“But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction” (Mark 5:33-34).

There is great fear in this age.  We react with fear to many things, even when approaching the Lord, but look at what Jesus does.  He is not asking “who touched me” with anger, but with love.  “Trusting me has made you well.”  Is this not the truth of the Gospel?  If we trust the Lord, we find that He makes us well.  Be truthful before the Lord, trust Him, and He will make you well in mind and spirit.

Lord, You know that I hide behind things that are not true.  You know that I am not forthright with You.  Lead me in the way of everlasting life so that I do confess to You and receive healing in every circumstance and trust in all that You give.  You have given me grace and mercy, and through faith, trust in You above all things, I am able to go through this life not being concerned with outcomes, for they are assured in You.

Lord Jesus, the anxieties of this age cause me to be frightened.  I am frightened by the world and where it is heading.  I am frightened by my circumstances and thinking about what might be.  Yet, I know that at the end of this life I will die and face Your judgment.  Grant me the peace which surpasses all understanding so that I live each day coming to You, confessing, and rejoicing in the promise which is mine through grace.  Amen.

“And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”  And He looked around to see the woman who had done this” (Mark 5:31-32).

We are often perplexed by the simple notion that the Lord God knows all things.  All things mean all.  A sparrow falls to the ground, and the Lord knows it.  Of course, He knows our aches and pains.  Of course, He knows all that is needed to make us into His image.  He will stop at nothing to accomplish what He intends.  The Father’s will be done, we pray.  Learn to trust the Father’s will.

Lord God, all things are in Your hands.  I understand this, but I often act as though I have a will of my own.  What is my will that I should listen to it?  You are the One who has created all things.  Guide me to trust You above all things, most especially my will.  Lead me in the way of everlasting life and help me each step of the way to be conformed to the image of Christ.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, You who still a rough sea, who knows when one is healed by Your power, guide me to trust Your leading no matter what comes.  Rather than being shocked by Your power, whether in good circumstances or bad, help me to understand that all I am or ever will be is in Your hands.  Teach me what it means to live by faith, trusting in You above everything else.  Amen.

“For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.”  Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.  Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” (Mark 5:28-30)

Sometimes our thinking takes us in the right direction.  Often, stepping out in faith comes only as an act of desperation.  Learn how to step out in faith without being desperate.  This does not mean that the Lord will always give you what you are asking, but it will move you in the direction our Lord intends.  No matter what happens in this life, the Lord will grow in you the image of Christ.

Lord, You know the places where I hesitate and seek worldly answers to the questions that face me.  Guide me into a place where I come to You first.  Help me to understand first that I am in Your hands.  Teach me all that I need to know and be the One who leads me in my moment by moment living.  Lord, all things are in Your hands, and You know what I need.  Keep me in the right frame of mind to accept Your guidance.

Lord Jesus, My Savior, You have asked me to follow You.  Help me learn what this means.  Keep me from floundering about with this world’s constant barrage of noise to hear Your voice.  Then, grant that I would heed Your call and live the life You have given me to live.  Be the One who leads my footsteps and by the power of Your Holy Spirit, keep me always close to You.  Amen.

“A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse – after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak” (Mark 5:25-27).

She endured much at the hands of the professionals.  Things do not change.  Whom do you trust?  Yes, there are professional services you can trust, but whom do you ultimately and truly trust?  We go through this world and often do not think about the Author of all things.  Our growth in faith is about learning to trust the Lord God above all things.  All things means absolutely everything.  Do you trust the Lord?

Lord, this is simple, but it is so hard to do.  I will believe the opinions of others and take advice from complete strangers, but I do not fully trust what Your word says.  I buy into the nonsense that it is all about interpretation, but I know that Your Spirit is constantly pointing me in the right direction.  Help me learn how to listen to You, love You, and obey all that You command.

Lord Jesus, You know the grace I need.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way You know I need to go and then help me reach out, if only to touch the fringe of Your presence, to move beyond trusting only the people or things of this world.  Guide me now and always to trust in You above everything else.  You have already given me the eternal healing of my soul through the grace You have purchased for me.  Thank You, Jesus, for my healing.  Amen.

“One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet  and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.”  And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him” (Mark 5:22-24).

Jesus can and does heal.  Never forget that it is according to the Father’s will.  We should never go to the Lord demanding anything.  Read the book of Job and remember.  But do go to the Lord and make your humble requests.  The Lord has a purpose for everything, and we are called to live by faith, that is, trusting the Lord above all things, even and especially for our circumstances.  Trust the Lord and live by faith.

