Second Sunday of Advent 12/7/2025
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DECEMBER 7, 2025
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA
✠ ✠ ✠
PRELUDE Es ist ein Ros entsprungen Johannes Brahms
ENTRANCE HYMN (Stand) Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming LSB 359
1 Lo, how a rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As prophets long have sung,
It came, a flow’ret bright,
Amid the cold of winter,
When half-spent was the night.
2 Isaiah ’twas foretold it,
The rose I have in mind;
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright,
She bore to us a Savior,
When half-spent was the night.
3 This flow’r, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness ev’rywhere.
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens ev’ry load.
4 O Savior, child of Mary,
Who felt our human woe;
O Savior, King of glory,
Who dost our weakness know:
Bring us at length we pray
To the bright courts of heaven,
And to the endless day.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sin, be our advocate in heaven, and bring us to eternal life. Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith, resolved to keep God’s commandments and to live in love and peace with all.
(We kneel)
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we confess that we have sinned against You and against our neighbor in thought, word and deed; through negligence, through weakness, and through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us on the cross, forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may serve You in newness of life, to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son ✠ and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
KYRIE (Kyrie eleison means “Lord have mercy”) (Stand) LSB 943
Kyrie, Kyrie eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie eleison.
For peace in our hearts as we gather for worship, and for the peace of the whole world and the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord:
Kyrie, Kyrie eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie eleison.
For the proclamation of the Gospel in this and every place and for the calling of all to faith, let us pray to the Lord:
Kyrie, Kyrie eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie eleison.
For grace to await our Lord’s coming again in glory, and for the joyful anticipation of his coming into our hearts today, let us pray to the Lord:
Kyrie, Kyrie eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie eleison.
HYMN OF PRAISE (omitted during this penitential season)
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. Stir up our hearts, O Lord,
to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be
enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who
lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON (Be seated) Isaiah 11:1-10
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
(8:00) PSALM 72:1-7 (Sung responsively)
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the royal son!
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!
Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness!
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the children of the needy,
and crush the oppressor!
May they fear you while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth!
In his days may the righteous flourish,
and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
(10:30) ANTHEM Jubilation Choir And a little Child Shall Lead Them Richard Leach / Roy Hopp
The Lord has said a day will come when wolf and lamb will live in peace.
As God renews and mends the world, the leopard lies down with the kid,
the lion walks beside the calf.
Refrain:
And a little child shall lead them, a little child shall love them,
a little child shall show them the reign of God has come.
The Lord has said a day will come when even people are at peace;
and turning to the Lord, at last, they find the life they had not know,
but longed and looked and waited for. Refrain.
The Lord has said a day will come when earth is full of knowing God
as seas are full of water now; and in this knowing there is peace,
there is peace for all who dwell upon the earth. Refrain.
SECOND LESSON Romans 15:4-13
Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”
And again it is said,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.”
And again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
(10:30) CHILDREN’S SERMON
GOSPEL VERSE (Stand) LSB 349
Hark the glad sound! The Savior comes,
The Savior promised long;
Let ev’ry heart prepare a throne
And ev’ry voice a song.
GOSPEL Matthew 3:1-12
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 3rd chapter.
Glory to You, O Lord.
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’”
Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ:
In the year 1837, as the slow and painful settlement of the American West was starting to ramp up, a child named James was born on a farm in Northen Illinois. It didn’t take long for James to be drawn to the criminal lifestyle that was so prevalent at that time. And at the age of 18 he headed west as a fugitive from justice, finding work as a stagecoach driver. When the Civil War arose, he served as a spy for the Union army. After the war he found work as a lawman (ironically!), serving as a sheriff in the frontier territories of Kansas and Nebraska. There he developed a reputation for getting involved in gunfights and leaving many victims. Later in life, he became an actor and a professional gambler. He was eventually shot in the back at a poker table in Deadwood, South Dakota, where he died.
Most of us know this man by the nickname he gave himself early in life. That name no doubt helped lead to his great fame. But of course, it was his actions that ultimately caused Wild Bill Hickock to become so well known.
I share this story about Wild Bill because the man in today’s Gospel reading, were he not already known as a baptizer, might have been called Wild John instead. John’s actions were wild in many ways, though not in the same way as Bill’s.
John was wild, first of all, because he lived in the wilderness. People from the cities and towns had to travel out to that rough country to find him.
But it wasn’t just his wilderness environs that made him wild. John also ate locusts and wild honey – a diet both unique and strange.
Then there were his clothes. John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. These marked him as wild because of their ruggedness and simplicity, but also because they matched the attire of some of Israel’s former prophets, including Elijah.
