Worship Services

First Sunday in Lent

Ash Wednesday Vespers

Transfiguration of Our Lord

Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

Third Sunday After Epiphany

2nd Sunday after Epiphany

Baptism of Our Lord

2nd Sunday after Christmas

Sermon:

Evening Prayer

Join us for livestreamed evening prayer tonight at 7:30 ET. https://www.facebook.com/stmarksnewhope

We will have a lesson from John 1:1–18 and a reading from Luther on the Godhead. Our hymn will be "O Christ, You Are the Light and Day" (LBW 273).

Here is an online jigsaw puzzle to work while you wait for the service to begin. 

First Sunday after Christmas

Sermon: Robed in Righteousness

God has clothed us with salvation because he has covered us with himself (Rom 13:14; Gal 3:27). Robed in his righteousness, the Church is given a new name (Rev 3:12-13), the name given to a bride in marriage—his name. For he is our bridegroom and redeemer (Ruth 3:9). We who were once under the condemnation of the law, now live under our redeemer’s wings, adopted into the family of God. Our bridegroom redeemer is the salvation of the whole world, a light to reveal God to the nations. 

Here's an online jigsaw of the Scripture graphic posted above. 

Christmas Eve

Sermon: This Love

God's love is a specific kind of love. Pastor Ryman's sermon will explain this love tonight, as well as how we know his love and receive it for ourselves. We will also enjoy Christmas Eve readings from the Scripture, and sing "Silent Night" to close the service.

Here's an online jigsaw of the Scripture graphic posted above. 

Evening Prayer

Join us for livestreamed evening prayer tonight at 7:30 ET. https://www.facebook.com/stmarksnewhope

We will have a lesson from John 1:19–28 and a reading from Luther on John the Baptist's confession. Our hymn will be "Now the Day is Over" (LBW 280).

Here is an online jigsaw puzzle to work while you wait for the service to begin. 

The Fourth Sunday in Advent

Sermon: The King of the Endless Now

God’s will is to build his anointed a house, a throne of an everlasting kingdom—and to do so by his steadfast love, not David’s industry. God promised to do this and he is faithful to accomplish it, for his faithfulness is established in the heavens. His promise is eternal, unchanging. We too, may rely upon him as the Rock of our salvation, and become strengthened through his gospel. The once hidden mystery of his kingdom is now revealed so that our obedience may be the obedience of faith in "The King of the Endless Now."

Here's an online jigsaw of the Scripture graphic posted above. 

Evening Prayer

Join us for livestreamed evening prayer tonight at 7:30 ET. https://www.facebook.com/stmarksnewhope

We will have a lesson from Philippians 4:2–9 and a reading from Luther on prayer. Our hymn will be "O Christ, To You, before the Close of Day" (LBW 277).

Here is an online jigsaw puzzle to work while you wait for the service to begin. 

The Third Sunday in Advent

Sermon: Oaks of Righteousness

Like little children, we cannot not dress ourselves; we cannot cover our sin. For Christ's sake, however, our Father's Spirit clothes us in righteousness and salvation. He has restored our fortunes and caused great joy, bringing us home from the far land of sin and death. No wonder we are to pray without ceasing, always giving thanks. He is coming again; the way has been prepared—and God is faithful to make us blameless in every way at his return. 

Here is an online jigsaw puzzle to solve while you wait for the service to begin.

Evening Prayer

Join us for livestreamed evening prayer tonight at 7:30 ET. https://www.facebook.com/stmarksnewhope

We will have a lesson from John 7:53–8:11 and a reading from GK Chesterton on forgiveness. Our hymn will be "O Christ, You Are the Light and Day" (LBW 273).

Here is an online jigsaw puzzle to work while you wait for the service to begin. 

The Second Sunday in Advent

Sermon: The Kiss

Human righteousness will never bring us peace. There will always be one more good work to do, one more ounce of contrition to be added. Something will seem lacking—and it is. That "something" is the righteousness that comes down from heaven, a righteousness imputed to those with faith in his faithulness instead of their own. 

Here is an online jigsaw puzzle to solve while you wait for the service to begin.

