Imminent Arrival

Do you remember the feeling when someone important is about to arrive at your place? It’s a mixture of anticipation and excitement and nervousness. Did you make all the correct preparations? Will the person be happy to see you? When and how will the person arrive? Will there be any surprises?

During these weeks before Christmas, we anticipate the imminent arrival of Jesus. He’s an important person! We are about to celebrate his birth. He could return on judgment day at any time. But in worship we realize that he impacts our lives when the Bible is read and when the sacraments are administered. Suddenly we feel the excitement of an imminent arrival.

  • St. Andrew, Apostle (First Sunday in Advent)

    November 30 is the Festival of St Andrew, Apostle. The Christian Church sets the first Sunday in Advent as the Sunday closest this festival day, commemorating the choosing of the first apostle. This year the first Sunday in Advent lands on the festival.

    Advent marks the start of a new Church Year. Jesus calls us anew to follow him. As we learn his importance for our lives, we are moved to tell others about what we have seen and heard. Soon we will celebrate the first arrival of the Savior on earth. We look forward to the time when he will arrive again, and we celebrate his arrival in the lives of our family and friends.

    Gospel—John 1:35–42

    First Reading—Ezekiel 3:16–21

    Second Reading—Romans 10:10–18

    Psalm of the Day—Psalm 66

    Hymn of the Day—Preach You the Word (CW 895)

    Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMnl_I26CDVq5SIK3lBV-xG5&si=8IEZUEzyR1_vSm3e

  • Second Sunday in Advent

    The judge is an important person. You stand when he enters the courtroom. What he says must be obeyed. If you are the one on trial, his determinations make a big difference in how your life will continue.

    You might be quite nervous if the judge is about to arrive. John invited people to turn their nervousness to repentance. He says that the arrival of the Judge is imminent, and the kingdom of heaven is near! You are invited to hear John, repent, and believe the good news of the coming Savior.

    Gospel—Matthew 3:1–12

    First Reading—Isaiah 11:1–10

    Second Reading—Romans 15:4–13

    Psalm of the Day—Psalm 130

    Hymn of the Day—On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry (CW 316)

    Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMnwYaABOoG3lvbndbcxB7vf&si=2na0QjuhWbhLg07L

  • Advent Midweek Vespers | 4:00pm Wonewoc Campus, 6:30pm Hillsboro Campus

    People love Christmas music! It seems to be played earlier and earlier every year. There are many popular tunes, and some songs even have words that point us to the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

    Did you know that the Bible has songs of Christmas? They were sung to announce Christ’s birth. We have only the words of those songs, not the music, but Christian composers through the ages have set those words to music. This year we look at the background and words of those songs to help us prepare to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.

  • Third Sunday in Advent

    The Messiah is an important person. “Messiah” is the same word as “Christ” or “Anointed One.” He is someone who has been anticipated for a long time. Now we look at a time when his arrival is imminent!

    The historic Christian Church gave Latin titles to each Sunday. They titled the Third Sunday in Advent “Gaudete,” which means “Rejoice!” As we reach the midway point of Advent, we ask Christ to empower us to do just that. We rejoice because God fulfills all his promises in Jesus.

    Gospel—Matthew 11:2–11

    First Reading—Isaiah 35:1–10

    Second Reading—James 5:7–11

    Psalm of the Day—Psalm 146

    Hymn of the Day—O Lord, How Shall I Meet You (CW 324)

    Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMkTVUR0eU0-mRqgvzhpmPaf&si=d7zNwtBg_vSkTE85

  • Fourth Sunday in Advent

    Emmanuel is an important person. “Emmanuel” means “God with us.” It was a special name given to Jesus already 700 years before he was born. Who is with us when Jesus is with us? God himself. God became a human being in a special way, becoming truly human but remaining God.

    God is still with us. We encounter him in a special way when we gather with two or three others in worship. He is so near to us that the thrill of anticipation is almost unbearable. Let it wash over you as you celebrate Christmas this week.

    Gospel—Matthew 1:18–25

    First Reading—Isaiah 7:10–14

    Second Reading—Romans 1:1–7

    Psalm of the Day—Psalm 89

    Hymn of the Day—O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (CW 327)

    Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMmMFtWQoRlp79hjq6tCiwLA&si=Vdut931jSI59CbPs

Christ the Savior Is Born

“Silent Night” was first written in German by Austrian Pastor Joseph Mohr, with music composed by Franz Gruber. The carol was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818 at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria. Legend says the church organ was broken, prompting Gruber to compose a simple guitar accompaniment. Subsequently accompanied by many instruments and translated into many languages, the text paints the picture of the Incarnation. The last phrase is repeated, so in the second stanza we hear it twice: “Christ the Savior is born!” Every word of that phrase is significant, and every line of the Christmas carol describes a Bible truth. We use the beloved hymn to ponder the profound message of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

  • The Nativity of Our Lord—Christmas Eve | Compline Service—6:30pm Hillsboro Campus

    Families cherish their Christmas traditions. Year after year, they decorate the tree with the same ornaments, play the same music, bake the same Christmas cookies. Without asking, family members know when they will open presents. If you try to change your family’s Christmas traditions, you might be in trouble! When it comes to family Christmases, people generally don’t like things to change.