The wildest thing about John, however, was certainly his message. His message was urgent, direct and certain. And it attracted large crowds of people.
Since the church has us read about John next Sunday too, we won’t cover his entire message in today’s sermon. Instead, we’ll use those three descriptors I just gave to help us think about how his message should impact us. John spoke with urgency, directness and certainty for important reasons. We should take note.
The urgency of John’s message is seen in his sermon’s very first words. There we hear John say: “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
The phrase “at hand” translates a word that literally means “has come near.” And either translation works well to express the ambiguities of time and space that John intends.
Regarding the ambiguity of time, the kingdom that John mentions is both here already and coming soon. It’s now and not yet.
Regarding the ambiguity of space, the kingdom is present before our eyes but also yet to be seen. It has appeared before us visibly, in Jesus, the Son of God. But it is not yet fully realized, because it will also grow and expand and include those who follow him. And when he comes again in glory, it will be seen by everyone.
The urgency of the kingdom comes because time is involved. In the ministry of Jesus, God was doing something right then and there. And it was not to be missed. The people of John’s day were to look for this ministry and heed its message. Jesus was “near” to them – possibly still up in Galilee, or maybe already on his way to the Judean wilderness. Either way, he was starting his ministry soon.
Here we should note that the urgency communicated in John’s message wasn’t just for those people back then. It’s also for us, in our day. And that’s because when Jesus returns, he will judge all people.
In both John’s day and ours, urgency is an important part of the message. And let’s face it, we need such urgency. For we get slothful and distracted and have trouble staying awake.
Last Sunday we heard Jesus call us to stay awake. He did this by declaring this need of ours in a clear and concise statement. He then illustrated it with three different scenarios. In the sermon on that text, we noted that the best way to stay awake is to grow and maintain our faith.
This Sunday, John is the one telling us about this need. And because John is the forerunner of Christ, this should remind us of our job in sharing the message with others. John is the scripture’s prototypical preacher in that he reminds us to prepare the way for Jesus. Peter, Paul and the rest of the apostles remind us of this too, but Wild John is probably the best example of how we are to do this by getting out of our comfort zones, heading into the wilderness, and preaching with urgency.
A few weeks ago, one of our members shared her recollections of a pastor who would say: “people are dying, we need the money now!” I would amend this only by saying that we need more than just money, we also need a bold witness. And we need acts of service too.
Yes, John’s message is an urgent one. And secondly, John’s message is also direct.
This directness is seen in the message’s one-word summary: “repent!” John begins his sermon with this word, then uses it twice more – first urging the Pharisees to bear fruit in keeping with repentance, then explaining that he baptized for the purpose of repentance.
When John urges the bearing of fruit, he is calling people to live according to God’s commands. As the fruit image clearly implies, this involves both not doing the wrong things and actively doing the right things. We are not to break God’s commandments, and we are to do good works.
Sadly, we have trouble with both of these. All of us. We commit sins against others in our greed or selfishness or weakness. And we sin by leaving things undone as well.
Because of these sins, we need to repent. And our repentance is to be both a sorrowful apology to God and those we sin against, as well as a turning away from the sinful path.
John’s message confronts us with our sin. And here we should note that confronting others with their sins, as John did, is not easy. We don’t like it when people point out our sins, and others don’t like it when we point out theirs.
Because of this, it’s important that we go about the task of confrontation carefully. We shouldn’t shy away from it or sweep it under the rug, but we are to be sensitive and thoughtful in our methods. Our words need to be both direct and loving. This will include going to the sinner directly and not spread things around through gossip.
Wild John spoke to the Pharisees directly when they approached him, saying: “Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come.” These words called them to repentance. John, as we see, didn’t hold anything back.
“Repent” is a strong word. And it can make people very uncomfortable. One reason for this is that the push for another’s repentance can be a power move instead, sometimes resulting in abuse.
Still, this great word of the scriptures needs to stay. John gives us this word. And Jesus begins his ministry with it too (Mt. 4:17).
Christians know that repentance is a good thing. Admitting one’s wrongs leads to healing and improvement.
What’s more, Christians know that God extends forgiveness to those who repent. God is always ready to welcome repentant sinners back into his family.
And this leads to the third characteristic of John’s message. John also preached with certainty.
This certainty was first communicated when John said the kingdom “IS” at hand. John knew for sure that it existed.
Later in his preaching, he communicated this same certainty by saying: “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” John states unequivocally that Jesus will do these things.
