St Paul’s

Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

website: StPaulsManistee.com

facebook: SPLCManistee

Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

December 7, 2025 Advent 2

Rejoice in Jesus Who Save Us

WELCOME

HYMN 2 “Savior of the Nations, Come”

– please stand for last stanza

SERVICE OF WORD & SACRAMENT - page 26

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son. By his coming, give us strength in our conflicts, and shed light on our path through the darkness of this world; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sung) Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 2:1-5

The LORD promises a path of salvation where there will be no more war or strife. That promise is fulfilled by the Messiah and his work. We look forward to his glorious return.

1 This is the message that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 This will take place in the latter days: The mountain of the Lord’s house will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it like a river. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. Then he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For from Zion the law will go out, and the Lord’s word will go out from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations, and he will mediate for many peoples. Then they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into blades for trimming vines. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, nor will they learn war anymore. 5 O house of Jacob, come, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

SECOND LESSON: Philippians 4:4-7

Christians rejoice. We give our worries to Him who hears and answers our prayers. As a result, we have a peace that the world will never know.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. Alleluia.

(Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

These words are written that we may believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

GOSPEL: Matthew 21:1-11

The King comes amidst shouts of praise, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey colt, knowing he would soon be put to death to secure our salvation.

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2telling them, “Go to the village ahead of you. Immediately you will find a donkey tied there along with her colt. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, you are to say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5Tell the daughter of Zion: Look, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their outer clothing on them, and he sat on it. 8 A very large crowd spread their outer clothing on the road. Others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them out on the road. 9 The crowds who went in front of him and those who followed kept shouting, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! 10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, asking, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ!

HYMN 1 “The Advent of Our King”

SERMON: Matthew 21:1-11

“Hosanna Is Our Advent Prayer & Praise”

NICENE’ CREED - page 31

PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER (traditional)

COMMUNION LITURGY - pages 33-35

Because God’s Word clearly teaches the Real Presence of Christ body and blood, and the fellowship connected with the Lord’s Supper, we kindly request that only WELS and ELS communicant members receive this Sacrament. For more information, please contact Pastor Himm.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

THANK THE LORD & PRAYER - pages 36

BLESSING (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.

HYMN 3 (1,4,5) “Lift Up Your Heads, You Mighty Gates”

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING.

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement.

THANK YOU to all who helped to make our Open House during the Victorian Sleighbell Festival weekend such a pleasure and joy for those who visited us/. Did you know that St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church’s current building was built in 1890 and is one of Manistee’s oldest churches? Visitors received a free Christmas ornament and refreshments as they looked around and learned more about St. Paul’s.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

9:00 am – Sunday School & Adult Bible Class

10:00 am – Worship Service

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®)