St. Mark Lutheran Church (Wheeling, WV)

06/06/2026

Please join us tomorrow, the Second Sunday after Pentecost!
Services at 8:00 and 10:15 and led by Pastor Tim Crummitt
Word
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
First Reading: Hosea 5:15—6:6
Because the people have trusted in military powers and not God, God decides to withdraw from the scene until Israel acknowledges its guilt and seeks God’s face. The response of the people does not acknowledge this guilt and is as fickle as fog or dew burned away quickly by the sun. God desires loyalty rather than words or meaningless deeds.
15 I will return again to my place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face.
In their distress they will beg my favor: 6:1 “Come, let us return to the Lord, for it is he
who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up. 2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.
3 Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn;
he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.” 4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early. 5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light. 6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
A: The Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalm: 50:7-15(spoken)
7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak: Israel, I will bear witness against you;
​for I am God, your God.
8 I do not accuse you because of your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are always ​before me.
9 I will not accept a calf from your stalls, nor goats from your pens;
10 for all the wild animals of the forest are mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird of the mountains, and the creatures of the fields are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the whole world is mine and all that is
​in it.
13 Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and make good your vows to the Most ​High.
15 Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor me.

Second Reading: Romans 4:13-25
Paul presents Abraham as a living model of right relationships. For Abraham and for us, a right relationship with God involves trusting that God’s promises will be fulfilled because God makes the dead alive and calls into existence what otherwise does not exist.
13 The promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.
16 For this reason the promise depends on faith, in order that it may rest on grace, so that it may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (who is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”), in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), and the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 Therefore “it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 23 Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone 24 but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was handed over for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
A: The Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation.
Red Book Page 151
Alleluia Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.

Gospel Announcement
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew
C: Glory to you, O Lord.

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
Jesus demonstrates God’s mercy and power, accepting the unacceptable and curing the incurable. Even the dead receive new life.
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax-collection station, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.
10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with Jesus and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.” 18 While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. 20 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21 for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that moment. 23 When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the report of this spread through all of that district.
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.

06/03/2026

Check out Pastor Tim's sermon on the Trinity from this past Sunday!

Pastor Tim preaches on the Trinity at St. Mark Lutheran Church in W...

05/31/2026

Today, Pastor Tim explained the Holy Trinity. He told us this Sunday is sometimes jokingly called Heresy Sunday. He told us heresies are actually opinions or beliefs that are opposite established beliefs or official doctrines. Pastor let us know that this is actually his favorite Sunday. We read the Athanasian Creed which is much longer than the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed and explains the Holy Trinity, but is still sometimes a very hard understanding to grasp.
Pastor used two comparisons to help us understand. The first is that that God as the Father, God as the Son, and God as the Holy Spirit are at a table each at a seat. There is a fourth seat. It is a seat for you and me. This is our spot to take place in this Holy relationship.
The other is a comparison to a dance that God has invited us to join. At first, we dance poorly then we begin to dance with a smile on our face. We invite others, not so there are more people, but because we couldn’t imagine a world that we get to enjoy, but others don’t. Then we continue to ask others to join us.
Pastor Tim said the Holy Trinity can’t always be put into words, but can be shown to us by God. Follow him.

05/31/2026

Today was a very special Holy Trinity Sunday for seven of our members! Congratulations on your first communion, Ace, Alexander, Ava, Isaiah, Isla, Julien, and Lucas! Congratulations to Gregory who had his first communion class during the 8:15 service!

05/30/2026

Please join us tomorrow for the Holy Trinity!
Services at 8:00 and 10:15 and led by Pastor Tim Crummitt

Word
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
First Reading: Genesis 1:1—2:4a
At the beginning of time, God the Creator, God the powerful Word, and God the life-giving Spirit form the earth and all its inhabitants. God sees that all this created work is good and then rests on the seventh day.
1 When God began to create the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. 6 And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. 8 God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
9 And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. 14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17 God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. 20 And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” 21 So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. 24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind and the cattle of every kind and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, “Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” 27 So God created humans in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” 29 God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all their multitude. 2 On the sixth day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
4a These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

Psalm: 8
1 O Lord our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!—
2 you whose glory is chanted above the heavens out of the mouths of infants and children; you have set up a fortress against your enemies, to silence the foe and avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
4 what are mere mortals that you should be mindful of them, human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you have made them little less than divine; with glory and honor you crown them.
6 You have made them rule over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet:
7 all flocks and cattle, even the wild beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes along the paths of the sea.
9 O Lord our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Paul closes a challenging letter to the Corinthians with an appeal to Christian fellowship grounded in the triune harmony of Christ’s grace, God’s love, and the Spirit’s partnership.
[Paul writes:] 11 Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Be restored; listen to my appeal; agree with one another; live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20
After his resurrection, Jesus summons his remaining disciples and commissions them to baptize and teach all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him, but they doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

05/25/2026

What a great day at St. Mark on Pentecost Sunday!
The kids heard about Pentecost and this day representing the birthday of the church. Pastor lit the candle from his baptism.
The choir sang for all of us to see and hear. What wonderful music!
We heard that during Easter the lessons are from the New Testament and are about what God is doing next. On Pentecost, a divided tongue of fire - the Holy Spirit - rested on each disciple’s head. Not only did they speak in the languages of groups around the world, but they spoke in languages of all time and preached the Gospel. Pentecost shows that God isn’t done with us. There are great things that God is doing right now. Do you see it? Keep watching!

