SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
WEDNESDAY, JULY 6
NEWS: The ladies have their Wednesday Bible study this evening. It’s online, via Zoom, at 5 PM. The Max Lucado book, “Experiencing the Heart of Jesus” is being studied. For more information or to get the link, please contact Kay Berni.
Tomorrow evening the Board of Directors have their monthly meeting online, via Zoom, at 7 PM. Be on the lookout for an email from Bruce Woodward with the link.
This Saturday the monthly Men’s Bible study/breakfast takes place, in the Fellowship Hall, at 9 AM. That will be followed by our monthly Work Party from 10 AM to Noon. Please bring your skills, talents or just plain desire to help fix up, dust off or tidy-up our church and property.
Saturday, July 16 at 4 PM we will be having Eat-O-Vision in our sanctuary. We’ll be watching the movie, “Meet Me in St. Louis” and serving food dishes based on scenes in the movie. No reservations are needed, just come and enjoy food, fellowship and a great, classic movie (safe for all)!
Reservations are being taken now for going to the San Diego Padres minor leagues team in Lake Elsinore, the Storm. Game date is August 12th at 7:00 PM and the cost is $14.00. This includes parking and one, non-alcoholic drink. RSVP by July 10th to Rick Adams. You can also contact him for more information via email, daddams@hotmail.com
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Christian Galleisky.
READINGS: Psalm 100; Psalm 51:1-8; Joshua 24:1-31; Acts 13:1-12
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Giving Thanks”
Colossians 1:1-9a, 12a – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the Word of the truth, the Gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you … giving thanks to the Father.
It seems to me that Paul must’ve spent a lot of time praying! He wrote to so many churches, and in every case but one, he starts out by saying something similar to this: “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.” He is praying for these people regularly, and in particular, he is giving thanks for them—he is overflowing with gratitude.
Now that’s a thing we don’t hear very often. Oh, we pray for each other, yes—especially when somebody is in need—but giving thanks for each other is maybe a bit less common. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Take a look at the Christians around you—the people you live with, work with, play with, or worship with. What do you see in them that is worth thanking God for? You might even make a list. For example, Paul noticed the strong faith of the Colossians. Is there someone you know who has strong faith, and it comes out in their life? Paul also mentions the love the Colossians showed to others. Do you know someone whose acts of love are making a difference in the world?
It is right for us to notice these things, because ultimately we are giving thanks for the work of God Himself. Other Christians are wonderful, and that’s no surprise, because they are reflecting the glory of Jesus Christ Himself. He is the One who loved us so much that He came to be our Savior. He lay down His life for us to rescue us from the power of evil. And then He rose from the dead and shares the same everlasting life with all of us who trust in Him. Now there’s a reason to give thanks!
WE PRAY: Thank You, Lord, for all that You have done and for what You do through Your people. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Name someone whose faith you admire.
2. Name someone whose loving actions reflect Jesus Christ.
3. Take a moment to pray, giving thanks to God for these people.
Today’s Bible Readings: 1 Kings 21-22 Acts 14
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:
Our church website is: https://www.svlchurch.org/
Below is our Facebook page:
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
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
