John the Baptist really let loose, talking about Jesus coming with His “winnowing fork” in His hand and going to burn up the chaff, those who have no fruits for repentance. Then along comes Jesus healing the sick and preaching Good News and being generally not as fire and brimstone as John seemed to make Him sound. So, stuck in Herod’s dungeon, John asks, “is He the One?” Have you ever asked that? Is Jesus the One? Is it all true? The world sure seems like it doesn’t need Jesus at all. Does Jesus ever seem to let you down? I know, we all want to say we have tons of faith. We believe! Yeah, but we also doubt, just like John. We know who Jesus is and yet we sometimes wonder. It’s for us believing-one-minute-doubting-the-next types that Jesus reminds John about what He’s about. He’s the bringer of Good News. If you’re ever unsure of Jesus, I’ve got Good News for you: He’s your Savior! He came to set us free from sin and death and doubt and despair. We’ll hear all about it this Third Sunday of Advent!
Speaking of which…the Third Sunday in Advent is Gaudete! Rejoice! The color is rose! Celebrate and wear your pink or rose! We are grateful to be able to use a new set of Rose paraments on the altar given in loving memory of Cindy Pflug by the Pflug, Mullen and Ponitz families!
ADVENT MIDWEEK SERVICES
Join us for our last Advent Midweek Evening Prayer with Communion this Wednesday at 7pm. We’ll be taking a closer look at the Epistle for this week: what is Paul talking about with that “stewards of the mysteries” stuff and what does it have to do with Advent?
LIVE NATIVITY
See you at the the Live Nativity TOMORROW from 5-7pm!
Check out the Manger Scene, pet the live animals, come inside for some chili and hot chocolate – and bring the kids to get their Christmas Cookie!
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Here are worship times for Advent and Christmas Services
Wednesday, December 15 – 7pm Advent Midweek Services
Wednesdays, December 22 and 29 – NO SERVICES
Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24 – 3, 7, and 11pm Divine Services
Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25 – 9am Divine Service
Sunday, December 26 – 8am Bible Study; 9am Divine Service; No Learning the Faith
Friday, December 31 – 7pm New Year’s Eve Divine Service
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PETER POLLACK
Peter continues his post-Covid battle and may now need a lung transplant. You can continue to send your cards and letters of encouragement to him and Robin here:
Lutheran General Hospital MICU
Attn: Peter Pollack, Room 12
1775 Dempster Street
Park Ridge, IL 60068
MASKS IN WORSHIP
We are currently wearing our masks during worship. At this time there is no restriction on capacity or seating arrangements. Please consider the well-being of your neighbor most especially by staying home if you have any symptoms of illness. As always, you can get in touch with me to request a visit if you can’t be in church. Thank you for your patience and understanding and love of neighbor in all of this!
LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
You can watch live and find recorded services at the links below:
We stream live on our FACEBOOK PAGE HERE.
Our videos are also live and recorded on YOUTUBE HERE.
Rejoice! The Lord is coming. He’s not slow. He’s not what we expect. He’s far greater and full of Good News. We’ll doubt with John but we’ll be strengthened like John by Jesus’ own words of comfort. Hear those words this week! See you in the Divine Service!
In Christ,
Pastor Buetow
Download this week’s Bulletin, Daily Devotions, and NewsNotes from our website here: