Bethlehem Lutheran Church River Grove, IL

In grateful response to God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world. 

Mid Week Advent Service –Our one Mid Week Advent Service will be this Wednesday December 10 at 11 AM.  Immediately afterwards we will have a fellowship luncheon.  The menu will include;

• Green garden salad with dressings

• Cheese, Sausage, and Pepperoni Pizzas

• Garlic and Parmesan chicken wings

• BBQ chicken wings

• Coffee, tea, water, soda

• Cookie tray for dessert

Christmas Tree Setup – If you have a few minutes after church this Sunday and are able we could use some help setting up the Christmas Trees.

Devotion on Hope — Sunday’s epistle Reading Romans 15:4–13

Hope is not wishful thinking. It is not the fragile optimism that things might get better if circumstances line up just right. In Romans 15:4–13, Paul proclaims a hope that is anchored in something far stronger: the steadfast promises of God fulfilled in Christ. “For whatever was written in former days,” he says, “was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Our hope rests not in ourselves, but in the God who speaks, acts, and keeps His Word.

This hope is shaped by the Scriptures. Every story of God’s faithfulness to His people—Abraham in his barrenness, Israel in their wandering, David in his distress—testifies that God never abandons those He has called. Their stories become fuel for our endurance.

But Paul roots our hope even more deeply in Christ, the One who confirmed God’s promises to the patriarchs and extended mercy to the Gentiles. In Jesus, all God’s promises find their “Yes.” His cross forgives our past; His resurrection secures our future; His presence sustains our present.

So Paul prays, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.” Hope is not something we manufacture. It is something God gives—through His Word, by His Spirit, in His Son. As you hear the Scriptures and receive Christ’s gifts, may the God of hope cause you to “abound in hope,” overflowing with confidence in the One who holds all things, including you, in His faithful hands.

This Sunday - SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Isaiah 11:1–10

Romans 15:4–13

Matthew 3:1–12

By the Preaching of Repentance, We Are Prepared for the Coming of the Lord

“John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent’” (Matt. 3:1–2). His preaching of repentance for the forgiveness of sins prepared people for the coming of Christ into the world. St. John’s work was historically complete with the incarnate advent of Jesus, but his vital ministry continues in preaching Law and Gospel. The Son of God has come in the flesh, “a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots” (Is. 11:1), and continues to bear the fruits of righteousness. His good tree of the cross is “a signal for the peoples” (Is. 11:10), by which He calls the nations to repentance. “With the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips” (Is. 11:4), He slays the wicked and brings the dead to life, making sons of Abraham out of lifeless stones. So also the “root of Jesse” comes to us, “even he who arises to rule the Gentiles” (Rom. 15:12), that “we might have hope” and be filled “with all joy and peace in believing” (Rom. 15:4, 13).

Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and opened the gates of heaven to all who trust in him.

God accepts all who believe in Jesus even though there is no merit or worthiness in us.

So that we might believe in Jesus, God has given us the ministry, which is the preaching of Christ and the

Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Through these, God also gives us the forgiveness of sins.

When God brings people to faith, He also produces many good works in our lives. These are done, not to earn

grace, but to do God’s will and please him. We love him because he first loved us.

God has given every man, woman and child a calling in life. Within that calling He directs us, and through

His Word, strengthens us to live for Him.

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. The Bible is free from all error and contradiction in all that it says.

The Word of God brings us to Jesus our Lord.