Bulletin

Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Wartburg

5765 Maeystown Road – Waterloo, IL 62298

Pastor Dan Ostlund

Office: 618-939-7094 – cell 618-301-6358

Office: hcwartb@htc.net, Pastor: wartburg.pastor@gmail.com

Website: www.holycrosswartburg.com

First Sunday in Advent

Our Service can be found on your radio at 87.9 FM

November 30, 2025

Guests Welcome! We are delighted that you are with us for worship this morning. Consider us your church home– at least for today. We hope we will see you again soon!

We celebrate Holy Communion: In this Supper of our Lord we receive the true body and blood of Jesus Christ under the earthly forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. Since this Holy Communion is also a sign of how we commonly confess the Christian faith, we welcome to the Lord’s Table those who are confirmed members of congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. If this is your first time communing with us, please speak with the pastor or an usher before the service begins. If you are a guest who has not been instructed concerning the Lord’s Supper and our church’s teaching, and desire to commune with us, we invite you to first attend our instructional classes.

Divine Service Setting 5 – page 213

Ringing of the Bell

Opening Hymn #350 Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come

Confession and Absolution

Please stand if you are able

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

P In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.

P Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C who made heaven and earth.

P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,

C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.

P O almighty God, merciful Father,

C I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.

P Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

Service of the Word

Introit Psalm 118:25–28; antiphon: Zechariah 9:9b, alt.

Behold, your king is coming to you;
    righteous and having salvation.
Save us, we pray, O Lord!
    O Lord, we pray, give us success!
Blessèd is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
    We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us.
    Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
    you are my God; I will extol you.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son
    and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
    is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Behold, your king is coming to you;
    righteous and having salvation.

Kyrie – #942 Kyrie! God, Father

1     Kyrie! God, Father in heav’n above,
You abound in gracious love,
    Of all things the maker and preserver.
        Eleison! Eleison!
Kyrie! O Christ, our king,
Salvation for all You came to bring.
    O Lord Jesus, God’s own Son,
    Our mediator at the heav’nly throne:
Hear our cry and grant our supplication.
        Eleison! Eleison!
Kyrie! O God the Holy Ghost,
Guard our faith, the gift we need the most,
    And bless our life’s last hour,
That we leave this sinful world with gladness.
        Eleison! Eleison!

Text: German version, Ordenung der ceremonien, 1537/38, Naumburg; tr. W. Gustave Polack, 1890–1950, alt.; Latin, 9th cent.
Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001525

Gloria in Excelsis (omitted)

Salutation and Collect of the Day

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Let us pray.

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

Sit

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 2:1–5

1The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

2It shall come to pass in the latter days
    that the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
    and shall be lifted up above the hills;
and all the nations shall flow to it,
    3and many peoples shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
    and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go the law,
    and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4He shall judge between the nations,
    and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
    and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
    neither shall they learn war anymore.
5O house of Jacob,
    come, let us walk
    in the light of the Lord.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Gradual Zechariah 9:9; Psalm 118:26, alt.

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion.
    Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem.
Behold, your king is coming to you;
    righteous and having salvation.
Blessèd is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.

Epistle Romans 13:8–14

8Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Hymn of the Day #332 Savior of the Nations, Come

Please stand if you are able

Holy Gospel Matthew 21:1–11

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the twenty-first chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

1Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5“Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

Creed Hymn #953 We All Believe in One True God

Sit

Sermon Matthew 21: 1-11 “Coming to the Rescue”

Please stand if you are able

Prayer of the Church

P Friends in Christ, I urge you all to lift up your hearts to God and pray with me as Christ our Lord has taught us and freely promised to hear us.

God, our Father in heaven, look with mercy on us, Your needy children on earth, and grant us grace that Your holy name be hallowed by us and all the world through the pure and true teaching of Your Word and the fervent love shown forth in our lives. Graciously turn from us all false doctrine and evil living whereby Your precious name is blasphemed and profaned. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P May Your kingdom come to us and expand. Bring all transgressors and those who are blinded and bound in the devil’s kingdom to know Jesus Christ, Your Son, by faith that the number of Christians may be increased. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Strengthen us by Your Spirit according to Your will, both in life and in death, in the midst of both good and evil things, that our own wills may be crucified daily and sacrificed to Your good and gracious will. Into Your merciful hands we commend [name(s)] and all who are in need, praying for them at all times: Thy will be done. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Grant us our daily bread, preserve us from greed and selfish cares, and help us trust in You to provide for all our needs. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Forgive us our sins as we also forgive those who sin against us so that our hearts may be at peace and may rejoice in a good conscience before You, and that no sin may ever frighten or alarm us. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Lead us not into temptation, O Lord, but help us by Your Spirit to subdue our flesh, to turn from the world and its ways, and to overcome the devil with all his wiles. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P And lastly, O heavenly Father, deliver us from all evil of both body and soul, now and forever. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P We trust, O Lord, in Your great mercy to hear and answer us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C Amen.

Sit

Offering – “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” – Rob Mallon

Service of the Sacrament

If you are visiting and desire to receive Holy Communion, please see our

Communion statement on the front of our bulletin

Please stand if you are able

Preface LSB 216

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Lift up your hearts.

C We lift them to the Lord.

P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord our God, king of all creation, for You have had mercy on us and given Your only-begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Grant us Your Spirit, gracious Father, that we may give heed to the testament of Your Son in true faith and, above all, firmly take to heart the words with which Christ gives to us His body and blood for our forgiveness. By Your grace, lead us to remember and give thanks for the boundless love which He manifested to us when, by pouring out His precious blood, He saved us from Your righteous wrath and from sin, death, and hell. Grant that we may receive the bread and wine, that is, His body and blood, as a gift, guarantee, and pledge of His salvation. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

C 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.

