December 14, 2025
The Third Sunday in Advent
A Pregnant Virgin Gives Birth To God’s Son???
(“Tall Tale” or “The Gospel Truth”)
An Unexplainable Miracle
The doctrine of the Virgin Birth is one of the most incredible teachings in Scripture – and one of the most-challenged (and denied) by those who question the total reliability and divine inspiration of the Bible. And while, by faith, we do accept the doctrine of the Virgin Birth of Jesus on the basis of Biblical authority, we also admit that we do not understand how it could have happened, because it is such a great miracle.
An Illustration
To illustrate that mystery: There was a bright seventh grade girl, named Kristin, who didn’t always understand everything she heard in church. (Many of us can identify with that!) One day, while in the school cafeteria, one of her curious friends asked Kristin, “Are you a virgin?” That put her on the spot because she did not know exactly what a virgin was. So, Kristin did some quick thinking that went like this: The only virgin she had heard of was Mary, and everyone knows that Mary had a baby. Therefore, she reasoned, a virgin must be a woman who has had a baby. Armed with that conclusion, Kristin announced loudly to her friend in the cafeteria, “No! I am not a virgin!” Several friends started to snicker, even as one boy leaned over and whispered in her ear: “Kristin, I don’t think you know what you are talking about!” (And, of course, unfortunately she didn’t understand what she was talking about …..even though she was a very good and pure girl.)
Opposition Across the Centuries
More to the point…….across the centuries, beginning with Jewish attacks against any- and everything Christian during the first century, and right up to the “post-modernist,” liberal scholars, authors, and media commentators of today – who seem to question almost everything Christian – the doctrine of the Virgin Birth of Christ is under attack from many directions and by many enemies. Unfortunately, those who deny the virgin birth just don’t know what they’re talking about.
This is a matter of faith, not reason – faith founded Solely on Scripture
Those who have persistently and faithfully held to the teaching of the Virgin Birth (such as our own church body, the WELS) have been criticized regularly and repeatedly, by those on the “denying side” for not knowing what we are talking about. “How,” they challenge, “can a child be born without a human father? It’s too impossible to believe.” And so they refuse to accept it, and question our intelligence for believing it. But it’s not a matter of “intelligence” – this is a matter of faith! And faith has no trouble with the “fact” that miracles ARE impossible for human beings either to repeat, or even to explain….and the Virgin Birth IS such a miracle, .a miracle performed by the almighty God, Who can do the “impossible.” And we embrace this miracle – comfortably, unquestioningly, and gratefully – by Spirit-given faith. This morning as a part of our Advent (pre-Christmas) preparations and worship, we’re going to examine once again the doctrine of the Virgin Birth – not on the basis of “human reason” but – on the basis of the inspired words of God.
It’s been said that “Words do mean things,” and indeed the words we’ll consider – both the Biblical context in which they’re found, and the very words of the original Biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek – DO mean something. They point to ONLY one understanding….that Jesus was miraculously born, the Son of God and the Son of Mary.
This is our Confession, and on this our Salvation Depends
We regularly confess this truth in both the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds: that our Savior Jesus Christ, the God-Man (Colossians 2:9), took upon Himself our human flesh and nature through the miracle of being conceived by the Holy Spirit and being born to the Virgin Mary. The Savior had to be “human” to sinlessly (Hebrews 4:15) live under the law (Galatians 4:4,5; Romans 5:19) and to physically die (Hebrews 2:14) for all our sin as our Substitute (Mark 10:45). Yet He also had to be truly God, so that His sacrificial death (Hebrews 7:26,27) could be supremely sufficient (Psalm 49:7,8) to pay for the sins of all mankind (John 1:29; I John 2:2). Th Virgin Birth made such a payment possible, with God becoming incarnate (in the flesh) in order to be the Messiah and our Savior. This we believe on the basis of God’s Word….because it IS the truth…..and upon this truth our salvation depends.
