December 07, 2025 – The Second Sunday in Advent

Here’s THAT Man Again….

along with His Message!

(Advent’s Premier Preacher

and His Powerful Call to Fruitful Repentance)

A number of years ago I visited a family from our church that was very active in church life. Their children were quite young, and were just beginning to recognize me outside of church, without my pastor’s robe. After I knocked on the front door, their little girl opened the door and, recognizing me, she turned and yelled: “Mommy, Daddy, that man’s here again!”

We can also say the same thing about John the Baptist every December, can’t we? Each Advent season THAT man, “the Premier Preacher of Advent,” shows up without fail at some point in our worship services. John’s a little bit like that somewhat difficult relative who shows up every holiday season, and who makes us feel a little more uncomfortable than we’d like. However, John’s message to the people of His day and to us – even if it makes us uncomfortable – is one that each one of us truly needs to hear and apply to our lives not. John’s words are important, only for a spiritually beneficial Christmas celebration, but also for the overall “health” of our souls. As he called the people of his day to repentance over 2000 years ago, even so John also speaks across those 20 centuries to us today, challenging us to recognize our sins, repent of them, and reject them in the future. He also wants us to realize where we’d be without our Redeemer (in hell), as well as where we will one day be (heaven) because of Him.

Today’s Worship Service and Scripture Lessons

We’re grateful that you’ve chosen to join us then, this morning, as we focus our attention in this worship

hour on one of the essential aspects of our Christian Christmas preparations: our personal repentance of all of our sins of thought, word, and action….since our sinfulness necessitated Christ’s Advent (coming) to be our Redeemer.

Today’s Psalm of the Day is one of the seven so-called “Penitential Psalms” (the others being Psalms 6, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143). In Psalm 32 David especially rejoices in God’s forgiveness of his sins, but he also recounts the spiritual misery he endured when he, at first, tried to ignore and hide his sinfulness.

In this morning’s Old Testament Lesson Isaiah prophesies about the fore-runner of the Savior (John the Baptist), who would prepare the hearts of the people for Christ’s arrival through his message of repentance.

Through today’s Epistle Lesson Paul gives us a proper definition of true repentance: genuine “godly sorrow” over sin which, in turn, produces following “fruits” of repentance: earnestness, eagerness to clear oneself, righteous indignation and alarm over against sin, a longing for the Lord, concern for souls, and readiness to see that divine justice is done.

Our Gospel Lesson finds Jesus warning His hearers about the dire consequences (that is, everlasting damnation in hell) of impenitence. In the parable which follows His point is that eventually God’s sense of justice requires that every tree (every impenitent individual) that does not produce the fruits of true repentance and faith must be cut down and thrown into the fire (of hell).

Next, in our Children’s Lesson we’ll talk about the fact that repentance is more than being sorry we’ve sinned; it’s the God-pleasing desire to change from doing what’s wrong, and instead to do what’s right in God’s sight.

Finally, today’s Sermon Text looks at the matter of repentance as a necessary and proper preparation for the Savior’s coming. This is the message John the Baptist proclaimed to the Jews of his day. He continues to proclaim it, across the centuries, to all believers of every age….including you and me.

Repentance in John’s Day and Ours

John the Baptist’s message was one that called people to repentance. He was the last of the Old Testament

prophets. His God-appointed task was to prepare the Jewish people for the beginning of Christ’s public ministry. John’s an important part of our Advent season preparations because his powerful preaching of repentance remains as relevant and necessary today as it was vital for his hearers along the Jordan River 2 millennia ago.

Regrettably, one of the glaring deficiencies of our age is the diminishment or even the ignoring of guilt that many people feel over against their sin. It’s a growing cultural (and Spiritual) deficiency that makes it more difficult for us to talk with them about repentance and their need for Christ’s redeeming work. Sadly, as far as too many people today are concerned, the concept of “repentance” is something that belongs in the past – to the days of sackcloth and ashes and Old Testament prophets – and should not be a part of our current, “open-minded” culture.