P In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, at His command, and with His own words, we receive His testament:

The Words of Our Lord LSB 217

P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My + body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My + blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Pax Domini

P The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C Amen.

Agnus Dei LSB 198

C O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, grant us Thy peace. Amen.

Sit

Distribution

Distribution Hymns

#331 The Advent of Our King

#636 Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness

Dismissal

Please stand if you are able

Post-Communion Collect

A Let us pray.

O God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, who in loving-kindness sent Your only-begotten Son into the flesh, we thank You that for His sake You have given us pardon and peace in this Sacrament, and we ask You not to forsake Your children but always to rule our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may be enabled constantly to serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

Benedicamus LSB 218

A Let us bless the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Benediction

P The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.

C Amen.

Closing Hymn #341 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

Acknowledgments

Divine Service, Setting Five from Lutheran Service Book

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

OUR PRAYERS

For the sick and/or injured –Bernell Buettner (health issues), Bernice Fuller (recovering from pneumonia), Jeanette Johanning (back problems), Howard Schmidt (cancer), Barb Steele (recovering at home).

Rob Beaulieu – (cancer, Ron Braun’s nieces husband), Brenden Harms – (hospitalized after auto accident – member at St. John’s), Bill Keel (hospice – brother-in-law of Arlene Baum and Howard & Mike Schmidt), Jodie Lexa (colon cancer – Bob Lunk’s niece), Matthew Miller – (brain bleed after accident – Laura Shemonia’s son-in-law), Alycia Otten – (pregnancy complications – Randy & Sheri’s daughter), Herb Phillips – (stroke- cousin of Connie Kostecki), Tanna Schablowsky (cancer – mother of Becky Mudd’s friend), Sabrina Schmidt – (recovering at home – Howard & Mike’s daughter-in-law), Gary Shemonia – (recovering from heart attack – Laura’s husband), Susie Stenger – (hospitalized, cancer Tiffany Schultheis’ mother), Debbie Strickland – (cancer – cousin of Sharon Brewer), Leo David Trost (many health challenges/born with scoliosis – grandson of Kathy Bollinger), Beth Vincent (ALS – friend of Kenny & Radar), Delbert Wittenauer (health issues – Pearl Braun’s brother)

For those in Nursing Homes, the home bound, and those unable to be

with us in worship.

Comfort for the family of Gary Altes

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Serving Today

Organist: Barb Boeder

Elder Asst Greg Reinhardt & Kerry May

Ushers: Greg Reinhardt & Philip Reinhardt

Acolyte: Jacob Mudd

Altar Care: Pearl Braun/Rejona Reichert

Serving Wed. Dec. 3^rd Mid-Week Service 7:00 pm

Organist: Connie Kostecki

Acolyte: Elliot Koch

Altar Care: Pearl Braun/Rejona Reichert

Serving Next Sunday Dec. 7, 2025

Organist: Connie Kostecki

Ushers: Carl Brewer & Brett Dunker

Acolyte: Kegan Schultheis

Altar Care: Pearl Braun/Rejona Reichert

This Week at Holy Cross

Today 9:00 a.m. Worship Service

10:00 a.m. Fellowship to welcome

Mike & Nancy Rains

10:00 a.m. Sunday School

10:00 a.m. Nativity Scene & Christmas Tree

Decorating

Monday Pastor Day Off

Wednesday Dec, 3^rd 5:00 p.m. Confirmation

7:00 p.m. Mid-Week Advent Service

Thursday Dec. 4^th 10:00 a.m. LWML/Ladies Aid Mtg @ Acorns

Sunday, Dec. 7^th 9:00 a.m. Worship Service

10:00 a.m. Fellowship

10:15 a.m. Bible Class/Sunday School

Birthday

Nick Brege Dec. 1

Come join us for Fellowship as we Welcome Mike & Nancy Rains to our Church Family

The Board of Education will be putting up the Christmas Tree and Nativity Scene TODAY after Church. We will need all ages to volunteer helping us make the Church look beautiful during this glorious season.

LWML/Ladies Aid will be collecting food donations for Concordia

Seminary from November 2 -30^th. If you would like to donate, please bring

items for the table in church.

New Member Instruction class will be on Tuesdays from 4-5:00 pm

Join us for our Mid-Week Advent Services beginning

Wednesday December 3^rd at 7:00 p.m.

Our series this year is entitled “Every Heart Prepare.”

We decorate in preparation for Christmas. In November and December, people spend hours putting up lights in their living space and ornaments on their evergreens. Poinsettias are placed on the mantel, presents are put under the tree, and we “deck the halls with boughs of holly.” These Christmas decorations bring enjoyment and anticipation to the holiday. Advent is the church’s season of preparation for Christmas, for the coming of the Lord. This Advent season, as part of our preparation, we will reflect upon three common Christmas decorations and how they help us see Christ and prepare for His coming: evergreens, lights, and the crèche. Then, on Christmas, we will focus on the wrapped presents, which point us to the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ.

LWML/Ladies Aid meeting is Thursday (Dec. 4^th) 10:00 at Acorns for our Christmas gathering and lunch.

Please join us. RSVP to Mike 618-791-0386

Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt invites you to the annual Christmas Cookie Walk on Saturday December 13, 2025 from 9:00 am to noon.

Flyer is posted in the Narthex of the church’s bulletin board.