    Because our celebration of Christmas has so many unchanging traditions, we might miss the fact that the birth of Christ the Savior meant radical change for the world. Would the change be an improvement or another step in decline? The angels answer the question. They don’t sing “Watch out for impending doom!” They sing “glory” and “peace,” praising God with alleluias!

    Gospel—Luke 2:1–20

    First Reading—Micah 5:2–5a

    Second Reading—Titus 2:11–14

    Psalm of the Day—Psalm 96

    Hymn of the Day—All My Heart Again Rejoices (CW 329)

    Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMlwSMgmGmWgxkcyJHaSkFpO&si=cp3a5lCZpC9xxe6C

  • Nativity of Our Lord—Christmas Day | 8:00am Hillsboro Campus, 10:30am Wonewoc Campus

    Jesus has been God from eternity, holy and majestic. When we look tenderly at the holy infant, we are looking at the same God who once told the prophet Moses, “No one may see me and live.” Yet, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds all saw their holy God and survived. How? God became human, hiding his glory within flesh, so that he could come to us without instilling fear or dread. 

    A famous theologian once said, “We are to think of the Lord’s birth, where the Word became flesh, not as a past event which we recall, but as a present reality on which we gaze.” It’s not that Christ the Savior was born. It’s that Christ the Savior is born.

    Gospel—John 1:1–14

    First Reading—Isaiah 52:7–10

    Second Reading—Hebrews 1:1–9

    Psalm of the Day—Psalm 98

    Hymn of the Day—Of the Father's Love Begotten (CW 358)

    Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMlc13pPxswwOSx-ibETw6qX&si=AKDZctHT1n3_ANeW

  • First Sunday after Christmas

    Christmas holidays mean family time, often with extended family travel and visits. Meals are prepared, gifts are given, memories are made. But the memories might not all be good. Sometimes there are Christmas hurts or even tragedies. We live in a world still affected by sin.

    The sinfulness of the world cannot rob us of the peace God intends to bring through his Son. Christ the Savior is born, and through his life, God gives us the rights of redeemed sons and daughters, members of his family with the privileges of heirs.

    Gospel—Matthew 2:13–23

    First Reading—Isaiah 63:7–9

    Second Reading—Galatians 4:4–7

    Psalm of the Day—Psalm 2

    Hymn of the Day—All Hail! You Infant Martyr Flowers (CW 978)

    Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMn1bsF1xD3zvxne2TiGCR8-&si=W_j3WvoCVZOLbf3H

  • Circumcision and Name of Jesus | 6:30pm Hillsboro Campus

    We continue the Christmas celebration of the dawning of the light of all mankind. When the sun rises, we can see things that we haven’t seen before. When Christ the Savior is born, the light of new revelation breaks over the world. When the Son rises, we can clearly see the grace of God, our Redeemer.

    Today commemorates an event recorded in a single verse of Scripture. Yet it is an event which points to all that the Son of God came to do. As he was circumcised according to the Law of Moses, our attention is drawn to his life of perfect obedience to God’s Law and the shedding of his blood for our forgiveness. As he was given the name “Jesus,” we are directed to the truth that he is the Lord who saves. As a New Year begins, we celebrate the dawn of redeeming grace.

    Gospel—Luke 2:21

    First Reading—Numbers 6:22–27

    Second Reading—Galatians 3:23–29

    Psalm of the Day—Psalm 8

    Hymn of the Day—Now Greet the Swiftly Changing Year (CW 368)

    Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMngJuoncNMcRvvhZQTJl3XI&si=-c2QFxb1VxkDSmYx

  • Epiphany of Our Lord

    The Twelve Days of Christmas are the days between Christmas Day and January 6. What is special about January 6? It is the day when the Christian Church celebrates the Festival of the Epiphany. Epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning “reveal.” When the Savior was born, he was first revealed as love’s pure light to Israelites: Mary, Joseph, the shepherds. Today we see the Lord miraculously guiding foreigners across countless miles so the Savior’s holy face could be revealed to them as well. The Festival of Epiphany is sometimes known as Christmas for the Gentiles. We Gentiles (non-Jews) rejoice in the good news that this Jewish baby is a gift for all people, Christ the Savior of the world.

    Gospel—Matthew 2:1–12

    First Reading—Isaiah 60:1–6

    Second Reading—Ephesians 3:2–12

    Psalm of the Day—Psalm 72

    Hymn of the Day—How Lovely Shines the Morning Star (CW 370)

    Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMkq2nuFEJLT3SPvqfOWK-t2&si=-VxuoiiWdJA14NCz

Join Us for Divine Service!

Service Times

Upcoming Series

  • Epiphany | January 11—February 15

  • Lent | February 18—March 22

  • Lent: Holy Week | March 29—April 3

  • Easter | April 5—May 24