A MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT

OF ST. MARK'S

CONSISTORY

 

MARCH 

2026

Taking time to sit in silence withno phones, electronics, TV, or other distractions is an important way to help restore your body, mind and soul.  Science has proven that taking this time gives your body a chance to heal, rejuvenate new cells, lower blood pressure and quieting the chatter in your head brings clarity.

 

There is so much noise in the world that it can become hard to slow down and really listen and hear God talking to us.  We are now in the 40 days of Lent, and it is a good time to slow down and become more focused on what God is telling you.  Lent offers a time for personal reflection, repentance and reconciliation.  It is truly a time to shut out the distraction of life and be okay in silence.

 

According to Rev. Patricia L. Hunter, associate in ministry at Mount Zion Baptist Church, "Lent is generally an uncomfortable season, because if we are serious about reflecting on our spiritual journeys, we must face our disappointments and those areas where our walk does not match our talk."  This really struck me.  As a society we spend so much time telling people what is wrong with the world and the people around us, we forget to sit in silence and focus on ourselves and what we can do.

 

So, are you ready to take the leap and start focusing on Lent?  There is so much to gain.  I truly believe by taking this spiritual journey, you will build a stronger relationship with God, yourself, and the people around you.  Start with small steps, take a little time each day to sit quietly and listen for God to speak to you.  It's a great time to do a devotion, read the Bible, pray, talk to God, sit in silence so you can hear God talking to you.

 

Blessings,

 

Heather Stone, Consistory President

"No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey,

you are always welcome here."

 

 

ST. MARK'S

UNITED CHURCH

OF

CHRIST

30 Pottsville Street

Cressona, PA  17929

570-385-0242

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2025

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Resuming on September 7, 2025

9:00 AM

Nursery through Elementary School-Age Children

WORSHIP DURING MARCH 2026

You are always welcome here!

MARCH 15, 2026

Fourth Sunday in Lent

"Restored"

One Great Hour of Sharing Offering

Worship     10:30 AM
Gospel Reading

John 9:1-41

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

The Pharisees Investigate the Healing

Spiritual Blindness

MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES

March 11

March 18

March 25

Lenten Soup Supper     5:00 PM

Worship     6:30 PM

IN ADDITION TO SUNDAY SERVICES, ALL SERVICES DURING LENT WILL BE LIVE-STREAMED -- ASH WEDNESDAY, MID-WEEK LENTEN SERVICES, MAUNDAY THURSDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY.

PLEASE CLICK ONTHE BUTTON BELOW TO VIEW THE SERVICE AT ST.JOHN'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

December 28, 2025

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PLEASE NOTE

Due to technical difficulties, St. Mark's live-stream of the Choral Musical (Cantata) "Once Upon a Morning" (June 1, 2025) was not recorded.  However, if you click on the button below, St. John's recording of the cantata is available for you to view.

 

PLEASE CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW TO VIEW

THE CANTATA "ONCE UPON A MORNING."

 

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THIS WEEK'S MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICE (MARCH 11) WILL NOT BE LIVESTREAMED OR RECORDED.

 

Click here for LIVE Worship Services
Sunday morning 10:30 am

 

Click on LIVE link above for the Fireman's Memorial Service

on Sunday, August 20th at 6pm

 

Click here for recordings of past worship services

PLEASE NOTE:

The KID'S KORNER has been moved to a separate page.  In the MENU, please click on KID'S KORNER and it will take you to the new page.  

CLICK ON "ABOUT US"

IN THE MENU.

Our faith is over 2,000 years old, but our thinking is not.

A MESSAGE

FROM

PASTOR JENNIE

FEBRUARY 2026

 

 

 All the Christmas and New Year's decorations are down.  We are only reminded that those holidays were only a few weeks ago by the left-over decorations now 50-80% off.  The same shelves that held Christmas decorations in October now give way to hearts, flowers, cards and gifts we might give to those we love.

 

As Christians we know, or should know, all about love.  After all, that is what Jesus taught those with whom he came into contact.  The two gretest Commandments He gave us are built around love:

LOVE GOD: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and mind. (Matthew 22:37-38)

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39)

 

Did you know that word "Love" is found in the four Gospels around 150-200 times depending on the translation?  But did you also know that when we get to the book of Acts, Acts of the Apostles, the word "Love" does not appear at all, not once!  Maybe it is because the word "Love" is nothing without a corresponding action. 

 

Today, we many times hear people using the word "Love" bery frequently but struggle to believe it because of their actions.  I must admit that at times I struggle only to find that my actions don't always express my love for my neighbor as I am commanded.  It is much easier to say a word than to live ther meaning of a word through our actions.  But we as Christians are not only called to "Talk the Talk" but also "Walk the Walk" and have our actiobns reflect our words.

 

So, as we are buying Valentine's Day cards or buying gifts for those we love, let us remember that Jesus did not say "Love" for one day or one month, but commanded us to Love God and Our Neighbor all year long!  May it be so!