Evening Prayer

Join us for livestreamed evening prayer tonight at 7:30 ET. https://www.facebook.com/stmarksnewhope

We will have a lesson from Zechariah 9 and a reading from Luther on what takes place when God begins to make us godly. Our hymn will be "The King Will Come When Morning Dawns."

Here is an online jigsaw puzzle to work while you wait for the service to begin. 

The First Sunday in Advent

We are restored and saved in a most important way. God has come down in his Christ and saved us. This is that awesome deed that we could never have expected of him. But he does not stop there; he enriches us with good gifts to be used to bear fruit for his kingdom until he returns. He sustains us until that Day when he comes in the clouds with great power and glory to gather us with all the elect. This is his word to us, so we must be on guard, watching for his return. 

Here is an online jigsaw puzzle of Mark 13:26.

Vespers

Sermon: Salvation In Your House

Tonight, we will livestream the Service of Evening Prayer at 7:30pm ET. We will sing Vespers (LBW #142) and the evening hymn, "The Day You gave Us, Lord, Has Ended" (LBW #274). There will be a lesson from Luke 19:1-10, and a few words from Pastor Ryman. 

While you're waiting on the service to start, here's an online jigsaw to solve.

Christ the King Sunday

Sermon: The Conquering King

With the upturn in Covid cases, we continue to worship online this Sunday. The livestream will happen at 10:30AM ET at https://www.facebook.com/stmarksnewhope. You do not need a Facebook account to watch.

While you're waiting on the service to start, here's an online jigsaw to solve.

Vespers

Tonight, we will livestream the Service of Evening Prayer at 7:30pm ET. We will sing Vespers (LBW #142) and the evening hymn, "Abide with Me" (LBW #272). There will be a lesson from Luke 11:37-52, and a paragraph from The Augsburg Confession. 

While you're waiting on the service to start, here's an online jigsaw to solve.

The Twenty-fourth Sunday After Pentecost

Sermon: A Truly Woke Culture

With the upturn in Covid cases, we return to online worship this Sunday. The livestream will happen at 10:30AM ET at https://www.facebook.com/stmarksnewhope. You do not need a Facebook account to watch.

While you're waiting on the service to start, here's an online jigsaw to solve.

Vespers

Tonight, we will livestream the Service of Evening Prayer at 7:30pm ET. Susan will accompany us as we sing Vespers (LBW #142) and the evening hymn, "Now All the Woods Are Sleeping" (LBW #276). There will be a lesson from Revelation 8:1-13, and a few comments from Pastor Ryman on rubrics about silence. 

While you're waiting on the service to start, here's an online jigsaw to solve.

The Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon: And Give Thy Word Success

Vespers

Tonight, we will livestream the Service of Evening Prayer at 7:30pm ET. Susan will accompany us as we sing Vespers (LBW #142) and the evening hymn, "God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven" (LBW #281). There will be a lesson from Luke 9:1-17, and a few comments from Pastor Ryman. 

While you're waiting on the service to start, here's an online jigsaw to solve.

All Saints Sunday

Sermon: Everyone Present and Accounted For

We will observe All Saints Sunday, celebrating Christ Jesus in the lives of Carl Overcash, Peggy Simpson, Bill Bassinger, Gracie Rector, and Edith Shulenberger. 

While you're waiting on the service to begin, here's an online jigsaw to solve. 

Vespers

Tonight, we livestream the Service of Evening Prayer at 7:30pm ET from the Ryman home. Susan will accompany us as we sing Vespers and the evening hymn, "All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night" (LBW #278). There will be a lesson from Acts 27:9-26, and a reading from William Barclay's Daily Study Bible. 

While you're waiting on the service to start, here's an online jigsaw to solve.

Reformation Sunday

Sermon: An Eternal Gospel to Proclaim

We have an eternal gospel to proclaim that good news for the oppressed. Essentially, this good news is, be still and know that God is God. Therefore, we have nothing to fear—even death and the devil. God is a refuge and a fortress for those beset by the fear of sin, death, and the evil one. That refuge is Christ, for though no one is able to be right with God through works of the law, rightness (righteousness) has been by Christ fulfilling the law for us. That righteousness of God is faith in Jesus Christ, the righteous one (1 John 2:1). The new law is the law of faith. So, we are now able to “be still and know” that God is God, trusting in his word and continuing to believe that Christ alone is our righteousness.

