Online Bulletin

SANCTUARY  |  In-Person  & Online

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Second Sunday in Advent

December 7, 2025
8:30am 

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Prelude "Zion Hears the Watchmen Singing" J. S. Bach
from cantata #140 "Wake, Awake"
Carrie Bark, violin
Alex Guebert, organ

 

Weekly Church News

 

Welcome Pastor Tim Klinkenberg

 

Ringing of the Bell

 

Invocation
Liturgist: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19b)
People: Amen.

 

Advent Candle Lighting
Liturgist: Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
People: Let all creation sing for joy at the coming of the Lord. (Psalm 96)
Liturgist: Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
People: righteousness and peace will unite. (Psalm 85)
Liturgist: The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
People: The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27)
Liturgist: Light dawns for the righteous and peace to the upright in heart.
People: Rejoice in the Lord! Give thanks to God’s holy name. (Psalm 97)
Liturgist: Today we light the hope candle and the peace candle – a sign of the coming light of Christ and the peace we have through Him.

 

Opening Hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
verses 1 and 2
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 379.

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him
Born the king of angels:

Refrain:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!

Highest, most holy,
Light of Light eternal,
Born of a virgin, a mortal He comes;
Son of the Father
Now in flesh appearing! refrain

  
Confession and Absolution
Liturgist: “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” (2 Peter 3:14)
People: “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed.” (Isaiah 40:5a)
Liturgist: The peace that we have in Christ transcends all understanding. It guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7), binding us together in a shared confession of our sins. We confess together:
People: We have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. We have been unworthy of Your grace. Savior of the nations, come. Make our hearts your home. Abide with us, our Lord Immanuel.
(silence for reflection)
Liturgist: Christ came to earth to save you. He died for your sins. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:15a) As a fellow servant of Christ, I therefore announce to you the forgiveness of all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.

 

Hymn of Praise “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
verse 1
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 380.

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

 

Old Testament Reading Malachi 3:6-12 NIV

⁶ “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. ⁷ Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’

⁸ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. ⁹ You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. ¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. ¹¹ I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. ¹² “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

 

Holy Gospel  Matthew 1:18-23 NIV

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

²⁰ But after he had considered 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 home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Lector: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

   

Hymn of the Day “Once in Royal David’s City”
verses 1, 2 and 3
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 376.

Once in royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor and mean and lowly
Lived on earth our Savior holy.

For He is our childhood’s pattern,
Day by day like us He grew;
He was little, weak, and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He feels for all our sadness,
And He shares in all our gladness.

 

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Message Pastor Tim Klinkenberg

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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 Spirit 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 sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe in 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.

 

Prayers of the Church
Each petition concludes with:
Liturgist: Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.

 

Gathering of Our Tithes and Offerings 

 

Music at the Offering
"Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" arr. Alex Guebert
Carrie Bark, violin
Alex Guebert, piano

  

Communion Prayer 
Liturgist: Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on us, Your children, and have given us Your only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. We give You thanks for the redemption You have prepared for us through Jesus Christ. Send Your Holy Spirit into our hearts that He may establish in us a living faith and prepare us joyfully to remember our Redeemer and receive Him who comes to us in His body and blood.

People: Amen.


 
The Lord's Prayer
Liturgist: Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
People: 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

 

Words of Institution

 

Pax Domini
Liturgist: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: Amen.

 

Advent Communion Hymn
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
verses 1 and 5
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 357.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery. refrain

 

Music During the Distribution

Christmas Medley

“Joy to the World”

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room
And heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

“O Little Town of Bethlehem”

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

“Silent Night, Holy Night”

Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

“Angels We Have Heard on High”

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

“Joy to the World”

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

 

Dismissal

 
Benediction
Liturgist: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
People: Hosanna in the highest!
Liturgist: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24–26)
People: Amen.

 

Closing Hymn “Once in Royal David’s City”
verse 4

And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heav’n above;
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.

 

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Worship Service Participants

Preacher/ Liturgist: Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Klinkenberg (8:30) / Vicar Micah Raebel (10:30)
Liturgist: Caleb Martin
Organ: Alex Guebert
Choir: St. John’s Second Grade Choir (10:30)
Choir Director: Audrey Mink
Piano: Dr. Rachel Ehring
Audio/Visual: Blaine Currier, Hector Cerda, and Jonathan Casper

Thanks for joining us today!

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  ONLINE GIVING

PRAYER REQUEST

CONNECTION CARD

 

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December 7, 2025

Prayers of the Church
December 7, 2025

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son.
By His coming, may we be enabled to serve You with pure minds. Lord, in Your mercy,

Heavenly Father, we thank You that by water and the Spirit,
You give Your servants the forgiveness of sin and raise them to a new life of grace.

Thank You for the Baptism of Emerson Rae Sanner, daughter of Nicholas and Taylor.
Sustain her in Your Spirit. Give her an inquiring and discerning heart,
the courage to will and persevere, and the gift of joy and wonder in all Your works.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Loving God, we thank You for 13 years of marriage for Chuck and Suzanne Harrison.

Help them, and all spouses, to continue to grow in love towards You and each other.
Give all the power of Your love, that we would live sacrificially for one another.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Holy God, St. John spoke the promise of healing to the broken and wounded.

