First Reading Isaiah 30:15–18

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
But you were unwilling, and you said,
“No! We will flee upon horses”;
therefore you shall flee away;
and, “We will ride upon swift steeds”;
therefore your pursuers shall be swift.
A thousand shall flee at the threat of one;
at the threat of five you shall flee,
till you are left
like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain,
like a signal on a hill.

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,
and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him.

Second Reading Romans 8:18–25

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Third Reading Mark 4:35–41

On that day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”

Worship Bulletin

(Children Bulletin)

As We Gather

This service will reflect on how God teaches His people to wait in the night. Through Psalm 130 and Jesus’ stillness in the storm, we learn faith is not measured by how quickly darkness lifts, but by trusting God’s Word while the night remains. Because Christ has waited in our place, we wait with hope for the morning He promises to bring.

Prayer Before Service

O Lord Jesus Christ, who before all things are, and through whom all things exist, grant that we may hear Your Word with faith, receive it with humility, and bring forth its fruit in love, for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Historical Note:
St. Ambrose (c. 340–397) was a major teacher of the early Western Church and a formative influence on St. Augustine. This prayer has long been used as preparation for worship, especially in penitential seasons, asking God to quiet human striving and open hearts to His Word. Its emphasis on humble listening makes it especially fitting for a service centered on waiting and trust.