Vespers

Watch the livestream of our prayer services on Facebook each Wednesday evening at 7:30pm ET. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. 

Join Susan and Pastor Mark for worship that features singing Evening Prayer (LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "Abide with Me" (LBW hymn 272), a lesson from the prophet Hosea, and a few words from Pastor Ryman.

The Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost

Our service of worship today includes chanted and spoken liturgy, readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels, the hymn "God of Our Fathers," and a brief message about having full conviction. 

Vespers

Watch the livestream of our prayer services on Facebook each Wednesday evening at 7:30pm ET. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. 

Join Susan and Pastor Mark for worship that features singing Evening Prayer (LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "Now the Day Is Over" (LBW hymn 280), a lesson from the holy Gospel of St. Luke, and a few words from Pastor Ryman.

The Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Sermon: What Are You Wearing?

Watch the livestream of our services on the parish Facebook page Sunday morning at 10:30am ET. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. The video is posted here following the livestream. 

Our service of worship today includes chanted and spoken liturgy, readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels, a new hymn, "God Has Invited All to Feast," and a brief message about not dressing like Jake from State Farm. 

Vespers

Watch the livestream of our prayer services on Facebook each Wednesday evening at 7:30pm ET. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. 

Join Susan and Pastor Mark for worship that features singing Evening Prayer (LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "O Christ, You Are the Light and Day" (LBW hymn 273), a lesson from Acts 16:16–24, a reading from The Large Catechism, and a word or three from Pastor about the Third Commandment.

The Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Sermon: Pursuing Righteoueness

Since we do not have a piano available today, we will use "Service of the Word" (page 126 in the Lutheran Book of Worship). If you do not have a copy, that's fine; just enjoy the service.

In place of the chanted liturgy and a hymn, we hope to offer the mountains of West Jefferson, NC, as backdrop.

Vespers

Watch the livestream of our prayer services on Facebook each Wednesday evening at 7:30pm ET. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. 

Join Susan and Pastor Mark for worship from their living room that features singing Evening Prayer (LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "O Trinity, O Blessed Light" (LBW hymn 275), a lesson from Acts 14:19-28, a reading from The Small Catechism, and a word or three from Pastor.

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon: Just Law and Just as Just Grace

Watch the livestream of our services on Facebook each Sunday morning at 10:30am ET. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. The video is posted here following the livestream. 

Our service of worship today includes chanted and spoken liturgy, readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels, the hymn, "When Peace Like a River," and a brief message about "Just Law and Just as Just Grace."

Vespers

Watch the livestream of our prayer services on Facebook each Wednesday evening at 7:30pm ET. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. 

Join Susan and Pastor Mark for worship from their living room that features singing Evening Prayer (LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow" (LBW hymn 282), a lesson from John 8:47-59, and a reading from Conrad Bergendoff's I Believe in the Church.

The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Sermon: Expecting Good Things

Watch the livestream of our services on Facebook each Sunday morning at 10:30am ET. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. 

Our service of worship today includes chanted and spoken liturgy, readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels, the hymn, "My Faith Looks Up to Thee," and a brief sermon on "Expecting Good Things."

Vespers

Watch the livestream of our prayer services on Facebook each Wednesday evening at 7:30pm ET. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. 

Join Susan and Pastor Mark for worship that features singing Evening Prayer (LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "To You, before the Close of Day" (LBW hymn 277), a lesson from John 6:1-15, and a reading from Studdert Kennedy's The New Man in Christ, and of course, a comment from Pastor Mark.

The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Watch the livestream of our services on Facebook each Sunday morning at 10:30am ET. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. 

Our service of worship today includes chanted and spoken liturgy, readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels, the hymn, "Holy God, We Praise Your Name," and a brief sermon on "Hiding in God."

