Audio: Readings & Sermon for Sunday, December 14, 2025

The first recording of today’s service was too low. This second recording, posted here also has audio issues. We are working towards a solution for this problem. We appreciate your patience.

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Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 35:1–10 
Epistle Reading – James 5:7–11 
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the eleventh chapter

VIDEO: Sunday, December 14, 2025 - Complete Service

Please note — there was a low-audio level issue with this recording.
If it’s possible, this recording will be replaced by the recording of the 10:30 a.m. service.

View the bulletin for Sunday, December 14, 2025
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Audio: Readings, Sermon & Men’s Choir for Sunday, December 14, 2025

Please note that there was a low-audio level issue with the recording of the 8:00 a.m. service (above).
If Possible, that issue will be corrected for the 10:30 a.m. service, and a new audio file will be posted in place of this recording.

View the bulletin for Sunday, December 14, 2025
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Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
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Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 35:1–10 
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;
it shall blossom abundantly
and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, 
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who have an anxious heart,
“Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you.”
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then shall the lame man leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
And a highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

Epistle Reading – James 5:7–11 
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the eleventh chapter
When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” 

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, 

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’ 

Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 

Men’s Choir -- Prepare the Royal Highway (8 am) 

Christmas and New Year’s Schedule

There will be three opportunities for Christmas worship at Zion: 

• Christmas Eve (Wednesday December 24th) Candlelight Service at 2:00 p.m. 

• Christmas Eve (Wednesday December 24th) Candlelight Service at 7:00 p.m. 

• Christmas Day (Thursday December 25th) One Service Only at 10:00 a.m. 

A Prelude of special Christmas music … 
will be played prior to the start of each Christmas Eve Worship Service.
The afternoon prelude will begin at 1:30 p.m.
The evening prelude at 6:00 p.m.
Come early to enjoy the beautiful sounds of this holy season! 

New Year’s Eve (Wednesday December 31st) Services at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. 

Bulletin: Sunday, December 14, 2025 + This Week at Zion

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THIS WEEK AT ZION

Saturday, December 13
1:30 p.m. - Christmas Caroling at Concordia Bridgeville (Formerly Country Meadows)
Additional Details

Sunday, December 14
3rd Sunday of Advent
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:15 a.m. — Adult/Teen Bible Study & Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
5:00 p.m. - Ladies Dinner & Ornament Exchange (Additional Details)
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)

Monday, December 15
6:00 p.m. - Confirmation 1st Year
7:00 p.m. - Confirmation 2nd Year

Tuesday, December 16
6:15 p.m. - Bell Choir
7:15 p.m. - Adult Choir

Wednesday, December 17
2:00 p.m. - Advent Worship Service - Week 3
7:00 p.m. - Advent Worship Service - Week 3
(Service streamed on our YouTube channel)

Thursday, December 18
No Events Scheduled

Friday, December 19
No Events Scheduled

Saturday, December 20
No Events Scheduled

Sunday, December 21
4th Sunday of Advent
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:15 a.m. — Adult/Teen Bible Study & Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
Sunday School Video Premier after 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)

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CLICK THE UPCOMING EVENTS GRAPHIC to go directly to our UPCOMING EVENTS page

Calling All Musicians

Attention all musicians! We are looking for people to perform for prelude at the 2:00 and 7:00pm services on Christmas Eve. If you are interested in performing, please email Mark Killinger at Killingermued@hotmail.com with the following information: Which service you plan to attend, and the name and duration of the piece. If you are interested and available to perform at both services, please indicate that as well.

Three Opportunities for Christmas Worship at Zion

There will be three opportunities for Christmas worship at Zion: 

• Christmas Eve (Wednesday 12/24) service at 2:00 p.m. 

• Christmas Eve (Wednesday 12/24) service at 7:00 p.m. 

• Christmas Day (Thursday 12/25) service at 10:00 a.m. 

A Prelude of special Christmas music will be played prior to the start of each Christmas Eve Worship Service. The afternoon prelude will begin at 1:30 p.m.; while the evening prelude begins at 6:00 pm. Come early to enjoy the beautiful sounds of this holy season! 

Attention all musicians!
We are looking for people to perform for prelude at the 2:00 and 7:00pm services on Christmas Eve. If you are interested in performing, please email Mark Killinger at Killingermued@hotmail.com with the following information: Which service you plan to attend, and the name and duration of the piece. If you are interested and available to perform at both services, please indicate that as well. Thanks! 

New Year’s Eve (Wednesday 12/31) services at 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.