2nd Sunday of Advent
December 7, 2025
9 a.m. Worship
Prelude Deborah Mishoe, cello and Linda Dumizo, flute
Announcements
Temple Talk Susan Kullstam
Confession & Forgiveness
Opening Song “He Came Down” ELW 253
Greeting
Prayer of the Day
Lighting of the Wreath "We Wait in Hope"
Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
1 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see or decide by what his ears hear, 4 but with righteousness he shall judge for the poor and decide with equity for the oppressed of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist and faithfulness the belt around his loins. 6 The wolf shall live with the lamb; the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the lion will feed together, and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. 9 They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. 10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Children's Message
Gospel Acclamation "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord"
Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12
The holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 3rd chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ” 4 Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance, 9 and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Hymn of the Day “There's a Voice in the Wilderness” ELW 255
Prayers of Intercession
Peace
Offering & Special Music: "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" Choir
Offertory Hymn: “As the Grains of Wheat” ELW 465
Offertory Prayer
Great Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Lord’s Prayer (Sung)
Invitation to Communion
Communion Hymns: "We Are Waiting for Jesus" ACS 905
"All Earth is Hopeful" ELW 266
Post Communion Blessing
Prayer after Communion
Sending Hymn: “Hope for Everyone”
Dismissal
Adapted from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2025 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #014958
Weekly Calendar
Sunday, December 7—9 a.m.—Worship (Livestreamed), 10 a.m. Sunday School (begins in sanctuary), Coffee Fellowship (Narthex), 11 a.m. Worship (Traditional), 12:30 p.m. Wedding of Stephanie & Brian (reception to follow)
Tuesday, December 9—10:30 a.m. Bible Study (Narthex)
Wednesday, December 10— 12 p.m. Happy Times Seniors (Torrance & Knox), 1:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry (Parlor), 6 p.m. Advent Supper (fellowship hall), 7 p.m. Advent Worship (Sanctuary)
Thursday, December 11—6 p.m. Christmas Eve Bell Choir (Spirit Center), Carillon Bell Choir (Spirit Center), 7 p.m. Men’s Group (Home of Ron Gomilla)
Saturday, December 13—6 p.m. Bells of Lake Norman (Sanctuary)
Sunday, December 14—9 a.m.—Worship (Livestreamed), 10 a.m. Sunday School (begins in sanctuary), Coffee Fellowship (Narthex), 11 a.m. Worship (Traditional)
Announcements:
Why CIC? In following up from Pastor Michael & Pastor Lisa's December Newsletter article, Susan Kullstam will share a Temple Talk today describing the Purpose & Values conversation that the Church Council began in November. For the next 3 Sundays, members will be invited to share their top 3 descriptive words which they feel articulate why they chose to join CIC and/or why they continue to stay.
Have you joined CIC's new online photo directory yet? The directory is through a program called Church Center, which
is also an app. Follow the QR code to get started.
Office Update: Please note that the church office will have varying office hours following Christmas. Please stay tuned to future updates. If you would like to show the church staff a token of appreciation during the Christmas Season, you can contribute to a staff gift using the designated blue offering envelope or the “Donate Now” button on the church website. The gift is divided between Pastor Lisa, Pastor Michael, Sherry Malia, Stephanie Wheeler, and Madalyn Wilkinson by the Finance Committee in January.
December Grocery Cart: In lieu of a grocery cart collection this month, please see the Angel Tree announcement. Your generosity continues to make a difference in the lives of many in and around our neighborhood.
The CIC Angel Tree: During the month of December, we have an opportunity to help Angels and Sparrows provide a Meal in a Bag to our neighbors in need. There will be Ziploc bags with recipes and an ingredient list inside it hanging on the angel trees. Please consider taking a bag, purchasing all the ingredients listed on the card, placing all the items on the list along with the recipe in the bag and returning the bag to CIC by December 14th. If you would prefer to make a financial donation to this project you can leave your gift in the gift bag on the tree or by using the QR code hanging on the tree. Thank you for being a caring and generous congregation who cares for our neighbors in need. If you have any questions about the angel tree please contact Kathy Shugarman – shugs02@gmail.com
Preschool Registration for 2025/2026: Tuitions for 2025/2026: $320.00 for 2-year-old classes, $300 for 3-year-old classes, $350.00
for 4-year-old & PK class and $360 for TK class. Tuition is due on the 1st of the month, with a one time supply fee of $55, due with the
first payment.
