SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SUNDAY, APRIL 3, THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!
NEWS: Today is the Fifth Sunday in Lent as we meet up in God’s house for our Bible study and worship. Bible study begins at 9 AM in our sanctuary and Pastor Joel continues to lead us on the miracles of Jesus and how they apply to our lives. At 10 our worship service takes place and Pastor Joel’s sermon is titled, “Submitting to Salvation.” It’s based on Luke 20:9-20 for anyone who would like to look it up. After we finish the Lord’s Supper and our worship is complete, we have our fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then, for those wanting or needing lunch, we will meet up at El Pollo Loco, on College Ave., near Target and Fitness19. Also serving our Lord and congregation this morning are:
Fellowship: The Neemia family
Flowers: Kathy Andrews
Techies: Ian Andrews, Chris Roth
Reader: K Berni
Acolyte: Open
Greeter: Allen Kolkman
Ushers: Victor Dille, Darryl Finley
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Linda Johnson. We include Christian Galleisky, for his needs in life. Also, his mom Barb, for back issues she is dealing with. Barb also asks prayers for safe travels for her and Gunti.
COLLECT FOR TODAY: Almighty God, by your great goodness mercifully look upon your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Psalm 129; Psalm 81; Psalm 102; Exodus 1:1-22; Mark 14:12-31
DIGGING DEEPER: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:1-11; John 11:1-53
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“I AM”
When day came, the assembly of the elders … said, “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” So they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” And He said to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from His own lips.” (Luke 22:66a, 67-71)
To English-speaking ears, it looks like Jesus is dancing around the question. Partly it’s because different languages have different ways of saying “yes” and “no,” and not everybody does it with a single straightforward word. But there’s more going on.
This conversation comes to a climax with them asking, “Are You the Son of God, then?” and Jesus says, “You say that I am.” Pay attention to those last two words. They are a Greek rendering of the Name of God Himself, “I AM” —which in the Old Testament would translate either as “YHWH” or “LORD.” Proper Jews were not supposed to say this Name out loud. The grammar of Greek lets you avoid it, if you really want to. But Jesus doesn’t. He says it right out. By phrasing the way He did, He didn’t just say “Yes” to them; He also claimed to be God. No wonder they were upset!
At this point it’s crystal clear. Jesus has claimed to be God—the Holy One of Israel, the Savior of His people. How will they respond? How will we respond?
Is Jesus truly God, as He says? If so, God Himself has loved you enough to come to you as a human being—to lay down His life for you on a shameful cross—and to rise from the dead, all for you. God Himself. Not an angel, not a holy man. God.
How will you respond to that?
THE PRAYER: Lord, I believe. Strengthen my trust in You! Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Was there ever a chance that they might have believed Jesus?
* When have you been in a situation where people’s minds were already made up?
* Does it cast a different light on some Gospel stories to reflect that, when people interacted with Jesus, they were interacting directly with God?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 28-29 Luke 7:31-50
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 you 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.”
Now you can 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 Lord’s Day and Sunday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
