The Congregation at Prayer

For the First Week of Advent (December 1-6, 2025)

Invocation: In the Name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Speak the Apostles’ Creed. 

Verse: Romans 15:13 – “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.”

Hymn of the Week:  Lutheran Service Book #344 “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry”

Hymns for Sunday: 354, 357 (v. 4), 344, 623, 342, 331, 347

Readings for the Week: [The readings for Thursday-Saturday are the Scriptures for this coming Sunday.]

Monday: Psalm 72:1–7

What does the king need? Why? Did Israel’s kings do this? Who would? How would He be the King of kings?

Tuesday: 2 Peter 3:8-14

Why hasn’t the Lord returned yet? What should we be doing until He does? Why? How will this hasten His coming?

Wednesday: Luke 21:25-36

Will the Day of the Lord’s coming be an easy or hard day? Is waiting for that day easy or hard? Why? What do we need so we can await that day faithfully and well?

Thursday: Isaiah 11:1–10

What is the “stump” of Jesse? Who will come forth from it? What does He have? What will He do? What will be the result?

Friday: Romans 15:4–13

Why do we need instruction, endurance, and encouragement? Where do we find it? What is our hope in a divided world?

Saturday: Matthew 3:1–12

What did John preach? Why is this the way to prepare for Jesus? What comes with repentance? Why? Why is this important for us to hear and know?

The Catechism - The Sacrament of the Altar: What is the Sacrament of the Altar? [part 1] It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.

Collect for the Week: Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Prayers:  Please pray for . . .

+ yourself and for all in need (remembering especially those on our prayer list).

+ God’s blessing, wisdom, and guidance for our congregation president, Peter Brondos.

+ the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Belgium, for God’s wisdom, blessing, guidance, and provision.

+ God’s blessing, guidance, and provision for Lutheran World Relief and Human Care.

Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer and Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer from the Catechism.

Now joyfully go about your day (or to bed) in good cheer, child of God!

Collect for the Week © 2018 Concordia Publishing House.

Lutheran Service Book Hymn License: 110019268