Welcome to St. Mark’s!
Please JOIN US FOR WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY!
Join us in person or on Facebook or YouTube
9:45 AM for ENGLISH service with Communion
11:00 AM for Sunday School, Confirmation, and Watch & Pray
12:15 AM servicio EN VIVO en español
11:00 AM Sunday School and Confirmation classes this fall—learn more HERE!Midweek Eucharistic Liturgies
every Wednesday at 10:45 AM
"For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
What time is it in your life? Is it time to be planted, time to root, time to grow? If so, St. Mark's may very well be the place for you. We are a congregation planted in the Springfield community, rooted in the word of God, and growing in love for God and neighbor.
We welcome you into God’s House!
Our 4th Quarter Benevolence Campaign: The Lamb Center and FACETS
Happy October, and welcome to our 4th Quarter 2026 Benevolence Campaign. First, an update on how we finished the 3rd quarter, benefiting Lutheran World Hunger. We raised $6,964 for this specific benevolence, through your specific contributions, above and beyond any regular offerings. Thank you for your generosity!
Our 4th Quarter campaign, which will run through the end of December, supports the Lamb Center and FACETS. As we start to get some autumn evenings with a chill in the air, we are reminded that the cold winter months ahead are brutal for those who are homeless. You can contribute through our e-giving portal or by designating Quarterly Benevolence on your check/envelope.
FACETS is the nonprofit that coordinates the Hypothermia Week program in Fairfax County, in cooperation with many churches that take turns hosting our neighbors for a week at a time during the winter months. When you volunteer for the St. Mark’s Hypothermia week, the staff members you see supervising our guests are FACETS employees. We time this benevolence to provide resources to FACETS just before their peak season of winter support for those with housing insecurity issues. FACETS works year-round to provide emergency response, stabilization services for those who have lost jobs and housing, and transformational services to break the cycle of poverty. You can learn more about FACETS here.
The Lamb Center is located in Fairfax, VA, providing a daytime drop-in center for those experiencing homelessness. They provide clothing, laundry, showers, lockers, meals, nursing and dental care, pastoral care, and workforce development. The Lamb Center is expanding their mission, constructing a new housing community center, called Beacon Landing, to support those experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness. Our fellow members Hugh and Noreen Linnemann have been long-time volunteers at the Lamb Center. Please consider making a special donation to the quarterly benevolence this time in honor and remembrance of our Brother in Christ, Hugh, who passed away this past May. You can learn more about the Lamb Center here.
2026 Benevolence for Each Quarter
The Council approved the following charities for quarterly benevolence recipients for 2026:
Q1 – Food for Others / ECHO
Q2 – Caroline Furnace / Mar-Lu-Ridge / Joy Ranch
Q3 – ELCA World Hunger
Q4 – Lamb Center / FACETS
A Word of Caution!!!
To those of us who have keys to the church—and we all know this is an important responsibility! Please remember to check when leaving to ensure that this and any door you use is properly locked—especially Door #12 to the Fellowship Hall … THANK YOU!
Want to know our latest financial Update? … find it HERE!
From the Council President’s Desk …
Click HERE to see what’s new from the Council as well as the minutes from the November Congregational Meeting!
The "Watch and Pray" Bunch …
We meet every Sunday for 10-15 minutes after the English service at 11:00 AM in the Blue Room (outside of the Fellowship Hall) for prayers … won’t you join us?!
Every Tuesday at noon the Lunch Bunch meets in the Lounge for lunch (bring your own) and prayer. All are welcome.
Help for Disaster Relief—Eastern Europe and Ukraine
Looking for ways to help victims of the recent horrific earthquake damage in Eastern Europe and to assist Ukrainian refugees? The stories and images coming from these humanitarian crises are heartbreaking. Click HERE for more information, and you may donate online to assist in their efforts directly at https://community.elca.org/eastern-europe-crisis-response?_ga=2.266466318.1699478920.1646717665-1017767480.1646717665.
Do you need to change your electronic donation for 2026?
Click HERE to download the form to use to change the amount and/or frequency of your electronic donation to St. Mark's. Download it, print it, fill it in as needed according to the directions, and drop it into our church Treasurer’s box in the church office and the new information will be entered into the Vanco system.
Drivers needed for ‘Food for Others’
We are losing another driver and desperately need two drivers with a station wagon, small SUV, or larger car to pick up food once a month on a Tuesday late afternoon. The FFO Warehouse is in Merrifield near the post office. On your scheduled Tuesday, you pick up crates from St. Mark’s and go to the FFO Warehouse around 4:00 PM. When you get back to church, a team will be there to divide and distribute the food.
Please contact Nan Ackerman or Debbie Brown if you would be willing to share your time. Thank you for helping with this important ministry!
The teams also need extra help on Tuesdays from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM and we will be happy to train you. These teams are short-handed due to members with illness, and some with travel plans. Families are welcome to come work together. This is a great experience for teaching children to help others.
New This Week!
Click the indicated links to find out more information!
