21 Dec Bulletin – Sunday, December 21, 2025
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
The Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Organist
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Fourth Sunday of Advent
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
Holy are you, God of steadfast love and faithfulness; you made a covenant with your chosen ones to establish the throne of your servant David forever. As we light these candles, open our hearts to the mystery of the incarnation revealed to your servant Mary and plant your word in us that it may grow and prosper.
Show us your favor and reveal your love to us so that we may be strengthen for service in your name. Amen.
Lord, break into our world with your light, we pray.
Come stir up power able to light the whole world, O Lord.
Lord, break into our world with your joy, we pray,
Come stir up power which brings joy to the world, O Lord.
Lord, break into our world with your peace, we pray,
Come stir up your power and give peace to our world, O Lord.
Lord, break into our world with your comfort, we pray,
Come stir up your power to provide comfort for all, O Lord.
Lord, break into our world with your love, we pray,
Come stir up your power so the world feels loved, O Lord.
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.
GATHERING HYMN
Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers #25
APOSTOLIC GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that hinders our faith, that eagerly we may receive your promises, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING ISAIAH 7:10-16
The Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” Then Isaiah said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.”
PSALM 80:1-7, 17-19
Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your strength and come to help us.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
O Lord God of hosts, how long will your anger fume when your people pray?
You have fed them with the | bread of tears; you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
You have made us the derision of our neighbors, and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
Let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
the one you have made so strong for yourself.
And so, will we never turn away from you; give us life, that we may call upon your name.
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
SPECIAL MUSIC Aaron Popp, Lily Popp and Tanner Wright
Cantique de Noël
SECOND READING ROMANS 1:1-7
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the gentiles for the sake of his name, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
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 1st chapter.
🎶Glory to you, O Lord.
GOSPEL MATTHEW 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.
The Gospel of the Lord.
🎶Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY
Joy to the World #39
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, trusting your promise to renew the church, the nations, and the whole of creation. A brief silence.
With anticipation toward you, prepare our hearts and stir our spirits. Empower us to gift others with that which we’ve received. Hear and restore us, O God of hosts, stir up your strength and help us. Shine your face upon us and we shall be saved.
The earth breaks forth in singing as it heralds your coming. Fill our hearts with wonder as we join heaven and nature in announcing your holy birth. Hear and restore us, O God of hosts, stir up your strength and help us. Shine your face upon us, and we shall be saved.
Send your saving grace and peace to the nations. Lead us in work for justice and care for the common good. May we meet the Christ whom we seek in our neighbors’ faces. Hear and restore us, O God of hosts, stir up your strength and help us. Shine your face upon us, and we shall be saved.
When tears of grief, exhaustion, or loneliness come, or physical or emotional hurt overwhelms us, come to our aid. Uphold all who are anxious, who know the challenges of depression, or who are ill (especially those on our prayer list). Hear and restore us, O God of hosts, stir up your strength and help us. Shine your face upon us, and we shall be saved.
Surround parents with communities of support. Bless families and guide them in ways that provide for all. Hear and restore us, O God of hosts, stir up your strength and help them. Let your face shine upon them, and they shall be saved.
We give thanks for all who treasure the gospel and live to faithfully serve. Strengthen our earthly journeys until, at the last, your face shines upon us and we are held forever in love. Hear and restore us, O God of hosts, stir up your strength to help. Save all whom you’ve created by your redeeming grace.
We ask these things, O God, with confidence and humility. For everyone in need we pray, trusting in the mercy and compassion demonstrated by your Son, Jesus Christ, who was and is, God with us. Amen.
EXCHANGE OF PEACE
OFFERING
OFFERATORY
🎶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
CLOSING HYMN
The First Noel #56
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE