2nd Sunday in Advent (Populus Zion) ~ 2025

 

Today's Service Leader Rev. Brett Cornelius, Pastor, Holy Cross Lutheran Church

 

 

Today's liturgy is the Divine Service, Setting One, LSB pages 151ff.

 

338 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707–88, alt.
Tune: Southern Harmony, 1835, New Haven
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Stand

 

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

 

Invocation

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

 

Exhortation LSB 151

P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Kneel/Stand

 

Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.

 

Confession of Sins LSB 151

P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

 

Absolution LSB 151

P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

 

Stand

 

Introit Psalm 80:1, 3, 14, 17; antiphon: Isaiah 62:11b; 30:30, 29

Say to the daughter of | Zion,*
“Behold, your sal- | vation comes.”
The Lord will cause his majestic voice | to be heard,*
and you shall have glad- | ness of heart.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph | like a flock!*
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, | shine forth.
Restore us, | O God;*
let your face shine, that we | may be saved!
Turn again, O | God of hosts!*
Look down from | heaven, and see.
But let your hand be on the man of your | right hand,*
the son of man whom you have made strong | for yourself!
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.
Say to the daughter of | Zion,*
“Behold, your sal- | vation comes.”
The Lord will cause his majestic voice | to be heard,*
and you shall have glad- | ness of heart.

 

Kyrie LSB 152

 

Salutation and Collect of the Day

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Let us pray.

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, 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.

C Amen.

 

Sit

 

Old Testament Reading Malachi 4:1–6

¹ “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. ²But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. ³And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.

⁴“Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and just decrees that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

⁵“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. ⁶And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Gradual Psalm 50:2–3a, 5

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God | shines forth.*
Our God comes; he does not keep | silence;
“Gather to me my | faithful ones,*
who made a covenant with me by | sacrifice!”

 

Epistle Romans 15:4–13

⁴Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ⁵May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ⁶that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

⁸For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, ⁹and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”

¹⁰And again it is said,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

¹¹And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.”

¹²And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”

¹³May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Stand

 

Alleluia and Verse LSB 156

 

Holy Gospel Luke 21:25–36

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twenty-first chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

²⁵[Jesus said:] “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, ²⁶people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

²⁹And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. ³⁰As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. ³¹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³²Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. ³³Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

³⁴“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. ³⁵For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

 

Sit

 

336 Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707–88, alt.
Tune: Thomas Olivers, 1725–99
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Sermon ~ Rev. Brett E. Cornelius, Pastor

 

Stand

 

Nicene Creed

C 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 T of the world to come. Amen.

 

Prayer of the Church

P 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,

C hear our prayer.

P 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; _____________, our district president; _____________, our circuit visitor; and all pastors in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P 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 [especially _____________]. Strengthen them in love and care for one another, and establish them on the foundation of Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P 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,

C hear our prayer.

P God of compassion, behold those in need, the sick, the imprisoned, the lonely and the grieving, and all whom we remember at this altar [including _____________]. Give them patience to endure and hope for the future, looking always for healing in the hands of Christ. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P 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,

C hear our prayer.

P 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.

C Amen.

 

Sit

 

Offering

 

Holy Cross Choir ~ ”Promise Fulfilled” (Sunday)

 

Stand

 

Offertory LSB 159

 

Preface LSB 160

 

Proper Preface

P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose way John the Baptist prepared, proclaiming Him the promised Messiah, the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and calling sinners to repentance that they might escape from the wrath to be revealed when He comes again in glory. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

 

Sanctus LSB 161

 

Lord’s Prayer LSB 162

P Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

C 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.

 

The Words of Our Lord

P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

 

Pax Domini LSB 163

 

Agnus Dei LSB 163

 

Sit

 

637 Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord

Text: Latin, 7th cent.; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–66, alt.
Tune: Trente quatre Pseaumes de David, 1551, Geneva, ed. Louis Bourgeois
Text and tune: Public domain

 

347 Comfort, Comfort Ye My People

Text: Johann Olearius, 1611–84; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.
Tune: Trente quatre Pseaumes de David, 1551, Geneva, ed. Louis Bourgeois
Text and tune: Public domain

 

333 Once He Came in Blessing

Text: Johann Horn, c. 1490–1547; (sts. 1, 4): tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.; (sts. 2–3): tr. Lutheran Service Book, 2006
Tune: Michael Weisse, c. 1480–1534
Text (sts. 2–3): © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Text (sts. 1, 4) and tune: Public domain

 

Stand

 

Nunc Dimittis LSB 165

 

Post-Communion Collect

A Let us pray.

We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

Benediction LSB 166

 

514 The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us

Text: Johann Walter, 1496–1570; (st. 1): tr. F. Samuel Janzow, 1913–2001; (sts. 2–4): tr. Matthias Loy, 1828–1915, alt.
Tune: Musae Sioniae, 1609, vol. 7, Wolfenbüttel, ed. Michael Praetorius
Text (st. 1): © 1982 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Text (sts. 2–4) and tune: Public domain

 

Acknowledgments

Divine Service, Setting One from Lutheran Service Book

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2025 Concordia Publishing House.