Upcoming Events
OCC Collection Week
The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Through this project, Samaritan’s Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Each shoebox makes a huge difference!
As the official collection site for Alamance County, we are looking for volunteers to help collect, pack, and load shoeboxes onto trailers.
Below, we’re offering two chances to serve: during Collection Week, and on Sunday mornings at our table in the lobby!
Monday, November 18 — Monday, November 25
Monday 8am-6pm
Tuesday-Thursday 12:30pm-5pm
Friday 12pm-7pm
Saturday 2pm-4pm
Sunday 12:30pm-4pm
Monday 8am-7pm
Questions about Collection Week? Email Coordinator.
Serve at our Lobby Table on Sundays from 8:30-9am, 10:15-11am, or 12-12:30pm from now until November 17!
Questions about serving on Sundays? Email Coordinator.
Ben Fuller Concert
Friday, November 22 | 7pm | St. Mark’s Worship Center
In partnership with Hope Radio, come see Christian artists Ben Fuller and Brennley Brown perform at St. Mark’s on Friday, November 22. Learn more about Fuller and his music here!
Men’s Coffee + Co-Op
Starts Tuesday, September 10 | Coffee Fellowship 6:15am-6:45am | Mission Café
Men—there’s a new opportunity to dive into community on Tuesday mornings at St. Mark’s! Our Men’s Coffee and Co-Op is an elective-based experience providing multiple ways to engage in fellowship over a cup of coffee, studies, and even an early morning workout. You can come to any or all of these, but we hope you don’t miss this chance to connect with other guys in our community!
Coffee fellowship from 6:15-6:45am at the Mission Café will be the central hub of the morning. Come get to know and hang out with other men over coffee.
Before this, there will be an F3 (Fitness, Fellowship, Faith) workout from 5:30-6:15am, in the ballfield parking lot. Come out and build relationships—and your fitness level—at the same time!
After coffee fellowship, choose from book and Bible studies from 6:45-7:45am, will help deepen your faith with a variety of options to engage in together.
Candles and Carols
Sunday, December 1 | 4:00pm & 6:00pm | Chapel
Come help us kick off our countdown to Christmas with candles and carols! Everyone is invited to join us for hymns and prayer to begin our Advent season. There will be two services, at 4pm and 6pm.
Between services at 5pm in the lobby, our Elder team will be serving pizza, cookies, and hot chocolate. Bring the whole family out for a festive and fun time together!
NewSong’s Very Merry Christmas Tour
Thursday, December 5 | 7:00pm | St. Mark’s Worship Center
Join NewSong, Katy Nichole, and Micah Tyler for the Very Merry Christmas Tour, sponsored by Hope Radio! Doors open at 6pm and the concert starts at 7pm. See you there!
Senior Christmas Brunch
Saturday, December 7 | 9:30am-11:30pm | Atrium
Senior adults, join us for a special Christmas Brunch! We’ll have pancakes, eggs, hash browns, coffee, and a special Christmas sing-along after brunch with a special musical guest.
Women’s Christmas Brunch
Saturday, December 14 | 10am | St. Mark’s Atrium
In the midst of all the chaos that Christmas can bring, take some time out with the women of St. Mark's to enjoy a morning of carols, community, fellowship, and food. Please bring your favorite Christmas brunch dish to share.
We'll be joined by one of our mission partners, Crossroads, and we would love for you to consider bringing an unwrapped toy and/or toiletries for the ladies they support.
You're also welcome and encouraged to bring a friend! This will be an enjoyable time celebrating together our Savior's birth this Christmas season!
Live Nativity and Petting Zoo
Sunday, December 15 | St. Mark’s Ball Field | 2-4 pm
Our Live Nativity and Petting Zoo is free, and fun, for the whole the community! Come out and invite your friends for an interactive live nativity, including a petting zoo with over 25 animals, face painting, hot cocoa, and Christmas cookies.
