The Lutheran Study Bible
Introducing the Lutheran Study Bible App
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Introducing the Lutheran Study Bible App
Special Audio Presentation
Special Audio Presentation
“Empty Boxes” is a special presentation of The Lutheran Hour®. Hosted by Lutheran Hour Speaker Rev. Dr. Michael Ziegler, this original story invites listeners on a chilly car-ride home after a candlelight Christmas Eve service that becomes a turning point for a teenage boy—an enlightening moment he will return to for years to come.
A single question: what are you thinking about? A nostalgic man reflects back when he realized why, not just Christmastime, but all of life, is such a let-down—glimmering wrapping, nothing on the inside. Ecclesiastes calls it meaningless or “vanities of vanities.” How does one put a word to something that isn’t there? But then, maybe what we’re searching for can’t fit in a box?
Special Audio Presentation
“Empty Boxes” is a special presentation of The Lutheran Hour®. Hosted by Lutheran Hour Speaker Rev. Dr. Michael Ziegler, this original story invites listeners on a chilly car-ride home after a candlelight Christmas Eve service that becomes a turning point for a teenage boy—an enlightening moment he will return to for years to come.
A single question: what are you thinking about? A nostalgic man reflects back when he realized why, not just Christmastime, but all of life, is such a let-down—glimmering wrapping, nothing on the inside. Ecclesiastes calls it meaningless or “vanities of vanities.” How does one put a word to something that isn’t there? But then, maybe what we’re searching for can’t fit in a box?
Featuring the following:
Rev. Dr. Jason Broge – Writer and Narrator
Rev. Ron Rall – Retired Pastor
Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler – Bible Study Pastor and Service Pastor
Ashley Bayless - Ruth
Chris Macky - Usher
Julie Atwood-Wise - Teacher
Mark Eischer – Radio Announcer
James Davis - Boy
Jeanine Davis - Girl
Parker Broge - Girl
VIDEO: Sunday, December 21, 2025 - Complete Service
Each service at Zion Lutheran Church (normally the first of our two Sunday services) is streamed LIVE on our YouTube channel. These streams are for Sunday’s, Wednesday’s, Lenten, Advent, and special services. The entire service is streamed from beginning-to-end. Weddings and Funerals can also be streamed, if requested in advance.
Audio: Readings, Sermon, Adult & Sunday School Choir for Sunday, December 21, 2025
This audio-only file includes all the readings from scripture, along with the sermon — and when available, the announcements, adult choir, men’s choir, and/or bell choir. Also posted along with the audio file is the text for all the scripture readings, and a link to the current bulletin, and our YouTube channel if you prefer to watch the LIVE Stream.
View the bulletin for Sunday, December 21, 2025
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins
Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 7:10–17
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father’s house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria.”
Epistle Reading – Romans 1:1–7
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the first chapter
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Adult Choir -- O Come Emmanuel (8:00)
Sunday School Christmas Video
2025 Sunday School Christmas Video
2025 Sunday School Christmas Video
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!
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.
Bulletin: Sunday, December 21, 2025 + This Week at Zion
Download/view the latest bulletin. It’s filled with our hymns, the order of service, all the readings from scripture, prayer requests for family & friends, service participants, communion statement, about our worship, the schedule of events for this coming weeks, along with announcements, news updates, happenings, and more!
View the bulletin for Sunday, December 21, 2025
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins
THIS WEEK AT ZION
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 Christmas Party
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)
Monday, December 22
6:00 p.m. - Confirmation 1st Year
7:00 p.m. - Confirmation 2nd Year
Tuesday, December 23
6:15 p.m. - Bell Choir
7:15 p.m. - Adult Choir
Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Eve
2:00 p.m. - Afternoon Worship Service (prelude begins at 1:30 p.m.)
7:00 p.m. - Evening Worship Service - (prelude begins at 6:00 p.m.)
(Service streamed on our YouTube channel)
Thursday, December 25
Christmas Day
10:00 a.m. - Christmas Day Worship
Friday, December 26
No Events Scheduled
Saturday, December 27
No Events Scheduled
Sunday, December 28
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)
CLICK THE UPCOMING EVENTS GRAPHIC to go directly to our UPCOMING EVENTS page