Fourth Sunday in Advent
December 21, 2025
Scripture Texts: Isaiah 7:10–17; Psalm 24:1–10; Romans 1:1–7; Matthew 1:18–25
Sermon: Imagine
Join us in worship Sunday at 10:30am for a message from Pastor Ryman about the embarrassed faith of the incarnation, 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 who will be handing our Christmas presents made by Lewis Brendle to those children.
Crossword Puzzle based on today's readings
Today's Bulletin PDF • Today's Sermon Manuscript
Fourth 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.
Our Immanuel and Lord over all creation, strengthen our faith and the faith of your church all over the world, that they may await in fervent hope your coming again in glory. Grant your churches everywhere endurance and a renewed energy to preach the gospel, to tell of your story to everyone, especially among those who do not know you. Grant your people — all those who belong to you — patience, gentleness, and abounding joy as we celebrate together your coming to the world, to offer salvation to all who believe in your holy name. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Everlasting Father, we give you thanks for your word which has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Grant us a heartfelt desire to study it often, to be reminded that you keep your covenants and promises forever. Help us so that we would not seek to put you to the test, but to follow and trust you, even in times of great distress and amid confusion. Make us humble and merciful to our neighbor, that you would be glorified in those whom you have called to be your saints. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, we lift up all those we hold close in our hearts — our family, our friends, and particularly those currently experiencing hardship, be it emotional distress, mental anguish, or physical ailments. We humbly ask that you surround them in your divine comfort in their time of need. Pour out your grace among them, through visitors, sacrament, and your word, that they would know the nearness of your kingdom and find peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, we pray for everyone affected by persecution and daily violence around the world. Help us and guide us to serve those impacted and the most vulnerable, that they may find true peace and security in you. We also pray for all first responders and those you have called to protect and serve your people. Grant them wisdom and patience, but most importantly, keep them safe from harm in all they do. 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.
Announcements
Please consult the bulletin and the current "Epistle" where you will find complete announcements.
• 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 Fourth Sunday of Advent: Genesis 3:8–15; Revelation 12:1–10; John 3:16–21.
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 Christmas:
Monday: Zephaniah 3:14–20; Titus 1:1–16; Luke 1:1–25
Tuesday: 1 Samuel 2:1b–10; Titus 2:1–10; Luke 1:26–38
Wednesday: 2 Samuel 7:1–17; Titus 2:11–3:8a;Luke 1:39–56
Christmas Day: Micah 4:1–5, 5:2–4; 1 John 4:7–16; John 3:31–36 (If you are using FATS, turn beyond the week of Advent 4 to page 133)
Friday: 2 Chronicles 24:17–22; Acts 6:1–7; Acts 7:59–8:8 (If you are using FATS, turn to page 138. Note that Reading 1 is Wisdom 4:7–15 [from the Apocrypha]. You may read that additionally but our daily lectionary reading from the LBW is as listed here.)
*Saturday: Proverbs 8:22–31; 1 John 5:1–12; John 13:20–35 (FATS, page 142)
* 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