SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23
NEWS: Tonight we have our midweek Potluck and Lenten service. The meal begins at 6:15 PM in our Fellowship Hall and our service starts at 7 PM in our sanctuary. Our Pastor Joel will continue his Lenten series, “Psalms on The Way to The Cross.” It’s a good time to worship and remember our Lord and Savior on his journey to his death and resurrection for us.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Carol Bass. We also include the people of the southland and gulf coast states with the storms, hail, damaging and deadly tornadoes and flooding that have struck. This includes parts of Texas and Oklahoma on Tuesday. Last night New Orleans and surrounding area were struck by two tornadoes, as well as other areas in Mississippi and Alabama. The storm system was also set to move into the Florida Panhandle as of this writing.
READINGS: Psalm 31; Psalm 6; Genesis 37:1-36; Mark 10:1-12
DEVOTION:
“PREPARING THE PASSOVER”
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” … And they went and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover. (Luke 22:7-8, 13)
Jesus sent Peter and John to go get the Passover meal ready for them. What would that involve? Well, first of all, it would mean finding a place to eat it in, as they were far from home. Jesus took care of that.
They would also need to see to buying food and wine, and getting everything properly cooked. No doubt they had the help of the family living in the house they were visiting.
But most important, they would also need to find a lamb and sacrifice it at the temple. Why? Because the lamb was a reminder of how God saved the Israelite children from death (see Exodus 12). It was also a foretaste of Jesus’ own sacrifice as the true Lamb of God, whose death saves us all.
Though the disciples did not realize it, Jesus was even then preparing His own Passover—the one where He would save all the children of the world from the powers of death and evil. His blood is our safety, and His resurrection gives us life forever.
THE PRAYER: Lamb of God, Your blood is our safety. Thank You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What customary foods do you eat on holidays?
* What holiday traditions do you have that remind you of God’s goodness to you?
* Why do you think Jesus had the disciples handle the sacrifice, instead of going Himself?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Numbers 34-36 Luke 1:57-80
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 Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
