The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Fourth Sunday in Advent Dec. 22, 2024 In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For all who prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, that our ever-faithful and all-powerful God would give us grateful hearts that His Son has come in the flesh to save us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For proper fear and love of the Lord, that the mighty God who has exalted us to be His children would preserve us by His Holy Word, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For peace, that our Father who sent Christ to be our peace would preserve us in repentance, so that we would live in peace with one another, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For congregations where numbers are small and resources scarce, that God, who raised up the King of all from little Bethlehem, would provide for their needs also and remind them that the same King dwells among them in His Means of Grace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For women unable to conceive or who suffer the heartbreak of miscarriage, that God would be their rock against despair, provide them with consolation and purpose in Christ, and restore them to exult in His salvation, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For our leaders, that Christ Jesus, who shepherds His flock to the ends of the earth, would grant them wisdom, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For the nations, that they may have peace and that we may dwell secure, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For all who suffer in mind or body, that Christ, our Immanuel, would be with them in their trials and grant health and healing in accord with His perfect will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For all who commune, that God, who sanctified us through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all on the cross, would prepare our hearts to receive Christ’s body and blood for the forgiveness of sins this day, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. Lord God, heavenly Father, we give You thanks for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who is truly the King of the nations and their desire. He who formed us of clay took on our human nature that He might save us. He came to His own and was rejected by them, yet You established Him as the true cornerstone, tested and precious, that whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame. Grant that, as we recall with thanksgiving His advent in the flesh, we may always confess Him and remain watchful for His advent in glory at the Last Day; for You live and reign, ever one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN OF THE DAY Fourth Sunday in Advent Dec. 22, 2024 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (LSB 357) 1. O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! 2. O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, Who ord’rest all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! 3. O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height In ancient times didst give the Law In cloud and majesty and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! 4. O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s tree, Free them from Satan’s tyranny That trust Thy mighty pow’r to save, And give them vict’ry o’er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! 5. O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heav’nly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! 6. O come, Thou Dayspring from on high, And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! 7. O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind; Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, And be Thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O Dayspring, Splendor of light everlasting: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. https://thelc.ms/3D0Oi4A

Your support has meant that moms with young children struggling to make ends meet could get the support — and Gospel hope — they needed through programs like Our Savior Lutheran Church's Breakfast with Baby. Thank you! Learn more here: https://thelc.ms/3YDBAzD #MercyForever

O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death. https://thelc.ms/4ijQxA4

O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before the peoples, before whom all kings are mute, to whom the nations will do homage: Come quickly to deliver us. https://thelc.ms/4eX0AYN

We invite you to memorize Philippians 4:4-5 with us this week. Memorizing Scripture is a valuable practice for Christians, even in a digital age. Join us each week as we hide God's Word in our hearts. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eyrEps7. #memoryverse

Every undesignated gift to the LCMS — a “Together as Synod” gift — bolsters domestic and international efforts to give a bold witness, show mercy and live life together as children of God. Will you consider an end-of-year gift today? https://thelc.ms/2QPfadA

O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai: Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us. https://thelc.ms/41zHsgH

At Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carol Stream, Ill., moms in need can attend a monthly Breakfast with Baby event to receive physical and spiritual support. Learn more about the program, one of many supported by the Million Dollar Life Match: https://thelc.ms/3LNkus8 #MercyForever