This is the Focus of our Worship Today
That truth of the Virgin Birth is clearly expressed in all of today’s Scripture Lessons. Our Old Testament Lesson (which will also give us our Sermon text) was penned under inspiration 700 years before Jesus’ first coming. Wicked king Ahaz was ruling Judah at a time when the nation was gravely threatened by its enemies. In spite of his unbelief, God wanted to assure Ahaz that Judah could be victorious, and so He told the king – through Isaiah – to ask for a “sign” from the Lord as a proof of His faithfulness. Ahaz, in mock humility, refused to ask. And so the Lord promised a sign for His delivering not only of Judah but for all mankind – not a sign Ahaz would live to see – but one that would be fulfilled centuries later through the miraculous virgin birth of the Messiah, also known as Immanuel (God with us). The Hebrew word for “virgin” here is Almah, which is always used in the OT to refer to a young woman of marriageable age, but one who has never had sexual relations. In the Greek Old Testament (called the Septuagint) as well as in the Greek New Testament (specifically our Gospel Lesson, Sermon Text, and Children’s Lesson) the word used to describe Mary is “parthenos” – also translated “virgin.” In our Children’s Lesson the Angel Gabriel explains to Mary how it is possible for this miracle to take place in her. He says the “power of the most High” God would overshadow her, and that the Lord would work the humanly impossible in her (since all things are possible for God). Gabriel explained the same to Jesus’ earthly step-father, Joseph, in our Gospel Lesson. Joseph was ready to divorce Mary (engagement was considered “marriage” in those days – even though the engaged couple stayed celibate until the wedding ceremony) because he naturally assumed she had behaved adulterously in becoming pregnant. Gabriel sets him straight by saying that she was still a virgin and that the Child in her was conceived through the miraculous intervention of God the Holy Spirit. This would take place to fulfill the Messianic prophesy given through Isaiah (7:14) 700 years earlier……”The Virgin would be with Child” and give birth to the “Immanuel, God with Us.” In our Epistle Lesson Paul affirms the “two natures” of Christ (His truly human and thoroughly divine natures) – which was the product of the incarnation through the Virgin Birth. Finally, an added feature on today’s and all our Sunday morning Advent services, is our “liturgical use” of one of our Lutheran Church’s traditional Advent hymns “Lift Up Your Heads You Mighty Gates” in place of the customary hymn “Gloria in Excelsis” (“Glory be to God on High”). It is based on Psalm 24, which is a Messianic Psalm (a psalm which points ahead to an aspect of the work of the Messiah – in this case Christ’s reigning over all things through His Kingly “office,” or role).
Situated in the front of the church, to the right of the lectern, you’ll find an “Advent Wreath.” It’s been our practice at Grace Lutheran to use an Advent Wreath during the Advent and Christmas seasons as a symbolic means for both preparing ourselves for the arrival of the Christ child and then joyously reflecting upon the arrival of that Savior. The following brief history and explanation of the Advent Wreath’s symbolism is intended to help you enjoy and benefit from this traditional Christian expression.
The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is a combination of two very common symbols: light and the fir tree. From the early centuries of Christianity it has been the practice to represent Christ by a burning candle. The fir tree also has a long history of religious use. One of the most popular themes for the medieval “mystery plays” revolved around the telling of the story of Paradise. In those plays, the Garden of Eden was typically portrayed by a fir tree hung with apples. In the Eastern churches (Eastern/Greek Orthodox) December 24th was celebrated as the Feast Day of Adam and Eve. The custom of putting up a Paradise tree in the home on December 24th, decorated with apples, came into Europe (and the Americas) by way of the East. In Germany there was also a custom of placing a lit Christmas candle on top of a wooden pyramid decorated with evergreen twigs. In time the wooden pyramid was replaced by the Paradise tree, decorated with apples and lighted candles.
No doubt the Advent wreath was suggested, at least in part, by the Christmas tree. It seems that the Advent wreath originated a few hundred years ago among the Lutheran Christians of eastern Germany. A wreath of evergreens, made of various sizes, was either suspended from the ceiling or placed on a table. Four candles representing the four Sundays of Advent were fastened to the wreath. Eventually the use of the Advent wreath became wide-spread and moved also from the home into the church. The general symbolism of the Advent wreath lies in the growing light of the wreath, increasing each week as we approach the birthday of Jesus the Light of the world.