Christmas Services at St. Mark’s
December 23 at 7pm | December 24 at 3, 5 & 7pm
Come worship and celebrate Jesus’s birth with us at one of our four memorable services. During each service, we will also provide an engaging children's experience your kids won't want to miss! We can’t wait to see you there!
Rich Stearns (Message + Author Luncheon)
Storytellers: Rich Stearns
Join us Sunday, January 5th as we hear a message from Richard Stearns—author of Unfinished, The Hole in Our Gospel, and Lead Like It Matters to God, President Emeritus of World Vision USA, but most importantly, Pete’s dad!
Then from 12:30-2pm, join Richard for a special luncheon and book signing in partnership with Things Above bookstore in Graham! Cost for the luncheon is $10 per person, $25 per family.
This event was rescheduled from our Storytellers series in August.
Connect Lunch
Connect Lunch | Sunday, January 12 | 12:30-2:00pm | Atrium
Connect is the best place to learn what our church believes and to step more fully into the St. Mark’s community.
Join us for lunch after our second service and get to know some members of our staff and elder team, learn more about St. Mark’s, and our Connect Class starting on January 19.
Learn more about Connect Class here!
Apprentice: The Good and Beautiful God
Tuesdays | 6:30-8:00pm | Green Room | Starts January 28
Our thoughts about God determine who we are and how we live. In the Good and Beautiful God study, we'll turn to the Gospels and put our narratives to the test to see if they match up with what Jesus himself reveals about God.
Over the course of 10 weeks, explore The Good and Beautiful God - the first book by James Bryan Smith in the Apprentice series.
You'll grow in your understanding of who God is, and what it means to follow Jesus while living in community with other followers as part of God's kingdom.
Childcare available (please register)
The Critical Journey
Saturday, November 16 | 8:30am-3pm | Atrium
We are all on a critical journey. It is a challenging, lifelong process, and we can only walk it with the help of companions and guides. This one-day retreat led by Fil Anderson offers the opportunity to unpack the stages of faith and spiritual formation: a way to deepen our faith and let go of all that is in the way of intimacy with God.
The Critical Journey is a process that requires us to welcome vulnerability and uncertainty, and ultimately leads us to surrender to God’s love. There, we find forgiveness, healing, acceptance, and, in later stages, stillness, wholeness, peace, and the ability to love others compassionately and selflessly.
Join us for a meaningful, lively, and experiential exploration of The Critical Journey.
High School Beach Retreat
Our annual fall retreat for our high schoolers is back! Just like last year, we are renting a beach house in North Myrtle Beach for a weekend full of growth, fun, and memories. Students will spend the weekend engaging with small groups, eating family-style meals, enjoying the beach, and growing in their faith.
This trip is designed to help students get more plugged in with one another, as well as help students prepare their faith for their adult years. We'll be tackling hard questions and exploring how to have a practical faith—all while enjoying the beautiful beach.
When: We leave St. Mark’s at 4pm Friday, November 15 and will arrive back at St. Mark’s at 2pm Sunday, November 17.
Price: $179 Early bird (first 20 registrants); $199 Regular
Questions? Contact Shawn.
Elon Student and Faculty/Staff Lunch
Sunday, November 3 | 12:15pm | St. Mark’s Atrium
Elon students, faculty, and staff—lunch is on us! Immediately after our 11am service on November 3, join us for lunch as you connect with other members of the Elon community. Get to know other students and staff you see on campus and in the classroom right here at St. Mark’s, another place you bELONg!
Global Missions Weekend
Friday, October 25 — Sunday, October 27 | St. Mark’s
Join us over the weekend of October 25-27 for a variety of events focused on Global Missions and our global mission partners. Below you’ll find the ways you can participate and engage in our global missions with your family or groups right here at St. Mark’s!
Friday, October 25 | 7pm | Family Movie Night and Global Missions Discussion
Join us in the Student Center to kick off the weekend with Blue Miracle, a movie for all ages that introduces the importance of global missions with a story you won't forget! This event, including popcorn and drinks, is FREE!