Lord Jesus, I have observed those who come to You and then deny You because You did not give them what they wanted.  Let me never go to that place.  Guide all of the faithful so that we are not conditional with requests we bring before You.  You are and must be the author of our faith.  Lead us to live by faith and not react because of circumstances.  Guide us along Your paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for loving me enough to do all that is needed so that I can walk the path of salvation which You have set before me.  Lead me to pray fervently, but also to trust in every answer You give.  You know what I need better than I do.  No matter the answer You give, guide me to give thanks in all situations for the goodness of Your mercy and grace which sustains me in every circumstance.  Amen.

“When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore” (Mark 5:21).

People have always been curious about Jesus.  Many gather each Sunday with congregations around the world.  Being a seeker and being a follower are two different things.  Jesus will make of us children of the Heavenly Father if we will enter the narrow path of salvation.  More than just listening to the words of Jesus, it is realizing that Jesus abides in us as we abide in Him.  He is and will be the author of our new lives.

Lord, like many throughout the ages, I have come, listened to the words, and gathered with others.  You know where I have drawn lines hidden from others that keep me from walking farther along the narrow path of salvation.  Remove those barriers that I may humbly continue in whatever direction You take me.   Guide me, Jesus, so that I may humbly submit to You as my Lord and Savior.

Lord Jesus, in this world filled with darkness and deception, help me to see the clear light that You shine for all to see.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life and help me so that I do not just gather with others but humbly submit to You.  You are the author and finisher of my faith.  Lead me  in the way of everlasting life and allow nothing to get in the way of the path You have set before me.  Amen.

Matthew 11:2-11

Sammy: Good morning everyone! It’s the second third Sunday in Advent, Pastor.

Pastor: Yes it is, Sammy. 

Sammy: I noticed today that there are a lot of greens around the church. This place looks great!

Pastor: Yes our church looks beautiful. We are preparing for Christmas.

Sammy: Is decorating the church part of preparing for Christmas?

Pastor: Yes it is. When we decorate our church, we are including symbols of the season and icons to help us remember the reason for Christmas.

Sammy: What is the reason for Christmas again?

Pastor: Boys and girls, would you please help me answer Sammy’s question? What is the reason for Christmas?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: That’s right! The reason for Christmas is Jesus. We are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus and we are waiting for his return. That’s what Advent and this time of year are all about.

Sammy: That’s what John the Baptist did, right? He prepared the way for Jesus. He was helping people get their hearts ready for Jesus. But wait, we don’t have John the Baptist anymore. Who is supposed to help us get our hearts ready for Jesus’s return?

Pastor: Well, Sammy, that’s partly my job. 

Sammy: Oh no.  

Pastor: I know–it’s a big job for just one person. Our church has me as the pastor and the power of the Holy Spirit. God is working in our hearts because of the gift of the Holy Spirit to each believer in Jesus. We can prepare our hearts for Jesus every day.

Sammy: I am glad that we have you and the Holy Spirit, Pastor.

Pastor: Well, thank you, Sammy. 

Sammy: Pastor, how can I prepare my heart? What can I do by myself to prepare for Jesus like John the Baptist wanted us to prepare?

Pastor: We can do a couple of things. We can read our Bibles, say prayers, sing to God, and love Jesus and each other.

Sammy: I like that. I think I can do all of those things with the help of the Holy Spirit. And maybe with a little encouragement from you, too, Pastor.

Pastor: That’s great, Sammy. Boys and girls, will you pray with me? Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to be ready for you. Help us to pray, listen, watch, and stay ready for your return. Thank you for loving us. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed” (Mark 5:20).

No one is beyond the need for salvation that is possible only through Jesus.  We all have demons that plague us.  In Christ, we have been freed to live into a new life.  That freedom, given by Jesus, is a gift and it belongs to all who live by faith, understanding that they have been set free from sin, death, and the devil by Him.  Sinners love to celebrate notoriety.  By grace through faith, we recognize that all who are in Christ have undergone a wonderful transformation.

Lord of grace and mercy, I sometimes am awed by stories that amaze me – of a rabidly possessed man – thinking myself normal.  But what is normal?  Are we all not born in sin and in need of Your grace?  You have come and set me free also.  That is the amazing story of grace I can tell.  This world thinks in terms of greater and less, but You have come to make us all children of the Heavenly Father.

Lord Jesus, You have come to set this captive free.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to go to the places You send me and proclaim what great things You have done.  I once was fully caught up in this world, but You have set me free to live into the life You have given me by grace.  Guide me, Lord, to live into the new life You have given me and not fall back into the traps and snares of this world.  Amen.

“As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him.  And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you” (Mark 5:18-19).

The Lord heals us and then sends us.  We may want to stay in the comfort of our new feeling of safety, but the Lord knows best.  This man had new ability through faith and the understanding the Lord gave him to proclaim to these people the truth of salvation.  The call is for us to obey the Lord and go where He sends us.  He raises up those who will proclaim the truth from among every tribe, tongue, folk, and nation.

