SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12
NEWS: TODAY IS THE DAY!!! We start off with our monthly Men’s Bible study/breakfast in the Community building at 9 AM. From 10 to Noon is the monthly work party, mainly concentrating on getting set up for our afternoon festivities. In church at 3:00 PM we have the Installation Service of our new pastor, “Pastor Joel” Luckemeyer. Expect it to be crowded…a crowded church is a good thing! Then, after the installation, proceed to the Community building. We will have a celebration meal. It includes lasagna and bread with olive oil from one of our personal favorites, Fratelli’s Italian. We’ll have salad as well. It will be a warm day and a great day!
Sunday is another very special day: Pastor Joel will be conducting his first service as Shepherd’s new pastor. The title of his sermon is, “I’m Not the One, but I Can Point You to Him.” It’s also a special time as he will be baptizing his daughter Lucy Joy!
Serving Him on SATURDAY:
Altar Flowers – The Cerny’s
Altar Care – Margaret Paton
Greeters – Gail Adams, Margaret Paton
Ushers – Tom Morofski, Bill Sperberg
Acolyte – Jeremy Luckemeyer (assisted by Penny Neemia)
Lector – Rev. Dr. Beryl Droegemueller (founding pastor)
Liturgist – Rev. Dr. Allen Kolkman (last pastor)
Serving Him on Sunday:
Altar Flowers – Darryl Finley
Altar Care – Margaret Paton
Greeter – OPEN
Acolyte – OPEN
Ushers – Victor Dille, Darryl Finley
Reader – K Berni
Fellowship – Joel & Amy Luckemeyer
Communion Assistant – Allen Latall
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Tim Zuverink. Tim asks prayers for his nephew’s wife, undergoing chemo for breast cancer. Thankfully the prognosis looks good. We also pray for Pastor Joel Luckemeyer, his wife Amy, their son Jeremy and their new daughter Lucy Joy, as they will be installed into our congregation. Also, for our congregation, as we begin a new era with Pastor Joel at the helm.
READINGS: Psalm 71:1-6, 17-18; Psalm 99; Job 8:1-22; John 4:27-45
DEVOTION:
“Ponder”
Hebrews 4:12 – For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
There is great value in pondering God’s Word. Every time we hear a Bible-based sermon, God works through His Word. The picture of who God is and who Jesus is, and why Jesus died on the cross becomes clearer because the Holy Spirit opens our mind. The Word of God enlivens us, blessing us with spiritual health and vigor (see Psalm 1:2-3).
Discussing who Jesus is helps sharpen and clarify our faith as well. From intense discussions on Christ’s ministry and identity, major Creeds were established such as the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. These Creeds are refined confessions of the Christian faith—clear statements of who Jesus is, what He did to save us from sin’s curse, and how He will one day return in glory.
The daily pondering of God’s Word is a wise exercise. Also helpful is when we commit to memory some of Scripture’s greatest passages. For fans of Isaiah, there’s this classic text concerning Jesus: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5).
But we don’t need to stop there. We can add the following verse, too. All of us, the Bible says, men, women, and children are in need of God’s grace, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). These three verses from Isaiah beautifully declare God’s love to us in Jesus, hundreds of years before He was born.
The apostle Paul reminds us in many ways that we see life only “dimly,” or unclearly (see 1 Corinthians 13:12-12). Nevertheless, this is why God has given us not only His Word, but also His Holy Spirit to guide us. Then, by daily meditation on His Word, we can see Jesus more clearly, understand His words more fully, and rejoice in His grace and mercy more completely.
And so, my friends, keep God’s Word close at hand. Make it part of your daily routine just as you might exercise your body, or engage in some other pursuit. Jesus said, “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63b). Ponder, therefore, like Mary did, the wonder of the Savior in your life (see Luke 2:13-20). Then, live joyfully every day with the biblical promise, “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4b).
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, lead us by Your Holy Spirit as He guides into all truth concerning Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His Name we pray. Amen.
From “Mary: A Reminder of Spiritual Mothers,” a sermon from Rev. Dr. Wallace Schulz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. What is the value of having creeds about the Christian faith?
2. How do you think the Word of God can discern our thoughts and our hearts’ intentions?
3. When was the last time you read the Bible with someone else? What were you doing?
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 14-15 Matthew 26:36-75
Luther’s Morning Prayer
In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father through Jesus Christ your dear son, that you have protected me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you that you would also protect me today from sin and all evil, so that my life and actions may please you completely. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
After singing a hymn or whatever else may serve your devotion, you are to go to your work joyfully.
Luther’s Evening Prayer
In the evening, when you go to bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected me today, and I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously to protect me tonight. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
Then you are to go to sleep quickly and cheerfully.
OTHER RESOURCES:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
Here is the website for Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
Lutheran Public Radio is listener supported and has two channels, one for sacred music and the other for talk, including news, current issues, politics and spiritual matters from a Lutheran perspective. Hosted by Pastor Todd Wilken, Issues, Etc. airs live Monday thru Friday from 1 to 3 pm Pacific, with the “Best Of” running at other hours: https://lutheranpublicradio.org/
KFUO is the listener supported radio station owned and operated by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Based in St. Louis, their format consists of teaching, preaching, ministry and sacred music: https://www.kfuo.org/
A very blessed Saturday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
