It’s that time of year again as parishes begin to ponder the start of a new church year and the season of Advent. Advent is a penitential season, and the Lord has certainly continued to lay burdens upon His people in order to bring about repentance. With that in mind, and with four midweek services coming, we want to introduce our Advent theme for this year (devotional to follow) – “For Whom the Lord Loves, He Chastens – An Advent through Malachi”. This run through of the book of Malachi will match the observance of Advent very well, since Malachi preaches such wonderful Law and Gospel.
As usual, here is the service plan. The devotion is being written and will be released by mid-November. The hymn numbers are from Lutheran Service Book.
Propers for the Office of Vespers (p229)
December 1
“The Lord’s Love for His People”
Opening Hymn – 355
Psalm 47
Office Hymn – 334
Lessons
Nehemiah 13:1-31
Malachi 1:1-5
Closing Hymn – 352
December 8
“The Lord’s chastening of faithless worship”
Opening Hymn – 332
Psalm 50
Office Hymn – 350
Lessons
Malachi 1:6-2:9
1 Peter 2:1-12
Closing Hymn – 333
December 15
“The Lord’s chastening of faithless marriage”
Opening Hymn – 354
Psalm 128
Office Hymn – 347
Lessons
Malachi 2:10-3:5
Matthew 14:1-12
Closing Hymn – 514
December 22
“The Lord’s chastening of faithless offerings”
Opening Hymn – 515
Psalm 96
Office Hymn – 334
Lessons
Malachi 3:6-4:6
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Closing Hymn – 878