SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, JULY 14
NEWS: On Saturday, please plan to attend our EAT-O-VISION at 4 PM in our sanctuary. We will be viewing the movie, “Meet Me In St. Louis,” starring Judy Garland! Food will be served at different times, related to certain scenes in the movie. We’ll be enjoying a great flick and no one will be leaving hungry…we hope!
There’s still time to RSVP if you’d like to go and see the Lake Elsinore Storm baseball game on Friday, August 12. Tickets are $14 each and that includes parking and a non-alcoholic drink. The last day to get your name on the list is this coming Sunday, July 17. You can either talk to Rick Adams in church or contact him by email if interested.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Barb and Gunti Galleisky.
READINGS: Psalm 119:1-8; Psalm 1; Judges 14:1-20; Galatians 3:1-22
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Serving—or Served?”
Luke 10:38-42 – Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
I have mixed feelings about this story. I can totally understand where Martha is coming from—most women are very well trained when it comes to taking care of guests, and we feel guilty if we aren’t constantly giving them the most comfortable chair, the finest food, the best wine in the house. And of course all of this takes time and hard work, and we get tired. And then we get snappish. Why must we carry the burden alone?
So I’m not surprised when Martha gets angry with her sister. It’s rather shocking that she drags Jesus into it, but I’m guessing that she’s beyond tired at this point. And Jesus sees that, and is gentle with her.
But even so, He’s not going to hide the truth. Mary isn’t wasting time, as Martha supposes. Mary is doing exactly what Jesus would like Martha to do as well—would like all of us to do. She is spending time with Him. She is sitting at His feet, listening and learning. She is allowing Jesus to serve her.
How shocking! And yet, this is the reason why Jesus came into the world—to serve, not to be served, to lay down His life as a ransom for many. He came to be our Healer, our Good Shepherd, our Savior. He even gives us His own body and blood to eat and drink in Communion. No wonder one of His titles is “Servant”!
I don’t know what Martha did after Jesus spoke. I rather hope she put down the dishtowel, brought in a plate of grapes and some bread, and joined her sister and Jesus. The place at His feet belongs to Mary and to Martha—and to us, the people Jesus loves and has redeemed.
WE PRAY: Dear Savior, help me to stop and sit down and let You love and serve me, as You choose to do. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. When guests come to visit, what are your usual responsibilities?
2. Do you find it easy or hard to simply sit down with them and spend time together?
3. If Jesus came to your house today, what would you do?
Today’s Bible Readings: Amos 4-6 Galatians 1
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 Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.org/
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
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