The color of the candles in the Advent wreath is dictated by whatever emphasis a particular home or congregation gives to the season. While the emphasis may change somewhat according to the sermons, the traditional emphases in Advent are those of repentance and anticipation (the Sunday sermons are generally more “up-beat” and “joyous,” while mid-week sermons tend to be slightly more “sober” and “penitent” in character). That’s why the altar cloths and furnishings are in the color of purple (the traditional color of repentance) throughout the Advent season. It’s no wonder, then, that the prevalent color (three out of five) of the Advent wreath candles is purple.
The purple candle lit on the first Sunday in Advent is called “the Candle of Prophecy,” and symbolizes the Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the Savior. The second Advent candle (also purple) is referred to as the “Bethlehem Candle,” symbolizing the coming to earth of Jesus, the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary. The Third Advent candle (pink or rose-colored) is the “Shepherd Candle” and represents the coming of the Savior into the hearts and lives of His believers through His Holy Word. The pink/rose color serves to remind us that a note of joy should also heard in this penitential season. The final purple candle is the “Angel Candle,” symbolizing the final coming of the Savior in glory with all His holy angels. The white candle at the center of the wreath is the “Christ Candle,” symbolizing the perfection of Christ, the fulfillment of prophesy, and the centrality of Jesus in our Advent preparations. This “Christ Candle” remains unlighted during Advent in anticipation of the birth of the Savior, the Light of the world. Advent’s penitent emphasis focuses our attention on our sins and the need for a Savior, but on Christmas Day we joyfully celebrate the birth of that Savior….and so we then light the white Christ Candle. White candles also replace the purple and pink ones, and the purple altar cloths are replaced by white altar cloths with the arrival of Christmas Day. The wreath, now with all white candles, continues to be used until the Christmas Season officially ends with the arrival of Epiphany on January 6th. The white altar cloths continue to be used
through the first Sunday of Epiphany. The colors then change to green.
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version
Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used with permission. Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Prayer in Preparation for Worship: Heavenly Father, please guide me in wisdom and truth through Your Holy Spirit, as I spend this hour meditating on Your Word and rejoicing in Your limitless love for me. Assist me in being attentive in heart and mind to Your Word, as well as to the hymns of praise, the various petitions, and the prayers of thanksgiving my voice directs toward You. Use this worship service, O Lord, to deepen my love for You, to strengthen my trust in You, and to renew my commitment to You. All this I ask for the sake of and in the name of Your One and only Son, Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen.
Prayer upon entering the chapel Pre-service music
Pre-Worship Hymn Singing, beginning at 9:25 a.m.
We Praise Our God
Welcoming and Introduction to Worship
after the Pastor’s greeting, the Congregation will rise for
The Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit Amen.
Our Psalm for Today Psalm 8
P: O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth.
C: Set this glory of Yours above the heavens. + From the lips of little children and nursing babies + You have established strength because of Your foes, + to put a stop to the enemy and the avenger
P: Whenever I look up at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place,
C: What is man that You remember Him, + the Son of Man that You pay attention to Him?
P: Nevertheless, You make Him suffer need apart from God for a while, but You crown Him with glory and honor.
C: You make Him the Ruler over the works of Your hands; + You put everything under His feet: + all flocks and cattle,
P: and even the wild animals, the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea, which pass through the currents of the seas.
C: O LORD, our Lord, + how majestic is Your name in all the earth.
after which the Congregation will be seated for
The Opening Hymn “O Jesus Christ, God’s Only Son”
cwh Advent 2001 Sung to the tune of Edelweis
O Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, You came to earth from heaven,
Fulfilled the Prophets – every one – For us and our salvation.
The “Woman’s Seed,” and Abram’s Son,
Yet truly you’re th’ Eternal One,
The righteous Son of David, THE Messiah, long-awaited.
Lord Jesus, Sole Begotten Son, Be-lov-ed by the Father,
The miracles that You have done Affirmed You are none other
Than the True God in human form
Spirit-conceived and Virgin born.
The perfect Keeper of the Law – To free us from its burden.
You stood before accusers, mute Rejected by Your nation
You bled and died, my Substitute You earned for me salvation.
O Lamb of God you took away
The whole world’s sin….Now hear me pray:
May peace and joy fill all this day –
Who trust in You, dear Savior.
Oh Savior of the nations, Come, In majesty and glory
Attended by Your angel hosts Complete our earthly story.
