Nicholson (friend of Peter Cuocolo), Steve Belton (brother of Malinda Little), Tori (friend of Liz McNabb), Anne Monterosso (fiancé of Colin Davis), Marty Rink (friend of the Van Horns), Carol Masters (friend of Liz Whitlow), Pastor David Gerber (Diana Cosme Avery’s stepfather), Clark ‘Tiger’ LeBrun (cousin of Donna Enroth & Linda Melin), Ian Russell
St Mark’s Military Members: Tommy Upshaw, Erik Crowder, and Janet Smeltz’s grandson- Dalton Leik, Andrew Boman, BK & Laura Barringer’s great-grandson- Christopher Barringer.
Condolence: We extend our Christian Sympathy to: the family of Cliff Hucks at the death of his mother, Martha Hucks; Phyllis Witherspoon and family at the death of Floyd Witherspoon; to the family of Jeremy Kraft at the death of his father, Gary Kraft; the family of David Milholland and Cliff Milholland at the death of the Rev. Bill Milholland, Sr.; the family of Robert “Bob” Klepfer at his death.

Shepherd of the Week: David Keck, Sr.

The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God by Linda Castoral in thankfulness to God on her 83rd birthday and 60 miraculous years of marriage to her husband, Roger.

Welcome sisters in brothers in Christ to St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church begun in 1908. “EvANGELical” has to do with being messengers or angels of the good news! The prophet Malachi (“my messenger” “malach” “angel”) proclaims that God will shine like the sun despite destructive fires and smoke around us. Today we also read and sing the “Christmas Day Psalm” 98 (Joy to the World). For Christians, the “sun of righteousness” is Jesus Christ and we are his messengers of faith, hope and love.

News & Events

Next Sunday, November 23
8:30am Worship
9:30am CONNECT groups for all ages in the FLC; Adult 1 in the conference room
10:30am Worship (Livestreamed)
11:45 Instrumental rehearsal
3pm Beginning Bell rehearsal
4pm Ukulele Choir
5pm Pageant practice
Sunday, November 30 No Kids Connect
8:30am Worship
9:30am CONNECT (Livestreamed)
11:45 Instrumental rehearsal
3pm Beginning Bell rehearsal
4pm Ukulele Choir

THE WEEK AHEAD
Tuesday
12:30pm	Hands On
Wednesday
10am	Bible Study
5:30pm	Dinner & Devotions
6pm	Handbell rehearsal
7pm	Adult Choir
Thursday
12pm	Fellowship Group
Friday
6pm	Empty Nesters/JOY
Saturday
3-6pm	Feast of Abundance

saintmarkslutheran.com 704.664.5474 office@saintmarkslutheran.com
Pastor Dave Keck dave@saintmarkslutheran.com

Giving CODE

COUNT ME IN! Today: Annual Congregation Meeting- 9:45am in church nave
Feast of Abundance November 22, 3-6 pm drop-in. Your support can make all the difference, please volunteer for the Friday Cook Team or one of the many opportunities on Saturday. If you are unable to volunteer but will be attending as a guest, please bring a neighbor as we use this event to reach out to our community. Any leftover food from the feast will be used to feed the congregation lunch on the following day at 11:30am.
ENJOY (Empty Nester’s Just Older Youth) Are you between the ages of 45ish and 65? Join us on Friday, November 21 at 6:00pm at King Canary Brewing, located at 562 Williamson Rd, Mooresville. Contact Kristie with questions 704-807-6155 or rkward93@yahoo.com
Hands On will meet on Tuesday, November 18 at 12:30pm in the FLC. There will be no meeting on November 25.
Serving Our Seniors on December 6, 2025. If you need assistance with raking leaves, light household projects, and checking detectors, please sign-up in the narthex or contact the church office. If you can help on the work day, contact Colin 704-650-1451 or cvdavis02@gmail.com.
YOUTH LOCK-IN for 6th-12th Graders. December 5th - 6th in the Hickory area. If interested, text/call Jessica Fitzgerald at (828) 514-9248.
Middle and high school students from the NC Synod are invited to LYO Assembly 2026: Keeping Up with the Lutherans—The Church Has Left the Building, Friday-Saturday, February 27–March 1, 2026 at the Embassy Suites, Greensboro, for a weekend of worship, service, and fun exploring how we live our faith beyond the walls of the church. For more information contact Pastor Dave.
Metamorphosis Tuesday, November 25, 7pm in the FLC. Rev. Bonnie Klos and Judy Fletcher will share an overview of their recent trip "Journeys of Paul & the Greek Islands". They'll give an account of their amazing experience in October that was led by Bonnie through Elias Tours. Her Facebook posts looked fantastic! This meeting should be both informative and entertaining.
Angel Tree– Now in the narthex. Choose an angel and return the corresponding gifts by December 7. Directions are available. If you have questions, please contact Jenny Horton 704-577-4733.
Food for Days November item of the month: Fruit & Applesauce cups. Donations can be dropped in the bin near the office hall.
Wednesday Dinner November 19, 5:30-6:30pm, FLC, Potluck / Covered Dish Dinner & the Great Thanksgiving (Communion)
Wednesday Morning Bible Study with Pastor Dave at 10am in the conference room, Nov 19 (no class on the 26th)
Save the Date– Big Band Christmas Show and Dinner on Sunday, December 14 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

Online Pledge Card

Online Time & Talent form

THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday
3-7:30pm	Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday
7pm	Beer & Bible