In our supposedly enlightened, progressive society – so those who are worldly-minded would suggest – each person should have the right to determine what his or her own moral values will be. No one should be made to feel “guilty” because of the values of others, let alone due to the teachings of a book as old as the Bible. For such persons, any call to “repent” is both unwanted and irrelevant to their lives (at least in their opinion at this moment in time….but there will come a time on the Last Day when they will learn they were damnably wrong!). Many other people today (including too many Christians) view expressions of repentance as something that they have to offer only should they get caught saying or doing something wrong.

What “Repentance” Really Means

and How It is Modeled in the Christian’s Life

Of course, for those who know and believe what God’s Word says, repentance is far more than simply blurting out “I’m sorry” if a person gets caught disobeying those in authority, cheating on taxes, or committing some other sin. What’s more, repentance isn’t just the desire to turn over a new leaf in life. Repentance is also more than simply reciting, with every one else, the prayer of confession that we offer each week in our worship services.

Repentance is an integral, essential, and daily part of every believer’s life of faith. Our Lutheran Confessions make that clear by explaining what repentance is.

For example, the Formula of Concord (Thorough Declaration, V, 7,8) says: “The term repentance is not employed in the Holy Scriptures in one and the same sense. For in some passages of Holy Scripture it is employed and taken for the entire conversion of man, as in Luke 13:5 and Luke 15:7. But in Mark 1:15, as also elsewhere, where repentance and faith in Christ (Acts 20:21), or repentance and remission of sins (Luke 24:26,27), are mentioned, ‘to repent’ means nothing else than truly to acknowledge sins, to be heartily sorry for them, and to desist from them.”

In addition, the Augsburg Confession (Article XII) says the following: “Repentance properly consists of these two parts: One is contrition, that is, terrors smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin; the other is faith, which is born of the Gospel, or of absolution, and believes that for Christ’s sake sins are forgiven, comforts the conscience, and delivers it from terrors.”

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 ever-greens, 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 wreath’s center 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

Used with permission. Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831

Prayer in Preparation for Worship:

Almighty God, Who has given Your only-begotten Son both as a Sacrifice for all my sins and also as an Example of godly living for me, in Your mercy grant that I will always regard these blessings with gratitude and also that I might daily endeavor to follow in the blessed footsteps of that same Savior. Especially, today, as I meditate upon Your Holy Word, give me a receptive and an accepting heart, that I might faithfully apply to my life Your instruction concerning Your management of my life…particularly in connection with more clearly recognizing my sins and more quickly and genuinely repenting of them before You. Through that same Word, please continue to encourage me and build up my faith with Your assurance that in everything You are working for my earthly and eternal good, now and always. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Pre-service prayer Pre-worship music

Let Us Praise The Lord

The Greeting and Introduction to Worship

The Invocation

We begin this service in the name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today’s Opening Psalm Psalm 32

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. + Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, + and in whose spirit there is no deceit. + For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. + For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; + my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity; + I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” + and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. + Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to You at a time when You may be found; + surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. + You are a hiding place for me; + You preserve me from trouble; + You surround me with shouts of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; + I will counsel you with My eye upon you. + Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, + which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, + but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. + Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, + and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

after which the Congregation will be seated

The Opening Hymn

and Choral Selection Hymn 16 “On Jordan’s Bank”

Choir: verses 1, 2 and 3

Congregation and Choir: verses 4 and 5

1 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry

Announces that the Lord is nigh;

Come, then, and listen, for he brings

Good news about the King of kings.

2 Then cleansed be ev’ry life from sin

And furnished for a guest within,

And let us all our hearts prepare

For Christ to come and enter there.

3 We hail you as our Savior, Lord,

Our refuge and our great reward.

Without your grace we waste away

Like flow’rs that wither and decay.

4 Stretch forth your hand, our health restore,

And lift us up to fall no more.

Oh, make your face on us to shine,

And fill the world with love divine.

5 All praise to you, eternal Son,

Whose advent has our freedom won,

Whom with the Father we adore

And Holy Spirit evermore.