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Calling All Community Helpers: At CIC Weekday Preschool, we LOVE learning about the people who work in our community! We’re looking for “community helpers” to visit our preschoolers and give a short, fun talk about what they do. In the past, we’ve had visits from a pilot, a dentist, a chef, a nurse, and more. The kids are always full of questions and love the experience. If you or someone you know has a job that would wow a group of curious 2- to 5-year-olds, we’d love to hear from you. Contact Morgan Naum at preschooldirector@communityinchrist.net to learn more!
Prayer Shawl Ministry: We meet in the CIC Parlor Room on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Join us for some fellowship, idea-sharing, and fun! Questions? Contact Kathy Dutton at mamabissy@gmail.com. Of course, you can also participate in this important ministry at home by crafting items, and bringing them to CIC.
Card Ministry: We will not be meeting during the month of December but it you’d like to work on some cards at home please let Kathy know and we can get some card kits to you. If you would like information contact: Kathy Shugarman at shugs02@gmail.com or 940-300-2290.
Quilting Ministry: The Quilting group will not meet in December. We will resume meeting on January 8 and again on January 22 in Classroom 1@ 10:00 AM. Questions? Contact Barbara Eaker at 704-483-2060.
****Happy Times Seniors: The annual Holiday Party will be on Wednesday, December 10th at 12 p.m. at Torrance & Knox in Cornelius. Join in on the fun and fellowship! Questions? RSVP to Linda Muhlbach 704-905-5847 or Lindamuhlbach@gmail.com as soon as possible!****
Men’s Group: The men of CIC are invited to the home of Ron Gomilla on December 11th at 7 p.m. We’ll enjoy pizza, wings, and some festive fellowship! And, if you are so moved, bring a small gift you’d be willing to exchange within the group. Please message Pastor Michael if you plan on coming or have any questions.
Senior High: December 19th, starting at 5:15 p.m., we’ll have an evening of some Christmas fun! Stay tuned for more details, but we’ll be enjoying one of the local Christmas activity spots for a jolly time together.
The Bells of Lake Norman presents "How the Bells Stole Christmas" at CIC on Saturday, December 13th at 6 p.m.
All women of CIC are welcome to The 5:11s. 1st Thessalonians 5:11, we are a women’s group that “encourages one
another and builds one another up, just as you are doing.” We meet monthly between services to discuss ways we can
continue to encourage and build each other up and support our church. Contact Jill Brooks (jlkbrooks@gmail.com) with
any questions.
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Please refer to the newsletter for ways to connect with this group.
Mark your December Calendars! The season of Advent is here! Midweek Advent Worship starts with a soup and sandwich supper at 6 p.m. and worship beginning at 7 p.m.
* Advent devotionals from Augsburg Fortress for adults and activity packs for families are available later in the Narthex!
* The Blue Christmas service is Monday, December 15th, at 7 p.m.
* The Christmas Program is Sunday, December 21st, at one service at 10 a.m.
* Christmas Caroling will take place on Sunday, December 21st, following worship.
Order forms for Christmas poinsettias will be available beginning December 7th! Cost will be $10 per plant.
Christmas Eve: Celebrate the Newborn King at 4 p.m. or 7 p.m.!
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The 4 p.m. service will have prelude music beginning at 3:30 p.m. Come early and enjoy a range of musical offerings from CIC vocalists, CIC student musicians, and our Christmas Eve bell choir. .
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The 7 p.m. service we will have a brass ensemble consisting of Chad White, Trumpet; Josh Hinrich, French horn; and Cornelius Logan, trombone. Linda Dumizo will also be back with us on her flute. Please come early as the musical prelude will begin at 6:30.
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Both services will have Holy Communion and candle lighting.
