Advent 3 12/14 A Little Child Shall Lead Them
Advent 3 A Little Child Shall Lead Them PDF.worshipfolder.2025
Isaiah: A Little Child Shall Lead Them
A worship service led by the youth and children of St. Paul’s
WELCOME
PROCESSIONAL HYMN: Prepare the Royal Highway LSB 343
INVOCATION
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
OPENING SENTENCES
Pastor: Rejoice in the Lord always;
People: again I will say, Rejoice!
Pastor: The wolf shall dwell with the lamb
People: and a little child shall lead them.
Pastor: For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
People: as the water covers the sea.
Pastor: Blessed be His glorious name forever;
People: may the whole earth be filled with His glory!
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Pastor: Isaiah wrote that the coming of the Messiah would mean
change as great as having “waters break forth in the
wilderness and streams in the desert.” Isaiah 35:6
People: Help us value the Word of God and the water of our
Baptism.
Pastor: When nothing appears to change, and our Lord’s return
seems too far in the distant future, James urges: “Be
patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the
Lord is at hand.” James 5:8
People: Help us grow in patience.
Pastor: When our Lord returns, Isaiah promises: “He will come and save you.”
Isaiah 35:4
People: Forgive us, Lord, for our sins of thought, word, and deed.
Pastor: Christ Jesus paid for all your sins when He came so long ago. Today, as He comes through Word and Sacrament, he assures you of the peace with God this brings. When He returns, it will be to lead you to a new creation. As a called servant of Christ, I announce the forgiveness of God to you in the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
GREETING AND PRAYER
Children: How good and how joyous it is to be together in this place, encircled by the love of God, surrounded by His grace.
Children: I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please you. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen
A SHOOT WILL SPROUT FROM JESSE’S STEM
Assistant: Through Isaiah, God promises the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, King of Kings—a king even greater than David, who would lead and rule His people wisely and mercifully.
Pastor: As believers in Christ, we already enjoy the benefits of His wise rule, having received His Spirit, wisdom, peace and blessings. The Spirit equips us to spread the word of this blessed reign to all nations.
People: Pour out Your Spirit, O Lord, that we may boldly proclaim your goodness.
HYMN What Hope! An Eden Prophesied Grades 1-6
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.
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.
Righteousness shall gird his waist, and
faithfulness be his belt. Isaiah 11:1-3,5
HYMN: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
People: O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s tree,
Free them from Satan’s tyranny
That trust Thy mighty pow’r to save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
ROSE OF MARY, SON OF GOD
Assistant: At just the right time, God put his plan of salvation into action. In the gospel of Luke, we hear about an angel who appeared to a young girl named Mary, who was to be married to a man named Joseph.
Pastor: Mary was probably terrified at the angel’s sudden appearance. The angel calmed her fears and told her about the birth of the Savior, the Son of God. Mary would be the tender stem from whom the Rose would spring.
People: This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere. LSB 359:3
HYMN Jesus Loves Me Grades PreK-K
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Refrain
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be?” Mary asked the angel.
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. so the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Luke 1:30-38
SONG Rejoice in the Lord Always Grades 1-6
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice;
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.
Rejoice, rejoice and again I say rejoice!
Rejoice, rejoice and again I say rejoice!
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
HYMN Silent Night Grades 1-6
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Alles schläft, einsam wacht
Nur das traute, hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them,
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 2:1–15
RECITATION Rock Baby Jesus Grades Prek-K
Softly, softly rock the Baby; Hold Him in your arms.
Lay Him in His manger bed. Keep Him safe and warm.
Tiny little baby Jesus Came from heaven above;
Came to save us from our sins, Gives us God’s own love.
HYMN In a Little Stable Grades Prek-K
In a little stable far across the sea
Was a little baby just like you and me.
Not a bed or cradle, not a pillow deep,
But a lowly manger was His place to sleep.
Oh, I love this Jesus, who was little then,
For I know he loves me, little though I am.
