Children's Ministries
Sunday School
Sunday School begins on September 19, 2021 in person!
Sunday School classes are offered to children ages 3 years old (by September 1) through 6th grade.
Registration is required, though guests are always welcome. Contact julie@stmarklc.com for more details.
First Communion
Children have the opportunity once per year to take this brief course of classes prior to receiving their first communion. First communion is offered to students who are first graders, but includes any students who have not yet received their first communion. For more information, contact Pastor Chad McKenna at 815-398-3557 or prmckenna@stmarklc.com.
Nursery
The nursery remains closed at this time.
When we are able to open back up the nursery care is available on Sunday mornings and for special events. Our nursery is available for children ages 6 months through 3 years old and is staffed by adults. Nursery services are free of charge.
The nursery is staffed each Sunday morning from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. by Libby Malenchik. our nursery attendant. Parents with children 6 months through 3 years old are invited to take advantage of the welcoming, loving environment that Libby and our volunteers provide.
Cradle Roll
Children birth to 3 years old are a part of our Cradle Roll. Their parents receive Splash, a monthly, Christ-centered, developmental newsletter.
Good News Bearers
Good News Bearers is our Bible drama group for 2nd-6th graders.
This group will not be meeting until further notice.
Contact Pastor Chad McKenna at 815-398-3557 or prmckenna@stmarklc.com
for further information.
Vacation Bible School
Save the date, June 20-24, 2022!
Youth Ministries
Confirmation
Confirmation at St. Mark is a two-year program for seventh and eighth-grade students. This fall, we will meet every Wednesday evening from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Per Illinois guidelines, we will require all students and adults to wear face masks during these classes regardless of vaccination status. As the guidance for our area changes, we will adjust accordingly.
Register here for the 2021-22 school year.
For more information about Confirmation at St. Mark, please contact Pastor Katrina Steingraeber.
Middle and High School
Youth in 6th through 12th grade are invited to special events during the school year.
Summer fun events are scheduled Wednesday nights from the beginning of June to the beginning of August. We meet weekly at St. Mark from 6:30-8:00 P.M. There will be fun, games, faith and usually ice cream! There will be some service projects in the summer as well. Come meet the intern each summer at St. Mark!
High School
High School Ministry for youth meets Sundays from 6:30-8:00 P.M. at St. Mark.
There is time for caring conversations, that relate to life, faith, and our relationship with God. We do a rotation of summer trips (one each summer) the ELCA Gathering, a mission/service experience, and a high adventure trip.
Watch for special events when we meet with youth from around Rockford once a month.
Friends are welcome!
If you would like more information on upcoming youth events follow us on instagram, or e-mail melinda@stmarklc.com. You may also call or text Melinda Alekna 815-871-0390.
Summer Intern Program
Every summer, we have the unique opportunity to hire a college-age student from St. Mark to work our youth ministries and learn about leadership in the church. For more information about this program, contact Pastor Chad McKenna (prmckenna@stmarklc.com)
Adult education
Learning Hour on Sunday Mornings
Beginning on Sunday, September 19, during the learning hour we will have Sunday School downstairs, Fellowship over coffee and donuts in both the café and Fellowship Hall and a brand new Adult Forum in the Adult Ministry Room. This fall, the content of the Adult Forum will change from week to week, and you can expect to see opportunities for Bible studies, book studies, presentations from local agencies, and group discussions.
Men's Bible Study
Meets Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Common Grounds Cafe at St. Mark. All men are welcome!
Women's Bible Study
The women's Bible study will begin on Wednesday, September 15 at 9:00 a.m. at Stockholm Inn for breakfast. The regular meeting will be on September 22 at 9:00 in the Conference Room. The Bible Study is open to all the women of St. Mark and friends. The Bible Study is based on Scripture, discussion, and life experiences from the participants.
Theology Pub
Currently postponed until further notice.
New Members
St. Mark welcomes new members in the spring and fall after a brief 4-week class. If you are interested in becoming a new member of St. Mark, please contact the church office at 815-398-3557.
Small Groups
St. Mark offers small group ministries to encourage spiritual growth. The topics are constantly changing and new groups are beginning on a continual basis. Various small groups meet at varying times and days during the week at St. Mark or at members' homes. Please call the church office at 815-398-3557 if you are interested in becoming a part of a Bible/book study.
Diakonia will not be meeting at St. Mark for the 2020-21 school year.
Diakonia is a two-year process of spiritual formation and theological education for baptized members of the Lutheran church. For the 2020-21 year Diakonia is meeting virtually.
Please visit www.nisynod.org/diakonia for more information.
Music Ministries
Voices of St. Mark
This choir for adults and interested high school youth leads worship at 9:00 throughout the school year and rehearses Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm in the choir room.
For more information, contact Robert Rub at bob@stmarklc.com
Marksmen
This pick-up choir for men sings occasionally at 9:00 and 11:00 and rehearses on Sunday mornings before scheduled performances.
For more information, contact Robert Rub at bob@stmarklc.com
St. Mark Ringers
Our bell choir leads worship about once a month throughout the year.
Rehearses Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30 in the Bell Room.
For more information, contact Robert Rub at bob@stmarklc.com
Praise Ensemble
"Here and Now” is the Praise Band for St. Mark Lutheran Church. Formed in 2006, the band leads worship at the 11:00 A.M. contemporary service, as well as other festival services throughout the year. They even grace the 9:00 services with their presence every now and then.
The band also regularly performs concerts and at events around the Rockford area,
such as Kiwanis Brat Days.
Other Music Opportunities
If you sing or play an instrument, please contact Robert Rub at bob@stmarklc.com.
We would love to utilize your musical talents in worship.
St. Mark Concert Series
The Grand Groove Hotel
Friday, September 10 - 7:00 p.m.
Outside in the BIG tent behind St. Mark.
Free-will offering will be taken.
This special concert features an all-star lineup of talented jazz musicians, as the Groove Hotel becomes "Grand" when four additional guest musicians join the five-person ensemble. Enjoy an evening of fantastic music with upbeat funky, Latin and swing style of jazz.
Biblical Storytellers present The Gospel of Mark
Sunday, November 14 - 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. A free-will offering will be taken.
Before the stories of the Bible were composed as written literature, they were told around campfires, dinner tables, and banquet halls as ancient entertainment. On Sunday, November 14 at 3 p.m., a team of Biblical storytellers from the Chicago-area Prairie Wind Guild: Tellers of Sacred Stories will present The Gospel of Mark.
Christmas at St. Mark - Sounds of The Season
Sunday, December 5 - 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
The St. Mark Ringers and Voices of St. Mark, conducted by Robert Rub
Reception with homemade Christmas cookies after the concert.
A free-will offering will be taken.
2020 Christmas at St. Mark Concert - With God, All Things Are Possible
St. Mark's annual Christmas concert is available on our YouTube channel.
Outreach
The Outreach Committee strives to create opportunities for St. Mark members to reach out to those in need in our community. We have longstanding commitments, from our School Uniform Co-op at two public elementary schools to regular meals provided for local agencies. Our sewing group makes handmade blankets for local people in transition, including new Habitat for Humanity homeowners. We collaborate in the work done by Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries. And, we have regular in-gatherings and other opportunities for members of all ages to serve the city and our world in the name of Jesus Christ.
Barnabas Ministry
The Barnabas program teaches simple, effective ways to care for people. It offers a deep understanding of the issues people face at each stage of their life, and explains how to handle those issues through the best possible conversations in every situation. For more information regarding this ministry, please contact Pastor Chuck Olson, drchuckolson@hotmail.com.