And here is where the certainty of John’s message really matters. For John’s baptism may have been for repentance, but Jesus’ baptism gives the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit communicates the message of our forgiveness, which is what we need most of all.
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is quickly introduced as one who will “save his people from their sins.” That’s what the angel said to his father, Joseph, in the days before his birth.
And throughout the rest of his Gospel, the forgiveness of sins offered through Jesus becomes very apparent. We see it as Jesus heals a paralytic and says that it was done “so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (9:6). And we see it, too, near the end of his ministry as he takes the Passover cup and says: “this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (26:28).
In his ministry and preaching, Jesus makes clear that the forgiveness of sins he offers is sure and certain. And if there is any doubt about his forgiveness, it should be erased in knowing that Jesus died on the cross to pay for ours sins and rose from the dead to prove that sin’s penalty has been overcome.
We sometimes have trouble believing this message. For we’ve learned to question things in this life. And our pains and struggles take their toll.
As with the message about repenting, we also need to be careful with our certainty. None of us can claim to know everything. We can be certain about God’s love and forgiveness, yes, but we shouldn’t claim certainty on all other matters. For many things remain a mystery.
Still, John’s message of certainty is not to be missed. And it echoes the entire scripture’s witness of the sure and certain hope God gives. We hear of this certainty in the words of the Centurian at the foot of Jesus’ cross, who said: “Truly, this was the Son of God” (Mt. 27:54). We hear it in the words of the Emmaus disciples, who upon seeing Jesus after his death proclaimed: “the Lord has risen indeed!” (Lk. 24:34). And we hear it in Paul’s letter to the Romans as he says: “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Rom. 6:5).
Wild John’s message was urgent, direct and certain. Martin Luther noticed this too, for he once referred to him as “the fiery angel St. John, true preacher of repentance.”
John’s message may seem extra wild in our day of carefully calculating our costs, safely measuring our words, and playing the long game of survival. But in another way, John’s message isn’t so wild. John’s message simply echoed what was said by the prophets. In fact, most of what he said wasn’t new.
What’s more, John himself was prophesied too. He was prophesied by Isaiah, whom Matthew quotes in today’s reading. And he was prophesied by Malachi, who tells of the coming of Elijah (4:5). Jesus will point out this connection to Elijah in our reading next Sunday.
I suppose many people in our day do conclude that John and those who follow his message are a bit wild. It’s true that some of the things we do can scare and offend people.
For instance, my garments are not camel’s hair and leather, but they make a similar statement. And the meal we’ll be consuming in a few moments might seem as strange as locusts and honey. The prayers, songs, and other things we do in this place also seem quite wild to some.
But if these things are counter-cultural, then it’s only because our culture has lost its way. And in large part, I’d say that it has. Praying, reading the Bible and going to church are seen by many these days as wild and crazy things to do.
I’ll admit that sometimes the church can drive one crazy. There’s a wildness in it that is more Wild Bill than Wild John at times.
But Wild John always prevails in the church. And we know this to be the case especially, when its message is urgently, directly and certainly… about Jesus.
Jesus is our Savior. Jesus is our Lord. Jesus is the one to whom all true prophets point. And Jesus is the one who grounds us in love and mercy.
Believing and trusting this, may God then bless our efforts to prepare his way.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY (Stand) On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry LSB 344
1 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Awake and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of kings!
2 Then cleansed be ev’ry life from sin;
Make straight the way for God within,
And let us all our hearts prepare
For Christ to come and enter there.
3 We hail Thee as our Savior, Lord,
Our refuge and our great reward;
Without Thy grace we waste away
Like flow’rs that wither and decay.
4 Lay on the sick Thy healing hand
And make the fallen strong to stand;
Show us the glory of Thy face
Till beauty springs in ev’ry place.
5 All praise, eternal Son, to Thee
Whose advent sets Thy people free,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Spirit evermore.
