The Fourth Sunday of Advent

OT: Isaiah 11:1-11
OTA: Isaiah 40:1-8
NT: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28
NTA: Acts 19:1-10
CL: Matthew 3:1-12
GA: Luke 18:1-8
PS: Psalm 109:6-20

December 20th

Collect of the Day:

Stir Up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week          John's Prophecy

Verse of the Week:              Matthew 3:2

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon:  Isaiah 11:1-11           Tues:  Isaiah 40:18 Wed:  Matthew 3:1-12

Thurs:            1 Thessalonians 5:16-28 Fri:  Luke 18:1-8

Catechism Reading:

What is confession?

 Confession has two parts.

First, that we confess our sins,

and second, that we receive absolution,

that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself,

not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven

before God in heaven.

What sins should we confess?

 Before God we should plead guilty of all sins,

even those we are not aware of, as we do in the Lord's Prayer;

but before the pastor we should confess only those sins

which we know and feel in our hearts.

Which are these?

 Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments:

Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker?

Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy?

Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or quarrelsome?

Have you hurt someone by your words or deeds?

Have you stolen, been negligent, wasted anything,

or done any harm?