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)
The response to each petition will be:
“Lord, In Your mercy:”
“hear our prayer.”.
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.
DISTRIBTION HYMNS God Loves me Dearly LSB 392
1 God loves me dearly,
Grants me salvation,
God loves me dearly,
Loves even me. Refrain
Refrain
Therefore I’ll say again:
God loves me dearly,
God loves me dearly,
Loves even me.
2 I was in slav’ry,
Sin, death, and darkness;
God’s love was working
To make me free. Refrain
3 He sent forth Jesus,
My dear Redeemer,
He sent forth Jesus
And set me free. Refrain
4 Jesus, my Savior,
Himself did offer;
Jesus, my Savior,
Paid all I owed. Refrain
5 Now I will praise You,
O Love Eternal;
Now I will praise You
All my life long. Refrain
O Sing of Christ LSB 362
1 O sing of Christ, whose birth made known
The kindness of the Lord,
Eternal Word made flesh and bone
So we could be restored.
Upon our frail humanity
God’s finger chose to trace
The fullness of His deity,
The icon of His grace.
2 What Adam lost, none could reclaim,
And Paradise was barred
Until the second Adam came
To mend what sin had marred.
For when the time was full and right
God sent His only Son;
He came to us as life and light
And our redemption won.
3 He came to that which was His own,
But He was not received;
Yet still through Him God’s glory shone,
And some His name believed.
To these He gave the right to be
The heirs of heav’n above,
Born not of human ancestry
But born of God in love.
4 Lord Jesus Christ, You deigned to dwell
Among us here on earth
As God with us, Emmanuel,
To bring this holy birth.
Though rich, You willingly became
One with our poverty,
That we might share Your wealth and name
For all eternity!
POST-COMMUNION COLLECT (Stand)
WHAT HOPE! AN EDEN PROPHESIED
Assistant: When things are going wrong, we encourage our friends by saying, “Look up. Things will get better.” But that takes hope based on some report or promise. Our Advent hope is based on promises God has made throughout history, some of which we still await. Isaiah sees lions and lambs living together one day and all nations coming to Christ in peace.
Pastor: John the Baptist reminds us that only repentance will enable us to move forward. Advent is a time to recognize God’s grace in forgiving our sins and to look forward—and up—in hope! Today, the children sing well-known hymns, sometimes in other languages, as a reminder that Christ has died for all.
People: For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to all who believe. Romans 1:16
Hymn Jesus Loves the Little Children Grades Prek-K
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world;
Ev’ry child in ev’ry land,
Jesus holds them in His hand.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exalt in my God,
For he has clothed me in the garments of salvation. Isaiah 61:10
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. Isaiah 11:6-9
HYMN What Hope! An Eden Prophesied Grades 1-6
What hope! An Eden prophesied
Where tame live with the wild;
The lamb and lion side by side,
Led by a little child!
Assistant: On the first Christmas, Jesus laid aside his majesty so that we could look him in the eye, walk and talk with him, and throw our arms around him in thankfulness.
Pastor: What love God has shown us, to come down to our world and suffer in our place as the servant of all. We glow because God has given us his riches at Christ’s expense!
HYMN Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow Grades 1-6
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host:
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
People: Having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:7
Pastor: As we prepare to go forward in God’s hope, receive the benediction he gives to his people: The Lord bless and keep You in the hope and peace of His Son. May the blessing of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be with you every day as you receive His gifts and promises.
People: Amen
SENDING HYMN Joy to the World LSB 387
1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3 No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found.
4 He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.
FELLOWSHIP: Board of Evangelism
Those serving:
8:00 a.m.
Greeter: Bob Juenger
Comm. assist: Judy Koucky
Reader: Kim Follin
10:30 a.m.
Greeter: SP Youth
Comm. assist: SP Youth/ Jill Hecht
Reader: SP Youth
Acolyte: Ian Lynch
AV Assistants: Hannes Buuck, Andreas Buuck
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.
