SEASONS OF THE CHURCH YEAR
THE SECOND SUNDAY in ADVENT 2025 Dec 07
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Today, as we light our second candle, we call to mind another aspect of Christ’s coming that Advent celebrates: His second coming. Jesus promised to come again, and when He does, He will judge the earth. We see this coming for judgment reflected in (a) reading from Malachi. “But who can endure the day of His coming, and who can stand when He appears?” The text also says, “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.” By faith in Christ, we will be ready for our Lord’s second coming, and will have nothing to fear. We live by faith as we wait and watch for His return... The candles are lit to remind us of Christ’s first and second comings... “Soon will come that hour When with mighty power Christ will come in splendor And will judgment render With the faithful sharing Joy beyond comparing”
Emmaeus Lutheran Church, PASTOR: Rev. Nick Kooi Lcms St Paul, Minnesota
SERMON TEXT: Luke 21:25-33 NKJV
The Coming of the Son of Man
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
The Parable of the Fig Tree
29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.
31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away til all things take place.
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
REFLECTION:
The Second Sunday in Advent
The Lutheran Missal A blog Posted by Stefan Gramenz
Somewhat unexpectedly, the predominating note in the appointed Gospel for the Second Sunday in Advent, Luke 21:25–33, is one of hope. While the signs and distress and fear preceding the return of the Son of Man will make the hearts of many fail for fear, these are, for the Christian, like the buds on the trees that signal the approach of summer—not a cause for fear, but an encouragement that the winter of sin is coming to an end and that He is on His way.
HYMN:
LO! HE COMES WITH CLOUDS DESCENDING
1 Lo! He comes with Clouds descending,
Once for guilty Sinners slain!
Thousand Thousand Saints attending,
Swell the Triumph of his Train.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah:
All the Angels cry Amen.
2 Ev'ry Eye shall now behold him,
Rob'd in dreadful Majesty;
Those who set at nought and sold him,
Pierc'd, and nail'd him to the Tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
Shall the true Messiah see.
3 Ev'ry Island, Sea, and Mountain,
Heav'n and Earth, shall flee away:
All who hate him, must, confounded,
Hear the Trump proclaim the Day;
Come to Judgment, come to Judgment, come to Judgment,
Come to Judgment, come away.
4 Now Redemption long expected,
See! in solemn pomp appear!
All his Saints, by Man rejected,
Now shall meet Him in the Air!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
See the Day of God appear.
5 Answer thine own Bride and Spirit,
Hasten, Lord, the gen'ral Doom,
The new Heav'n and Earth t' inherit,
Take thy pining Exiles home:
All Creation, all Creation, all Creation,
Travails! Groans! and bids thee come.
6 Yea, Amen! let all adore thee,
High on Thine eternal Throne!
Saviour, take the Pow'r and Glory:
Claim the Kingdom for thine own.
O come quickly, O come quickly, O come quickly
Hallelujah! come, Lord, come.
Hear the Sermon on YouTube
(posted shortly after the Service but not live streamed)
youtube.com/@oslcchatham6321
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We welcome you to worship with us.
Services follow the liturgical order of worship which Christians have used historically.
Our music is traditional style, using Lutheran Worship and other sources.
The Gospel is central to our worship, and God comes to us through His Word and Sacraments for forgiveness of sins, life and eternal salvation.
HOURS
SUNDAY SERVICES
to the end of December at 1:00 pm
COMMUNION
The first and third Sundays of the month