As Judge of living and the dead,
Forever You’re the Church’s Head.
By grace, through faith in You, ahead For us is Heav’nly glory.
after which the Congregation will rise for
We Confess our Sins to the LORD
Pastor Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking Him, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant us the forgiveness of all our sins. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Congregation (Sung) Who made heaven and earth.
Pastor – I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord.
Congregation – (Sung) And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Pastor Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto You that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against You by thought, word, and deed. Therefore we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Congregation O most merciful God, who has given Your only-begotten Son to die for us, have mercy upon us, and for His sake, grant us remission of all our sins; and through Your Holy Spirit, increase in us true knowledge of You and of Your will, and true obedience to Your word, so that, by Your grace, we might one day attain everlasting life in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pastor Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon us, and has given His only Son to die for us, and for Jesus’ sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe on His name, He gives the power to become the sons of God, and has promised them His Holy Spirit. And now, having heard your voluntary confession, and in accordance with the responsibilities entrusted to me through the Ministry of the Keys, I proclaim the grace and mercy of God to all of you, and in the place of and according to the command of the 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.
We Respond To God’s Forgiveness
(Sung) Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning, is now and every shall be.
World without end. Amen.
Pastor – Behold, people of God! Your King comes to you;
Congregation – He is just and brings salvation!
Pastor – Rejoice people of God! Your Lord Jesus Christ has appeared and fulfilled God’s promises of old for your comfort and salvation.”
Congregation – The Lord is near to all who call upon Him in truth. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord. O my God, You are my Help and my Deliverer; do not delay.
(Sung) Lift up your heads, you mighty gates!
Behold, the King of glory waits.
The King of kings is drawing near;
The Savior of the world is here.
Life and salvation He will bring;
Therefore rejoice and gladly sing.
To God the Father raise
Your joyful songs of praise.
The King is born in poverty,
His chariot is humility,
His kingly crown is holiness,
His scepter, pity in distress.
The end of all our woe He brings;
Therefore the earth is glad and sings.
To Christ the Savior raise
Your grateful hymns of praise.
Redeemer, come! I open wide
My heart to You; here, Lord, abide!
Let me Your inner presence feel,
Your grace and love in me reveal;
Your Holy Spirit guide us on
Until our glorious goal is won.
Eternal praise and fame We offer to Your name. Amen.
The Prayer For The Third Sunday in Advent
Stir up our hearts, Almighty God, Father in heaven + that as we celebrate Your only-begotten Son’s first advent + to dwell among us and to give His life for us, + so we might daily examine our hearts and lives, + recognizing Your many mercies to us, + but also repenting of our many sins against You and others. _+ Empowered by Your Holy Spirit’s working through the Word, + may we also rededicate ourselves + to producing the fruits of repentance and faith + that will honor You, + extend Your Church here on earth, + and benefit those whose lives we touch. + All this we ask + in the name of Jesus Christ, + Your Son our Lord + Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit + One God, forever and ever. + Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
The Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 7:1-17
This took place in the days when Ahaz, the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah. Rezin king of Aram, and Pekah son of Remaliah, the king of Israel, marched up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but they could not capture it. 2 The house of David was told, “Aram has allied itself with Ephraim.” The heart of Ahaz trembled, and the heart of his people trembled as the trees of the forest tremble in the wind.
3 Then the Lord said to Isaiah: “Go out now to meet Ahaz, you and your son Shear Jashub. Meet him at the end of the water channel from the upper pool, on the road that goes to the launderers field. “ 4 Tell Ahaz, “Get control of yourself, and remain calm. Do not be afraid. Do not lose your courage because of these two stubs of smoldering torches. Do not be afraid because of the fierce anger of Rezin, Aram, and the son of Remaliah, 5 even though Aram, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah have plotted evil against you and said, 6 ‘Let’s go up against Judah and tear it apart. Let’s divide it among ourselves and set up a king over it, namely, this son of Tabe’el.’”
7 This is what the Lord God says. “Their plan shall not succeed. It shall not take place. 8 Yes, the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin, but within sixty-five years Ephraim will be broken into pieces, so that it will no longer be a people. 9 The head of Ephraim is only Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son. If you do not stand firm in faith, you will not stand at all.
