Sundays in November

The Giving Trees will be in The Connections Cafe each Sunday in November. We will have three trees full of gift tags supporting children, seniors, and veterans in our community. The suggested spending amount is $30 - $40 per tag. Gifts MUST be returned to the church office during office hours Monday, December 2 through Friday, December 6. Thank you for blessing others this Christmas season!

November 23
December 7
December 14

Give back to our community and help feed families with every ring!

Help us spread Christmas cheer by volunteering to ring the Salvation Army bells! We have one-hour shifts available at Marion Fareway and Oakland Road HyVee. 

November 17 at 3:00 pm
November 19 at 6:00 pm

Discover how we can prepare our hearts, focus our minds, and spread the joy of Christmas with others this season. 

In this workshop, participants will learn what Advent means and be given ideas for creating family Advent traditions to cherish for years to come. Participants will receive an Advent kit that includes ornaments for creating a Jesse Tree and other Advent activities to include in family traditions. This is a great workshop for families. Materials cost is $25/family.

November 18 at 6:00 pm

When you are grieving a loved one’s death, the holiday season can be especially painful. Our two-hour Surviving the Holidays seminar helps participants discover:

- How to deal with emotions

- What to do about traditions

- Helpful tips for surviving social events

- How to find hope for the future

Sunday, November 24 at 11:30 am
Monday, November 25 at 9:00 am
Tuesday, November 26 at 9:00 am

Every year we do our best to make our campus shine for the Advent season. Please join us to put up trees, wreaths, lights, and other items around campus. Everything needed for decorating will be provided, and there will be a FaithLife staff member present to give instructions for where everything should go. 

December 3 at 5:15 pm

The Women's Christmas Dinner is an annual tradition complete with catered meal, entertainment, fair-trade gifts for sale, door prizes, and more. This year the event is planned for Tuesday, December 3 beginning at 5:15 pm. Women of all ages from our congregation are invited to join us - guests are welcome too!

Tickets are $22 each and will be available to purchase by cash/check in the Connections Cafe each Sunday in November or anytime online. Please purchase tickets by November 24.

December 8 at 3:00 pm

Join us for a free holiday concert featuring the OPUS 695 organ with vocalists and instruments. Reception to follow. Reception sponsored by the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Foundation.

December 11-14

Oh what fun it is to ride! Start your Christmas celebrations early on a fun bus trip to Branson, MO! 

A bus trip is being planned with Cooper Tours from December 11-14. The itinerary includes multiple shows and shopping excursions.

December 15

Wear your “festive flair” to worship services on Sunday, December 15!

December 15 at 11:15 am

Our Sunday School students (led in music by Dave Brauhn) will join our 1st-4th grade students (led in music by Adam Roos and Corinne Gambach) to share the story of our Savior's birth through music, narration and scenes.

December 19-21

The Living Story is a drive-thru nativity experience with multiple stations, beautiful narration tracks, and live animals where the community can experience all the wonder and celebration of the birth of Jesus, without exiting their vehicle.

December 22

A beloved tradition at FaithLife, The Chancel Choir will present the cantata, "Lord of Glory", by Dan Forrest at our 8:30 am worship service.

You'll be guided through Biblical narration as the beauty of the music provides a fresh retelling of the Christmas story. You can add your own voices to the story, through congregational singing, and with a children's choir and chamber orchestra alongside the Chancel Choir. Come and rejoice with us as we celebrate the birth of Christ!