 

Blessings,

Pastor Jennie

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

At the current time St. Mark's does not have a full-time pastor.  Pastor Kevin's last service with St. Mark's was September 15, 2024.  The transition team, consisting of members of both St. Mark's and St. John's, have completed the long profile for a new pastor.  The profile has been submitted to the Penn Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ and has been made available online for perspective candidates for pastor.  In the meantime, worship services are being conducted by the church's former pastor (1986--2006) Karl W. Jones and Pastor Jennie Strauch. 

OUTREACH

MINISTRIES

GO OUTSIDE THE WALLS

AND SERVE ALL PEOPLE

"Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit."

"TAKE ACTION, FOR IT IS YOUR DUTY, AND WE ARE WITH YOU; BE STRONG, AND DO IT."

EZRA 10:4 

Hello!  We are excited to describe to you the scope of our outreach ministry. The above commission and scripture embody St. Mark's role in its benevolent mission outreach. More details about our mission outreach can be found on the Ministries Page 0f this website. Without your support of the benevolent ministries of St. Mark's, none of this would be possible. Thank you again for allowing us to serve others!

 27%

LOCAL OUTREACH

St. Mark's plays an important role in providing assistance to those in need in the community of Cressona and the surrounding area.  In addition, the church is a member of the Schuylkill Haven and Vicinity Council of Churches that provides assistance to residents in the borough of Schuylkill Haven as well as the surrounding areas. 

Funds from St. Mark's 2021 Lenten and Easter Offerings support Locust Lake Ministries, the Lancaster Seminary Scholarship Fund, and the Council of Churches Utility Fund.

This year income from St. Mark's Advent/Christmas Offerings was designated for the Pottsville Soup Kitchen.

Through the end of 2021, St. Mark's has contributed over $2,284.00 to these benevolent ministries.

 73%

WIDER CHURCH OUTREACH

As a member church of the United Church of Christ, St. Mark's supports the work of the national church and its special and emergency offerings to help  those in need.  Also, the local church provides financial support to a variety of nondenominational assistance efforts. 

The ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Offering is received during the Lenten season.  OGHS  supports partners in countries with ministries that fund health, education and agricultural development,    emergency relief   and refugee ministries, both as a domestic and as an international response.

At Pentecost, St. Mark's participates in the STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH  Offering.

On World Communion Sunday in October, the church receives the NEIGHBORS IN NEED Offering.

In December, St. Mark's also participates in THE CHRISTMAS FUND, providing financial support to retired clergy.  A percentage of the church's Advent/Christmas Offerings is designated for THE CHRISTMAS FUND.

In addition, monies are received for GOD IS STILL SPEAKING  as well as other special offerings of the wider church outreach.

Through Church World Service, the church has participated in the Blanket Program and the Emergency Bucket Program.

Through the end of 2021,  St. Mark's has contributed over $4,822.00 to these special offerings and programs.

OUR CORE VALUES

01)

WE BELIEVE IN THE TRIUNE GOD.

Creator, resurrected Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world.

02)

WE BELIEVE THAT EACH PERSON IS UNIQUE AND VALUABLE.

It is the will of God that every person belong to a family of faith where they have a strong sense of being valued and loved.

03)

WE BELIEVE THAT THE UCC IS CALLED TO BE A PROPHETIC CHURCH.

As in the tradition of the prophets and apostles, God calls the church to speak truth to power, liberate the oppressed, care for the poor and comfort the afflicted.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

OUR IN-CHURCH MINISTRIES

EDUCATION MINISTRY

St. Mark's Education Ministry is a ministry dedicated to developing one's faith by helping others understand the Bible, by showing its relationship to everyday living, by encouraging loving relationships between all peoples, and by teaching the importance of stewardship and instilling Christian values. We would love for you to visit our ministry and see what it is all about. More details about our Education Ministry can be found on the Ministries Page of this website.

MUSIC MINISTRY

Music has been a part of St. Mark's worship since the formation of the church in 1876. Our services provide a wide variety of sacred music from classical to traditional to contemporary music. Throughout the year the choirs (vocal and handbell), guest instrumentalists, as well as our pipe organ and piano, enrich the worship experience.  More details about our Music Ministry can be found on the Ministries Page of this website,

​​​​​​​WORSHIP MINISTRY

The Worship Ministry of St. Mark's is overseen by the Worship Committee consisting of lay people and the  pastor.  The committee assists the pastor and the director of music in planning the regular Sunday services as well as special services during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Encouraging each person to be a part of the worship experience according to their gifts is a priority in St. Mark's family.  More details of the Worship Ministry can be found on the Ministries Page of this website.

CONTACT US

Phone: 570-385-0242
Address: 30 Pottsville Street

Cressona, PA  17929
The church office hours are 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
E-mail: stmarkscressona@gmail.com

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