Saturday, October 26 | 10am | Feed the Hunger Pack-a-thon
Help pack meals for the hungry in Western NC and around the world! This is an all-ages event that makes a difference. Donation of $5 per person is suggested—this buys a Bible to be delivered with meals.
Sunday, October 27 | 12:30pm | Missions Partner Luncheon
Wrap up Global Missions Weekend with a luncheon with several of our mission partners that serve around the world! Hear their stories and ask questions. Cost is $10 per person and $25 for families.
Rise Weekend (Middle School)
Rise Weekend is a week's worth of camp fun, all in one weekend put on for our 6th-8th graders. We head to Chestnut Ridge Camp for a weekend packed with live worship, crazy competitions, memorable activities, teaching, small groups, and so much more.
This weekend is designed to set a small group foundation for the rest of the school year. Our theme this year is “A.I. Artificial Identity” Life. Middle School is filled with a number of things that promise to give a student identity and value, but we want our students to find it in Christ!
This year, Rise Weekend will be hosted at Chestnut Ridge Camp, a 30-minute drive from St. Mark’s. This is an all-inclusive event—all meals and activities are included in the price.
Price: Early bird $160 (limited to first 20 registrants); Regular price $180
Drop-off: 5pm on Friday at Chestnut Ridge Camp on October 25
Pick-up: 1pm on Sunday at Chestnut Ridge Camp on October 27
Questions? Contact Shawn.
Guys’ Golf Fellowship Event
Tuesday, October 22 | 5:30-9:00pm | I-85 Golf (2515 Cherry Lane, Haw River, NC)
Join us for a night of great local BBQ from Steve's Smokehouse and fun at the 1-85 Golf Driving Range & Miniature Golf.
$30 covers 2 meats and 2 sides from Steve's, along with friendly team competition on the driving range. Get a few friends together and sign up below!
Women’s “Sip and Paint”
Thursday, October 17 | 5:45pm | Location Change: St. Mark’s Atrium
St. Mark's Women, let's Sip & Paint! Join us for an evening of sipping hot cider and painting a beautiful autumn scene (see above) with our friends from Painted Grape. All skill levels are welcome. This will be a night of fun and friendship you don't want to miss.
Cost is $25.
Embrace Grace Baby Shower
Sunday, October 6 | 1:30pm | St. Mark’s Atrium
Embrace Grace helps women experiencing unplanned pregnancy find a place of belonging within the church. On Sunday, October 6 we will be holding a baby shower for the mothers we are supporting. You’re invited to “adopt a mom” and bring gifts to shower their baby!
Commissioned Vision Night
Wednesday, October 2 | 6-8pm | St. Mark’s Church
Calling all of our amazing volunteers! Join us for a time of worship, commissioning new volunteers, and celebrating our partnership “together for the Kingdom.” After an hour together in the Worship Center, we will break out into smaller groups by ministry area. Mission Café will be open all evening!
Cars at the Café
Saturday, September 28 | 9am-2pm | Mission Café and St. Mark’s Parking Lots
Come out and view a variety of classic cars, from muscle cars and trucks and grab a coffee from the Mission Café!
Awards will be given for multiple categories. On-site registration to enter a car begins at 8am. $10 to show your car, $25 to enter for a prize.
Child Baptism & Dedication
Sunday, September 22, 2024 | During our 9am and 11am Services
Child Dedication is a special time in a family's life where parents say to their church family and community that they want to raise their children, putting God first in all that they say and do. We are excited to partner alongside parents as they navigate what this looks like in their home.
There will be an online parent meeting Wednesday, September 18. Once you register, our Family Ministry team will reach out to you to schedule this meeting.
If you have questions, please contact Mollie Vaughn.
Senior Social: Music “B”ingo
Friday, September 20 | 1-2:30pm | St. Mark’s Atrium
Come out for a senior adult social as we celebrate the music of the ‘B’ bands! We will be playing music bingo with music from the Beach Boys, Beatles, and the Bee Gees! Prizes will be awarded!
