Ad Te Levavi—First Sunday in Advent
29 November 2020
The Lord Jesus Comes in Humility to Redeem Us
The new Church Year begins by focusing on the humble coming of our Lord. “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey” (St. Matthew 21.5). Even as He was born in a lowly manger, so Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a beast of burden. For He bears the sin of the world. He is the Son of David riding to His enthronement on the cross, where He shows Himself to be “The Lord is our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23.5–6). Our Lord still comes in great humility to deliver His righteousness to us in the Word and Sacraments. Before receiving Christ’s body and blood, we also sing, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (St. Matthew 21:9) And as we receive the Sacrament, we set our hearts on His return in glory, for “our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Romans 13.11).
Parish News
2021 Altar Flowers Chart is on the table in the Narthex. Please print clearly to sign up for the dates you would like to donate flowers and, if you wish, a designation “in memory of” or “in honor of” a person or occasion.
Advent Meditations from Higher Things are available online at https://higherthings.org/reflections. They are available to read or listen to online, or to print out at home. If you are unable to access them online, printed copies are available in the Narthex and Parish Center.
Advent Midweek Vespers will be prayed on Wednesdays at 7pm. The theme is “Hark the Glad Sound! Three Advent Old Testament Prophets.” Come prepare heart and mind for the Advent of our Savior with preaching and prayer.
December 2020 Calendar and Hymn of the Month is available to pick up in the Narthex or in the Parish Center.
Board of Parish Education will be launching a committee to research the feasibility of starting a school at Immanuel. If you are interested in joining this effort or learning more, come to the first meeting on December 8 at 7pm in the Parish Center. The meeting will include the viewing of the Circe Institute’s webinar How to Build a Classical School to get discussion started. Questions? Email Joe Eckardt at joeyeckardt30@gmail.com.
Sunday School and Adult Bible Study Join us at 9am each Sunday. Adult Bible Class is studying the Gospel according to St. Luke, currently studying St. Luke 2.41-52, the young Lord Jesus returns to His Temple to teach His Word.
Wednesday Matins and Coffee Break Bible Study will resume Wednesday, January 6.
YPI Card Making and Gift Exchange All Immanuel youth are invited to exchange gifts and make Christmas cards for our homebound members this Saturday at 5pm. Pizza will be served. Please bring a gift around $10 to exchange. Please sign up outside the Parish Office or contact Karie Sutton if you can attend.
Prepare for Next Sunday
Malachi 4.1–6; Romans 15.4–13; St. Luke 21.25–36
Hymns: 340 – TLH 67 – 355 – 398 – 515 – 336
Order of Daily Prayer
L Make haste, O X God, to deliver me.
R Make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia!
Psalm 25
Scripture Readings:
[S] from Divine Service
[M] St. Matthew 11.25-30; Genesis 3.1-24
[T] Acts 3.22-26; Genesis 9.1-19
[W] Colossians 1.15-29; Genesis 22.1-19
[Th] Hebrews 1.1-4; Genesis 49.1-28
[F] Hebrews 2.1-4; Numbers 24.14-25
[S] Ephesians 3.1-12; Deuteronomy 18.15-19
Hymn of the Day or Month Savior of the Nations, Come (332)
Catechism (bulletin)
Apostles’ Creed
Kyrie: L Lord, have mercy upon us; R Christ, have mercy upon us; Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father
Collect of the Day (bulletin)
Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer
L Bless we the Lord. R Thanks be to God.