4th Sunday In Advent (Rorate Coeli) ~ 2025

 

Today's Liturgist Rev. Michael W. Mohr, Associate Pastor, Holy Cross Lutheran Church & CID President

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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 19:1, 4–6; antiphon: Isaiah 45:8a

Shower, O heavens, | from above,*
and let the clouds rain down | righteousness;
let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may | bear fruit;*
let the earth cause them | both to sprout.
The heavens declare the glo- | ry of God,*
and the sky above proclaims his | handiwork.
Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end | of the world.*
In them he has set a tent | for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his | chamber,*
and, like a strong man, runs its | course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the | end of them,*
and there is nothing hidden | from its heat.
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.
Shower, O heavens, | from above,*
and let the clouds rain down | righteousness;
let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may | bear fruit;*
let the earth cause them | both to sprout.

 

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 Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

Sit

 

Old Testament Reading Deuteronomy 18:15–19

¹⁵“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— ¹⁶just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ ¹⁷And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. ¹⁸I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. ¹⁹And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.’”

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Gradual Psalm 145:18, 21

The Lord is near to all who | call on him,*
to all who call on | him in truth.
My mouth will speak the praise | of the Lord,*
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and | ever.

 

Epistle Philippians 4:4–7

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. ⁵Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Stand

 

Alleluia and Verse LSB 156

 

Holy Gospel Luke 1:39–56

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

C Glory to You, O Lord.

³⁹In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, ⁴⁰and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, ⁴²and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

⁴⁶And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
⁵⁰And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
⁵¹He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
⁵²he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
⁵³he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

⁵⁶And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

 

Sit

 

357 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

 

5 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

 

6 O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Refrain

 

7 O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace. Refrain

Text: Latin, c. 12th cent.; Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, 1710, Köln; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–66, alt.
Tune: French, 15th cent.
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.

Heavenly Father, throughout this Advent season we have heard that Christ has come in the flesh, that He comes to us today in Word and Sacrament, and that He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. Guide us by Your Holy Spirit, that we may be kept firm in Your Word and faith until we are received into Your eternal kingdom. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P God of truth, as Your servant John cried out in the wilderness, strengthen our pastors also to preach Your Word of truth in the wilderness of this fallen world. We give You thanks for the men You have raised up for this holy task. Bless them and their labors, and continue to send workers into Your vineyard, that there may be a bountiful harvest. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Merciful Lord, we pray for fathers, mothers and children; for husbands and wives; for friends and neighbors; for laborers and employers; for teachers and students; and for all who serve in godly vocations. Let us delight in Your lovingkindness and joyfully serve our neighbor with good works. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P God of justice, You establish earthly government and teach us to obey those who rule over us. Send Your blessing upon all who make, administer and judge our laws, that Your people may serve You in peace. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P O Lord, surround and sustain those who are ill or suffering with the love of Christ [especially _____________]. Bring them healing in accord with Your own perfect will. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Almighty God, fill us with joy as we approach Your altar to receive the body and blood of Christ. Give us the peace that surpasses understanding, the gladness no man can take from us, and the hope that does not fade away. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Lord God, heavenly Father, we give You thanks for Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the Dayspring from on high and the splendor of light everlasting. By His coming in the flesh and by His blessed Word, enlighten our hearts with the Gospel, enlighten the hearts of those who sit in the darkness of unbelief with the light of saving faith, and enlighten those who dwell in the shadow of death with the certain hope of the resurrection through Him. Grant that, as we recall with thanksgiving His advent in the flesh, we may always confess Him and remain watchful for His advent in glory at the Last Day; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

Sit

 

Offering

 

Holy Cross Choir ~ ”The Benedictus”

 

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

 

Distribution Hymns

 

642 O Living Bread from Heaven

Text: Johann Rist, 1607–67; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.
Tune: Musae Sioniae, 1609, vol. 7, Wolfenbüttel, ed. Michael Praetorius
Text and tune: Public domain

 

515 Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers

Text: Laurentius Laurenti, 1660–1722; tr. Sarah B. Findlater, 1823–1907, alt.
Tune: Swedish
Text and tune: Public domain

 

737 Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing

 

5 He only will with patience chide,
    His rod falls gently down;
And all your sins He casts aside
    In ocean depths to drown.

 

6 His wisdom never plans in vain
    Nor falters nor mistakes.
All that His counsels may ordain
    A blessèd ending makes.

 

7 Upon your lips, then, lay your hand,
    And trust His guiding love;
Then like a rock your peace shall stand
    Here and in heav’n above.

Text: Paul Gerhardt, 1607–76; tr. John Kelly, 1833–90, alt.
Tune: Harmonischer Lieder-Schatz, 1738, Frankfurt
Text 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

 

384 Of the Father’s Love Begotten

Text: Aurelius Prudentius Clemens, 348–c. 413; (sts. 1–4): tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–66, alt.; (st. 5): tr. Henry W. Baker, 1821–77
Tune: Plainsong, 13th cent., mode V
Text 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.