Everyone bring a treat to share! Please RSVP by clicking the button below.
Pat Barrett Live in Concert
Pat Barrett’s “The Beautiful Life Tour “ is coming to St. Mark’s Community Church!
With a full band, Barrett will blend some of his classic songs like Build My Life and Good Good Father with some brand new tunes (Shelter, Praise Him, and Seen Known Loved) in a concert experience inspired by the book of Ecclesiastes. This will be a space for worship, communion, celebration, and encouragement that you won’t want to miss.
Block Party
September 15 | 12:30-2:00pm | St. Mark’s Ballfield
Everyone is invited to our FREE, 2nd annual community Block Party to celebrate the new fall season! We will have food trucks, bounce houses, raffle prizes, a DJ, and games at the ballfield on St. Mark’s Church Road. Come out and invite all of your friends and neighbors to join!
There’s no need to register to attend this event, but we need volunteers to make it possible for the community. If you’d like to serve, please click the button below!
Storytellers Series
Storytellers: Testimonies of Impact
Join us July 28th through September 1st as we hear messages from the following speakers:
July 28 - Rev. Dr. James Wilkes (Lead Pastor, Elon First Baptist)
August 4 - Baptism Service at Lake Cammack
August 11 - Shawn Colacchia (Student Ministry Director, St. Mark’s)
August 18 - Suanne Camfield* (Author and First Impressions Director, Christ Church, Oak Brook, Ill.)
August 25 - Rich Stearns* (Author and President Emeritus of World Vision USA)
September 1 - Fil Anderson (Author and Spiritual Formation Pastor, St. Mark’s)
*Following the second services on August 18 and August 25, join Suanne Camfield and Rich Stearns, respectively, for author luncheons and book signings. Register for each luncheon using the buttons below:
Elon Tailgate Party
Friday, August 30 | 7:00pm | St. Mark’s Front Patio
Our Elon Tailgate party is back! Join us on the patio off of Willow Oak Drive as we watch Elon's season opener against Duke (kickoff is at 7:30).
Come whether you like football or not—we'll have food and fun! This event is for everyone as we come together as a community.
Suanne Camfield (Message + Author Luncheon)
Storytellers: Suanne Camfield
Join us Sunday, August 18th as we hear a message from Suanne Camfield, author of The Sound of a Million Dreams, host of the Deeper Still podcast, and Staff Preacher at Christ Church in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Then from 12:30-2pm, join Suanne for a special luncheon and book signing in partnership with Things Above bookstore in Graham! This event is hosted by the St. Mark’s Women’s Ministry but open to all.
Cost for the luncheon is $10 per person, $25 per family.
Back 2 School (Celebration)
Saturday, August 17 | 5-7pm
Burlington Athletic Stadium, home of the Sock Puppets!
Help us during this 10th anniversary year of our fun-filled event for the students and families of Eastlawn Elementary School where we provide a backpack filled with school supplies and a Bible for each student. There will be free food, face-painting, mascots and princesses, snow cones, and more! Food for families to take home will be provided by Feed the Hunger. We need your help!
We’re offering several opportunities to serve. Click here to help us load in at St. Mark’s at 1pm before the event, or click here to help us unload back at St. Mark’s at 7:30pm after the event! Click below to serve at the Back 2 School celebration!
Click below to give! We hope to raise $50,000 to cover the cost of 1,000 Backpacks filled with school supplies and 300 Bibles.
Back 2 School (Backpacking Party)
Join us Thursday, August 15th from 7-8pm in the Lobby and Atrium to pack the backpacks we will be giving to children at our annual Back 2 School outreach event at Burlington Athletic Stadium, home of the Sock Puppets! This is our Back 2 School event’s 10th anniversary!
If you’d like to help set up to pack on Wednesday, August 14th from 4-7pm, sign up here. We will provide dinner!
Click below to serve with us!
Click below to give! We hope to raise $50,000 to cover the cost of 1,000 Backpacks filled with school supplies and 300 Bibles.
