St. Mark Lutheran Church and Preschool

St. Mark Lutheran Church

Est. December 24, 1958

About Pew Connections
We are glad to have you worship with us today. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask anyone. The Pew Connections card, located at the end of each pew, helps us keep track of attendance and receive your notes. We invite you to take a moment to fill one out.

About the Service Online
We invite family, friends, and neighbors to view livestream services online HERE. We are a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. We are built on the Holy Scriptures; we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the life of the world. 

About The Lord’s Supper
As we celebrate The Lord’s Supper, we do so in the confession of the Christian faith that rejoices with glad confidence because our Lord gives us not only bread and wine but also His very body and blood for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26-29). Furthermore, this act strengthens our union with Him and with one another. Our Lord invites to His table those who trust that the Lord's body and blood are given for the forgiveness of sins. We are warned in scripture that those who receive this Sacrament unworthily do so to their great harm (1 Corinthians 11:23-32), and because the Lord's Supper is a confession of the common faith which is confessed at this altar, anyone who is not yet instructed, who are in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and yet desire to receive the Sacrament, are asked to first speak to the Pastor. Those who wish to receive grape juice, not wine, can do so by receiving the white grape juice distributed in trays.

About Giving
Christian giving is a joyful response to God’s grace in Jesus Christ. In thanksgiving for His gifts, we support the proclamation of God’s Word, the administration of the Sacraments, and works of mercy, trusting the Lord to use our offerings according to His will. To give joyfully, click on our Giving page. Or you can download the app from the Play Store or App Store.  

About Fellowship
Join us for a time of food and fellowship immediately following the service. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we gather to share a meal, give thanks for God’s provision, and encourage one another in love. Family, friends, and neighbors are invited to bring something to share. We look forward to growing together. See you in the Fellowship Hall.

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Rooted. Woven. Grafted into God's Story.

+SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2026+

+TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST+

790 PRAISE TO THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY

Text: Joachim Neander, 1650–80; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.
Tune: Ander Theil Des Erneuerten Gesang-Buchs, 1665, Stralsund
Text and tune: Public domain

+ CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION +

(The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.)

Pastor                     In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation         Amen.

Pastor                      If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Congregation         But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.)

Pastor                     Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
Congregation         Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Pastor                     Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation         Amen.

+SERVICE OF THE WORD+

KYRIE  –  LSB 168

Assistant                 In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Congregation         Lord, have mercy.
Assistant                 For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.
Congregation         Lord, have mercy.
Assistant                 For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all let                                     us pray to the Lord.
Congregation         Lord, have mercy.
Assistant                 For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.
Congregation         Lord, have mercy.
Assistant                 Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Congregation         Amen.

THIS IS THE FEAST  – LSB 171

SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY

Pastor                        The Lord be with you.
Congregation            And also with you.

Pastor                        Let us pray.

Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth Your Son to lead home His bride, the Church, that with all the company of the redeemed we may finally enter into His eternal wedding feast; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Congregation            Amen.

(Sit)

OLD TESTAMENT READING  – Zephaniah 1:7–16

7Be silent before the Lord God!
     For the day of the Lord is near;
the Lord has prepared a sacrifice
     and consecrated his guests.
8And on the day of the Lord’s sacrifice—
“I will punish the officials and the king’s sons
     and all who array themselves in foreign attire.
9On that day I will punish
     everyone who leaps over the threshold,
and those who fill their master’s house
     with violence and fraud.
10“On that day,” declares the Lord,
     “a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate,
a wail from the Second Quarter,
     a loud crash from the hills.
11Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar!
     For all the traders are no more;
     all who weigh out silver are cut off.
12At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
     and I will punish the men
who are complacent,
     those who say in their hearts,
‘The Lord will not do good,
     nor will he do ill.’
13Their goods shall be plundered,
     and their houses laid waste.
Though they build houses,
     they shall not inhabit them;
though they plant vineyards,
     they shall not drink wine from them.”
14The great day of the Lord is near,
     near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
     the mighty man cries aloud there.
15A day of wrath is that day,
     a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
     a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
     16a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
     and against the lofty battlements.

Assistant                 This is the Word of the Lord.
Congregation         Thanks be to God.

