St. Mark's Weekly News

Friday, October 16th, 2026

21st Weekend after Pentecost

Saturday, October 17th, 5:00 pm - NO WORSHIP

Sunday, October 18th, 10:00 am

"It's all God's"

This Sunday, we wrap up our Stewardship Season, Good Soil with a passage from Matthew where Jesus says, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's." Bottom line- we are ALL made in the image of God. All that we have is from God. We continue to cultivate the good soil by sharing of what God has first given us- our time, talents and treasures. See you Sunday!  

Order of worship click here

Watch live on YouTube (Sunday) click here 

Saturday Worship 10/17 at 5:00 PM Cancelled

We apologize we need to cancel worship so that we can seal coat the parking lot before winter. The contractor only has limited availability and our calendar is filled with events and groups using the building on other days. This important maintenance will save us money and will make our parking lot safer!

The Harvest Is Beginning: Building for Our Future Through Generosity and Faith

During the weekend of October 10/11, the Good Soil stewardship series reflected on the theme “We Receive in Gratitude and Respond in Grace.” The temple talk celebrated the faithful generosity that has helped St. Mark’s flourish through the years and highlighted the growing momentum of the Building for Our Future campaign. Members heard that approximately $110,000 has already been committed toward the initial $160,000 goal to retire the church mortgage by January 2028, with an additional vision of raising another $40,000 for future ministry and facility enhancements once the mortgage goal is reached. The congregation was invited to prayerfully consider their 2027 commitments of financial giving, time, and talents, recognizing that stewardship involves sharing all the gifts God has entrusted to us. Connecting the theme to the growing corn mural in the Narthex, worshipers were reminded that just as corn begins to bear fruit, faith produces a harvest when we serve, encourage, and care for others, helping prepare St. Mark’s for a debt-free, ministry-focused future.

As our Good Soil stewardship journey reaches it's end this Sunday, we are invited to prayerfully discern how God is calling each of us to support St. Mark's mission in 2027. This week's temple talk reflects on the abundant harvest that grows from lives rooted in faith and generosity, while highlighting two opportunities for commitment: our annual General Fund pledge and the “Building” for Our Future Campaign to retire St. Mark's mortgage by January 2028. Members are encouraged to pray, reflect, and return their pledge cards in the next two weeks. This weekend also celebrates the completion of the congregation's corn mural, reminding us that mature faith bears fruit through service, compassion, and generosity, and challenges us to consider: How are you passing your faith to the next generation?

Adult Bible Study 

Wednesdays at 10:00 am 

and

Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 6:30 pm

Adult Bible Study meets every Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in the Community Room. We will continue to discuss the lectionary readings used in worship for the coming weekend.

Did you know you can also join us via zoom? If you cannot attend in person, you are welcome to join by using this link.  

Questions? Contact Dave Gibson. 

The next Wednesday Evening Bible Study will be October 21st. We will be discussing the Gospel of Luke.

Adult Fellowship November Presentation

Thursday, October 29th at 10:00 am

Sanctuary

Halloween is just around the corner and we’re adding another activity to the week of Halloween!

Our Adult Fellowship date has been changed from October 22nd to October 29th. It will be held in the Sanctuary rather than Sanctuary Hall.

Please join us on October 29th for a very interactive discussion on "DEALING WITH CONFLICT", presented by Sally Strosahl Johnson. Lunch will follow at Harner's in North Aurora. Please sign up at the Welcome Center to attend. Contact Karen Lorence with questions.

All Saint's Day

Sunday, November 1st

during 10:00 am worship

On All Saint's Day we remember and celebrate those loved ones and members who have died in the last year. As part of worship we will read the names of those members who have died in the last year and have their photographs around the baptismal font. Also as part of worship, we will have tables available where you can place lighted candles and photographs of loved ones who have died in previous years (not just last year). You can also keep photographs with you in the pew as well. The photographs are meant to be a reminder that in God's love we are always connected to the one's we love and surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. 

You will also be able to enjoy a Dia De Los Muertos Ofrenda, put together by the Wednesday Night Faith Formation Students with Julie Joerger and Suzie Perry.  

A STEINWAY GRAND PIANO. 66 YEARS OF MUSIC. 
ONE GLORIOUS HALLELUJAH!

You’re Invited to a Steinway Dedication Concert & All Saints Day Celebration!

