has told us directly that we would. The Lord says, "the wickedness of man [is] great upon the
earth, and that every intention of his heart was only evil continuously." God says so et, we
still can't figure out why the world has so much evil in it. The Lord said, "For the creation
was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it." Yet we are
frustrated that nothing mankind does seems to change anything.
Add that Jesus said, "Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his
master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you." Still, for the life of us, we can’t
figure out why the world seems to want us dead and will do anything to accuse us of the
worst. Jesus also said, "Take up your cross and follow me."
Where is Jesus? Jesus is found in the suffering, the struggles, the shame, and death. "When
you see these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your
redemption is drawing near." Jesus is found on the cross. And it's on His cross where our
sins are counted as His, and He pays for them in full. It's on His cross where our shame is
counted as His, and He bears it, in humiliation for all the world to see, for the world’s sake.
When you face the things of this world, good or bad, which will always be there, you never
face them alone. Your Redeemer is with you. And these things are not the proof of God's
absence. Just the opposite. He's telling you to take them as proof of His presence. "Surely he
has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows."
Pastor Christensen
For now we see in a mirror dimly but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have
been fully known. 1Cor. 13:12
Lutheran Service Book
Order of Service
OPENING HYMN # 347 “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People”
LITURGY pg.151 The Divine Service (setting one)
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
INTROIT
KYRIE pg.152
OLD TESTAMNET READING: Isaiah 35:1-10
EPISTLE: James 5:7-11
HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 11:2-15
APOSTLES CREED pg.159
HYMN OF THE DAY #345 “Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding”
SERMON
OFFERING
OFFERTORY pg.159
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
BENEDICTION pg.166
CLOSING HYMN #349 “Hark the Glad Sound”
SILENT PRAYER
Depart in Peace
____________________________________________________
Servants today
St.Paul
Organist – Gail Nicolaus, Ushers /Greeters- Gail Newth/ David Orth
Zion
Organist-Gail Nicolaus, Ushers/Greeters-Randy Schlake, Altar Guild
Shelle & Jodi
Calendar of the week to come
St. Paul
Dec.15-9:00AM-Bible Study
Dec. 17-5:00PM- Catechism
7:00PM- Advent Service/refreshments after service-at St. Paul
Servants for Advent Worship Service- Brian Boehm/Gail Nicolaus
Dec. 21-8:00AM-Bible Study
9:00AM-Worship Service/Communion
Servants for Worship Service-Les Ebke/Dwight Ebke/Jeanie Boehm
Zion
Dec. 17-3:30PM-Midweek
7:00PM-Advent Service/refreshments after service- at St. Paul
Dec.21-10:00AM-Sunday School
11:00AM-Worship Service/Communion
Servants for Worship Service- Randy Schlake/Shelle & Jodi/Jeanie Boehm
MOVIE AND A MEAL AT ZION -Zion and St. Paul members are invited to attend a
Sunday afternoon December 14th 3:00 pm showing of the movie "The Nativity Story".
Following the movie there will be time for singing Christmas hymns and carols before a
soup supper is served. If you can't make the movie, come for the soup at 5:00!
Birthdays
12/16-Irene Abts
12/18-Lois Hagemann
Advent Bible Trivia
1. Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46‑55) closely parallels which Old Testament prayer of
thanksgiving?
A. Hannah (1 Samuel 2)
B. Deborah (Judges 5)
C. Miriam (Exodus 15)
D. Ruth (Ruth 4)
2. The rose candle lit on the Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called what?
A. Candle of Peace
B. Candle of Joy (Gaudete)
C. Candle of Hope
D. Candle of Light
3. In Romans 5, Paul teaches that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character,
and character produces hope. What does he say hope does not do?
A. Fail
B. Disappoint
C. Fade
D. Perish
4. Which prophet foretold that the Messiah would “proclaim liberty to the captives and release to
the prisoners,” later read by Jesus in the synagogue?
A. Jeremiah
B. Isaiah
C. Ezekiel
D. Malachi
5. The Latin word Gaudete, associated with the Third Sunday in Advent, comes from Philippians
4:4. What is the full phrase in Latin?
A. Gaudete semper in Domino
5
B. Gaudete in Domino semper
C. Semper gaudete in Domino
D. Gaudete Domino semper
6. In Luke 1, Elizabeth says to Mary, “Blessed is she who believed.” What specific promise does
she reference?
A. The promise of John’s birth
B. The promise of the Messiah’s birth
C. The promise of Israel’s restoration
D. The promise of David’s throne
7. Which Advent hymn is based on the “O Antiphons,” ancient prayers sung in the week before
Christmas?
A. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
B. “Come, Thou Long‑Expected Jesus”
C. “Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending”
D. “Joy to the World”
8. In John 15, Jesus says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you.” What does He say
this joy will be?
A. Eternal
B. Complete
C. Overflowing
D. Unshakable
9. The Advent wreath tradition originated in which country in the 16th century?
A. Germany
B. France
C. England
D. Switzerland
10. In Isaiah 35, often read in Advent, what will the redeemed do as they return to Zion?
A. Shout for joy
B. Sing with everlasting joy
C. Dance before the Lord
D. Offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
Answers
A. Hannah (1 Samuel 2)
B. Candle of Joy (Gaudete Sunday)
B. Disappoint (Romans 5:5)
B. Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1; fulfilled in Luke 4:18–19)
B. Gaudete in Domino semper (“Rejoice in the Lord
always”)
B. The promise of the Messiah’s birth (Luke 1:45)
A. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
B. Complete (John 15:11)
A. Germany
B. Sing with everlasting joy (Isaiah 35:10)
Third Sunday in Advent Devotional:
Joy That Endures
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see
Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with
glory.” – 1 Peter 1:8
Advent joy is not shallow cheerfulness—it is a deep, steady gladness rooted in Christ’s
presence. Joy is what remains when circumstances strip away comfort, when waiting
feels long, and when hope seems fragile. The rose candle we light today reminds us that
joy is not optional—it is commanded, because it flows from Christ Himself.
Joy is not the absence of sorrow, but the presence of Christ in the midst of it. It is the
song of Mary, who praised God even as she faced uncertainty. It is the strength of Paul,
who wrote “Rejoice in the Lord always” from a prison cell. It is the promise of Jesus,
who told His disciples that their grief would turn to joy, a joy no one could take away.
A farmer once lost nearly everything in a flood—his crops, his tools, his home. When
neighbors came to see him, they expected despair. Instead, he stood in the muddy field
and said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
I still have Christ, and that means I still have joy.”
His words echoed through the community. People brought food, clothing, and help. What
began as tragedy became a testimony: joy rooted in Christ cannot be drowned, because it
is anchored in eternity.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are our joy. Teach us to rejoice not only when life is easy, but when life
is hard. Let Your joy be our strength, our song, and our witness to the world. May we
shine with the gladness of Your coming, so others may see and believe. Amen.
St. Paul Lutheran Church
7th & Maple
PO Box 72
Julesburg