11/30/25Bulletin | Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Advent means “coming.” Christ came in the flesh at Bethlehem, He comes now in word and sacrament, and He will come again in judgment. As we look forward to His final coming, we find our deepest joy and comfort in His present coming with His very body and blood for our forgiveness. As we receive the Lord’s Supper today, guests desiring communion are asked to speak with the pastor or elder before the service. For Scriptural reasons, we practice close communion.

The first candle is Hope- I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I HOPE (Ps. 130:5). It is not idle waiting we do this season. No, Advent’s waiting is ripe with expectancy…with yearning. It isn’t simply “hopeful” waiting.

This waiting IS HOPE!

AD TE LEVAVI – FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

The Lord Jesus Comes in Humility to Redeem Us

November 30, 2025

AS WE GATHER: The new Church Year begins by focusing on the humble coming of our Lord. “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey” (Matt. 21:5). Even as He was born in a lowly manger, so Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a beast of burden. For He bears the sin of the world. He is the Son of David riding to His enthronement on the cross, where He shows Himself to be “The LORD is our Righteousness” (Jer. 23:5-6). Our Lord still comes in great humility to deliver His righteousness to us in the Word and Sacraments. Before receiving Christ’s body and blood, we also sing, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9) And as we receive the Sacrament, we set our hearts on His return in glory, for “our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Rom. 13:11).

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/Leader Pastor Justin D. Kane

Organist Mrs. Kolleen Hosford

Worship Elder Mr. Al Hosford

Mr. Alan Kleinendorst

Lay Reader Mrs. Lu Kafer

Greeters Carol Gustafson/ Alan Kleinendorst

Door Greeter Mr. Brian Williams

ORDER OF WORSHIP

Divine Service II

Announcements

Opening Hymn: LSB 350 “Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come”

*Confession/Absolution: LSB 167

SERVICE OF THE WORD

Kyrie: LSB 168

Gloria in Excelsis: LSB 170

*Salutation: LSB 172

*COLLECT OF THE DAY:

Pastor: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come,

People: that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:5-8 Pew Bible Page 1210

Epistle: Romans 13:8-14 Pew Bible Page 1765

*Alleluia and Verse: LSB 173

*Holy Gospel: Matthew 21:1-9 Pew Bible Page 1531

*Nicene Creed: LSB 174

Sermon Hymn: LSB 332 “Savior of the Nations, Come ” v. 1-7

Sermon

Offertory LSB 176

*Prayer of the Church

Prayer of the Church

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Be with Your whole Church, Lord, that as we wait for the coming of Christ, our King, our hearts may be filled with His joy and our lips with His praise. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Lord, encourage the preachers of Your Word and all who hear, for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. Give boldness and faithfulness to Matthew, our Synod president; Brian, our district president; David, our circuit visitor; and all pastors in Christ. Renew the faith and quicken the love of all Christians to cast off the works of darkness, put on Jesus Christ and live as children of the eternal day. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God, our Father, Giver of all good gifts, look upon the households of Your people. Provide companionship for those who are alone and strengthen the bonds of marriage. Equip parents to raise their children in love and faith. Grant that our homes may be places of joy, reasonableness, peace and prayer. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty God, behold our nation and its leaders and protect our armed forces, taking them under Your care and blessing. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, show compassion to the sick, the suffering and those in need. Relieve their pain, increase their faith, and grant healing and peace in accordance with Your wisdom and will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful God, comfort those who mourn with Your promises in Christ, and fill their hearts with the peace that passes understanding. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of life, Your Son humbly rode into Jerusalem to the shouts of “hosanna!” so that He might give us righteousness and salvation by His death and resurrection. Mercifully grant that we would repent of our sins and rejoice in His presence as He visits us with His body and blood in His Holy Supper this day. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Father, You have made us glad to enter into Your presence to hear the good news of our Savior and receive Your gifts. Preserve Your Church against all her enemies, and lead us to walk in Your ways and to follow Your paths, that when Jesus returns in His glory we may welcome Him with glad hosannas. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into Your hands, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

*Lord’s Prayer LSB 179

*Benediction LSB 234

This concludes the service for online viewing

*SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT LSB 177ff

Distribution Hymns:

“O Lord, How Shall I Meet You” LSB 334

“Prepare the Royal Highway” LSB 343

“The Advent of Our King” LSB 331

*Thank the Lord: LSB 181

*Post-Communion Collect: LSB 183

*Benediction: LSB 183

Closing Hymn: LSB 332 “Savior of the Nations, Come” v. 8