SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, MARCH 3
NEWS: This evening the Board of Directors meet at 7:00 PM ONLINE, via ZOOM. This is a change from earlier plans to meet in person. Please be looking for an email from Bruce Woodward with the Zoom link.
Tomorrow evening it’s time for “Wine on The Patio” at the Kolkman’s house. People will actually meet in their living room though since it will be a bit cool to sit outside. Everyone is invited to bring any kind of beverage to share, adult or all-ages, a snack, finger food, dessert… Things go from 6:30 to 8 PM and the idea is fun, fellowship and a good time!
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Allen and Debbie Kolkman. We also pray for Berand Kirschner’s friend Jodi, who had hip replacement surgery.
READINGS: Psalm 8:1-6, 9; Psalm 128; Psalm 32; Genesis 1:20-2:3; Mark 1:14-28
DEVOTION:
“STARTING WITH A BANG”
And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as was His custom, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and He stood up to read. … “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor.” … When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove Him out of the town … so that they could throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went away. (Luke 4:16, 28-30)
I wonder what Mary thought. This was apparently Jesus’ first sermon to the hometown folks in Nazareth. At first everyone gushed over Him. “What gracious words! What a wonderful preacher!” Not a bad reception …
And then Jesus ruined everything.
He quoted them several cases from the Old Testament, where people were suffering and God sent His prophets to help them. But in each story, the people they helped were foreigners—Gentiles—not good upstanding people of God like themselves. Jesus made His point crystal clear—God had sent Him to seek out and save not just the Jews, but the whole world.
So they tried to throw him off a cliff.
What was bad news to the Nazarenes is good news to us, because Jesus has had us, all the people of the world, in His heart from the beginning. You are not an afterthought. Jesus came for you, and for me, and for all humanity, to save us—and even the people of Nazareth.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for Your love that includes us! Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Have you ever had trouble with people who hate or fear those who are not like them?
* Is there any group you yourself have trouble loving or wishing well?
* Why does Jesus insist from the beginning on making it clear that all the world is included in God’s salvation?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Leviticus 15-16 Mark 8:22-38
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select “Save Link As” or “Save Target As” or “Download Linked File As”
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 can go about your day 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.”
You can now go to bed 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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