After the choir members return to their seats

the Congregation will be invited to rise as

We Make Confession of Our Sins To God

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.

Congregation O Almighty God, merciful Father, I a poor miserable sinner confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am truly sorry for them, and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You, in Your boundless mercy, and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor sinful being.

Pastor 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 you all, and in the place of and according to the command of our 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

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 – Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord. + From the house of the Lord we bless You!

1 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.

2 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 Second Sunday in Advent

O Almighty God, Father in heaven + mercifully hear the prayers of Your people, + that as we rejoice in the celebration + of Your only-begotten Son’s first advent + to dwell among us and to give His life for us, + so may we also + joyfully receive Your Son without fear + when He comes a second time in all His glory + to redeem His Church and to judge our world. + All this we ask + in the name of Jesus Christ, + Your Son our Lord + Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit + as the One True God, + now and forever. + Amen.

after which the Congregation will be seated as

We Hear God’s Word

The Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 40:1-8

1 Comfort, comfort My people,

says your God.

2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

and proclaim to her

that her hard service has been completed,

that her sin has been paid for,

that she has received from the Lord’s hand

double for all her sins.

3 A voice of one calling:

“In the wilderness prepare

the way for the Lord;

make straight in the desert

a highway for our God.

4 Every valley shall be raised up,

every mountain and hill made low;

the rough ground shall become level,

the rugged places a plain.

5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,

and all people will see it together.

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

6 A voice says, “Cry out.”

And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass,

and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.

7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

because the breath of the Lord blows on them.

Surely the people are grass.

8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God endures forever.”

The Epistle Lesson II Corinthians 7:8-13a

8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.

After which the Congregation will rise for

The Gospel Lesson Luke 13:1-9

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

6 Then He told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, + Maker of heaven and earth, + and of all things visible and invisible. + And in one Lord Jesus Christ, + the only-begotten Son of God, + begotten of His Father before all worlds, + God of God, + Light of Light. + Very God of Very God. + Begotten, not made. + Being of one substance with the Father, + By Whom all things were made; + Who for us men and for our salvation, + came down from heaven + And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary + And was made man; + And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. + He suffered and was buried; + And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; + And ascended into heaven, + And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; + And He shall come again with glory, + to judge both the quick and the dead; + Whose Kingdom shall have no end. + And I believe in the Holy Ghost, + The Lord and Giver of Life, + Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, + Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, + Who spake by the Prophets. + And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. + I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, + And I look for the resurrection of the dead, + And the life of the world to come. + Amen.

after which the Congregation will be seated

The Children’s Lesson Matthew 3:8

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

Repentance Means Real Sorrow over Sin

AND Changing Your Behavior

The Sermon Hymn “Almighty God, My Sins Were Great”

447447 D (“O Herre Gott”) cwh, 2008

Almighty God, my sins were great,

My conscience did condemn me;

For I had found, that in this state No one had power to aid me.

I fled from You in my despair And if You, lost had left me,

My guilt would yet be with me there

And peace still be denied me.

Your mercy, Lord, I don’t deserve

But, in Your grace, please grant me

Forgiveness free – my soul preserve. For Jesus has redeemed me.

Your Spirit’s aid I dearly need – To see my sins more clearly,

And to repent of each misdeed

For which Christ suffered for me.

Your Means of Grace, Lord, I will crave

That I might be more faithful.

You gave Your life, my soul to save

Dear Jesus, I’m so grateful!

So, curb my heart. Forgive my sin.

And make my faith much firmer.

Lord, keep me pure, without, within –

As I live for You, Savior. Amen.

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.

The Sermon Text Luke 3:1-20

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. 3 He went into the whole region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 Just as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

“Prepare the way of the Lord! Make His paths straight.

5 Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be

made low.

The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.

6 And everyone will see the salvation of God.”

7 So John kept saying to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore produce fruits in keeping with repentance! Do not even think of saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ because I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 9 Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is going to be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 The crowds began to ask him, “What should we do then?”

11 He answered them, “Whoever has two shirts should share with the person who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”

12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. They said, “Teacher, what should we do?”

