SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
EASTER SUNDAY!!! APRIL 17
He is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Christ has risen from the dead. God the father has crowned him with glory and honor. He has given him dominion over the works of his hands; he has put all things under his feet.
NEWS: A very Happy, Blessed Easter Sunday to all! It’s a glorious day celebrating our Lord’s triumphant resurrection! We start it out here at SVLC with an Easter brunch, in our Fellowship Hall, from 8:45 to 9:45 AM. Having looked at the signup sheet, there will be much good food. For all kids (could be any age!) there will be an Easter Egg hunt at 9:30. At 10 we have our celebration service in our beautiful sanctuary. Pastor Joel’s sermon is aptly titled, “Why Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead.” It’s based on Luke 24:1-12 Of course we’ll sing some favorite Easter hymns and participate in the Lord’s Supper too. The hope is all of you can make it in person to worship. We will be streaming our service, live on our Facebook page, for those unable to join us. The link is below, under Other Resource. Click on that, click on the More dropdown arrow, then click on Live.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Kyle Ross. Kyle gives thanks for the Lord’s blessings and asks for strength as he travels each day to care for his and Krag’s parents. He is also thankful that his son, Sean, has returned to a more normal life after his accident and being hit by a car one year ago. We pray for Sean’s eyesight as he is still blind in his left eye,, accident related. We add prayers for Krag Ross, as he gives thanks for God’s blessings and asks the Lord to open doors for him.
COLLECT OF THE TODAY: Almighty God the Father, through Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Alleluia, Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Alleluia.
READINGS: Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 16; Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 28:1-10
DEVOTION:
“LOOKING FOR JESUS”
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. … The men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered His words … (Luke 24:1-4, 5b-8)
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here.” The women knew that. They had already seen that the tomb was empty.
So where was Jesus? The angels didn’t tell them that. They would have to find out for themselves.
And where should they look? Not among the dead. Among the living, then. And they took off running.
The rest of the day was like a game of hide and seek, as various people saw Jesus, or didn’t. You could follow Jesus’ trail by the living joy He left behind Him. They were no longer stuck in the quicksand of disbelief and sadness. Jesus had been with them!
So where will we find Jesus today, then? Not among the dead, that’s for sure. As we wait for His Second Coming, we will find Him among the living—among those who trust His words, even when they sound impossible—”I forgive you,” “You are Mine,” You are children of God.” The risen Jesus has raised us from the dead, too, and we are His forever.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, be with me forever, and make me alive in You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Is there a difference between believers and nonbelievers, in your experience?
* If so, what is it?
* What difference does Jesus’ resurrection make to your daily life?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Judges 9-10 Luke 14:1-24
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select “Save Link As” or “Save Target As” or “Download Linked File As”
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
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 Easter Sunday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
