12/07/25

As We Gather

The problem with good works is not that we should do them but why. Our works reflect what it is we believe and hold dear. Works are the fruit of repentance and faith and do not add to what Christ has done in His mighty work of redemption. The call to bear the good fruit of repentance is not to work harder to be saved but to manifest in our everyday lives that we are saved, that we belong to the Lord, and that He has accomplished all things for our salvation. John faced a generation impressed with their works and empty of faith in God’s mercy. We should know that doing works is not a choice. Hearts of faith will produce the good fruits of repentance. This is the calling of Christians and the mark of the work of the Spirit in our lives.Family Room & Children Activity Bags- We value children in our worship services. If needed, there is a family room available for families with children. The family room has a diaper changing table, a closed-circuit T. V. to watch the worship service, toys and books for children. The family room is located across from the kitchen in the long hallway, the first door on the right, just past the bathrooms. There are “King’s Kids” bags with activities for children to help them worship. They are near the usher’s station. Please return the bag to the rack after the service.

Holy Communion- The Scripture teaches the Lord’s Supper is a precious gift of God in which Christ gives us His true body and blood (in a miraculous way), together with the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. Because the Bible teaches that this Sacrament may also be spiritually harmful if misused the LCMS ordinarily communes only those who have been instructed in the teachings of our church and who have confessed their faith in these teachings. Please speak to Pastor Ralph before the service if you have a question about this. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic alternative, there is grape juice at the center of each tray. Those not receiving the Sacrament, including children, are invited to come to the altar, cross their arms over their chest, and receive a special blessing.

The Desire for Greater Joy “I am intensely displeased with myself and I detest myself because I know that all that Scripture says about Christ is true and that there can be nothing greater, nothing more important, nothing more pleasant, nothing more joyful…It should fill me with supreme joy… yet the malice of my flesh prevents it, and the law of sin has so thoroughly taken me captive that I cannot fill all my members, all my bones, and my most innermost being with this blessing of Christ as I surely would like to do.”

Second Sunday of Advent

December 7, 2025

Opening Hymn                        Prepare the Royal Highway                                     LSB 343

Invocation, Confession and Absolution (Psalm 8)

P:   In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C:   Amen.

P:   O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! 

C:   You have set your glory above the heavens. 

P:   From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise

C:   because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 

P:   When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, 

C:   the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 

P:   what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 

C:   You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 

P:   You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: 

C:   all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, 

       and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 

All:   O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! 

P:   Holy and gracious God,

C:   I confess that I have sinned against You this day. Some of my sin I know—the thoughts and words and deeds of which I am ashamed—but some is known only to You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I ask for forgiveness. Deliver and restore me that I may rest in peace as I serve You by serving others. Amen

(Silence for Meditation)

P:   Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C:   Amen.

Hymn of Longing         Come Thou Precious Ransom Come                            LSB  350

 (The 2^nd  Advent candle is lit)

Prayer of the Day

All:   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.

Reception of New Member  – Sherry McDowell

O T Lesson   (“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse.”)       Isaiah 11:1–6

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. ²The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord— ³and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; ⁴ but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. ⁵ Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. ⁶ The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. 

N T Lesson                   (God’s peace will fill you with all joy!)                     Romans 15:4–13

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ⁵ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, ⁶ so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷ Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. ⁸ For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs ⁹ so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name.” ¹⁰ Again, it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”¹¹ And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples.”¹² And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.” ¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Gospel Lesson             (‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’)                         Matthew 3:1–12

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” ³ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” ⁴ John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. ⁶ Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. ⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁹ And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. ¹⁰ The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. ¹¹ “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ¹² His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Message Song                                             Mighty to Save 

Everyone needs compassion Love that’s never failing

Let mercy fall on me  Everyone needs forgiveness

                          Kindness of a Savior  The hope of nations       Chorus

  Chorus         Savior, He can move the mountains   My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save  Forever, Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave   Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me  All my fears and failures

Fill my life again    I give my life to follow

                       Everything I believe in   Now I surrender         Chorus

Shine your light   And let the whole world see

We’re singing for the glory  Of the risen King, Jesus

Shine your light  And let the whole world see

                   We’re singing for the glory  Of the risen King      Chorus

Written by Reuben Morgan and Ben Flielding ©2006 Hillsong Publishing

CCLI License #594388 Song Select  11390779

Message                                                  When Repentance Leads the Way

1. Repentance is the honest      evaluation     of our need before the Lord God and the changes        that follow His will         for our lives.
2. The Church is to offer the straight     path  that leads to God’s mercy and grace; that path is Christ and the forgiveness He gained for all   people    in His death on the cross.
3. The Lord shepherds His flock in ways that assures   us of His    goodness   and eternal provision      .     

