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Jesus Listens

By Pastor Lisa Rygiel

During the season of Advent, I will be providing a series of prayers from Jesus Listens--for Advent and Christmas, by Sarah Young.

FAITHFUL GOD, help me hold unswervingly to the hope I profess, trusting that You are faithful. Sometimes — especially when many things are going wrong — all I can do is hold on to You. I would love to be able to sort things out in my mind and find the way forward, but often this is impossible. At such times, what I really need to do is seek Your Face and profess my hope. To profess hope is to affirm it openly.

My words matter — not only to other people but also to me. Speaking negatively discourages me as well as the people around me. But when my words affirm my hope and trust in You, I gain confidence that You will show me the way to proceed. The basis of my confidence is that You are faithful.

Moreover, You have promised You will not let me be tempted beyond my ability to endure. Sometimes the way of escape You provide comes through my own words, such as: “I trust You, Jesus; You are my hope.” This affirmation keeps me holding on to You as my hope—unswervingly and trustingly. IN YOUR BELOVED NAME, JESUS, AMEN

Dec. 7, 2025, 2nd Sunday of Advent
10 a.m. Sunday Worship

Announcements

  • Today’s Flowers: Given to the glory of God by Jody Alford.
  • Advent Preparations & First Sunday Potluck: After helping us place the Chrismon ornaments on our sanctuary Christmas Tree, please join us for food and fellowship as we enjoy our First Sunday Potluck.
  • Advent Soup Suppers: We will begin our Advent soup suppers Wednesday night, December 3 at 6 pm. Sign-up sheets are in the Fellowship Hall.
  • The Way Ministry: At 1 p.m. each Sunday, Zion’s welcomes the Way ministry to our fenced lower yard as they offer food and worship to the unhoused and others in need. In the event that weather makes dining outside difficult, the meal will be moved to the Fellowship Hall.
  • Yoga: At 5:30 p.m. Friday, join Cora Gardiner for yoga in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Newsletter: The December newsletter was sent out Wednesday morning via email; copies also are available in the back of the Sanctuary and in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Toys for Tots: The deadline to bring unwrapped toys for this year’s Toys for Tots program is next Monday, Dec. 8. Terri Watson says that baby toys (infant to 3 yoa) are particularly needed. If you have questions, please let Terri know.
  • Giving Tree: Again, this year, Zion’s will partner with First National Bank to support Santa’s Gift Tree. Area seniors have written letters with gift wishes (up to $25) and Zion’s is one of many local groups and individuals working to fulfill the requests. Jo Moss will have the letters available on Sunday, Dec. 7. Wrapped gifts should be returned to the First National Bank main lobby or to Jo no later than Monday, Dec. 15.
  • Save the Dates:
    • 21 — Blue Christmas Worship — 5:30 p.m.
    • 24 — Christmas Eve Evening Worship — 7 p.m.
    • 1 – Annual Congregational Meeting (after worship)

E-formation

Each year on the second Sunday of Advent we hear John the Baptist urging us to prepare for the coming of Christ. This coming Sunday we hear also Isaiah’s famous poem about the wolf lying down with the lamb. Come to worship and receive the blessings from the word of the Lord.

Matthew 3:1-12

To prepare for the coming of God in Jesus Christ, we are invited into a total reversal of life’s values, a complete change of mind, the burning up of useless chaff. God comes to inaugurate “the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew’s Jewish way to speak of the presence and power of God. We celebrate that presence of God coming today in word and sacrament.

Isaiah 11:1-10

In Advent we read Old Testament poems that are filled with images of peace, justice, and joy. The church sees in past, present, and future the presence of Jesus Christ, in whom is the realization of these perennial human hopes. Jesus fills and fulfills our human hopes.

Romans 15:4-13

Christ comes not only to the Jewish people, as we would know from the Scriptures, and not only to us in the church, but also to all the Gentiles, that is, to all people of the world. In Advent we prepare for this momentous arrival, which in word and sacrament fills us with the power of the Holy Spirit. God comes always as the Triune One.

Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785