SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, MARCH 24
NEWS: Thank you to all who brought food last night to our Potluck. Also to Pastor Joel for the continuation of his messages on, “Psalms on The Way to The Cross.?
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Kay Berni.
READINGS: Psalm 106; Psalm 32; Genesis 39:1-23; Mark 10:13-31
DEVOTION: Please note that there was a problem with the Lutheran Hour devotion. The email from them was never received and their website was having issues as well. I have substituted the devotion from Portals of Prayer for today.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.1 Peter 1:3
Hope
The pilot light in the antique Wedgewood stove of my childhood home would keep the oven just the tiniest bit warm all the time. It was a living flame, always on. It burned brightly there at the back corner, ready to spark the full heating element into action when the temperature knob was turned. I imagine the hope Peter describes as kind of like that pilot light. It’s a living hope, he says, and I picture a tiny flame, deep in the Christian heart and tended by the Holy Spirit, a pilot light that never goes out. A living hope in the resurrected Jesus that powers Christians through life, all the good and bad and everything in between. When our faith is tested and we don’t feel like rejoicing, that living hope in Jesus raised from the dead burns brightly, reminding us of God’s eternal love and care. Because once we know Christ has been raised from the dead—Alleluia! Christ is risen!—what can various trials do to us? They’re temporary affairs that pale in light of the eternal inheritance God has prepared for His children.
Father, thank You for a living hope in Christ, our Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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.
