December 2022 Program Summaries

December 4, 2022 – Second Sunday in Advent

Psalm 105:4-8 and Isaiah 40:3b; Isaiah 11:1-10; Matthew 3:1-12

“Repent!” - Sermon Text: Matthew 3:2 - Rev. Shayne Jonker

You know it just wouldn’t be Advent without this strange preacher of the Judean wilderness, John the Baptist. His message is quite simple and can be summarized in a single word: Repent! And the reason why we should repent is simple as well: the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

December 11, 2022 – Third Sunday in Advent

Psalm 146; Isaiah 35:1-10; Matthew 11:2-15

“Confused About Jesus?” - Sermon Text: Matthew 11:2-11 - Rev. Paul Shoemaker

During Jesus’ life, there was confusion about who He was and what His mission was. Clarity comes from Isaiah’s prophecies and from Jesus Himself. Those same words clarify for us the identity and purpose of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

December 18, 2022 – Fourth Sunday in Advent

Psalm 24; Isaiah 7:10-17; Matthew 1:18-25

“A Sign of the Times” - Sermon Text: Isaiah 7:10-17 - Rev. William Mueller

We are almost to the joyous celebration of Christmas! Isaiah 7:14 gives us one of the most celebrated prophecies about the birth of Jesus – the prophecy of a miraculous virgin birth of our Lord. Jesus is, as Isaiah prophesied, Immanuel – “God with us.’’ The context of this prophecy gives us even more reasons to rejoice and celebrate!

December 25, 2022 – Christmas (The Nativity of Our Lord)

Psalm 98; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20

“How Will You Return?” - Sermon Text: Luke 2:20 - Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer

Want to make Christmas last longer than a day? Consider how the shepherds returned to their everyday lives after seeing the newborn Savior, Jesus Christ, in Bethlehem’s manger. How will you return?