The Gift of Being Present

An Advent/Christmas Worship Series

Advent Calendars and Devotionals

Advent is a special season of waiting and preparation for Jesus’s arrival on Christmas. Pick up devotionals for children and adults, and pop-up Advent calendars for children, from the church entrance (Door #2) or from the Gathering Area beginning in mid-November. Enjoy spending a regular time in reflection and prayer to experience the gift of being present with God, with yourself, and with your family during this busy season.

Churchwide Advent Study: Right Here Right Now

This Advent season, as our worship services explore “The Gift of Being Present,” we offer several opportunities to go more deeply into this theme by reading and discussing the book Right Here Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness by Amy Oden.

Books are available at St. Mark’s for $12 for group or individual study. 

This study offers a refreshing break to slow down and experience God’s presence during the holiday rush of errands, to-do’s, events, and appointments. Author Amy Oden shows how the practice of Christian mindfulness begins with the teachings of Jesus and continues throughout Christian history. Right Here Right Now also includes step-by-step instructions for the practice of Christian mindfulness today, to deepen our life of faith and the power of our mission of love in the world. When we understand how radical it is to live in God’s presence right here, right now, our lives are transformed toward mercy, justice and abundant life.

How can you get involved? See personal study resources at stmarkscarmel.org/adventresources or join a study group meeting on:

  • Wednesdays, 11/29-12/20 | 9:30-11am
  • Thursdays, 11/30-12/21 | 10-11:am
  • Fridays, 11/17 and 12/1-12/15 (no meeting 11/24) | 9:30-11am
  • Sundays in Foundations & Friendships class, 11/19 and 12/3-12/17 (no meeting 11/26) | 9:40-10:40am

Visit stmarkscarmel.org/adventresources for a personal study guide PDF and videos for each book chapter.

Holiday Assistance – Mission Opportunities

Adopt a Family for Christmas 2023

Would you or your small group like to sponsor a family in need this holiday season? This year, St. Mark’s is excited to be partnering with Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County to “Adopt a Family” for Christmas. Your family/group will need to provide children’s toys & clothing items, along with non-perishable food or a gift card for food, then deliver the gifts to the family the week of December 4. If interested, please contact Amy Adams at aadams@stmarkscarmel.org or 317-846-4912.

Event Calendar

Current Month

No Events

Christmas Eve Worship Services

Sunday, December 24

Christmas Eve Morning Worship

Sunday, December 24 at 10:30 AM

There will be one worship service on Christmas Eve morning, and all ages are welcome! Come as you are (jammies are encouraged!) to this all-church family Sunday as we welcome together the birth of Jesus. There will not be Kidz Church or nursery care available on this day.  This service will be live-streamed.

Christmas Eve Evening Worship Services

Sunday, December 24 at 5:00, 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 PM

Family Christmas Service

5 PM

All are invited to join this family friendly service. St. Mark’s kids are an integral part of this service. 

This service will not be live-streamed. 

Candlelight
(contemporary)

7 PM

Join us for our contemporary Christmas candlelight service. 

This service will be live-streamed.

Childcare is available for 5 years and under. 

Candlelight
(traditional)

9 PM

Join us for a traditional service of lessons, carols, and candle lighting on Christmas Eve.  Our pastors, musicians, and readers from the congregation will lead us through the Christmas story on this most sacred night of the year. 

This service will be live-streamed. 

Candlelight & Communion
(traditional)

11 PM

Join us for a traditional service of lessons, carols, candle lighting and communion on Christmas Eve.  Our pastors, musicians, and readers from the congregation will lead us through the Christmas story on this most sacred night of the year. 

This service will not be live-streamed.