1st Sunday in Advent : Date: November 30, 2014
– THE SERMON: Luke 1:68-79
Theme: God has Visited and Redeemed His People
I. Just as God Promised
II. That We Might Serve Him
III. His Herald Announces His Visitation
( Pastor Theodore Barthels )
Bulletin: Read Bulletin
Sermon: Read Sermon
THE ORDER OF SERVICE: p. 5 (248:1-3)
HYMNS: 55; 66; 704; 399:3,4
THE EPISTLE LESSON: Revelation 1:4-8
The eternal God extends to us a great blessing of grace and peace. He brings this blessing to us through His spirit and His Son–our Lord Jesus Christ, the first born from the dead. He loved us and washed us clean with His blood so that we could be exalted, as priests and kings, together with Him. He is coming again and all shall see Him. Unbelievers shall mourn at His coming. Jesus is Almighty God, the Judge of all the earth!
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Isaiah 61:1-3
Isaiah prophetically places words in the Savior’s mouth, describing His special office as the Christ. He was to be anointed by the Holy Spirit to preach the good news of our salvation. And what good news it is! He frees the captive and proclaims the acceptable year of the Lord that is a year which cancels all our debts, and lifts our spirits. We need not mourn anymore, not over our sin or sin’s horrible consequences. Now we are “trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord.” Glorious indeed!