Dec. 21 Virtual Worship
4th Sunday in Advent (Peace)
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Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Steve Mojonnier
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Scripture Lesson
Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025
Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Sermon: God is With Us
Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.
Key Idea of the Sermon
On the fourth Sunday of Advent, we move from the visions of reconciliation, restoration, and homecoming of the prophet Isaiah to the story of the birth of Jesus in the Gospel According to Matthew. However, we are not completely leaving Isaiah. Today’s passage quotes Isaiah 7:14, connecting the birth of Jesus to the promise of a leader who will advance the ancient prophetic visions. Jesus, the child to be born to Mary and Joseph, will be known by the title, Emmanuel—God is with us. It is this movement of God to earth that fulfills and empowers the gifts of hope, love, joy, and peace.
Questions for Reflection
• On the third Sunday of Advent, we celebrated Christ’s gift of joy. How did you experience joy this past week?
• The role of the Holy Spirit in this story of Jesus’ birth is repeated for emphasis. How do you see the manifestation of the Spirit’s presence in Jesus’ life and in your life as a follower of Jesus?
• When we affirm that God is with us, we experience more peace and purpose. What spiritual practices help you live each day in God’s peaceful presence? How are you a peacemaker in the interactions and relationships of your daily life?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
Be a person of peace this week in your circle of influence by choosing tangible ways every day to be kind, just, and humble. Pay attention to the difference God can make through you and be thankful.
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com
Video Recordings (Recorded Live)
Due to an internet outage in the area, we were unable to stream or record the worship service.