Sundays:
11:00 AM Children’s Sunday School—Rooms 216 and 218
11:00 AM High School—Room 215
11:00 AM Confirmation—Room 217
11:00 AM Watch & Pray—Blue Room
Wednesdays: 10:45 AM Midweek Eucharistic Liturgies
In person and online
⬅️ ⬅️ 2nd Fridays, 12:00 NOON—Bach’s Lunch Organ Recitals—THIS WEEK—FRIDAY, OCT 9th
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Formula and Diapers for the Reyes Family
Please help supply some of the essentials for the Reyes baby. Diapers (Newborn to size 2) and specific type of Similac formula—Total Comfort, Easy-to-Digest, Gentle Protein & Prebiotics—be would be very much appreciated. Please bring your donations to the table marked “DIAPERS AND FORMULA" in the Narthex. Thank you.
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October 18 at St. Mark’s … a busy sunday for our congregation for ALL of the following:
Support Our Youth at OKTOBERFEST
Sunday, Oct 18, 5:00 PM-7:00 PM Fellowship Hall
Come support the Youth Ministry and enjoy delicious German food! LEARN MORE HERE!
White House Ornament Sale Begins—LEARN MORE HERE!
Winter Clothing Drive for Wise, VA and Hazard, KY—LEARN MORE HERE! Bins in Narthex for collection …
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Flower Dedications for 2027
Flower dedications make possible the outstanding floral displays that grace the chancel area every week and are an opportunity to lift up a loved one or special occasion, or simply acknowledge the glory of God. Flower dedication forms are available in the narthex and at this link and a donation of $25.00 is requested for each dedication. Please return the completed form(s) to the church office by December 15 with a check payable to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for the total donation for all dedications.
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Family Movie Night — Everyone’s Invited!
Gather the whole family and join us for a fun-filled movie night on Friday, October 30, at 7:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall! We’ll be watching Disney and Pixar’s Coco (rated PG)—a colorful, heartwarming adventure celebrating family, music, and the memories that connect us. All ages are welcome, so bring your family and friends for a great movie and a wonderful evening together!
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The Pentagon 9/11 Survivor Plant Sharing
St. Mark's commemorated the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 with prayer, reflection, and uplifting care for one another. This unassuming philodendron began as a cutting from the original plant that sprouted from a charred pot of soil, and survived the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. Like the Survivor Tree at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, the Survivor Plant has become a symbol of resilience, renewal, and hope. Thanks to everyone who brought plants from our 20th Anniversary commemoration, we collectively shared 19 cuttings of The Pentagon 9/11 Survivor Plant. This resilient plant with heart-shaped leaves carries a unique meaning to everyone, including God's enduring love. Click HERE for some photos from that Sunday event!
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ESOL Classes Began in September!—Classes in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) began in September. We may have a need for child care workers. The classes are Tuesday and Thursday, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM. If you know of anyone who would be interested, please have them contact Julie Brimmer or the church office. Learn more HERE.
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RMD GIvers: Did you respond to our survey? Recently, we sent a mailing to those who donate a portion of their retirement account RMDs to St. Mark’s, asking for help in understanding your plans for the remainder of 2026. Thanks to all who have responded! For those RMD givers who have not yet replied, your responses would really help the Treasurer forecast our cash flow. Please feel free to communicate with Colleen at treasurer@stmarks-elca.org with any questions or discussion.
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St. Mark’s Annual Health Fair—Our Annual Community Health Fair was held on Saturday, August 15, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM, in the Parking Lot and Fellowship Hall. This is our biggest community event of the year, and we thank all the many helping hands who joined in to make it a success! Learn more about it and view photos HERE!
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Support for Lutheran Church of the Covenant (Dale City) after the fire in their building—learn more HERE.
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Click HERE for the form to dedicate flowers or one or more Sundays in 2026.
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Scheduling Appointments with ➡️ Pastor Triolo ⬅️
RECORDINGS of Catechism and Ancient Christian Teaching
Community Gateway Operating Hours
The Community Gateway is closed during the Montessori School operating hours and it will be open during evenings, weekends, and school holidays. St. Mark’s members may see more foot traffic during the daytime along our main entrance. If you have a church-related social services event that needs gateway access prior to 6:00 PM, please contact the Church Office, and Maritza will coordinate with the school. (The gateway will be opening early on Tuesdays for Food For Others.)
Reminder to Close Doors
Please remember to lock and close all doors behind you as you exit the building. This is especially true for group activities when it is not always clear who will be the last person to depart. Be sure someone with a key is available to lock up.
Visit our “CARE FOR NEIGHBOR” page …
Click HERE for information on St. Mark’s both
‘out-reach’ and ‘in-reach’ programs!
* * * A Special message from LIRS (Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service):
“Our Afghan Allies need your help.“ Click HERE to learn more … * * *
STEWARDSHIP SURVEY … WHAT GIFTS DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE?
CLICK HERE FOR ENGLISH SURVEY … CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH SURVEY … AND THANK YOU!
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HOLY COMMUNION… from the elements blessed at the Lord’s table at St. Mark’s on a recent Sunday, continues to be available by appoint. Click here to complete a short RSVP to be added to the distribution list and you will be contacted for an appointment.
Our current schedule is as follows:
9:45 AM, English Communion Liturgy
12:15 PM, Spanish Communion Liturgy
QUICK LINKS:
CURRENT NEWS …
Have news to share with the congregation? Send it via email to communications@stmarks-elca.org to be published in the appropriate publication—E-Messenger, This Week, our website, and our Facebook page. Deadline is Tuesday at 5:00 PM, for same-week publishing.
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Calendar Events and Information
Click HERE to go to our monthly calendar—select your view by Agenda, Week, or Month, or Print the current month.
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