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December 14, 2025
See TodayAdvent 3
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Isaiah 35:1–10 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Psalm
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Psalm 146 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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James 5:7–11 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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Matt. 11:2–15 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Advent 3
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ Brings True Rejoicing, Even Under the Cross
Sometimes life requires the astonishing patience of Job. Like him, we are to rejoice in the midst of affliction, be grounded in repentance under the cross of Christ, and hope relentlessly in His resurrection, that we might see “the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). In the promise of the Gospel, therefore, “be patient” and “establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:7, 8). Like St. John the Baptist, whatever your own kind of prison or suffering may be, call upon Jesus and receive the strength of His Word from those He sends to you. For as “the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up,” so is the Good News of Jesus preached to you also (Matt. 11:5). He comes and restores the fortunes of Zion, His Holy Church, so that “sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Is. 35:10).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series A (opens in a new tab). Used by permission. These pages may be reproduced for congregational use only. Commercial reproduction, or reproduction for sale of this work or any portion of this work, without the written permission of the copyright holder, is prohibited. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Scripture quoted in the summary is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Introit, Gradual and Verse
Source: LCMS Three-Year Series (A) Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for December 14, 2025 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Lord, You are the source of all joy. Even the wilderness and the dry land shall be glad at Your appearance. Sustain us in the time of waiting for Your will and purpose to unfold in these latter days. Give us patience under trials and hope that endures the changes and chances of this mortal life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, You have sent messengers to prepare the way of Your Son’s coming. Grant us ears to hear and hearts to believe the words delivered by pastors and all who bear Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, You have instituted the home to be a refuge for husbands and wives and a place of growth and safety for children. Look with favor upon the homes of our land, and grant that the faith might be delivered from one generation to the next. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, give guidance to those entrusted with positions of leadership in government. Protect service men and women who defend us against the enemies of our nation, and those who enact and enforce laws that protect us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, the prophet Isaiah looked for the day when blind eyes would see, deaf ears would hear, lame legs would leap and mute tongues would sing. Until the final day of restoration, draw near to all who have requested our prayers, [especially _____________,] and give them healing according to Your gracious will. Bind up those who grieve, that they may look for the resurrection of all flesh. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, You give strength to those who are anxious. Give us hearts that trust in You at all times. Grant us courage to confront our doubts and fears with Your Word, and give us strength to fulfill our vocations of worship, witness, prayer and works of mercy. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
With great jubilation, O Lord, we rejoice at Your Son’s gracious visitation in His body and blood in the fellowship of this altar. Grant us faith to receive Him worthily as He comes in this foretaste of the Lamb’s marriage feast. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, Your love invites us to rejoice in Your goodness. In every circumstance of life, teach us the joy that comes from knowing Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and eagerly expecting His gracious visitation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Prayers of the Church for December 14, 2025 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For joy in the Lord, that we may be sustained in the time of waiting for His will and purpose to unfold in these latter days; for patience under trials; and for hope that endures the changes and chances of this mortal life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all pastors and church workers, that the words they bear would prepare the way of Jesus’ second advent and be received by all who hear them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the homes of our land, that God would grant safety and security to all families; and that the faith would be delivered from one generation to the next, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those entrusted with positions of leadership in government; for service men and women who defend us against the enemies of our nation; and for those who enact and enforce laws that protect us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and grieving, [especially _____________,] that as the day draws near when blind eyes see, deaf ears hear, lame legs leap and mute tongues sing for joy, God would grant them healing according to His gracious will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For hearts that trust in the Lord at all times; for courage to confront our doubts and fears with the Word of the Lord; and for strength to fulfill our vocations of worship, witness, prayer and works of mercy, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For faith and joy to receive the Lord’s Supper worthily this day, as Christ comes as a foretaste of the Lamb’s marriage feast, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O God, Your love invites us to rejoice in Your goodness. In every circumstance of life, teach us the joy that comes from knowing Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and eagerly expecting His gracious visitation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 345 Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding
The LCMS studies identify this as the Hymn of the Day for the Third Sunday in Advent in the One-Year Lectionary and Series A, B and C.
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day Studies for Advent — One-Year and Three-Year lectionaries (revised 2021), pp. 5–6 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 349 Hark the Glad Sound
- Distribution LSB 633 At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing
- Distribution LSB 347 Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
- Closing LSB 398 Hail to the Lord’s Annointed
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series A 2025–26 (opens in a new tab). Hymn numbers and titles only; hymn texts are not reproduced. Reproduction for individual, church or school use does not require permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.