This Sunday at Saint Mark's

The Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22

8 a.m. - Low Mass

A spoken service, with traditional language and sermon

Sermon by Father Cobb

9 a.m. - Family Mass

An in-person, contemporary-language service, with music sung by the Boys & Girls Choir, congregational hymns, and sermon

Sermon by Mother Dure

The music for the Mass is:
Ave Maria - Simon Lindley (b.1948)

10 a.m. - Christian Formation for all ages

11 a.m. - Choral High Mass

An in-person and live-streamed, contemporary-language service, with music sung by the Parish Choir, chant and incense, congregational hymns, and sermon

Sermon by Father Cobb

The music for the Mass is:
Missa Dixit Maria - Hans Leo Hassler (1594-1612)
Ave Maris Stella - Lajos Bárdos (1899-1986)
Alma Redemptoris Mater - Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c.1525/26-1594)

1 p.m. - Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Sung by the Boys & Girls Choir

Christmas at Saint Mark's

Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24

4 p.m. - A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

A liturgy of readings, congregational carols, and choral anthems sung by the Boys & Girls Choir and Parish Choir.

The music for the liturgy is:
Sussex Carol - arr. David Willcocks (1919-2015)
The Truth From Above - Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Jesus Christ the Apple Tree - Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987)
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day - John Gardner (1917-2011)
Angelus ad virginem - Matthew Martin (b.1976)
There is No Rose of Such Virtue - Simon Preston (1938-2022)
Shepherd’s Pipe Carol - John Rutter (b. 1945)
Bethlehem Down - Peter Warlock (1894-1930)

(10:30 p.m. - Musical Prelude)

A prelude of choral anthems, congregational carols, and organ music.

11 p.m. - Solemn High Mass of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Solemn High Mass with Procession to the Creche, chant and incense, choral music and carols

Sermon by Mother Nora Johnson

The music for the Mass is:
Messe de minuit pour Noël, H.9 - Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704)
O magnum mysterium - William Byrd (c.1540-1623)
There is No Rose of Such Virtue - Jonathan Lane (b.1958)

Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25

10 a.m. - Choral High Mass of the Incarnation

Sermon by Father David Cobb

The music for the Mass is:
Missa Princeps Pacis - William Lloyd Webber (1914-1982)
The Blessed Son of God - Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
The Holly and the Ivy - H. Walford Davies (1869-1941)

Advent at Saint Mark's

We hope that you will plan to join us through out Advent for liturgies and events during this season of preparation.

Advent 1, December 1

Advent Wreath Making for Families with children, December 1 at 10 a.m.
Families and children will gather during the 10 a.m. formation time to create your very own family Advent wreath with fresh greens.

Choral Evensong & Benediction, December 1 at 4 p.m.
Join us for a sung liturgy of prayers, scripture, and music sung by the Parish Choir and the Saint Mark’s Singers. The Canticles will be the Evening Service in D by George Dyson, the anthem will How Lovely are the Messengers by Felix Mendelssohn, along with music of Richard Shephard and Malcolm Archer.

Advent 2, December 8

Advent Procession of Lessons & Carols, December 8 at 4 p.m.
A service of scripture, carols, and hymns, the Procession of Advent Lessons & Carols provides an opportunity for stillness and calm through music, prayer, and candlelight, as we prepare for the coming of Christ. Sung by the Parish Choir and Boy & Girl Choristers, the service includes music of Richard Marlow, Judith Bingham, Benjamin Britten, Joanna Forbes L’estrange, Johann Sebastian Bach, Robert Parsons, William McKie, and Paul Manz. All are invited to an Open House immediately following in the Rectory.

Advent Clean-up Day, Saturday, December 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join fellow parishioners for a time of cleaning and sprucing up the church in preparation for the Christmas season. Come and roll your sleeves up as we bring tidings of tidiness! Lunch will be provided.

Advent 3, December 15

An Advent Pageant presented by the children of the parish at 4 p.m.

The children of the parish will perform in a pageant telling the story of Advent (not Christmas)! This is a wonderful opportunity to invite friends and family to witness the theatrical talents of the youngest members of the parish. This year’s pageant will feature a new script!

Messiah Sing-Along, Saturday, December 21 at 2 p.m.
This is a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit. You will get the chance to sing favorite choruses from Handel’s Messiah, as well as hear the talents of our choirs’ singers in some of the oratorio’s most famous arias. A festive reception will follow for fellowship! Entrance: $20 suggested donation, $10 printed choral score for purchase. 

Advent 4, December 22 

Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, December 22 at 1 p.m.
Come and hear the Boys & Girls Choir, accompanied by harp, sing this treasure of the Christmas choral repertoire following High Mass.

Messiah Sing-Along

Come and Sing Messiah, Saturday, December 21 at 2 p.m.

This is a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit. You will get the chance to sing favorite choruses from Handel’s Messiah, as well as hear the talents of our choirs’ singers in some of the oratorio’s most famous arias. A festive reception will follow for fellowship! Entrance: $20 suggested donation, $10 printed choral score for purchase. 

Season of Stewardship 2024

Saint Mark’s Stewardship Committee is thrilled to invite you to embark on a unique and meaningful pilgrimage of faith this stewardship season. The pilgrimage will center around intentional prayers for Saint Mark’s: its place in our lives, our neighborhood, the church, and the world, and how we can be good stewards of its legacy and future. 

Plan to join us on Commitment Sunday, November 17, when we will celebrate the annual renewal of our financial commitment to Saint Mark’s.