Second Sunday in Advent
December 7, 2025
Scripture Texts: Isaiah 11:1–10; Psalm 72:1–7; Romans 15:4–13; Matthew 3:1–12
Sermon: The Goal of the Gospel
What is the purpose of the Gospel? What do you think people should get out of it?. Join us in worship Sunday at 10:30am for a message from Pastor Ryman about the goal of the Gospel, as well as sacred music, readings from the four major sections of the Holy Bible, the Lord's Supper, and a chat with our children and Pastor Lord.
Crossword Puzzle based on today's readings
Today's Bulletin PDF • Today's Sermon Manuscript
Second Sunday in Advent
Order of Worship
Download today's bulletin PDF for the entire order of worship and more.
Let us pray for the whole people of God, in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
Good and gracious God, you sent your only son into our world to bear our sins on the cross, so that through faith in him, we may be saved. Inspire your church with passion to share this truth with everyone, especially those in darkness. Make your church holy, faithful, and relentless in announcing your return. Help us through words and actions to lead many to repentance and faith in you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, fill your servants around the world with hope. Strengthen your churches and missions, and energize pastors, lay leaders, and church families who are facing difficult times and uncertainty. Provide them with help and resources according to their needs, and your peace that surpasses all understanding, so they can rest in the promise that you rule and govern all things with justice and righteousness. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, be with all those who weigh heavily on our hearts and minds, including family and friends, especially those among us suffering in mind, body, and spirit. Be with them in their time of need. Help us bring your word and sacrament to them so they may always hear your words of mercy and grace. Grant all those caring for them your wisdom and understanding, that they may be extensions of your love on earth. Give everyone in need endurance, patience, peace, and joy as we await your coming. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, help all those you have called to be leaders among us to love, trust, and fear you above all else. Guide them to govern with fairness, deliberate with wisdom, and care for all the people under their authority. Help us all bear fruit in keeping with repentance so that in all our thoughts, words, and actions, we seek to glorify you always. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Teaching
Open or download this week's preview of the lessons. We send this to our homebound with a bulletin each week and thought you might like to have a copy as well. You may read it online or print it out. It includes prayers, brief teaching on each of the four lessons for Sunday, an overview, and an additional Word Search based on the Gospel Lesson.
Please consult the bulletin and the current "Epistle" where you will find complete announcements.
• Advent Midweek Suppers and Services, Wednesdays, December 10th and 17th at 6pm and 7pm
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Wednesday, December 24, 7:00–8:30pm. This Worship service will include mulled cider and ginger cookies with a handmade mug by Connie Christman for all to take home.
Vespers Tonight

Join us for Vespers this evening in the parsonage (across the street from the church) at 6:00. We will be eating and laughing, singing and praying, and reading and discussing the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent: Amos 6:1–14; 2 Thessalonians 1:5–12; Luke 1:57–68.
Morning Prayer
Join us for Morning Prayer in the chapel, Monday through Friday at 8:30am, where we read and discuss Scripture and pray together. Our readings for the week of the Second Sunday of Advent:
Monday: Amos 7:1–9; Revelation 1:1–8; Matthew 22:23–33
Tuesday: Amos 7:10–17; Revelation 1:9–16; Matthew 22:34–46
Wednesday: Amos 8:1–14; Revelation 1:17–2:7; Matthew 23:1–12
Thursday: Amos 9:1–10; Revelation 2:8–17; Matthew 23:13–26
Friday: Haggai 1:1–15; Revelation 2:18–29; Matthew 23:27–39
*Saturday: Haggai 2:1–9; Revelation 3:1–6; Matthew 24:1–14
* We do not meet in the chapel on Saturdays. On Sundays, we meet in the parsonage. See above.
Visitor Info
If you live in the area or are passing through, please worship with us in-person. We also livestream our services on this page.
Expect traditional worship with liturgy and Holy Communion each Sunday and a message grounded in the Scriptures and guided by the Lutheran Confessions — all in a friendly, multigenerational environment.
We welcome and encourage children to worship with us. Just before the sermon, our children take up a spare change offering for mission. Then they join one of our pastors on the chancel steps for a chat about today's Scriptures. We think you will love this part of the service.
Giving
You may give an offering online to the General Fund and to some specific funds, using this secure link. If you do not have an account with Tithely, it will only take a few minutes to set that up. If you need help, please call the church office at 704-633-0922. Please note that a small, typical percentage is retained by Tithely.
You may also mail offerings to:
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
205 St. Paul's Church Road
Salisbury, NC 28146
License
Streaming License: Licensee: St. Paul's Lutheran Church 205 St Paul Church Rd Salisbury, NC 28146 Term: Dec 22, 2021 - Dec 22, 2022 Average Weekly Attendance: 1 - 199 License #: 14408 URL: stpaulslutheran.church GRANT OF LICENSE. St. Paul's Lutheran Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play, perform, and transmit via the website noted above, any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP, BMI and SESAC),as stated in the CCS WORSHIPcast License Terms and Conditions.
Performance License: Licensee: St. Paul's Lutheran Church 205 St Paul Church Rd Salisbury, NC 28146 Term: Dec 22, 2021 - Dec 22, 2022 Average Weekly Attendance: 1 - 199 License #: 14408 GRANT OF LICENSE. St. Paul's Lutheran Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play and perform in any of the Licensee’s facilities within the United States any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP,BMI and SESAC), as stated in the CCS PERFORMmusic License Terms and Conditions.
CCLI License # 11395633