14 Dec Bulletin – Sunday, December 14, 2025
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
The Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Organist
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Third Sunday of Advent
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
Holy are you, God of righteousness and peace; you wait with patience for all to come to repentance after sending your prophet to prepare the way of the Lord. As we light these candles, open our ears to hear you speak tenderly to us and open our hearts to welcome you as a shepherd gently leading his flock. Comfort not only us, O God, but the entire hurting world.
Reveal your glory and speak to us, O holy God, of righteousness and peace. Amen.
With hope when we might have given up; we pray, O Lord,
stir up our hearts and come.
With love when we might turn cold or hard; we pray, O Lord,
stir up our hearts and come.
With thankfulness when we might simply complain, we pray, O Lord,
stir up our hearts and come.
To action when we might simply watch, we pray, O Lord,
stir up our hearts and come.
For joy when we are tired and forgiveness when we are hurt; we pray, O Lord,
stir up our hearts and come.
ORDER OF CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Long-expected God, we confess that we look to ourselves for the peace and security only you can provide. We reach for weapons of technology and harmful policies, reluctant to release our grip on ways of power and war. We become impatient while waiting and weary of keeping awake. Free us from self-reliance, and teach us to live in harmony with our neighbors. Increase our trust in God’s timing, and awaken us to your advent among us, that we may abound in the hope you have promised. Amen.
God judges us not as we deserve, but according to God’s own righteousness. ☩ You are freed and forgiven, saved by grace, and ready to welcome the Savior.
Amen.
BELL CHOIR SELECTIONS: GROUP ONE
Joy to the World
Tuya Es la Gloria
You Alone Are Holy
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your coming, that, transformed by grace, we may walk in your way; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING ISAIAH 35:1-10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly
and rejoice with joy and shouting. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.]] Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be opened; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp; the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
PSALM 145:5-10
Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help, whose hope is in the Lord their God;
who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; who keeps promises forever;
who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger. The Lord sets the captive free.
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord cares for the stranger; the Lord sustains the orphan and widow but frustrates the way of the wicked.
The Lord shall reign forever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
SECOND READING JAMES 5:7-10
Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Brothers and sisters, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
🎶Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew, the 11th chapter.
🎶Glory to you, O Lord.
GOSPEL MATTHEW 11:2-11
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What, then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
🎶Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
PROFESSION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He decended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life-everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
In our waiting and watching, we come to you in prayer, O God, trusting your promise to renew the church, the nations, and the whole creation. A brief silence.
God of power and mercy, we praise you for Jesus and his acts of healing and liberation. Lead us to proclaim the good news from generation to generation, that all may place their hope in you. God of grace, hear our prayer.
When lands are parched and dry, bring rain and snow; where wilderness is barren, sow seeds of life. Fill the lands with trees that grow, plants that flower, and creatures that thrive, as nature proclaims the wonder of your works. God of grace, hear our prayer.
When there is injustice or corruption among nations and leaders, root it out. Turn their attention to inequity and the cries of the poor. Instill a deeper sense of compassion and care in all who govern. God of grace, hear our prayer.
When bodies weaken and hearts grow fearful, speak your blessing. (We pray especially for those on our prayer list.) In uncertain times, remind us of the promise spoken to our ancestors in faith. God of grace, hear our prayer.
When people are imprisoned or held captive, break the chains and offer release. Strengthen the work of the church in restorative justice, breaking cycles of poverty, and welcoming the immigrant (especially we pray for Global Refuge and Lutheran Social Services). God of grace, hear our prayer.
As we await your coming, we give thanks for the faithful who have lived and died in faith (especially Mary, mother of Jesus and John of the Cross). May their boldness of faith inspire our witness and work. God of grace, hear our prayer.
You, the Almighty, have done great things for us and holy is your name. You have mercy on those who fear you, from generation to generation. Knowing you are present and active as we commend all for whom we pray, we trust in your mercy through Jesus Christ, Emmanuel. Amen.
EXCHANGE of PEACE
OFFERING
OFFERTORY
🎶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.
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 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.
BLESSING
BELL CHOIR SELECTIONS: GROUP TWO
He Is Born
Christmas Jubilation
GRACE
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.