13 To them he said, “Collect no more than what you were authorized to.”

14 Soldiers were also asking him, “And what should we do?”

He told them, “Do not extort money from anyone by force or false accusation. Be satisfied with your wages.”

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But Someone mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor. He will gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

18 Then with many other words, he appealed to them and was preaching good news to the people. 19 But after John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things he had done— 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John in prison.

John’s Advent Message

following the Sermon, the Congregation will remain seated for

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!

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. 6^th 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

Give Online

Our Special Prayers for Each Other

For our brother, Kent Mayer who will undergo

knee surgery tomorrow at Northwest Hospital in Siloam Springs

and

For our brother, Bobby Eichler, who is

recovering from shoulder surgery last Thursday;

and

For our brother, George Layton, who continues to

undergo rehabilitation therapy at the Blossoms in Rogers

P: Lord God Almighty, comfort Your Church throughout the world with the confidence that, while the grass withers and the flowers fall, and even though heaven and earth will pass away, Your Word will stand firm forever

We thank You that through Your Word and Sacraments, + we continually receive Your gifts of strengthened faith, new life and certain salvation.

Lord God, as John the Baptizer made people aware of their sinfulness so that they would look to the mightier One, Jesus Christ, for the remission of all their sins

C: Grant to all pastors, teachers, leaders in Your Churches, + and believers everywhere the courage and faith + to live and proclaim both Your Law and Gospel, + that many more may come to know of Your enduring love + and Your greatest gift to mankind: + eternal salvation through faith in Christ Jesus alone.

O Almighty God, You have called leaders of our nation and world to positions of authority in order to benefit people everywhere.

Grant that all public servants may faithfully use the gifts of leadership and influence + which You have entrusted to them for the good of everyone.

Lord God, You have called each of us to serve You and those whose lives touch ours through the varied talents and opportunities You have given us, and with the resources You have placed at our disposal.

Grant that, as we do everything to Your glory, + we might find joy and success + in our efforts to serve You and our fellow men and women.

Merciful Lord, we ask that You would continue to bring Your comfort support, healing and blessing to all those who face personal challenges in life, notably those who are sick and injured, as well as to those who are currently unemployed or who are struggling with financial difficulties.

Assure them all that Your compassion never fails, + that Your sustaining and healing hand is ever with them, + and that in everything You are working for the earthly and eternal good of Your children. + Enable them to look to You, the God of all comfort, + that they never lose sight of Your merciful goodness.

Gracious Father, as we, Your people, have gathered around Your Word today, through the Holy Spirit’s working in our hearts,

Grant us all true repentance over each and every sin, + and increase our faith daily + that we might see both the seriousness of our sins + and the greatness of Your love for us in Jesus Christ.

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commit ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in Whose name we offer this prayer, and continue now by praying:

C: 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 Celebrate the Lord’s Supper

Pastor – The Lord be with you.

Congregation (Sung) And also with you

Pastor – Lift up your hearts.

Congregation (Sung) We lift them up unto the Lord

Pastor – Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.

Congregation (Sung) It is good and right so to do.

Consecration of the Elements (Pastor)

Pastor – The peace of the Lord be with you always.

Congregation (Sung) Amen.

The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper (Pastor)

(Please read the following if you have not spoken with

our Pastor about taking communion. Thank you.)

TO OUR GUESTS AND FRIENDS………

We ask that only “Confirmed, Communicant” members of this

congregation, or of one of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod congregations come forward to receive the Lord’s Supper at this time.

We seriously believe, according to Scripture, that only those who are “one,” that is, in complete doctrinal agreement, united in a common public confession of faith, are to commune together at the same altar (see I Corinthians 10:17 and I Corinthians 1:10).

That’s because to be “in communion” means to share and to hold in common. By eating and drinking at our Lord’s Table, we are not only sharing in, with, and under the bread and wine, Jesus’ very body and blood…we are also publicly declaring that we hold in common a specific confession of faith and Christian teaching. In other words, as a result of having comprehensively studied the Scriptures together all of our communicants have agreed to accept and proclaim as the truth…the same Biblical doctrines and practices.