05/23/2026

Please join us tomorrow, Day of Pentecost!
We encourage you to wear red!
Services at 8:00 & 10:15 and led by Pastor Tim Crummitt
Sunday school at 9:00
Note: this will be the last Sunday school and nursery before summer break

God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
First Reading: Acts 2:1-21
Pentecost was a Jewish harvest festival that marked the fiftieth day after Passover. Luke portrays the Holy Spirit being poured out upon the disciples before the gathered and astonished people assembled in Jerusalem for the festival. Filled with the Spirit, the disciples were able to witness to the power of Christ’s resurrection.
1 When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ ”

Psalm: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
24 How manifold are your | works, O Lord!
In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full | of your creatures.
25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide, with its swarms too man- | y to number,
living things both | small and great.
26 There go the ships | to and fro,
and Leviathan, which you made for the | sport of it.
27 All of them | look to you
to give them their food | in due season. R
28 You give it to them; they | gather it;
you open your hand, and they are filled | with good things.
29 When you hide your face, | they are terrified;
when you take away their breath, they die and return | to their dust.
30 You send forth your Spirit, and they | are created;
and so you renew the face | of the earth.
31 May the glory of the Lord en- | dure forever;
O Lord, rejoice in | all your works. R
32 You look at the earth | and it trembles;
you touch the mountains | and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord as long | as I live;
I will praise my God while I | have my being.
34 May these words of | mine please God.
I will rejoice | in the Lord.
35b Bless the Lord, | O my soul.
Hal- | lelujah! R


Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
Paul is helping the Corinthians understand the relationship between our God-given unity and Spirit-created diversity. The Spirit creates the unity of faith and gives all Christians diverse gifts for the common benefit of all. We need one another’s diverse spiritual gifts because the same Spirit has given them to each person for the common good.
3b No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, 5 and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of powerful deeds, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Gospel: John 20:19-23
The risen Jesus appears to his disciples, offering them a benediction, a commission, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

05/17/2026

Today’s sermon, on the last Sunday of Easter, was based on the 16th and 17th chapters of John. Pastor Tim said that Jesus’s teaching and preaching before his death eventually turns to prayer. He prays for his disciples of all time and place. Jesus asks God for the ultimate gift of eternal life. This was made possible through His incarnation. We are not promised safety from harm on earth, but are given eternal protection.

During the children’s sermon, the kids learned about blessings.

05/17/2026

After the 10:15 service, approximately 30 members enjoyed lunch and fellowship at the Sisters in Christ Luncheon honoring the daughters of God. Thanks to the Women of the Church and the Events & Planning Committee! Thanks to all who donated diapers and baby wipes. A special thanks to Owen for helping Miss Carmen pull names for the door prizes. 💜

05/16/2026

Please join us tomorrow, the Seventh Sunday of Easter!
Services at 8:00 and 10:15 and led by Pastor Tim Crummitt
Sunday school at 9:00

Word
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
First Reading: Acts 1:6-14
Today’s reading is part of the introduction to the narrative of the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost. These verses tell of the risen Lord’s conversation with his disciples on the eve of his ascension, in which he promises that they will receive the power of the Holy Spirit.
6 When [the apostles] had come together, they asked [Jesus], “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

Psalm: Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
1 Let God arise, and let God’s ene- | mies be scattered;
let those who | hate God flee.
2 As smoke is driven away, so you should drive | them away;
as the wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the pres- | ence of
God.
3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice | before God;
let them also be mer- | ry and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to God’s name; exalt the one who | rides the clouds;
I Am is that name, rejoice | before God! R
5 In your holy habita- | tion, O God,
you are a father to orphans, defend- | er of widows;
6 you give the solitary a home and bring forth prisoners | into freedom;
but the rebels shall live in | desert places.
7 O God, when you went forth be- | fore your people,
when you marched | through the wilderness,
8 the earth quaked, and the skies poured down rain, at the presence of God,
the | God of Sinai,
at the presence of God, the | God of Israel.
9 You sent a bountiful | rain, O God;
you restored your inheritance | when it languished.
10 Your people found their | home in it;
in your goodness, O God, you have made provision | for the poor. R
32 Sing to God, O kingdoms | of the earth;
sing praises | to the Lord.
33 You ride in the heavens, O God, in the | ancient heavens;
you send forth your voice, your | mighty voice.
34 Ascribe pow- | er to God,
whose majesty is over Israel; whose strength is | in the skies.
35 How wonderful you are in your holy places, O | God of Israel,
giving strength and power to your people! | Blessed be God! R

Second Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
Our faith in Christ does not make us immune from the scorn of others. Nevertheless, we are to resist the designs of evil when we experience disparagement from others because we trust God’s grace will strengthen and guide us.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.


Gospel: John 17:1-11
On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus prays to his heavenly Father, asking that those who continue his work in this world will live in unity.
1 After Jesus had spoken these words [to his disciples,] he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5 So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
6 “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, 8 for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”