Audio: Readings, Sermon & Bell Choir for Sunday, December 7, 2025

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Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 11:1–10 
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. 
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea. 

In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. 

Men’s Choir -- Prepare the Royal Highway (10:30 am) 

Epistle Reading – Romans 15:4–13 

Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, 

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.” 
And again it is said, 
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 
And again, 
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 
And again Isaiah says, 
“The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the third chapter
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, 

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’” 

Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 

Bell Choir -- Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending (8 am) 

Spiritual Conversations: Part 4 of 4 Videos

Click the graphic above to watch part 4

PART 4 of 4
The Eager Conversationalist/Spiritual Conversation Curve Workshops
Drawing on Barna Group data contained in the 2018 monograph Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age, Lutheran Hour Ministries is offering two workshops: the first, Eager Conversationalists, examines spiritual conversations. It offers insights to help us become more intentional-more eager-to engage in spiritual conversations with others. The second, The Spiritual Conversation Curve, offers help in getting past conversational hurdles. This is possible when we focus on someone’s “spiritual posture,” so as not to impose a conversation that’s forced or ill-timed.

Special Downloads for Part 4 of 4:
Download: Curve Graphic

Download: Curve Graphic Worksheet

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These are the same downloads that were included with part 1

Download: Eager Profile Inventory

Download: The Eager Profile

Download: Eager Activities Suggestion List

Download: Spiritual Conversation Curve

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.

Bulletin: Sunday, December 7, 2025 + This Week at Zion

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THIS WEEK AT ZION

Saturday, December 6
9:00 a.m. - CANCELED - Due to Cold Weather, Outdoor Fall Clean-up
10:00 a.m. - STILL ON SCHEDULE - Church Christmas Decorating & Luncheon

Sunday, December 7
2nd 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
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)

Monday, December 8
7:00 p.m. - Preschool Christmas Program

Tuesday, December 9
7:00 p.m. - Preschool Christmas Program

Wednesday, December 10
2:00 p.m. - Advent Worship Service - Week 2
7:00 p.m. - Advent Worship Service - Week 2
(Service streamed on our YouTube channel)

Thursday, December 11
7:00 p.m. - Preschool Christmas Program

Friday, December 12
No Events Scheduled

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)

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

Help Beautify Zion with Christmas Decorating

ON HOLD: Annual Fall Clean-Up Day
Due to cold temperatures, the Board of Trustees is postponing their church outdoor work day, which was scheduled for Saturday 12/6 at 9 am. Look for updated details in the coming days.

Zion Christmas Decorating Day
Saturday, December 6th at 10:00 a.m.
Lunch will be provided. All are welcome. Sign up sheet in the back of the church

Many hands make light work! 

What About … The Small Catechism?

What is the … The Small Catechism? 
The Small Catechism written by Martin Luther in 1529, is a collection of questions and answers on six topics: the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father (the Lord’s Prayer), the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, Confession, and the Sacrament of the Altar.  Luther wanted the Catechism to be used by the head of the household to teach the family the Christian faith and life.   

Also included with the Small Catechism are daily prayers, a table of duties for Christians in their various callings in life, and a guide for Christians to use as they prepare to receive Holy Communion.  Most editions of Luther’s Small Catechism also come with an explanation of the Catechism, which is a longer collection of questions and answers with extensive quotations from the Bible.  These explanations have a long history and were added during Luther’s lifetime. 

Why did Luther write the Small Catechism? 
Luther answers that question in the preface to the Small Catechism:  
“The deplorable, miserable conditions which I recently observed when visiting the parishes have constrained and pressed me to put this Catechism of Christian doctrine into this brief, plain, and simple form.  How pitiable, so help me God, were the things I saw: the common man, especially in the villages, knows practically nothing of the Christian doctrine, and many of the pastors are almost entirely incompetent and unable to teach.  Yet all the people are supposed to be Christians, have been baptized, and receive the Holy Sacrament even though they do not know the Our Father, the Creed, or the Ten Commandments and live like poor animals of the barnyard and pigpen.  What these people have mastered, however, is the fine art of tearing all Christian liberty to shreds.” 

You can tell how strongly Luther felt about the need for a clear explanation of the Christian faith and life! 

Luther also wrote what is known as the Large Catechism. The Large Catechism is yet another excellent resource that most adults find very helpful after studying the Small Catechism.  Your Pastor can help you obtain a copy of the Large Catechism. 

What is the benefit of the Small Catechism? 
The Small Catechism is an excellent summary of what the Bible, God’s Word, teaches us.  The shape of the Catechism is the shape of the Christian life: Repentance (Ten Commandments), Faith (Creed), Prayer (Our Father), Forgiveness of Sins (Baptism, Absolution, Lord’s Supper), then daily prayer and our daily work.  It is very important for us to learn by heart the truths of God’s Word as summarized and beautifully explained in the Small Catechism. 