Sunday, November 1st, 3:00 pm

Sanctuary

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

Get ready for an extraordinary afternoon of music, memories, and celebration!

Join us at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church as we dedicate our Steinway piano in a spectacular concert honoring the rich musical heritage of our congregation. For 66 years, music has been woven into the heart of St. Mark’s worship and community life. Now, in the spirit of All Saints Day, we gather to celebrate the musicians, choir members, directors, and musical saints whose gifts have inspired us, enriched our worship, and left a lasting legacy.

And what better way to celebrate than with an afternoon filled with magnificent music, outstanding musicians, and one unforgettable Hallelujah?

An Afternoon of Musical Splendor

Experience the beauty and brilliance of works by Gustav Holst, J. S. Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, Sandra Eithun, and W. A. Mozart, featuring an exciting array of musical talent and ensembles.



Our featured musicians include:

• Clark Handell — Piano
• Kristin Young — Piano
• Darragh Creaney — Clarinet
• Emily Fagan — Oboe

Enjoy performances by the St. Mark’s Choirs, a chamber orchestra, a brass quintet, and our historic Martin Ott Tracker pipe organ—a distinctive instrument that adds its own magnificent voice to the musical life of our congregation.

And then comes the grand finale: a joyful, audience-wide sing-along of Handel’s magnificent Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah! Come ready to lift your voice and join in this glorious musical celebration!

Celebrating Our Musical Saints

All Saints Day invites us to remember with gratitude those who have gone before us and whose faith, dedication, and gifts continue to shape our lives.

For 66 years, generations of musicians at St. Mark’s have offered their talents in service, filling our sanctuary with song, praise, and inspiration. This concert honors their contributions, celebrates the musical life we share today, and looks forward to the music yet to come.

This is more than a piano dedication. It is a celebration of faith, community, musical heritage, and the enduring power of music to bring us together.

You won't want to miss this extraordinary afternoon of music, remembrance, and celebration. We look forward to welcoming you!

Join us afterward as we celebrate Kristin Young's 30th Anniversary of being St. Mark's Director of Worship and Arts! Cake, cookies and beverages will be served! 

• Reception hosted by the Worship and Arts Team 

Playgroup! for 0-5 Year Olds

5:00 PM the first Wednesday of every month...

Caregivers and children ages 0-5 are invited to join us for stories, snacks, and playing! Next Playgroup is on Wednesday, November 4th.

We will meet just inside the main doors of the church at 4:55 pm and walk to our room together. All those interested can stay for Wednesday FDL Dinner. Parents are invited to stay the first night. Contact Deacon Dave for more info.

Sanctuary Nights

October 28th at 7:00 pm 
(after Wednesday Faith Formation)

Join us for prayer and play and community! All are welcome as we make prayer spaces and get ready for All Saint's Day.

Julie Joerger and Suzie Perry will help us build an Ofrenda and share stories and traditions about Dia De Los Muertos.

Confirmation Day

Sunday, October 25th

during 10:00 am worship

You're invited to check out this year's Confirmation Projects from Ethan Mandel, Kate Rogers, and Harper Anderson. You're also invited to write them a note or card and drop it in the gift bag near their project. Confirmation Day is Sunday, October 25th.

Check out Deacon Dave's Faith Formation Newsletter for this month: Blessings! 

Learn about the practice of making prayer tables and prayer spaces at home. Click here for the link.

St. Mark's Council: A Call to Faithful Leadership

As we look around St. Mark's, we have much to be grateful for. God has blessed this congregation with vibrant worship, caring relationships, dedicated volunteers, meaningful outreach, and a renewed sense of hope for the future. We believe God is doing wonderful things among us, and even greater opportunities lie ahead.

As several long-serving Council members and officers complete their terms of service, we anticipate four openings on the Church Council for 2027-2028. We give thanks for these faithful leaders whose dedication, wisdom, and love for St. Mark's have helped guide our congregation through many seasons of ministry. Their service has helped create the strong foundation on which we continue to build. READ MORE . . .

Thank You for a Scarecrow Spectacular!

What a blessing it was to gather for St. Mark's first-ever Scarecrow Fest on October 14! Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, laughed, created, donated, and helped make the evening such a joyful celebration of fellowship, community, and service. The event brought together people of all ages for food, fun, creativity, and connection while supporting our new Mutual Ground Monthly Meal Ministry.

