Second Sunday of Advent. 12-07-2025 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)

Second Sunday of Advent. 12-07-2025 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)

+ Gathering +

INTRODUCTORY WORDS TO TODAY’S WORSHIP: Pastor Gwen
Sisters and brothers, welcome in the mighty name of God, the saving name of (+) Jesus, and the strong name of the Spirit. Every Advent he interrupts our lives. As wild as the lonely desert wilderness he appears in, John the Baptist calls for repentance so that God’s Kingdom will come. Repentance is a bold turnaround, a new beginning, in our orientation to life, our values, our relationships, and our God. Without God in our lives, our lives are barren, lost, and without hope. But when God comes into our lives, we are born anew. The invitation is right in front of you. But the decision is yours. And Christ is coming soon. Prepare the way of the Lord inside the wilderness of yourself. CHRIST IS COMING!

OPENING SONG: “Hold Out Your Light”
Hold out your light, you heav’n bound soldier! Hold out your light, you heav’n bound soldier!
Hold out your light, you heav’n bound soldier! Let your light shine around the world!
(1) O brother, can’t you hold out your light? [3X] Let your light shine around the world!
(2) O sister, can’t you hold out your light?
(3) O children, can’t you hold out your light?
(4) O preacher, can’t you hold out your light?
(5) O { name }, can’t you hold out your light?

OPENING VERSES, LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH, AND PRAYER:
L For everything there is a season… and NOW is the time to turn toward God.
C Even NOW the voice cries in the wilderness to both comfort and warn us. We are seeking to get ready, we are trying to prepare.
L Even NOW God is ready to be gentle, God is ready to judge. If I’m not ready SOON, it will SOON be too late.
C Lift up every valley, lower every mountain… NOW is the time to get ready, NOW is the time to repent.
[Two candles are lit on the Advent wreath.]
L As we remember the Candle of Hope and now add the Candle of Peace, let us pray…
C O Lord, bless us as we light two candles of this Advent wreath. Baptize us with your Spirit’s fire, that we might be right and do right, that we might be ready and make others ready for Jesus. Bring peace to our hearts, our homes, and our world. We renounce evil; we claim your love; we choose to be set free and made whole. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! Hallelujah!

+ Holy Word +
FIRST READING: Isaiah 11:1-10 [God’s great new ruler – a green shoot from a dead stump!]

SONG SELECTION ALL SAINTS CHOIR

SECOND READING: Romans 15:4-13 [God’s great salvation – hope even for the Gentiles!]

GOSPEL VERSE: “We need to hear from You, we need a word from You. If we don’t hear from You, what will we do? Wanting You more each day, show us Your perfect way. There is no other way that we can live.”

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 3:1-12 [God’s great unexpected coming – “Bear fruit… or else!”]

THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil

SONG RESPONSE: “Somebody’s Knockin’ at Your Door” Tan #348

THE PRAYERS… May the world to be redeemed, the Church reformed, and all people restored!
(sung at beginning and end) “Oh… hear us. Oh, hear us. Oh… hear us, Lord. Hear us, Lord… hear us.”
(sung after each intercession) “Hear us, Lord… hear us.”

+ Holy Meal +

OFFERING OF TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… We bring our gifts each week, we offer our lives each day!
Those in the Sanctuary can put their offering in the offering plate to share their gratitude and their generosity in response to Christ’s love. Those who are farther away might: mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138… contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring weekly gift to selected categories… or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions to register and record your contribution. God has blessed us to be a blessing!

SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR

OFFERTORY: “Come by here, my Lord, come by here; come by here, my Lord, come by here; Come by here, my Lord, come by here. O LORD, COME BY HERE!
(2) Someone needs You, Lord, come by here…
(3) Send a blessing, Lord, come by here… ”

OFFERING PRAYER by the Communion Assistant:
O Lord, we open our hearts and our lives to your presence and your promises! Give us the spirit and the patience, we pray, to bear your light to all who sit in the shadows of despair and darkness. Amen.

THE PREFACE:
L Sisters and brothers, the Lord be with you! C AND ALSO WITH YOU!
L Lift up your hearts! C WE LIFT THEM UP IN LOVE FOR GOD!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God! C IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE GOD OUR THANKS AND PRAISE!

THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)

COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! The wine may be received from the pouring chalice; we also have grape juice on the tray. During the ADVENT SEASON we will not have any Communion Songs. Instead, we invite you to spend the time in quiet reflection and prayer. Without God our lives and world are filled with anxiety and chaos. No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.

THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.

+ Sending +
BENEDICTION by the Pastor… God sends us TO SHINE with the Light of Jesus Christ in a shadowy world!

CLOSING SONG: “It’s a Highway to Heaven” Tan #402