Second Sunday in Advent, December 7, 2025

ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH – LCMS

700 Main St.  P.O. Box 220   Clyman, WI  53016  

Rev. Daniel L. Bohn & Church 1(920) 341-2025 – shepherdatzion@gmail.com

Worship Times: Sundays – 8:30am & Wednesdays – 7:00pm

To View Past Services & Other Information: Website – zionclyman.org or Facebook – zionclyman

Watch Live on Sunday @ 8:30am: YouTube – zionclyman

Music – Dee Dee Wille       Elder – Dave Stuebe

Bulletin Announcements: Email: zionclyman@gmail.com

Congregation Information: Neal Kohlhoff Email: neal.kohlhoff50@gmail.com

Altar Guild for December: Nancy Basol      Thank you.

 Guests.  Welcome to Zion.  We are happy to have you worship with us.  Please sign our guestbook located in the Narthex.  About Holy Communion:  We welcome to the Lord’s Table all who have repented of their sins and seek to amend their sinful life; all who believe that Jesus is truly present in, with, and under the bread and the wine; and all who believe that through the words “given and shed for you” forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given.  If this is your confession and you are a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, then come with a thankful heart and join us.   If you are a visitor and would like to commune, please talk with Pastor Dan before the service.  To help in preparing to receive Holy Communion open the front cover of the Burgundy hymnal or turn to pages 329 & 330.  Gluten free wafers are available, please talk with an Elder or Pastor before the service if you would appreciate them.

As We Gather  Many people and churches talk about good works.  The issue with good works, is not that we should do them (we should) but why we do them.  Our good works are a natural response to our faith, but they do not add to what Christ has done in His work of redemption for all sinners.  John’s call to bear the good fruit of repentance is not a call to work harder to be saved, but to live our faith, doing those good things which show that we are saved, that we belong to the Lord, and that He has accomplished all things for our salvation.  John faced a generation impressed with their works which thought their works earned for them God’s grace and mercy.  Our good works are the fruit and response of a healthy faith.  A life of faith which will without thinking, serve others, help others, repent of our sin before God and live as a child of God.  Those fruits, “good works” of faith, earn nothing before God, but show how God the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives with the Grace of God.

Ringing of the Bell and Welcome

Hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”  LSB 357

The Advent Wreath Explained and the First 2 Candles are Lighted

Invocation – In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.   Amen.

Opening Sentences – Psalm 72:1-2, 18-19 – Give the King Your justice, O God, and Your righteousness to the royal son!  May He judge Your people with righteousness, and Your poor with justice!  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.   Blessed be His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory!  Amen and Amen!

Confession and Absolution – May God judge His people with righteousness and justice.  May He defend the poor, deliver the needy, and crush the oppressor.   A time of silence to reflect on those sins weighing heavy on our hearts       All: Holy and gracious God, I confess that I have sinned against You not only today, but every day.  Some of my sin I know—the thoughts, words and deeds of which I am ashamed.  Some of my sin is known only to You.  For all of my sin, known and unknown to me, I am sorry, and in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord I ask for Your forgiveness.  Forgive me, restore to me the joy of Your salvation and allow me to rest in the peace of being forgiven of all my sin.   Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins.  As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.     He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.   Amen.

Kyrie – For peace in our hearts, for peace in the church, and for peace in the world, let us pray to the Lord:  Lord Have Mercy.    For mercy to forgive all our sins, for mercy to forgive the sins of one another, and for mercy for all those in need, for grace to rule our unruly wills, for grace to prepare us to receive our Lord in His Word and Holy Supper, and for grace to be found faithful when He comes at the end of all time, let us pray to the Lord:  Lord Have Mercy.    For hope to preserve us from despair, for hope to bear cheerful witness to Christ before the world, and for hope to sustain us in the hour of trial, let us pray to the Lord:   Lord Have Mercy.

Psalm of the Day – Psalm 72:1-7, antiphon vs18 – Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.    Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!  May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!  Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!  May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!  May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!  May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!  In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!   Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.  Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  Amen

Collect of the Day – 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 the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen

Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 11:1-10 – There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.  And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.  And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.  He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.  Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.  The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.  The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.  The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.  They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.  In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

Epistle or New Testament Reading – Romans 15:4-13 –   Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.  Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.  As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”  And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”  And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.”  And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”  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.

Verse – Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight; all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Gospel Reading – Matthew 3:1-12 – The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the third chapter.  Glory to you, O Lord.     In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”  Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.  Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.  And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees.  Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”    This is the Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to You, O Christ.

Nicene Creed – I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.  And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.  And I believe in the Holy Spirit,   the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life X of the world to come.    Amen.