A special thank you to Ann Butcher for sharing her enthusiasm and talent by leading the line dancing. Your energy helped create wonderful memories and plenty of smiles throughout the evening.

We are also deeply grateful to the FDL Kitchen Crew for preparing and serving a delicious chili dinner. Your hospitality helped make everyone feel welcome and gave us a great opportunity to gather around the table together.

Thank you to Deacon David for leading our closing activity in the sanctuary. It was a meaningful way to end the evening and remind us of the faith and fellowship that unite us.

To everyone who supported the Mutual Ground Monthly Meal Ministry through our scarecrow voting and free-will donations, thank you for your incredible generosity. Together, we raised $750 to help provide meals for those served through Mutual Ground. What a wonderful example of how a fun community event can also make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Finally, thank you to all those who created scarecrows. St. Mark's is blessed by your creativity, generosity, and willingness to serve.

May God continue to bless our congregation as we grow in fellowship, share Christ's love, and serve our neighbors together.

With gratitude,

The Intergenerational Fellowship Team

The Scarecrows Are Moving Out!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who created a scarecrow for St. Mark's first-ever Scarecrow Fest!

As originally advertised, the scarecrows are now preparing for their next adventure. Following worship this Sunday, October 18, we plan to move the scarecrows outdoors around the church property for our neighbors and passing motorists to enjoy throughout the fall season. This is why participants were encouraged to use plastic bags rather than paper or traditional straw as stuffing, since they stand up better to the weather.

If you do not wish for your scarecrow to be placed outside, or if there are any special decorations, accessories, or embellishments you would like to retrieve before then, please contact Gena Gerdin or Randy Steinheimer as soon as possible.

Once outdoors, nature will take its course. The scarecrows will remain on display for a time and will eventually be disposed of.

And what will our neighbors think when they discover scarecrows popping up all around St. Mark's? We hope they'll see a congregation that knows how to have fun, celebrates the seasons, enjoys being together, and isn't afraid to show a little creativity! Perhaps a few curious neighbors will even wonder, "What kind of church does this?" and discover that St. Mark's is a welcoming place filled with joyful people who enjoy sharing life, laughter, and God's love.

Reminder: Articles are normally run for two consecutive weeks and no more than two to three weeks prior to the event. After being run for two weeks, articles may appear in the section below at the discretion of the Communications Manager.

Sign Up to Help in Worship

All in one link!

Click here for sign up sheet.

October 17 - NO WORSHIP (5:00 pm on Saturday)

October 18 - Worship with Carson Musial Baptism (10:00 am)

October 18 - Council Meeting (11:30 am)

October 19 - LSSI Downer Place Food Distribution (9:30 am)

October 21 - FDL, Confirmation and HS Youth Group (5:30 pm-7:30 pm)

October 22 - Aerobics with Vicki (10:00 am in Sanctuary Hall)

October 24- Worship (5:00 pm)

October 25- Worship with Confirmation (10:00 am)

October 28 - FDL, Confirmation and HS Youth Group (5:30 pm-7:30 pm)

October 29 - Aerobics with Vicki (10:00 am in Sanctuary Hall)

October 29 - Adult Fellowship Discussion (10:00 am in the Sanctuary)

October 31 - NO WORSHIP (5:00 pm on Saturday)

November 1- Worship (10:00 am) 

November 1- Piano Dedication and All Saints Concert with Kristin's Anniversary Reception to follow (3:00 pm) 

We remember in our prayers . . .

Jean Bauman, Richard Brackett, Lynnette Brent, Ed Bryant, Merry Carey, Kalynn Carlson, Annie Craig, Rose and Jerry Downing, Jim Frank, Marge Gugerty, Roald Haase, Bert Jones, Michelle Leedham, Cora and Ralph Lienert, Priscilla Offhaus, Bob Pokorny, Wayne and Edie Standorf, Kevin Stockwell, Lois Swan, Pat Walters, Joe W.

If you have prayer requests you would like named or listed here, email them to Joni or leave a message on the church phone: 630-897-6891. Names will be kept on for 2 weeks and then removed unless you request it to stay on longer. Thank you!

Teddy Bear Ministry

To find out more about our Teddy Bear Ministry click here. If you would like to gift a teddy bear to someone, you may donate online here.

Lydia’s Piecemakers Ministry: The Prayer Quilt

Know someone who could use a prayer quilt? Click here to learn more.