APOSTLES’ CREED Hymnal, back cover
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life ✠ everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING
Offerings support the church’s mission work – both here and through our many partners. Offerings may be placed in the box at the sanctuary entrance or sent to the church through our website or the mail. Fellowship Cards help us welcome new people and track participation. Please fill one out and place it in the offering box following the service.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH (Stand)
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Merciful God, You remember Your covenant for a thousand generations, and forever. Teach us to remember Your mercies, Your wondrous works, and to seek Your strength and presence continually. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, the voice of Your prophet broke the silence to prepare the way for Your Son. Give Your people the courage to speak Christ to the nations and to teach those still in darkness and death about His gift of light and life. Keep us from being ashamed of the Gospel or intimidated by the opinions of others. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, You give Your Word to the Church for encouragement and instruction in endurance. Continue to instruct us by Your Word, that we may abound in hope. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You preserved Jesse’s faithful line and through them brought forth the incarnation of Your Son. Give to our families and individuals the strength to faithfully fulfill their vocations of loving and forgiving one another. And train them up in Your fear, love and trust. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, Your Son rules over creation with justice and righteousness. Give to those in authority over us the desire and ability to protect the innocent, punish the wicked, and work for the common welfare of all. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy God, St. John spoke the promise of healing to the broken and wounded. Give to all who are afflicted in body or mind the riches of Your grace, healing according to Your will, and faith to carry them through the day of their trouble. We pray especially for Geraine, Sophia, Brooks, June, Peter, Wendy, James, Russell, Yi, Jeannie, Val, Arlo, Marvin, and all whom we name in our hearts before you… Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, and make ready the way of Your only begotten Son, who comes to us this day in His true body and precious blood for the forgiveness of our sins. May all who feast upon Him do so in repentance and faith. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord God, heavenly Father, grant us all things needful and keep from us all things harmful to us and to our salvation, that with confidence in Your will, we may say “amen” to our prayers and live in contentment and peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY (Stand) LSB 621
1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly-minded,
For with blessing in His hand
Christ our God to earth descending
Comes our homage to demand.
2 King of kings yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
In the body and the blood,
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heav’nly food.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION
PREFACE TO HOLY COMMUNION
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose way John the Baptist prepared, proclaiming Him the promised Messiah, the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and calling sinners to repentance that they might escape from the wrath to be revealed when He comes again in glory. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
HYMN LSB 208
1 Lift up your heads, you everlasting doors,
And weep no more!
O Zion’s daughter, sing,
To greet your coming King;
Now wave the victor’s palm
And sing the ancient psalm:
“Lift up your heads, you everlasting gates!”
Your King awaits!
4 “Worthy is Christ!” The Lamb who once was slain
Now lives to reign.
He rules our earthly ways
As Lord of Ancient Days—
O join the endless song
Sung by the ransomed throng:
“Worthy is Christ!” The Lamb be praised again!
Amen! Amen!
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father:
Endless is Your mercy and eternal your reign.
You have filled all creation with light and life;
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Through Abraham you promised to bless all nations.
You rescued Israel, your chosen people.
Through the prophets you renewed your promise;
And, at this the end of all ages, you sent your Son,
Who in words and deeds proclaimed your kingdom
and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST
As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Therefore, gracious Father; with this bread and cup
We remember the life our Lord offered for us.
And believing the witness of his resurrection
We await his coming in power to share with us
The great and promised feast.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and place,
And unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest
Until he comes as victorious Lord of all.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven;
give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
PAX DOMINI
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI LSB 963
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
grant us Your peace,
grant us Your peace.
DISTRIBUTION (Be seated)
Those wishing to commune at the foot of the steps should come forward first. Those wishing to commune at the altar rail should come forward after these, front rows first, from both sides of the aisle. After receiving, all should return to their seats. A common dismissal will be given at the end.
DISTRIBTION HYMNS Comfort, Comfort Ye My People LSB 347
1 “Comfort, comfort ye My people,
Speak ye peace,” thus saith our God;
“Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning ’neath their sorrows’ load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them;
Tell her that her sins I cover
And her warfare now is over.”
2 Yea, her sins our God will pardon,
Blotting out each dark misdeed;
All that well deserved His anger
He no more will see or heed.
She hath suffered many_a day,
Now her griefs have passed away;
God will change her pining sadness
Into ever-springing gladness.
3 Hark, the herald’s voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Calling sinners to repentance,
Since the Kingdom now is here.
O that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise to meet Him
And the hills bow down to greet Him.
4 Make ye straight what long was crooked;
Make the rougher places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits His holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
Now o’er earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token
That His Word is never broken.
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus LSB 338
1 Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art,
Dear desire of ev’ry nation,
Joy of ev’ry longing heart.
2 Born Thy people to deliver;
Born a child and yet a king!
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
BENEDICTICUS Sing Praise to the God of Israel Sts. 1, 4 LSB 936
1 Sing praise to the God of Israel!
Sing praise for His visitation!
Redeeming His people from their sin,
Accomplishing their salvation,
Upraising a mighty horn within
The house of His servant David!
4 O bright, rising Sun, now shine on us
In need of illumination;
Come scatter the shades of sin and death
And shatter their domination.
Be guiding our footsteps on the path
Of peace, in Your presence dawning!