Carowinds (Middle and High School)
Our annual trip to Carowinds with all of our middle school and high school students is Monday, August 5th!
We will depart St. Mark’s at 8am and arrive back at St. Mark’s at 9pm, after a full day of fun rides, games, and everything in between!
Bus and park ticket is included in the $75 cost, but food is not.
Note: If you have a season pass and only need bus fare, reach out to Shawn for a discount.
Baptism at Lake Cammack
Sunday, August 4 | Baptism at Lake Cammack | 9:30am
*No on-campus services*
Join us: Lake Cammack Park | 4790 Union Ridge Road, Burlington, NC 27217
Special service at 9:30am, followed by baptism and picnics.
What to bring:
Camp chairs and/or picnic blanket
Picnic food and/or money for food trucks
Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat
Drinking water
To sign up to be baptized, click the button below! To learn more click here.
*Pre-registration ends Wednesday, July 31. Walk-up registration available Sunday, August 4 at Lake Cammack (7:30-8am).
Connect Lunch
Connect is the best place to learn what our church believes and to step more fully into the St. Mark’s community.
Connect Lunch | Sunday, June 23 | 12:30-2:00pm | Atrium
Join us for lunch after our second service and get to know some members of our staff and elder team, learn more about St. Mark’s, and our upcoming Connect Class in September.
Learn more about Connect Class here!
Touch-a-Truck
Join us for Touch-a-Truck at St. Mark’s Community Church!
The Saturday before Father’s Day, we’re inviting the community to come out for trucks, bounce houses, face painting and more!
Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your family’s friends, and your friend’s families! This free event will be fun for kids of all ages. Come out anytime between 9am and 1pm—we will have a low-sensory hour from 9 to 10am for children who are sensitive to visual and audio stimulation.
College Scholarship Applications
April 6-June 1
Students! Did you know we have scholarship opportunities available as you're thinking about college? Even if you're a current college student looking for ways to lighten the financial burden, we want to hear from you! Fill out the application form below, or reach out to Nick or Shawn to find out more info.
Ladies’ Night Out (Line Dancing)
A Women’s Event on Thursday, May 23 | 6:00-8:00pm
Grab your fun Hawaiian-themed attire and join us for a fun night of Line Dance lessons taught by Carol Oakley. Doors open at 6pm, dancing will start at 6:30pm. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided!
Cost: $5. Childcare is available.
Commissioned Cookout
Wednesday, May 22 | 5:30-7:00pm | St. Mark’s Front Patio
We're so grateful for the many people who serve across various ministries at St. Mark's Community Church, and we want to celebrate your spirit of service that makes up our church community! Join us for a volunteer appreciation cookout with fun surprises in store for the celebration.
Arts Collective: Seasons of Life—The Art of Change
Seasons of Life: The Art of Change
Wednesday, May 1 | 6:00pm | St. Mark’s Lobby
Open to all local artists—come display an artwork, read a poem, or perform a piece of music that reflects your interpretation of the verb “changing.”
Artists may want to focus on seasons in the natural world, or any life experiences in which you have been changed, and are still changing. How has God been present and active during these seasons in your life?
This event is for everyone! Come enjoy time with your family, friends, and community viewing the artwork and listening to live readings and music.
Note: Registration deadline to submit artwork is April 21.
Ladies’ Retreat at St. Mark’s (Location Change)
Our culture has lost what it means to retreat, and we want to reclaim it.
Senior Social
Friday, April 12 | 1pm | St. Mark’s Atrium
Senior adults, make plans now to join us to hear Elvis tribute artist Wayne Euliss performing a variety of Elvis songs including some gospel hymns.
Please register for free by clicking the button below
Easter Sunday
March 31 | Worship Center | 9am and 11am
Join us this Easter at St. Mark’s Community Church as we are reminded that the way of Jesus is a way of rest, recovery, and redemption. In the resurrection of Christ, we find new life – we are born again in the grace of our Savior!