Hymn  “Prepare the Royal Highway”   LSB 343

Sermon

Prayers of the Church

We gather our Tithes and Offerings

*Service of the Sacrament*

Preface and Proper Preface – The Lord be with you.    And also with you.    Lift up your hearts.  We lift them to the Lord.    Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.   It is right to give Him thanks and praise.  It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose way John the Baptist prepared, proclaiming Him the promised Messiah, the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and calling sinners to repentance that they might escape from the wrath to be revealed when He comes again in glory.  Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing:

Sanctus                               LSB 161

Prayer of Thanksgiving – In speaking all things into being, You manifested both Your goodness and Your love.  In sending forth the promise of a Savior, You showed forth Your compassion and mercy. In the fullness of time You brought forth Your promise, sending into the womb of the virgin by the power of the Spirit Your only-begotten Son.  As He has accomplished all things for our salvation by the one, all-sufficient offering of His body on the cross, we give You thanks and praise that You have counted us worthy to stand before You and to receive the precious gift of His grace in His Meal, which He established by His own will and testament.   Amen.

 The Words of our Lord – Consecration of the Elements

Proclamation of Christ – As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.  Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.    All:  O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

The Lord’s Prayer – Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.       Amen.

Pax Domini       LSB 163 – The peace of the Lord be with you always.   Amen

Agnus Dei                                                              LSB 163

We Celebrate our Lord’s Supper

Distribution Hymns

“On Jordans Bank the Baptist’s Cry”       LSB 344

“Once He Came in Blessing”                   LSB 333

“When All the World Was Cursed”           LSB 346

Post Communion Canticle – Thank the Lord  p.164

Post Communion Collect – Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,   for His steadfast love endures forever.   Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank and praise You for Your great goodness in bringing us Your sons and daughters to the knowledge of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and enabling us both with the heart to believe and with our mouths to confess His saving name.  Grant that, bringing forth the fruits of faith, we may continue steadfast and victorious to the day when all who have fought the good fight of faith shall receive the crown of righteousness.  We pray this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Benediction

Hymn**vs1 & 5** “Jesus Shall Reign”  LSB 832

ANNOUNCEMENTS

YES IN CHRIST        Saying Yes With Our Treasures

 Weekly Budget Needed: $3279

Attendance/Communed:     11/23/2025 = 41 / 36       11/26/2025 = 24 / 23

Giving:         11/23/2025: Envelopes = $1793             Plate = $34                        

Memorial:    Current Trustee Project:    $100 for Eli Dornfeld from Tim Dornfeld

The Current Trustee Project is fixing the steeple.

Handbell Choir Practice on Sunday following the worship service.  All are welcome to attend.

Quilters are meeting on Thursday December 11th from 11am to 2pm. Please check with Caroline Jeffers as they do not meet every week. Donations of fabric, sheets (flat or fitted), and yarn are always appreciated. You do not have to know how to sew as there are many non-sewing tasks to be completed. All are welcome to join us for the quilting fun!

Christmas Cookie Sale: – December 13^th at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Reeseville.   Advance orders are recommended by calling Church Office at 920-927-5734. All cookies are homemade and will be pre-boxed. A variety of three dozen cookies per box for $16. Homemade caramel corn $7 per gallon-size bag. Orders will be available for pick-up in the Church Fellowship Hall from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 Noon on Saturday, December 13th.

Mighty Zion comes through again. THANK YOU!

Because of your generous donations to the cornucopia at Thanksgiving, 894 POUNDS of goods were donated to The Gathering Source!

Please keep the following in your Special Prayers:

Prayers for Ralph Kohlhoff as he heals from cataract surgery on the first eye & will have surgery on the second eye in the near future.

We keep in our prayers all in our congregation who recently had surgery, waiting for test results, and are in need of healing and comfort.

BIRTHDAYS:   Andrea Hackbarth 11/30            Vickie Brugger 12/3                Helen Kennedy 12/4

Cindy Borck 12/8                   Kevin Schultz 12/14                Jadelyn Angove 12/15             Warren Jeffers 12/17

Ron Lehmann 12/17               Malachi Dornfeld 12/20          Karen Huber 12/25                Riley Matson 12/26

Doug Schlender 12/28            Carl Foege 12/30

ANNIVERSARIES:   Jim & Erica Goehl Jr 12/23          Felix & Janet Ortega 12/29

Kevin & Sandra Schultz 12/29

 

DID YOU KNOW…

The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” or “arrival”. Advent wreaths have symbolic meaning; the evergreen leaves and berries represent the crown of thorns and blood of Christ, while pinecones, nuts, and seeds symbolize new life and resurrection. The word “Advent” is never mentioned in the bible.

How many books are in the OLD TESTAMENT?

NEW = 3 letters    TESTAMENT = 9 letters  / There are 39 books in the Old Testament

Genesis                Exodus                            Leviticus                         Numbers

Deuteronomy       Joshua                           Judges                           Ruth

1 Samuel              2 Samuel                        1 Kings                           2 Kings

1 Chronicles                   2 Chronicles                             Ezra                                 Nehemiah

Esther                             Job                                  Psalms                           Proverbs

Ecclesiastes                  Song of Solomon                    Isaiah                                        Jeremiah

Lamentations      Ezekiel                            Daniel                             Hosea

Joel                       Amos                                        Obadiah                          Jonah

Micah                             Nahum                            Habakkuk                       Zephaniah

Haggai                  Zechariah                       Malachi