Hear our prayers for Judi Bailey, Bob Birschbach, Julie Ezell, Rob Freeman, Jeannie Julien, Atsiko Miura, Masashi Miura, Joyce Nelson, Bob Odle, the Pipgras family, Noah Rico, Chuck and Dot Stalter, those on our printed prayer lists, and those listed now from our hearts and minds…

Give to all afflicted in body or mind the riches of Your grace, healing according to Your will, and grace to carry them through the day of their trouble. Lord, in Your mercy,

God of comfort and consolation, we pray for those who grieve and are in sorrow,
that You would give them the courage to bear their burdens with the body of Christ.

We pray for the family and friends of Gage Cusby, nephew of Rick and Karen Finke,
the family and friends of Mavis Eckhoff,
the family and friends of Mike Farina, husband of Michelle,
the family and friends of Nancy Fricke, wife of Stuart,
the family and friends of Greg May, husband of Doreen,
and the family and friends of Tom Larkin, husband of Doni.

Through the hope and knowledge of the resurrection,
may they know Your presence of divine compassion. Lord, in Your mercy,

For our first responders and military, active and inactive,
and for those in governing authority over us,
that they would protect the innocent,
punish the wicked and work for the common welfare. Lord, in Your mercy,

For all who teach and learn, especially those finishing finals and traveling home,
we pray for endurance and Your protection and peace. Lord, in Your mercy,

For all who commune today,
that You would stir up repentance, faith, and gratitude in our hearts
for the wonderful gift of Your body and blood, given and shed for forgiveness of sins.
Lord, in Your mercy,

O Lord God, heavenly Father, grant us all things needful,
and keep from us all things harmful to us and to our salvation.

With confidence in Your will, may we say “Amen” to our prayers,
and live in contentment and peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WALKER HALL  |  In-Person and Online

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Second Sunday in Advent

Sunday, December 7, 2025
10:30am

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Welcome Pastor Tim Klinkenberg

Invocation

Lighting of the Peace Candle

Confession and Absolution

Worship Set
“Angels We Have Heard On High”
“Do You Hear What I Hear”

Sacrament of Baptism

Scripture Readings

Message Pastor Tim Klinkenberg

Apostles’ Creed

Prayers of the Church

Gathering of the Offering
“Hark The Herald Angels Sing”

Holy Communion
Communion Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
“You’re Here”
“Heaven Everywhere”
Dismissal

Benediction

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Worship Service Participants

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Klinkenberg
Director of Contemporary Worship: Stephan Nosrat

Thanks for joining us today!

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  ONLINE GIVING

PRAYER REQUEST

CONNECTION CARD

 

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December 7, 2025

Prayers of the Church
December 7, 2025

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son.
By His coming, may we be enabled to serve You with pure minds. Lord, in Your mercy,

Heavenly Father, we thank You that by water and the Spirit,
You give Your servants the forgiveness of sin and raise them to a new life of grace.

Thank You for the Baptism of Emerson Rae Sanner, daughter of Nicholas and Taylor.
Sustain her in Your Spirit. Give her an inquiring and discerning heart,
the courage to will and persevere, and the gift of joy and wonder in all Your works.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Loving God, we thank You for 13 years of marriage for Chuck and Suzanne Harrison.

Help them, and all spouses, to continue to grow in love towards You and each other.
Give all the power of Your love, that we would live sacrificially for one another.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Holy God, St. John spoke the promise of healing to the broken and wounded.

Hear our prayers for Judi Bailey, Bob Birschbach, Julie Ezell, Rob Freeman, Jeannie Julien, Atsiko Miura, Masashi Miura, Joyce Nelson, Bob Odle, the Pipgras family, Noah Rico, Chuck and Dot Stalter, those on our printed prayer lists, and those listed now from our hearts and minds…

Give to all afflicted in body or mind the riches of Your grace, healing according to Your will, and grace to carry them through the day of their trouble. Lord, in Your mercy,

God of comfort and consolation, we pray for those who grieve and are in sorrow,
that You would give them the courage to bear their burdens with the body of Christ.

We pray for the family and friends of Gage Cusby, nephew of Rick and Karen Finke,
the family and friends of Mavis Eckhoff,
the family and friends of Mike Farina, husband of Michelle,
the family and friends of Nancy Fricke, wife of Stuart,
the family and friends of Greg May, husband of Doreen,
and the family and friends of Tom Larkin, husband of Doni.

Through the hope and knowledge of the resurrection,
may they know Your presence of divine compassion. Lord, in Your mercy,

For our first responders and military, active and inactive,
and for those in governing authority over us,
that they would protect the innocent,
punish the wicked and work for the common welfare. Lord, in Your mercy,

For all who teach and learn, especially those finishing finals and traveling home,
we pray for endurance and Your protection and peace. Lord, in Your mercy,

For all who commune today,
that You would stir up repentance, faith, and gratitude in our hearts
for the wonderful gift of Your body and blood, given and shed for forgiveness of sins.
Lord, in Your mercy,

O Lord God, heavenly Father, grant us all things needful,
and keep from us all things harmful to us and to our salvation.

With confidence in Your will, may we say “Amen” to our prayers,
and live in contentment and peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.