Vespers

Watch the livestream of our prayer services on Facebook each Wednesday evening at 7:30pm ET. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. 

Join Susan and Pastor Mark for worship that features singing Evening Prayer (LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "Now All the Woods Are Sleeping" (LBW hymn 276), a lesson from John 4:1-26, and a reading from the Large Catechism with a comment or three from Pastor.

The Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Watch the livestream of our services on Facebook each Sunday morning at 10:30am ET. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. 

Our service of worship includes chanted and spoken liturgy, readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels, Martin Luther's hymn, "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word," and a brief sermon on "Feasting as We Follow."

The Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost

Sermon: What To Do When Life Looks Bleak

Our service of worship includes chanted and spoken liturgy, readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels, Samuel J. Stone's hymn, "The Church’s One Foundation," sung to the tune  “Aurelia,” by Samuel S. Wesley, John's and Charles' father, and a brief sermon on "What To Do When Life Looks Bleak."

Vespers

Join Susan and Pastor Mark for worship that features singing Evening Prayer (LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "The Day You Gave Us, Lord, Has Ended" (LBW hymn 274), a lesson from Matthew 27:45-54, and a reading from the Large Catechism with a comment or two. 

The Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost

Sermon: Keeping the First Commandment

Our service of worship includes chanted and spoken liturgy, readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels, John Marriott's hymn, "God, Whose Almighty Word," and a brief sermon on "Keeping the First Commandment."

Vespers

Join Susan and Pastor Ryman for evening prayer, featuring the singing of Vespers (LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow" (LBW hymn 282), a lesson from Joshua 8:30-35, a reading from Luther's Large Catechism, and a comment or two.

The Service of Evening Prayer livestreams Wednesdays at 7:30pm ET at https://www.facebook.com/stmarksnalc/. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. 

The Tenth Sunday in Pentecost

God speaks to us all when he answers Job out of the whirlwind. The God of all creation is in control. Even when our souls are poured out within us (Job 30:16), the Lord is our strength. When death assails us, even then he is in control of our lives. He has drawn us out of many waters already — even through baptism, the water of death (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27). So let us make the good confession of faith.

Vespers

This evening's service features the singing of the Service of Evening Prayer (Vespers, LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night" (LBW hymn 278), a lesson from Romans 11:25-36, and a reading from the Large Catechism with a comment from Pastor Ryman.

The Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

God makes an everlasting covenant, not simply with David but, with all whom he represents. When he says that he will make a covenant with “you,” that “you” is plural. This everlasting covenant, in Pauline terms, is with the Israel of God. That is how his steadfast love endures forever: it extends to all of the elect, the children of Abraham. He feeds all who follow him from the bounty of his stead

Vespers

This evening's service features the singing of the Service of Evening Prayer (Vespers, LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "Now All the Woods Are Sleeping" (LBW hymn 276), a lesson from Romans 9:1-18, and a reading from the Large Catechism with a comment from Pastor Ryman.

The Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

We are holy to the Lord because he keeps his covenant with us. He is the one who is faithful; it is not the other way around. So, we must have faith in him, in his faithfulness. This faith in God’s faithfulness fixes us, makes as immovable as a mountain, as the Rock who surrounds us like a fortress. Thus, we are able to do good without relying on our results. God turns even our mistakes into matte

Vespers

This evening's service features the singing of the Service of Evening Prayer (Vespers, LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "O Christ, You Are the Light and Day" (LBW hymn 273), a lesson from Romans 7:13–25, and a homily on what to do when you sin.

The Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

The Lord, the only God, is all we need. We need fear nothing in life, for his is a steadfast love. This does not mean there are no sufferings in the present time. It does mean that the divine Spirit helps in all our weaknesses. He even mediates for us before the Father when we do not know how to pray about our troubles. Indeed, the troubles of life will come. Eventually, judgment will come at the

Vespers

This evening's service features the singing of the Service of Evening Prayer (Vespers, LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "O Trinity, O Blessed Light," (LBW hymn 275), a lesson from Romans 4:13–25, and a reading by Martin Luther.