10 The Lord spoke to Ahaz again. He said, 11 “Ask for a sign from the Lord your God. Ask for it either in the depths below or in the heights above.” 12 But Ahaz responded, “I will not ask. I will not test the Lord.” 13 So Isaiah said: “Listen now, you house of David. Is it not enough for you to test the patience of men? Will you test the patience of my God as well? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give a sign for all of you. Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son and name Him Immanuel. 15 He will eat curds and honey by the time He knows how to refuse evil and choose good, 16 because even before the Child knows how to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken.
17 The Lord will bring on you, on your people, and on your father’s house days worse than any since the day that Ephraim broke away from Judah. The Lord will bring the king of Assyria.
The Epistle Lesson Romans 1:1-7
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised in advance through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures. 3 This gospel is about His Son—Who in the flesh was born a descendant of David, 4 Who in the spirit of holiness was declared to be God’s powerful Son by His resurrection from the dead—Jesus Christ, our Lord. 5 Through Him we received grace and the call to be an apostle on behalf of His name, to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, 6 including you, who were called by Jesus Christ.
7 To all those loved by God who are in Rome, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
After which the Congregation will rise out of respect for
The Gospel Lesson Matthew 1:18-25
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother, Mary, was pledged in marriage to Joseph. Before they came together, she was found to be with Child by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her. So he decided to divorce her privately. 20 But as he was considering these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because the Child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
22 All this happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son. And they will name Him Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.”
24 When Joseph woke up from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. He took Mary home as his wife, 25 but he was not intimate with her until she gave birth to her firstborn Son. And he named Him Jesus.
The 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 Ghost; Born of the virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sawteeth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.
after which the Congregation will be seated for
The Children’s Lesson Luke 1:26-37
26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.”
29 But she was greatly troubled by the statement and was wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. 31 Listen, you will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus. 32 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. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will never end.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered her, “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. 36 Listen, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age even though she was called barren, and this is her sixth month. 37 For nothing will be impossible for God.”
38 Then Mary said, “See, I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
“There’s Nothing Our God Can’t Do!”
The Sermon Hymn “We Now Praise Christ, the Holy One”
sung to the melody of “From Heaven Above To Earth I Come” (CW 38)
Now we praise Christ, the Holy One,
The blessed Virgin Mary’s Son.
From east to west, from shore to shore
Let earth its Lord and King adore.
He Who Himself all things did make
A Servant’s form agreed to take
That He, as man, mankind might win
And save His creatures from their sin.
The grace and pow’r of God the Lord
Upon the mother was outpoured;
A Virgin pure and undefiled
In wond’rous way conceived a Child.
The noble mother bore a Son –
For so did Gabriel’s promise run –
God’s holy Law He’d satisfy
Then give His life, our death to die.
All honor unto Christ the Lord
Eternal and incarnate Word
Who, with the Spirit, e’er shall be
One in the Father’s majesty. Amen.
After which the Congregation will remain seated for
The Greeting
Grace and peace be yours in abundance, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord. May the God of peace fill you with all joy in believing! Amen.
Sermon Text Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give a sign for all of you. Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son and name Him Immanuel
Born to a WHAT???
The Post-Sermon Blessing
Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, to Him to glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen!
The Offertory – Psalm 51:10-12
(Sung) Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence
And take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.
And uphold me with Your free Spirit. Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
We will be passing an offering plate through our chapel at this point. For those unable to worship with us in person, if you would like to participate in this offering, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
As the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation rises for prayer
Our Special Prayers for Each Other
For our brother, Kent Mayer who is recovering from a successful
knee operation that he had this past Monday;
and
For our brother, George Layton, who continues to
undergo rehabilitation therapy at the Blossoms in Rogers
The Prayer for Today
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.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Benediction
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord look with favor upon you, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn “Come, O Long-Expected Jesus”
Come, O long-expected Jesus, Born to set Your people free;
From our fears and sins release us, By Your death on Calvary.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope to all the earth impart,
Dear Desire of ev’ry nation, Joy of ev’ry longing heart.
Born Your people to deliver, Born a child and yet a king,
Born to reign in us forever, Now Your gracious kingdom bring.
By Your own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Your all-sufficient merit Raise us to Your glorious throne.