EPISTLE  – 1Thessalonians 5:1–11

     1Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Assistant                 This is the Word of the Lord.
Congregation         Thanks be to God.

(Stand)

ALLELUIA AND VERSE  –  LSB 173

HOLY GOSPEL  – Matthew 25:14–30

Pastor                     The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the twenty-fifth chapter.
Congregation         Glory to You, O Lord.

     14[Jesus said:] “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed? 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

Pastor                    This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Congregation        Praise to You, O Christ.

NICENE CREED

Congregation:        

 I believe in one God,

    the Father Almighty,

    maker of heaven and earth

          and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

    the only-begotten Son of God,

    begotten of His Father before all worlds,

    God of God, Light of Light,

    very God of very God,

    begotten, not made,

    being of one substance with the Father,

    by whom all things were made;

    who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven

    and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

    and was made man;

    and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

    He suffered and was buried.

    And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

          and ascended into heaven

    and sits at the right hand of the Father.

    And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

    the Lord and giver of life,

    who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

    who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,

    who spoke by the prophets.

    And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,

    I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

    and I look for the resurrection of the dead

    and the life + of the world to come. Amen.

(Sit)

851 LORD OF GLORY, YOU HAVE BOUGHT US

Text: Eliza S. Alderson, 1818–89, alt.
Tune: Rowland H. Prichard, 1811–87
Text and tune: Public domain

SERMON

(Stand)

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

(Following the prayers, the people may greet one another in the name of the Lord, saying, “Peace be with you,” as a sign of reconciliation and of the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Matt. 5:22–24; Eph. 4:1–3).)

(Sit)

OFFERING

OFFERTORY  – LSB 176                                            

(Stand)

+SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT+

PREFACE   – LSB 177

Pastor                     The Lord be with you.
Congregation         And also with you.

Pastor                     Lift up your hearts.
Congregation         We lift them to the Lord.

Pastor                      Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Congregation         It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

Pastor                      It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by His glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing:

SANCTUS  – LSB 178

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING  – LSB 178

Pastor                      Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.

Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Congregation         Amen.

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD

Pastor                      Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My + body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My + blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST

Pastor                      As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Congregation         Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Pastor                      O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

LORD’S PRAYER

Congregation:
            Our Father who art in heaven,

    hallowed be Thy name,

    Thy kingdom come,

    Thy will be done on earth

         as it is in heaven;

    give us this day our daily bread;

    and forgive us our trespasses

         as we forgive those

         who trespass against us;

    and lead us not into temptation,

    but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom

    and the power and the glory

    forever and ever. Amen.

PAX DOMINI  – LSB 180

Pastor                     The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Congregation         Amen.

AGNUS DEI  – LSB 180

(Sit)

DISTRIBUTION

(The pastor and those who assist him receive the body and blood of Christ first and then distribute them to those who come to receive, saying:)

Take, eat; this is the true body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, given into death for your sins.
Amen.

Take, drink; this is the true blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shed for the forgiveness of your sins.
Amen.

(In dismissing the communicants, the following is said:)

Pastor                      The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart + in peace.
Congregation         Amen.

637 DRAW NEAR AND TAKE THE BODY OF THE LORD

Text: Latin, 7th cent.; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–66, alt.
Tune: Trente quatre Pseaumes de David, 1551, Geneva, ed. Louis Bourgeois
Text and tune: Public domain

643 SENT FORTH BY GOD’S BLESSING

Text: Omer E. Westendorf, 1916–97, alt.
Tune: Welsh
Text: © 1964 World Library Publications. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110003899
Tune: Public domain

(Stand)

NUNC DIMITTIS  – LSB 182

POST-COMMUNION COLLECT

Assistant                Let us pray.
We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Congregation         Amen.

BENEDICTION  – LSB 183

Leader                    The Lord bless you and keep you.
                                The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
                                The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.
Congregation         Amen.

782 GRACIOUS GOD, YOU SEND GREAT BLESSINGS

Text: Gregory J. Wismar, 1946
Tune: Columbian Harmony, 1825, Cincinnati
Text: © 2004 Gregory J. Wismar. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110003899
Tune: Public domain

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Divine Service, Setting Two from Lutheran Service Book

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2026 Concordia Publishing House.

We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Rooted in the Word of God, dwelling in Christ, and branching out for the sake of the world.