Through membership in a particular church body (for us, that church body is the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod), each person makes a public statement that he/she is in full agreement with the teachings and practices of that body. Because not every church body or Lutheran Synod teaches and practices the same things, we in the WELS want to be honest in our recognition of the doctrinal/teaching differences that, here on earth, separate us from other church bodies. Please bear in mind that we are not, in any way, judging the legitimacy of your Christian faith. Still, we ask that if you have not (upon study of the Word with us) declared yourself to be in full doctrinal agreement with us, you would respectfully not join us in the Lord’s Supper this morning.

It is our prayer that our Scripture-based practice of “Close Communion” will encourage anyone among us today who is not presently in full fellowship with us to seriously examine the teachings and practices of his/her church in order to determine if those teachings and practices are really in full agreement with God’s Word.

And if you are guest among us today, we want you to know that it is our earnest desire that you might become familiar with the Biblical doctrines/teachings which our congregation confesses, in order that you might one day join with us at the Lord’s altar in this public expression of full unity of doctrine and practice. Until then, please know that we are most grateful for your participation as a fellow Christian in this worship service, and that we truly appreciate your understanding and respect for our Bible-based Communion practice.

Communion Hymns Hymn 14 “Arise O Christian People”

1 Arise, O Christian people!

Prepare yourselves today.

Prepare to greet the Savior,

Who takes your sins away.

To us by grace alone

The truth and light was given;

The promised Lord from heaven

To all the world is shown.

2 Prepare the way before him;

Prepare for him the best.

Cast out what would offend him,

This great, this heav’nly guest.

Make straight, make plain the way:

The lowly valleys raising,

The heights of pride abasing,

His path all even lay.

3 The humble heart and lowly

God raises up on high;

Beneath his feet in terror

The haughty soul shall lie.

The heart sincere and right,

That heeds God’s invitation

And makes true preparation —

It is the Lord’s delight.

4 Prepare my heart, Lord Jesus;

Turn not from me aside,

And help me to receive you

This blessed Adventtide.

From stall and manger low

Come now to dwell within me;

I’ll sing your praises gladly

And forth your glory show.

Hymn 28 “Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord”

1 Let the earth now praise the Lord,

Who has truly kept his word

And at last to us did send

Christ, the sinner’s help and friend.

2 What the fathers most desired,

What the prophets’ heart inspired,

What they longed for many a year

Stands fulfilled in glory here.

3 Abram’s promised great reward,

Zion’s helper, Jacob’s Lord —

Him of twofold race behold —

Truly came, as long foretold.

4 Welcome, O my Savior, now!

Joyful, Lord, to you I bow.

Come into my heart, I pray;

Oh, prepare yourself a way.

5 Crush for me the serpent’s head

That, set free from doubt and dread,

I may cling to you in faith,

Safely kept through life and death,

6 And, when you shall come again

As a glorious king to reign,

I with joy may see your face,

Freely ransomed by your grace.

At the pastor’s invitation, the congregation will rise

We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing

The Closing Prayer

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 “O Dearest Friend”

text by Jaraslov Vajda, MorningStar Music

used with permission, OneLicense.net A715676

to the tune of “Londonderry Aire”

O Dearest Friend, my kindest and most faithful Friend,

Do not discard me, Though I grieve You much.

I look for You, at ev’ry cliff-walled trail’s end,

In crowds and lonely rooms, to feel Your touch.

I mourn the vows of love I made, but have not kept,

I call You from a heart You made Your own.

Remember me, as one who in the garden slept

While You were on Your way to earn my fadeless crown.

Create in me a heart that’s clean as newest born,

A heart, my God, that beats for You alone.

Make it a temple Your free spirit would adorn,

With living flesh replace my heart of stone.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

Recapture, Oh, the thrill of our first love.

Securely hold me, mold me, Your creation,

Delight me yet again with Your disarming love.

Silent Prayer

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