Weekly Devotional Guide

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Theme for The Fourth Sunday in Advent

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ we are made aware that God has kept his promises to us to send us a Savior who identifies completely with us. With Mary the Church bursts forth in song for God's great saving acts.

Hymn #357

Alleluia. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel. Alleluia.

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

[Verse and Collect from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission]

Hymns #384, #357, #336, #356, #564, #431, #342

Christian Questions with Their Answers*
PREPARED BY DR. MARTIN LUTHER FOR THOSE WHO INTEND TO GO TO THE SACRAMENT

1. Do you believe that you are a sinner?
Yes, I believe it. I am a sinner.

2. How do you know this?
From the Ten Commandments, which I have not kept.

3. Are you sorry for your sins?
Yes, I am sorry that I have sinned against God.

4. What have you deserved from God because of your sins?
His wrath and displeasure, temporal death, and eternal damnation. See Romans 6:21, 23.

5. Do you hope to be saved?
Yes, that is my hope.

6. In whom then do you trust?
In my dear Lord Jesus Christ.

7. Who is Christ?
The Son of God, true God and man.

Luther's Small Catechism copyright © 1986. Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission of the publisher