The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

The gospel seed is to be sown over the entire world. Even as the rain and snow that God sends down from the heavens brings forth fruit from the ground, sowers may trust God for the increase. It is through the Spirit, not our skill at sowing, that gospel seed takes root, and to mix metaphors, that people are adopted into the family of God. So it is with God’s word; it will surely accomplish God’s p

Vespers

This evening's service features the singing of the Service of Evening Prayer (Vespers, LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "Abide with Me," (LBW hymn 272), a lesson from Matthew 18:1–4, and a poem by Susan Ruach: "A New Way of Struggling."

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

It is a good thing that God is able to do what he purposes to accomplish. Paul could not do so; neither can we. But thanks be to God that though we delight in the law but cannot perform it, Christ has fulfilled the law. In other words, we cannot overcome sin by keeping the law, but Christ has overcome sin for us. We need but come to him to find rest for our souls and be at peace, knowing that beca

Vespers

This evening's service features the singing of the Service of Evening Prayer (Vespers, LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night," (LBW hymn 278), a lesson from Matthew 16:1–4, and a reading from Søren Kierkegaard's 'The Sickness Unto Death.'

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Vespers

This evening's service features the singing of the Service of Evening Prayer (Vespers, LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "Now the Day Is Over," (LBW hymn 280), a reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1–15, and another reading from Karl Barth's 'Come, Holy Spirit.'

The Third Sunday after Pentecost

“Trust and obey,” says the old hymn. Yet we might also sing, “Trust and abide.” Though one’s ministry is as unsatisfying as Jeremiah’s, as dangerous as David’s, as rigorous as Paul’s, or as treacherous as Jesus’, we are called to be obedient. Christ calls and we must obey, for we are in his service. This call is a call to deep disappointment, rejection, and death—but also great satisfaction, adopt

Vespers

The singing of the Lutheran Service of Evening Prayer (Vespers, LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow," (LBW hymn 282) by Paul Gerhardt and Heinrich Isaac, a reading from the Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 3:14–16), and another reading from Oswald Bayer's essay, "Silence Before God," from the latest issue of 'Lutheran Quarterly.'

The Second Sunday after Pentecost

Following on the heels of Gospel lesson for Trinity Sunday where Jesus sent the disciples into the world to baptize and teach, we see in today’s readings that all of God’s people are sent into the world as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation of proclaimers. We are to make a joyful noise unto and for the Lord. This reconciled priesthood of believers is being sent out as harvesters.

Vespers

The singing of the Lutheran Service of Evening Prayer (LBW page 142), along with the evening hymn, "O Trinity, O Blessed Light," (LBW hymn 275) by Ambrose, a reading from the Apostle John, and the reading of an ancient hymn by Hilary of Poiters

Trinity Sunday

The Holy Trinity is anticipated from the beginning. There, the Spirit is the first person of the Trinity to be named in Scripture, even before the Father. However, the one God (Deut 6:4) is expressed in the Hebrew with the plural elohim. Luke recounts Peter’s sermon, showing that our Lord Jesus Christ is divine. Part of our remembering the triune name of God is recalling with the psalmist that we

Pentecost Sunday

Wait for God. Too often, individuals and entire congregations rush ahead of the Spirit. They are determined to do things their way—even if that is the same old way, “the way we’ve always done it in our church.” But God is doing something new, and we may see it, if we wait. Without the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and his guidance (inspiration), we stumble, at best. Alcoholics Anonymous describes

Ascension Sunday

Vespers

In the midst of singing Vespers, readings from the Apostle Paul and from Elton Trueblood...

The Sixth Sunday of Easter

The Third Sunday in Lent

What do we use our mouths for—to grumble or to praise? We suffer a little and grumble about God or his servants. We thirst; we hunger; yet do we rejoice in our sufferings? Those who rejoice instead of complain, endure and ultimately, are refreshed and renewed through their hope in God. They have faith that he is able and willing to provide a veritable sea to gush from a rock, in order to satisfy their needs. He provided living water from the Rock of our salvation so that we need “never be thirsty again. Drink deeply—and rejoice.