December 2025 – St. Mark's Online

December 20, 2025

Join us for our Christmas season services

We are planning two services:

4 p.m. — Contemporary family service

8 p.m. — Traditional candlelight service

Our office will be closed on Christmas Day and also on Friday, Dec. 26 so that our staff may enjoy the holiday with their families.

On Sunday, Dec. 28, we will have one 10:30 a.m. Unity Service, with Lessons and Carols. There will be no other classes on that day.

We hope to see you soon! If you are unable to attend in person, all of these services will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel.

A blessed Christmas to you!

December 13, 2025December 13, 2025

Join us at the Bellefonte Christmas Stroll!

Experience the warmth of the season on a holiday stroll filled with small-town charm, Christmas delights and the joyful spirit of community!

Come and join us for the Bellefonte Christmas Stroll, from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13 on Brandywine Boulevard in Bellefonte. The event is sponsored by St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and the Shops of Bellefonte.

The afternoon will include:

– Visits with Santa at the Brandywine Hundred Fire Company station (noon to 3 p.m.)

– Carolers strolling the streets

– Entertainment by local performers

– Holiday refreshments at each shop

– Donations of children’s winter clothing (ages K-5) will be collected

Hope to see you there!

December 1, 2025

It’s time for the Christmas Bazaar!

A scene from a recent Christmas Bazaar at St. Mark's

Save the date and join us for St. Mark’s popular Christmas Bazaar, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.

You’ll find unique handmade gifts and crafts, gift baskets, delicious soups and baked goods, floral arrangements, a fun Lionel train display and much more! A small collection of “white elephant” items also will be available — and who knows what you’ll find there?!

All are welcome to join us and admission is free. This is a one-day event that you don’t want to miss!

You also are welcome to participate in our annual Advent Prayer Vigil, which will be held simultaneously from 9 a.m. to noon in our Sanctuary. Advent music is the backdrop for silent prayer and meditation and an Advent Prayer Guide will be provided. Many find this a refreshing and meaningful interlude during the busy-ness of the holidays.

News & People

cross, ashes, palms, crown of thorns, purple cloth and the study title "Love Outpoured"

Join us throughout the Season of Lent

January 31, 2026

Lent is a time when we are invited to deepen our faith by engaging in different practices. Here at St. Mark’s, we will have several opportunities as we journey toward the cross. On Ash Wednesday, February 18 at 7 p.m., we will gather for worship in our sanctuary. Worship will include the imposition of ashes and the celebration of Holy Communion. The service will also be livestreamed to our YouTube channel for those who cannot join us in person. Pastor Kelley will also offer “Ashes to Go” throughout the day on Ash Wednesday. Depending on the weather, plans are to offer this from 8 to 9 a.m. on the front lawn, from noon to 1 p.m. in the parking lot and from 3 to 4 p.m. on the front lawn. Our mid-day Lenten midweek series begins Wednesday, February 25. We will gather for a short worship service based on the Lenten devotional “Love Outpoured.”

Joining our neighbors at PCOC for their final worship service

January 10, 2026

Please join us at 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, as we worship with our neighbors at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant (503 Duncan Rd.) to celebrate their more than 83 years of ministry in the Bellefonte community. It is a bittersweet meeting, as this will be PCOC’s final worship service as a congregation. They will close the doors of their church for the last time. We want to gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ to worship our Lord and honor and celebrate with joy the good work the PCOC congregation has done in this place. The service begins at 10 a.m., with a reception to follow. Please join us as we thank the Lord for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. We hope to see you there!

Join us for our Christmas season services

December 20, 2025

We are grateful for the significance of this Christmas season and rejoice to celebrate God’s most glorious gift — Jesus the Christ. We invite you to join us as we worship together on Christmas Eve! We are planning two services: the first at 4 p.m., a contemporary family service; the second at 8 p.m. a traditional candlelight service.