The second Advent candle is LOVE: She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger. Luke 2:7 So this is love? Tiny? Fragile? Gently swaddled in poor strips of cloth? Laid by tired young hands in the mean straw of a manger? But sent by GOD! So this IS LOVE!
SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
(POPULUS ZION)
The Lord Comes on the Last Day
December 7, 2025
AS WE GATHER: The day on which our Lord returns will be a “great and awesome day” (Mal. 4:5). For He will come in a cloud with great power and glory. To the wicked and the proud, it will be a Day of judgment that will “set them ablaze” (Mal. 4:1). The signs preceding this Day will bring them fear and fainting. But to those who believe, who fear the name of the Lord, this Day is one to look forward to and rejoice in: “. . . straighten us and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). Christ our Redeemer is coming; the Son of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings. Let us, then, give attention to the words of the Lord, which do not pass away. Let us “through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures” (Rom. 15:4) be strengthened in our hope by the Holy Spirit and watch diligently for Jesus’ coming. Then, by God’s grace, we shall escape all these things that will come to pass and stand before the Son of Man.
Take a moment to notice the * at the beginning of various portions of the order of service. The * indicates the place where it is inappropriate to enter or leave the sanctuary because it marks a time of prayer or respect for the Word of the Lord. Please be considerate of others around you by honoring these notations.
PARTICIPATING:
Worship Preacher Reverend Henry Pahlkotter
Worship Leader Pastor Justin D. Kane
Organist Mrs. Kolleen Hosford
Elder Mr. Alan Kleinendorst
Greeters Steve and Arleen Block
Door Greeter Mr. Brian Williams
Special Music Mrs. Mary Dubke and the Valley Lutheran School Choir
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Divine Service III
Announcements
Opening Hymn LSB 353 “Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring”
*Confession/Absolution: LSB 184
SERVICE OF THE WORD
PSALM 30 Chanted responsively v. 1-15
The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and sum- | mons the earth*
from the rising of the sun to its | setting.
Out of Zion, the perfection of | beauty,*
God | shines forth.
Our God comes; he does not keep | silence;*
before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty |
tempest.
He calls to the heav- | ens above*
and to the earth, that he may judge his | people:
“Gather to me my | faithful ones,*
who made a covenant with me by | sacrifice!”
The heavens declare his | righteousness,*
for God him- | self is judge!
“Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify a- | gainst you.*
I am | God, your God.
Not for your sacrifices do I re- | buke you;*
your burnt offerings are continually be- | fore me.
I will not accept a bull | from your house*
or goats | from your folds.
For every beast of the for- | est is mine,*
the cattle on a | thousand hills.
I know all the birds | of the hills,*
and all that moves in the | field is mine.
“If I were hungry, I would not | tell you,*
for the world and its full- | ness are mine.
Do I eat the | flesh of bulls*
or drink the | blood of goats?
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanks- | giving,*
and perform your vows to the | Most High,
and call upon me in the day of | trouble;*
I will deliver you, and you shall glo- | rify me.”
Glory be to the Father and | to the Son*
and to the Holy | Spirit;
as it was in the be- | ginning,*
is now, and will be forever. | Amen.
*Kyrie: LSB 186
*Salutation: LSB 189
*COLLECT OF THE DAY:
Pastor: Stir up our hearts, O Lord,
People: 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.
Hymn Valley Lutheran Choir “Voccata (Gloria)”
Old Testament: Malachi 4:1-6 Pew Bible Page 1491
Epistle: Romans 15:4-13. Pew Bible Page 1766
*Holy Gospel: Luke 21:25-36 Pew Bible Page 1636
*Apostles’ Creed: LSB 192
Sermon Hymn: LSB 336 “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending”
Sermon
Offertory Valley Lutheran Choir “Midwinter Snow”
*Prayer of the Church
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
O Lord, give ear to our cries for mercy. Create in us contrite hearts, and work in us true repentance and faith. Keep us, Your baptized children, clothed in the perfect holiness and righteousness of Your Son, that we may remain His beautiful and unblemished Bride. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You send Your prophets and apostles, pastors and teachers in all times to call sinners to repentance and comfort them with the healing of the Sun of righteousness. Give strength to the congregations and ministers of Your Church, especially Matthew, our Synod president; Brian, our district president; David, our circuit visitor; and all pastors in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Lord, preserve Your gift of marriage against the ravages of sin, the schemes of the devil and the raging of the world. Bless the couples and families of our congregation. Strengthen them in love and care for one another, and establish them on the foundation of Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, in the midst of strife and conflict, and wars and rumors of wars, remind us that You have given all authority in heaven and earth to Your Son. Call to faithfulness the leaders of the earth, and bless those who govern. Thwart those who would hinder Your reign among all peoples, that peace may be established in every place. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of compassion, behold those in need, the sick, the imprisoned, the lonely and the grieving, and all whom we remember at this altar. Give them patience to endure and hope for the future, looking always for healing in the hands of Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Father, You have taught us to straighten up and raise our heads when we see the coming of the Son of Man. Even now, Your Son comes to us under the bread and wine in the Sacrament. Grant that all who commune today may receive the very body and true blood of Christ for the forgiveness of all their sins. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, by Your Son You have revealed to us that heaven and earth will pass away, that our bodies will rise again, and that we will all appear before His judgment seat. We implore You, keep us in Your Word by Your Holy Spirit. Establish us in the true faith, defend us from all sin, and preserve us in every temptation. Do not let our hearts be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness or the cares of this life, but lead us to trust fully in Your grace and so watch, pray and await with joy the glorious coming of Your Son, in whom we obtain eternal salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the same Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
*Lord’s Prayer: LSB 196
*Benediction: LSB 202
Closing Hymn: Valley Lutheran Choir “Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant us Peace)”
SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
(POPULUS ZION)
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
1024 West Eighth Street, Waterloo Iowa
319.235.6705
www.gracewaterloo.org