POST-COMMUNION COLLECT (Stand)
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN What Hope! An Eden Prophesied LSB 342
1 What hope! An Eden prophesied
Where tame live with the wild;
The lamb and lion side by side,
Led by a little child!
2 A shoot will sprout from Jesse’s stem,
A branch from David’s line,
A Prince of Peace in Bethlehem:
The fruit of God’s design.
3 As banner of God’s love unfurled,
Christ came to suffer loss,
That by His death a dying world
Would rally to the cross.
4 Come, Jesus, come, Messiah Lord,
Lost Paradise restore;
Lead past the angel’s flaming sword—
Come, open heaven’s door.
ANNOUNCEMENTS (Be seated)
DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE What Hope! An Eden Prophesied Setting: David N Johnson
FELLOWSHIP: Council Officers
FLOWERS:
FLOWERS: ” On Jordan’s Bank, John the Baptist cried for repentance before the coming of the Word. Centuries later, Ambrose of Milan, whose day of commemoration is December 7, showed that same courage in proclaiming God’s righteousness to emperors and future saints alike. Both understood that bearing reproach for Christ’s name is inseparable from preparing the way of the Lord—may we too have such clarity and courage.” Given by Jennifer Zambone
Those serving:
8:00 a.m.
Greeter: Jim Easterly
Comm. assist: Dave Oaks
Reader: Dave Oaks
10:30 a.m.
Greeter: Aaron Siebrass
Comm. assist: Holly Siebrass
Reader: Michael Chamberlain
Acolyte: Noelle Blomster
AV Assistants: Hannes Buuck, Andreas Buuck
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
MIDWEEK ADVENT SERVICES
December 10, 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Worship – Wednesday, December 24
5:00 p.m. Candlelight service for families
7:30 p.m. Music of the Season
8:00 p.m. Candlelight service with Holy Communion
Christmas Day Worship – Thursday, December 25
10:00 a.m. Celebration of Christ’s Birth with Holy Communion
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2025 Concordia Publishing House.
943 Kyrie — I Text: Traditional Tune: Jacques Berthier, 1923–94 Text: Public domain Tune: © 1978, 1980, 1981 Ateliers et Presses de Taizé, Taizé Community, France, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
349 Hark the Glad Sound Text: Philip Doddridge, 1702–51 Tune: Thomas Haweis, 1734–1820 Text and tune: Public domain
621 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Text: Liturgy of St. James, 5th cent.; tr. Gerard Moultrie, 1829–85, alt. Tune: French, 17th cent. Text and tune: Public domain
339 Lift Up Your Heads, You Everlasting Doors Text: Stephen P. Starke, 1955 Tune: Paul Liljestrand, 1931–2011 Text: © 2003 Stephen P. Starke, admin. Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: © 1970 The Hymn Society, admin. Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
963 Agnus Dei — II Text: Traditional; tr. International Consultation on English Texts, alt. Tune: Jeffrey N. Blersch, 1967 Text: © 1975 International Consultation on English Texts. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: © 2001 Jeffrey N. Blersch. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
936 Sing Praise to the God of Israel Text: Stephen P. Starke, 1955 Tune: Christoph E. F. Weyse, 1774–1842 Text: © 1992 Stephen P. Starke, admin. Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain
516 Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying Text: tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt. Text and tune: Philipp Nicolai, 1556–1608 Text and tune: Public domain
332 Savior of the Nations, Come Text: attr. Ambrose of Milan, 340–397; German version, Martin Luther, 1483–1546; (sts. 1–2): tr. William M. Reynolds, 1812–76; (sts. 3, 6): tr. Lutheran Service Book, 2006; (sts. 4–5, 8): tr. F. Samuel Janzow, 1913–2001; (st. 7): tr. Gifford A. Grobien, 1973 Tune: Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn, 1524, Wittenberg, ed. Johann Walter Text (sts. 3, 6–7): © 2006 Concordia Publishing House; (sts. 4–5, 8): © 1978 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Text (sts. 1–2) and tune: Public domain
333 Once He Came in Blessing Text: Johann Horn, c. 1490–1547; (sts. 1, 4): tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.; (sts. 2–3): tr. Lutheran Service Book, 2006 Tune: Michael Weisse, c. 1480–1534 Text (sts. 2–3): © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Text (sts. 1, 4) and tune: Public domain
334 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You Text: Paul Gerhardt, 1607–76; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt. Tune: Johann Crüger, 1598–1662 Text and tune: Public domain
336 Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending Text: Charles Wesley, 1707–88, alt. Tune: Thomas Olivers, 1725–99 Text and tune: Public domain
