INTROIT: See, your righteous King comes bringing salvation.  O Lord, I give my soul to YOU.  Don't let me suffer shame.  Don't let my enemies defeat me.  My hope is with YOU, and I will never suffer shame.  My enemies will suffer shame.

COLLECT: Show YOUR power, O Lord, and come.  Protect us and save us from the danger of our sins.  We pray to YOU, O Christ, with the Father and Holy Spirit, now and forever.  Amen.

ISAIAH 2:1-5
     1.  This is the story God told to ISAIAH, son of AMOZ,   about the country named JUDAH and the city named    JERUSALEM.
     2.  It will happen that the mountain, on that the TEMPLE was-built, that mountain will become the highest mountain, and many people will come to the TEMPLE.
     3.  And the people will say, "Let us go to the Lord's mountain and to the house of God's people.  God will teach us everything to do, and we will obey God, because God teaches in the TEMPLE and speaks to the people on that holy mountain."
     4.  And God will judge the people and scold many people.  The people will take their swords, and hammer and change the swords to become plows.  And take the spears, and hammer and change the spears to become knives for cutting trees.  The people will not war against other people and no more prepare for war.
     5.  Now, you people from JACOB'S family, come and follow the way that God shows you.

ROMANS 13:11-14
    11.  Love now, because you know the time to wake-up from sleep is now, because we are more near to the end of our life now than before happened we first believed.
    12.  The night time is almost finished, and the new day is beginning.  Now let us take-away the sins of darkness and do the good things of faith.
    13.  Let us live in good behavior same-as in the daytime, not in pleasure activity and drunkenness, not with bad people and SEX sinning, not with quarreling or jealousy.
    14.  But accept the Lord Jesus Christ and don't follow the sinful hungers of your body.

GRADUAL: Rejoice, O children of God!  Sing praise, children of heaven!  See, your righteous King comes bringing salvation.  Praise Christ.  Jesus comes in the name of the Lord.  In YOUR house, O Lord, we praise YOU.

MATTHEW 24:37-44

    37.  Happens the Son of Man comes, then happens same-as the time of NOAH.
    38.  During the days before the flood the people ate and drank, and men and women married until the day NOAH entered the boat.
    39.  The people learned nothing until the flood came and destroyed all the people.  The same will happen the time the Son of Man comes.
    40.  Then two men will stand in a field, one will be-saved and the other man destroyed.
    41.  Two women will be working in the kitchen, one will be-saved and the other woman destroyed.
    42.  Watch, because you don't-know which day your Lord is-coming.
    43.  You know that if the husband in the house knew the time during the night that a robber would enter the house, then the husband will stay awake and not let anyone break into the house.
    44.  You, also, be-ready, because the Son of Man is-coming a time that you and I don't-know.
 
 

INTROIT: Make us new people, O God;  make YOUR face smile on us, then we can be saved.  Listen to us, O Great Shepherd, YOU lead YOUR people same-as sheep; YOU sit amongst the angels.  YOU lead YOUR people out-of EGYPT and YOUR people filled the land.  Make us new people, O Almighty God; make YOUR face smile on us, then we can be saved.

COLLECT: O Lord, come and help us prepare our hearts for YOUR only Son.  And because Jesus comes, we can serve YOU with pure minds.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, YOUR Son, our Lord.  Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God. Amen.

ISAIAH 11:1-10
     1.  King DAVID'S family is the-same-as a tree cut-down; but same-as new branches grow from the cut-down tree, same a new King will come from DAVID'S family.
     2.  The Spirit of the Lord will give the new King wisdom and knowledge.  The new King will know God's laws, and the King will respect God.
     3.  And the new King will be-happy to obey God.  The King will not judge people by looking at their clothes or listening to gossip.
     4.  The new King will judge the poor people honestly and will protect the helpless people.  The new King will command punishment and the bad people will die.
     5.  The new KIng will judge with righteousness and faithfulness.
     6.  Wolves and sheep will live together in peace, and LEOPARDS will sleep with young goats.  Baby cows and baby lions will eat together, and little children will take-care-of them.
     7.  Cows and bears will eat together, and young cows and young bears will sleep together in peace.  Lions will eat HAY the same-as cows eat HAY.
     8.  Also a baby will not get hurt if the baby plays with a snake.
     9.  On God's holy mountain nothing will-be bad or hurtful.  All things on earth will-be full of the knowledge of God, the-same-as the seas are full of water.
    10.  And it will happen the new King comes from DAVID'S family, then the new King will-be shown to all nations.  And the people will come to HIS Holy City and honor HIM.