The Apostle’s Creed            

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 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

Offertory                                        We Praise You, O God                                                LSB 785 

Prayers of the Church 

After each petition:

P:    Lord, in Your mercy,

C:    hear our prayers.

The Lord’s Prayer                                                                                  

The Lord’s Supper

Preface                                                                      page 160 in the hymnal

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  ♪ And also with you.

P:   Lift up your hearts.

C:  ♪ We lift them to the Lord.

P:   Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C:   ♪ It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

P:   It is truly good, right, and salutary …. And ever more praising You and singing:

Sanctus — Holy, Holy, Holy                                         page 161 in the hymnal

C:  ♪ Holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow’r and might: Heaven and earth are full of   

         Your glory. Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is He who  

         comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The Words of Institution (Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper)

Pax Domini—The Peace of the Lord                   page 163 in the hymnal

P:   The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C:   ♪ Amen.

Agnus Dei – Lamb of God                                                           page 163 in the hymnal

C:  ♪ 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 peace.

Distribution of Communion

Distribution Hymn                               Jesus Shall Reign             LSB 832

                                                               Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus/

                                                                  The Night Will Soon Be Ending           Asension Choir

Post Communion Canticle                                                        page 164 in the hymnal

C:  ♪ Thank the Lord and sing His praise; tell ev’ryone what He has done.  Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear His name.  He recalls His promises and leads His people forth in joy with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia, alleluia.

Post Communion Thanksgiving

All:  Oh God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, who in loving kindness sent Your only-begotten Son into the flesh, we thank You that for His sake You have given us pardon and peace in this Sacrament, and we ask You not to forsake Your children but always to rule our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may be enabled constantly to serve You; Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Benediction                      

P:   The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and ✠ give you peace.

C:   Amen.
Sending Hymn What Hope! An Eden Prophesied                           LSB 342

 Announcements 

Dismissal

P:   Go in peace as you serve the Lord.      

C:   Thanks be to God!   

Postlude

12/14/25

As We Gather

It is certainly easy to complain. We all do it. We look around and see all those things that are not what we think they should be. We look in the mirror and we see what we lack. When John sent his disciples to Jesus, Jesus called them to rejoice in what is already present. Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, had come. He brings healing and salvation to all who receive Him. Quite literally, these miracles are still happening all around us. Those wounded by affliction and despair find healing in Christ. The dead in trespasses and sins are raised up to life. The weak are made strong, the poor are made rich, and those with only a past are given an eternal future. What do you see and hear? Look at the world, and you will find only complaint and fear; but look to Jesus, and you will find peace that surpasses all understanding and joy without end. 

Children Activity Bags We value children in our worship services. If needed, there is a family room available for families with children. The family room has a diaper changing table, a closed-circuit TV to watch the worship service, toys and books for children. The family room is located across from the kitchen in the long hallway, the first door on the right, just past the bathrooms. There are “King’s Kids” bags with activities for children to help them worship. They are near the usher’s station on a small rack. Please return the bag to the rack after the service.

Holy Communion The Scripture teaches the Lord’s Supper is a precious gift of God in which Christ gives us His true body and blood, together with the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. Because the Bible teaches that this Sacrament may also be spiritually harmful if misused, and that participation in the Lord’s Supper is an act of confession of faith, we ordinarily commune those who have been instructed in the teachings of our church and who have confessed their faith in these teachings. If you have a question, please speak to Pastor Ralph before the service. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic alternative, there is grape juice at the center of each tray. Those not receiving the Sacrament, including children, are invited to come to the altar, cross their arms over their chest, and receive a special blessing.

The Christian Should Live to Serve Others “God does not want to have a Christian live for his own sake. Indeed, accursed be the life that is lived for itself. For everything that is done after one has come to faith is done for the sake of others.”      What Luther Says  # 656

Welcome and Hand of Friendship

Opening Hymn                      Savior of the Nations, Come                          LSB 332 vs 1-4

Invocation, Confession and Absolution  (Psalm 146: 6-9)

P:   We gather in the name and at the invitation of our great and gracious triune God;

C:   In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

P:   Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 

C:   the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— 

P:   the Lord, who remains faithful forever. 

C:   He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. 

P:   The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, 

C:   the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. 

