Last week our city and county experienced great tragedy. Somebody killed nearly a dozen people at a synagogue in Squirrel Hill. Our people did not go unaffected. Some of them were called to duty there or elsewhere to care for the victims, both living and dead. Others knew the victims. So we prayed for the victims and the survivors at Redeemer on Sunday. . . .

The Common Service pairs Isaiah 10 with Romans 10 because it talks about the remnant of Israel. When people hear this, what do they usually think? They think it must have something to do with the physical nation. Is that true? What does it mean? . . .

The pursuit of happiness is the American dream. We want to be happy. We don’t want to wait to be happy either. We want happiness immediately. We want it our way too. We don’t care how it will affect others. We don’t even wonder if God likes it or not. We want to be happy. We want it now. And we’ll define what that means and requires too. . . .

Leaves are brown and falling. Cold air and snow have now arrived, and it keeps getting dark sooner and sooner. Before long it will be Thanksgiving and then before we know it cold December will be flying away into 2019. Our minds are preparing for a conclusion to the present. . . .

Nothing is free. Government programs are paid for by taxes and fees. Scholarships are paid for by endowments. Coupons are paid for by people buying more than they normally would. Freedom isn’t free. It is purchased with blood. It is preserved with blood. Many men buried here learned this. They knew it. They went into war fully aware that they might shed their blood and perhaps even die for their country. But they went, ready to serve their country and their families. . . .

Things are coming to an end. November’s already half over, so 2018 will end in less than 45 days! School fall semesters or quarters will soon end if they haven’t already. Fall will end in a month. There’s only 1 Sunday left to this Church Year. . . .

Giving thanks is a good thing. Less than 2 weeks ago we remembered those who served and gave their lives in the Great War which ended a century ago, as well as all those who have served their country. We gave thanks for their service and for our liberties as American citizens. We prayed to God thanking Him for giving them to us and begging Him to continue to guard and defend us through the ministry of His holy angels and the soldiers and lawmen of our land. . . .

Midnight is coming. Are you ready? The end will be here before you know it. Soon Jesus will be back. Soon St. Paul will be telling you, next Sunday, to wake up, because it’s morning. But now it’s midnight. The end of the Church Year. Advent is upon us. . . .