ROMANS 15:4-13
     4.  Now God wrote all these words long ago, and God wrote these words for our learning.  And we can have hope through the patience and comfort of the Holy Bible.
     5.  And the God of patience and comfort let us think about one-another same-as Christ Jesus wants.
     6.  Then with one-another and with one voice you will give glory to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
     7.  Christ accepted you, now you accept one-another.  That gives glory to God.
     8.  Now, I say, Christ became a servant obeying the Jewish customs;  and this shows God is true, and this establishes the promise to the fathers.
     9.  And this lets the other nations give glory to God because of HIS mercy.  The Holy Bible says, "Because of this, I will preach about YOU among the other nations and sing to YOUR name."
    10.  And again the Bible says, "You other nations, rejoice with HIS people."
    11.  And again, " All other nations, praise the Lord; and all people, praise HIM."
    12.  And again ISAIAH says, "One Son will come from JESSE; and HE comes to reign other nations, and in HIM the other nations hope."
    13.  And the God of hope fill you with all happiness and peace through your faith, then you will increase in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

GRADUAL: Rejoice, O children of God!  Sing praise, children of heaven!  See, your righteous King comes bringing salvation.  Praise Christ.  Jesus comes in the name of the Lord.  In YOUR house, O Lord, we praise YOU.

MATTHEW 3:1-12
     1.  Then JOHN, the baptizer, came to the dry area in the country named Judah and began preaching.
     2.  JOHN said, "Change from your sinful ways, because the kingdom of heaven is near."
     3.  ISAIAH the prophet told us about JOHN.  "Someone is shouting in the dry country. 'Prepare the way for the Lord.  Make a straight road for the Lord.'"
     4.  JOHN'S clothes were-made from CAMEL hair.  JOHN had a belt, and JOHN ate LOCUST bugs and sweet HONEY.
     5.  People came from the city named JERUSALEM and from all over the country named JUDAH, and from the area near the river named JORDAN.
     6.  The people confessed their sins, and JOHN baptized the people in the river.
     7.  JOHN saw many of the Jewish Law teachers and leaders of the Jewish church coming for baptism.  JOHN said, "You people act same-as snakes.  You think you can escape from God's punishment?
     8.  First, show that you are sorry for your sins.
     9.  You think that ABRAHAM is your father, and that will save you?  I tell you that God can take these rocks and make children for ABRAHAM from rocks.
    10.  The AXE is ready to cut the trees, and every tree that doesn't grow good FRUIT will get cut-down and thrown into the fire.
    11.  I baptize you with water to show that you are sorry, but One Man will come later and baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  HE is much greater than me, and I am not good enough to carry HIS shoes.
    12.  HE has the farmer's shovel and will clean the BARN.  HE will bring the good WHEAT into the BARN and burn the bad WEEDS in the fire that continues forever."
 
 

INTROIT: Show us YOUR mercy, O Lord, and give us YOUR salvation.  I will hear God the Lord speak, because HE will speak peace to HIS people and to HIS dear children; but HIS people must not change again to foolish living.  Truly HIS salvation is near to those people honoring HIM, then glory will stay in our nation.  Also the Lord will give good, and our ground will grow much food.  Righteousness surrounds our God and prepares a road for HIS walking.

COLLECT: Almighty God, through John the BAPTIZER YOU announced salvation; now help us to know about this salvation and serve YOU with a holy and righteous life all the days of our life.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, YOUR Son, our Lord.  Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God.  Amen.

ISAIAH 35:1-10
     1.  The dry country will be-happy and flowers will grow in the empty dirt.
     2.  The dry country will sing and shout with happiness.  God's kingdom will be-beautiful same-as the mountains in the country named LEBANON, and beautiful same-as the growing places of the valleys.  All the country will show the greatness and power of the Lord.
     3.  The Lord will make the tired hands become strong, and support the weak knees.
     4.  Tell all the disappointed people, "Be-strong and not afraid.  God is coming to save you and punish your enemies."
     5.  The blind people will see, and the deaf people will hear.
     6.  The lame people will jump and dance, and the mute people will shout with happiness.  Water will flow into the dry country.
     7.  The hot dirt will become a lake, and dry land will be-filled with spring water.  The places that animals lived will grow water grass.
     8.  A road will go through that place named "The Holy Road."  No sinner will travel on that road.  No foolish people will lead astray those people walking on the road.
     9.  No lions will be-there; no bad animals will be-there.  Those people that the Lord saves will travel home on that road.
    10.  God's people will arrive at the city named JERUSALEM singing and shouting with happiness.  God's people will be-happy forever; always free from sadness and grief.

JAMES 5:7-10
     7.  Have-patience, Christian friends, until the Lord comes.  See the patience of the farmer waiting for the food to grow from the Fall and Spring rains.
     8.  You, also, have-patience.  Stay strong in your faith, because the Lord will come here quickly.
     9.  Don't complain against one-another, Christian friends, so-that God will not judge you.  You know the JUDGE is almost ready to come.
    10.  Christian friends, remember the prophets speaking for the Lord  suffered with patience.  You follow that example.