P:   The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, 

C:   but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 

P:   Holy and gracious God,

C:   I confess that I have sinned against You this day. Some of my sin I know—the thoughts and words and deeds of which I am ashamed—but some is known only to You. In the name of Jesus Christ I ask forgiveness. Deliver and restore me that I may rest in peace. Amen

 (Silence for Meditation)

P:   Through His entire life, from birth through death and on to resurrection, Christ Jesus paid for all your sins when He came so long ago. And when He returns it will be to lead us to heaven. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C:   Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Hymn of Longing     Savior of the nations, Come                         LSB 332  Vs 5-8

(The second candle is lit on the Advent Wreath)

Prayer of the Day

All:   O blessed Lord, grant us watchful hearts to behold the mystery of Christ’s coming without doubt or fear as we await the fullness of all that He promised, lest our hearts be deprived of joy and our anxieties steal away the peace He has planted in us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and to the end of the ages. Amen.

O T Lesson                 (Isaiah foretells the coming of the Messiah)         Isaiah 35:1–10

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, ² it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. ³ Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; ⁴ say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” ⁵ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. ⁶ Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. ⁷ The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. ⁸ And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.⁹ No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, ¹⁰ and the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. 

N T  Lesson               (Patience is needed as we await the Lord’s return)      James 5:7–11

⁷ Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸ You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. ⁹ Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! ¹⁰ Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. ¹² Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned. 

Gospel Lesson             (John’s disciples ask if Jesus is the Christ)         Matthew 11:2–15

² When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” ⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” ⁷ As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’¹¹ I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. ¹⁵ He who has ears, let him hear. 

Message Song                               Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)                                    Tomlin

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound   That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found;  Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear   And grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear   The hour I first believed.

Chorus

My Chains are gone, I’ve been set free   My God my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy reigns   Unending love,      Amazing Grace

The Lord has promised good to me.  His Word my hope secures.

                         He will my Shield and Portion be   As long as life endures.           Chorus

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow  The sun forbear to shine

But God who called me here below     Will be for-ever  mine

Will be for-ever  mine

You are for-ever  mine

Message                                         Who Is This Jesus?

1. Asking the right questions               .
2. Prepared to receive the truthful                 answer.
3. Laying a hold                    of that which lays a hold of you for your salvation.

Apostles Creed

 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 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.

Prayers of the Church  

 After each petition:

 P:  Lord, in your mercy,

 C:  hear our prayer.

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.

The Lord’s Supper

Preface                                                                      page 194 in the hymnal

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  ♪ And with thy spirit.

P:  Lift up your hearts.

C:  ♪ We lift them up unto the Lord.

P:  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C:  ♪ It is meet and right so to do.

P:  It is truly good, right, and salutary …. And with the host of heaven we sing:

Sanctus — Holy, Holy, Holy                                          page 195 in the hymnal

C:  ♪ Ho -ly, ho-ly, ho-ly Lord God of Sa – ba – oth. Heaven and earth are full of Thy   

        glory. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He, blessed is He, 

        blessed is He who cometh in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna 

        in the highest.

The Words of Institution (Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper)

Pax Domini—The Peace of the Lord                  page 197 in the hymnal

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always.C:  ♪ Amen.

Agnus Dei – Lamb of God                                                                          page 198 in the hymnal                                      

C:  ♪ O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world; 

         have mercy upon us.

         O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world; 

         have mercy upon us.

         O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world; 

         grant us Thy peace.  A – men.

Distribution of Communion

Distribution Hymn                          Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming                                LSB 359

Nunc Dimittis

C: ♪ Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy Word, for mine  

       eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people,

       a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel. Glory be to the            Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and 

       ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Post Communion Collect

All:  Almighty God, heavenly Father, grant to Your people patience for the days of waiting, knowing that You are at work bringing to completion all that You began in us in our Baptism. Keep us from the torment of doubt, from the prison of fear, and from the wandering of a soul ungrounded in Your Word and favor, and bring us at last to heavenly joy in Your presence forevermore; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who with the Father and the Spirit are one God, now and even to the end of all the ages. Amen

Benediction                                                                                                    Numbers 6:24–26                                                                                           

P:   The blessing of God Almighty—the Father who created us, the ✠ Son who saved us and shall return to welcome us home, and the Holy Spirit who creates and nourishes the faith that Jesus is the Lord—be with you now and forever.

C:   Amen. 

Closing Hymn                           Jesus Came, The Heavens Adoring                             LSB 353

Announcements 

Dismissal

P:   Go in peace as you serve the Lord.      

C:   Thanks be to God!   

Postlude