New Life's Worship Service on November 27th, 2022, the First Sunday Advent

Worship Service on November 27th, 2022, the First Sunday Advent, at New Life Ev. Lutheran Church of Lake Zurich. Service folder/bulletin: http://www.newlife-wels.org/podcast/a... Before Service Prayer: My Savior and my King, You bring joy to my heart this season. You came to earth to live and die in my place. Your victory over sin and death belong to me through faith. Help me now also to find joy in living for You. As we find joy in doing things for others, help us to find joy in amending our sinful lives and "producing fruits in keeping with repentance". Give us the wisdom to see that if we repent of our sins, yet continue in them, we are not truly penitent. So that I may be genuinely repentant, send Your Holy Spirit to work in me sorrow over my sin, faith in You as my only Savior and a life which is new and different, lived to Your glory. I ask this in Your name. Amen. Today's Theme: Why would the Church Year begin with a gospel reading that describes an event near the very end of Jesus’ life - His entry into Jerusalem at the start of Holy Week? Because the events of Palm Sunday serve as a perfect summary of the entire plan of salvation. It is an odd sight, this man riding into Jerusalem on a baby donkey, to cheers and the celebratory waving of palm branches. Understandably, many asked, "Who is this?" The answer: This is not just a rabbi. This is the King of all Creation. This is God Almighty wrapped in flesh. Yet, He does not enter Jerusalem with all His glory and power on display. The King hides all that and rides into Jerusalem so that He might also be our priest and sacrifice. This is a King unlike any other ruler who has ever lived. For He is infinitely greater than all other kings, while simultaneously being infinitely humbler. This King is willing to trade His crown of glory for one made of thorns. This King comes not demanding our service but to serve us. You look at how good, how loving is this King, and you ask that question upon which eternity hinges. "Who is this?" As we march through this new Church Year, the answer becomes crystal clear. This King is the Savior of the nations. Today’s Service: "Lead Us to Your Light" GIA gathering rite and Service Setting Three, NPH, reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-800156 and under CCLI license #1132777. Christian hymns preach Jesus Christ: crucified, risen and seated at God's right hand. The hymns in this service are from "Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal" ©2021 Northwestern Publishing House. Used with permission. Additional hymns: "Christian Worship Supplement" ©2008 Northwestern Publishing House. Used with permission. #newlifewelslz