GRADUAL: Rejoice, O children of God!  Sing praise, children of heaven!  See, your righteous King comes bringing salvation.  Praise Christ.  Jesus comes in the name of the Lord.  In YOUR house, O Lord, we praise YOU.

MATTHEW 11:2-11
     2.  Now JOHN in prison heard about the works of Christ.  And JOHN sent some friends to speak to Jesus.
     3.  JOHN asked Jesus, "Are YOU that person God promised us, or do we wait for another?"
     4.  Jesus answered, "Go, tell JOHN the things you see and hear.
     5.  Blind people now see.  Lame people now walk.  People with the sickness named LEPROSY now become healed.  Deaf people now hear.  Dead people become alive.  And poor people hear the Good Announcement.
     6.  If people never leave ME, then they stay happy."
     7.  Then JOHN'S friends walked away.  And Jesus began to discuss about JOHN with the people.  "You went into the dry country to see what, what? You want to see a tree-waving-in-the-wind?
     8.  Or, you go to see a man clothed with fancy things?  You know men with fancy clothing live in a king's house.
     9.  Why did-you go, why?  You wanted to see a prophet, correct?  I tell you, JOHN is better than a prophet.
    10.  The Holy Writings tell us about JOHN: 'See, I send MY preacher and he will prepare the way before YOU arrive.'
    11.  I tell you truly that JOHN, the baptizer, is greater than any man living in the past.  But in the Kingdom of heaven the most not important person is greater than JOHN."
 
 

[A]
THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

INTROIT: O skies, send joy from above.  Let the clouds rain with righteous blessings.  Let the earth grow with mercy.  The skies show God's glory, and the earth shows the work of HIS hands.

COLLECT: O Lord, show YOUR power and come.  Help us with YOUR wonderful strength and grace.  Then our sins will not bother our service to YOU, but we will obey YOUR wishes through YOUR mercy and power.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, YOUR Son, our Lord.  Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God.  Amen.

ISAIAH 7:10-14
    10.  The Lord spoke again to king AHAZ.
    11.  "You ask the Lord your God to show you a wonderful work from deep in the world of the dead or from high in heaven."
    12.  King AHAZ answered, "I will not ask for a wonderful work.  I refuse to tempt the Lord."
    13.  Then ISAIAH said, "Listen now, family of DAVID.  Truly it is bad enough for you to bother other people; but will you also bother-bother God?
    14.  Then the Lord will show you a wonderful work.  A virgin will become pregnant and give-birth to a Son, and HIS name will-be IMMANUEL."

ROMANS 1:1-7
     1.  I am PAUL.  I am a servant of Jesus Christ.  God called me to preach HIS Good Announcement about Jesus.
     2.  God promised that Good Announcement long ago through HIS prophets in the Holy Writings.
     3.  That Good Announcement is about HIS Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus is true Man.  Jesus was-born from the family of DAVID.
     4.  And Jesus is truly holy God.  Jesus showed HE was the Son of God through the power of HIS arising from the dead.
     5.  Through Jesus, God gave-me the honor, because God let me preach about Christ.  God wants people in all nations to believe and obey.
     6.  And that means you, because God called you.  God wants you to join-to Jesus Christ.
     7.  Now, I write this letter to all Christians in the city named ROME.  God loves you, and God called you to become HIS holy people.  Love to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

GRADUAL: Rejoice, O children of God!  Sing praise, children of heaven!  See, your righteous King comes bringing salvation.  Praise Christ.  Jesus comes in the name of the Lord.  In YOUR house, O Lord, we praise YOU.

MATTHEW 1:18-25
    18.  This is the way Jesus Christ was-born.  Jesus' mother, MARY, was-engaged to JOSEPH.  But before they got-married, JOSEPH found that MARY became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.
    19.  JOSEPH was a good man and didn't-want to advertize shame on MARY.  No!  Joseph decided instead to divorce MARY secretly.
    20.  But while JOSEPH was-thinking about all these things, an angel from the Lord appeared in a dream.  The angel said, "JOSEPH, from the family of DAVID, don't be-afraid to marry MARY, because her baby is from the Holy Spirit.
    21.  Happen the baby is-born, you will name the baby 'Jesus', because HE will save HIS people from their sins.
    22.  All this happened same-as the Lord spoke long ago through the prophet: "The virgin will become pregnant and give-birth to a Son named IMMANUEL, that means 'God with us.'"
    23.  JOSEPH awoke and did same-as the angel from the Lord ordered him.
    24.  JOSEPH married MARY, but JOSEPH didn't sleep with MARY same-as a husband until after the baby was-born.
    25.  And JOSEPH named the baby 'Jesus.'