God uses the precious truths of His Word to keep us strong and growing in our faith in Jesus Christ.  The Catechism helps us understand God’s Law, which shows us our sin, and how we are to live as His People.  The Catechism beautifully articulates the Gospel, the good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection for our salvation.   

Luther realized that the truths of God’s Word, as summarized by the Small Catechism, were matters of eternal life and death.  They are the most important truths we can ever know.  It is genuinely unfortunate when people think they no longer need the Small Catechism and say to themselves, “That’s enough of that; now I can move on to more important things.” 

How can the Small Catechism be used in the life of the individual Christian? 
Luther offers us good advice when he writes in the Large Catechism, “Every morning and evening, and whenever I have time, I read and say word-for-word the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Psalms, etc.  I must still read and study the Catechism daily, yet I cannot master it as I wish, but must remain a child and pupil of the Catechism, and I gladly do it.”  The Small Catechism is intended to be a prayer book for individuals and families.  As we meditate on the various portions of the Catechism, we look for instruction from God, then look for what we can thank God for, then for what we need to confess to God and finally, we finish our prayerful mediation by asking God for His blessing and mercy so we may live according to His Word.  It is in this way that daily use of the Catechism is a powerful tool for the Christian life.   

How can the Small Catechism be used in the home? 
The Small Catechism was designed to be the family’s Christian handbook.  In fact, some have referred to the Small Catechism as the “layman’s Bible” because it provides such an excellent, brief, clear summary of God’s Word on the essentials of the Christian faith. 

Families can use the Catechism in their daily devotions.  Luther provided suggested prayers for the family to say at the beginning and end of meals, and for each member of the family to pray when they go to sleep and when they wake up. 

Families that use the Catechism find it helpful to pray the Lord’s Prayer together and then to say the Apostles’ Creed together.  Then they continue to work on the explanation of the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession and Holy Communion.  Gradually, over the months and years, the entire family will be able to recite the Catechism from memory and discuss together its meaning. 

How can the Catechism be used in congregations? 
The Catechism is a key resource in confirmation instruction for both children and adults.  The Catechism can be used in so many other ways as well.  It is an important resource for Bible classes and other groups that meet at the church.  Wouldn’t it be good for every group that meets regularly in a Lutheran congregation to begin their meeting by reviewing a part of the Catechism and then concluding that review with prayer? 

Many congregations make it a practice to print out a portion of the Catechism and recite it during the Sunday worship service.  Other congregations devote the seasons of Advent and Lent to a careful review of the Catechism’s six chief parts during their mid-week service.  Still other congregations will spend time during the non-festival half of the church year devoting special attention to reviewing the Catechism.  There are pastors who use the Catechism as the subject of children’s  talks during the worship service. That is certainly a fine practice. 

Other congregations have been richly blessed by using the Catechism and its explanation in adult Bible classes, or other study groups.  Study groups have found much to discuss and learn by working their way carefully through the Catechism.  

Many people have discovered that the Catechism is also a very helpful resource for witnessing to others about Jesus Christ and all that He means for us.  Being able to repeat the explanation to the Creed is a good way to tell others what Jesus is all about and how one receives salvation in Christ. 

What is the benefit of learning the Catechism by heart? 
There is a great deal of benefit!  The Catechism is learned by regular and repeated reading, discussion and prayer.  The head of the house should lead the rest of the family in speaking the various parts of the Catechism and so, slowly but surely, learning the Catechism by heart.  One week, for instance, the family can work on the First Commandment and its meaning, or the First Article of the Creed and its meaning , and so forth.   

Learning the Catechism by heart is vital for teaching the Catechism.  Perhaps every word will not make sense at first.  That is not a problem.  Just keep working on learning them.  Understanding will come in time, but learning the words must begin right away.  We are making a serious mistake if we wait to have children memorize the Catechism until they can understand every word.  We need to learn to speak the language of our faith before we can understand it.  Families might be surprised at how quickly children can memorize the words of the Catechism and then learn to understand them.   

Martin Luther was very concerned that this be done.  He wrote in his Preface to the Small Catechism, “So adopt whatever form you wish, and then stick with it at all times. … keep to a single, fixed and permanent form and wording, and teach them first of all the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, etc., according to the text, word for word, so the they can repeat it after you and commit it to memory.” 

Where can we obtain copies of the Small Catechism? 
You may purchase copies of the Small Catechism from Concordia Publishing House by calling their toll-free number: 800-325-3040 or use the following LINK

Dr. A. L. Barry
Past President (1992-2001)
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

There’s an app for that!

There’s an app for that!
Guide your time in God’s Word with the latest apps from Concordia Publishing House.
• InPrayer (Play Store) (Apple Store)
• The Lutheran Bible Study (Play Store) (Apple Store)