Feast of Abundance– November 22, 3-6pm drop-in. Join your neighbors for a Thanksgiving meal, bouncy house, games, crafts, and music in the FLC.
WELCA Monday, October 26- Martha Circle meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 10am in the conference room. All women are invited!
Community Missions meeting on Tuesday, November 4 at 6:30pm in the conference room.
Fellowship Group Thursday, June 19, 12pm Lunch in the FLC. Senior 55+ members are invited every 3rd Thursday. Bring a dish to share. See you there!
Break Room If you need to step out of service for a moment away, you are welcome to visit the break room. Follow the signs to the room towards the back of the building.
Noteworthy Project note cards created by Hands On members can be found in the FLC and Narthex. These cards are free to church members to bless others and brighten someone’s day! If you have an interest in making cards or donating supplies, reach out to Pam Core at 704 340-7883, pjcore@gmail.com or come join us on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!
Noteworthy Project Hands On continues to repurpose old scrapbook paper to create colorful note and greeting cards. These cards are free and can be used by church members to bless others. The cards with envelopes can be found in the FLC and Narthex. Please help yourself! Feel free to drop old scrapbook paper or tools you no longer use by the Hands On room and mark "For Noteworthy Project” or join us on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!
Faith Formation CONNECT hour 9:30am Fellowship in the FLC, 9:45 groups begin. Groups in the FLC: PreK-5th, Youth & Adult, Classy Leftovers. Groups in the main building: Adult 1 in the conference room.4th-6th graders are invited to SERVE group in the FLC every 1st Sunday during CONNECT hour.
Fellowship Group Thursday, September 18, 12pm, Lunch in the FLC. Senior 55+ members are invited every 3rd Thursday. Bring a dish to share. See you there!
Wednesday Morning Bible Study February classes will be held in person and via zoom with Pastor Dave at 10am. Topic: Genesis. Contact dave@saintmarkslutheran.com to receive a zoom link.
Lutheran Men in Mission Breakfast Sunday, April 6, at 7:30am in the FLC. All men are welcome to join the LMM the 1st Sunday of each month for breakfast, fellowship, devotions, and a business meeting.
Lutheran Men in Mission Breakfast Sunday, Oct 5, at 7:30am in the FLC. All men are welcome to join the LMM the 1st Sunday of each month for breakfast, fellowship, devotions, and a business meeting.
St. Mark’s Mission Trip to Western North Carolina post-Helene, June 1-7, 2025. The trip will be coordinated through Lutheran Disaster Response of the NC Synod. Housing will be in Boone: bunk beds, kitchen, bathrooms. We will provide our own meals. There are spots for up to 24 older teens and adults. The scope of work is not yet determined. Contact Pastor Dave if interested.
Altar Flowers 2025 The sign up sheet to provide flowers for the altar in 2025 is available on the bulletin board near the office. Instructions and more information can be found on the sheet.
Offering Envelopes If your family currently gives electronically via bank draft or through stock donations, contact the office to cancel quarterly envelope deliveries.

St. Mark’s Preschool Staff:

THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday
6:30pm	Council Meeting
Tuesday
12:30pm	Hands On
Wednesday
10am	Bible Study
5:30pm	Dinner & Devotions
6pm	Handbell rehearsal
7pm	Adult Choir
Thursday
12pm	Fellowship Group
7pm	Beer & Bible
Friday
6pm	Empty Nesters/JOY
Saturday
6pm	Empty Nesters/JOY

Online Pledge Card

8:30am

*please stand in body or spirit

Online Time & Talent form

A Memorial Service for Mike Smeltz will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 1:00pm at St. Mark’s. A reception will follow the service, downstairs in the Old Fellowship Hall.

Sunday,
8:30am Worship
9:30am CONNECT for all ages
10:30am Worship (Livestreamed)
11:45 Instrumental rehearsal
3pm Beginning Bell rehearsal
4pm Ukulele Choir

Prelude “Reverie” by Sandra Eithun
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
who forgives all our sin,
whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God
Absolution
Hymn 796 How Firm a Foundation
Prayer
First Reading: Malachi 4:1-2a
Hymn 270 Hark! The Herald vs. 3 “Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace....”
Psalm 98 (Lector speaks verses; congregation sings Hymn Refrain “Joy to the World”)
Children’s Message
Hymn W&P 37 Father I Adore You
Gospel: Luke 21:1-19
Sermon
Hymn 260 The King Shall Come
Apostles’ Creed
Prayers of Intercession
Gathered with one voice
Offering / Offertory
10:30 Anthem “Thank We All Our God” arr. Jason Krug
Offering Prayer
The Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer (spoken at 8:30; sung at 10:30)
Communion by Intinction
Choir Anthem ”Over My Head” arr. Mark Patterson
Blessing and Benediction
Hymn 439 Soon and Very Soon
Hallelujah! Go in peace.
Thanks be to God. Hallelujah!
Postlude

Thank you to Judith Fletcher for preaching and leading worship today!

THE WEEK AHEAD
Thursday
Happy Thanksgiving!

Giving Statements were emailed (mailed to those without email) and are available to download in the online directory. Contact Dawn Barone with questions.

We welcome new members: Jonah and Adrien Stoner (236 Timberland Loop, Mooresville NC 28115)

We welcome new members: Jonah and Adrien Stoner (236 Timberland Loop, Mooresville NC 28115)

The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God o

Giving CODE