Lord, I sometimes do not understand what enters my head.  I want to go to some other place thinking that this will be what I am looking for.  You are what everyone is looking for.  Once I realize that You have found me, help me to go where You send me and proclaim the great things You have done.  You have created me and are re-creating me in the image of Christ.  Send me into the harvest.

Lord Jesus, You willingly went where You were sent.  Help me to be willing to go where You send me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy so that I live the life You have given me, growing to be more like You each day.  Help me to live with whatever group of people You send me to and live with them as I would with those whom I treat as my people.  Give my tongue the words to speak and to share the truth of the Gospel always.  Amen.

Prayers and Hymns, January 11, 2026, A: The Baptism of Our Lord

ALL: Isaiah 42:1-9 (God’s servant will not crush a bruised reed; he is given as light to nations, to open blind eyes and free prisoners of darkness)

ALL: Psalm 29 (The voice of the Lord; all cry “Glory!”)

SOLA/LSB: Romans 6:1-11 (We have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection)

            RCL/ELW: Acts 10:34-43 (Peter preaches sermon to newly-baptized Gentiles)

ALL: Matthew 3:13-17 (Jesus comes to John in the Jordan and is baptized)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Opening Hymn: O, Worship the King: LBW #548, ELW #842; LSB #804 Perfect w/Psalm 29)

            OR How Marvelous God’s Greatness: LBW #515, ELW #830 (very simple, lovely Swedish tune, but can be sung to “The Church’s One Foundation,” Aurelia)

Hymn of the Day: Praise and Thanksgiving Be to God Our Maker: LBW #191, ELW #458

Tune is same as for “Father Most Holy, Merciful and Tender.” Good hymn for baptism/renewal of baptism

OR To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord: LBW #79, LSB #406/7

I know, I know, but it’s one of the great doctrinal hymns on Baptism. Heck, you might not have to

preach more than 5 minutes if you sing this hymn. Have the choir do a few verses, then alternate choir

and congregation. It’s good for them.

OR When Jesus Came to Jordan: WOV #647, ELW #305

OR Christ, When For Us You Were Baptized: ELW #304 (familiar tune)

Communion 1: Songs of Thankfulness and Praise: LBW #90, ELW #310, LSB #394

Communion 2: Baptized in Water: WOV #693, ELW #456

            OR Remember and Rejoice: ELW #454 (Familiar tune, great words)

Closing Hymn: I Bind Unto Myself This Day: LBW #188, ELW #450, LSB #604

OR I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light: WOV #649, ELW #815, LSB #411

*******

Let us pray that the light of Christ may shine upon the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, we adore you! You reveal your heart to us in the Baptism of Jesus. By the Spirit’s power, unite us to Christ, so that we may hear the Father say to each of us, “You are my beloved son, my beloved daughter; in you I am well pleased.”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Fill the Church with your Spirit. Bind it to your Son, your Word of truth. Adorn it with your goodness, holiness, and love. Make it fruitful in discipleship. Use it to lead many to the waters of Baptism, there to be made your beloved children.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Be enthroned, O Lord, in the midst of this congregation. Overwhelm us with your majesty and mercy. Fill our worship with the beauty of holiness. Strengthen us to do your will. Conform us to the heart and mind of Jesus. Bestow on us your peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Do not quench the spirit or break the hearts of your persecuted servants, O Lord; nor let them be discouraged when they suffer on account Christ. For them, for missionaries throughout the world; for all who wonder if they are called to ministry; for seminarians, professors, pastors, bishops, and other ministers, we also lift our hearts and voices in fervent supplication.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless everyone who is baptized today, and all who remember and give thanks for their Baptism. Thank you for adopting us as brothers and sisters of your dear Son, and for filling us with the same Spirit that descended upon him. Let us glorify you in all we say and do.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Put your Spirit upon the leaders of this and every nation. Establish your justice through them. Give them the wisdom and the will to protect and provide for their people, especially those who are like “bruised reeds and faintly burning wicks.” Make them prefer mercy over might; righteousness over renown; and integrity over influence.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Keep in your care all who take up arms in defense of liberty and justice for all. Give them a spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, so their deeds conform to your will. Bring them safely home, and speed the day when deeds of war need not be done anymore.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We beseech you on behalf of everyone afflicted by suffering, especially those who crave our prayers, including: {List}. Bring them out of the dungeon of suffering and the prison of darkness. Lead them into the brightness of your presence and the company of all who love them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal: we praise and adore you for the mercy you have shown to all who have died to us but are alive eternally to you. Grant that we walk the broken pathways of this mortal life, refreshed by your Spirit and conformed to your Son. Bring us through the floodwaters of death into your presence, where with all your redeemed children we worship and adore you in the beauty of your holiness forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

All these things, and whatever else you see that we need, grant to us, dear Father, for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.