SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, AUGUST 28
Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!
NEWS: This morning we are in God’s house and it’s a very special day: we will have TWO received into the kingdom of Christ through holy baptism! The day starts with Bible study at 9 AM, led by Pastor Joel. The study continues to be on the Lord’s prayer and it includes material from Luther’s Large and Small Catechism’s. Our worship service follows at 10. The title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Religion or Relationship,” and is based on our gospel reading from Luke 14:1-14 The other readings for this 12th Sunday after Pentecost are Proverbs 25:2-10 and Hebrews 13:1-17 After we’ve received the Lord’s supper and our service comes to a close, please be sure to join us outside for fellowship time, with coffee and goodies. Then, we continue fellowship by meeting up at the Oceanside Bakery, off of Mission, by El Camino. It’s a great place for breakfast or lunch, whatever tickles your fancy in the late morning
We pray all can join us for part of their Sunday but for those unable to worship in person, we stream our service live. The link is here: www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside Click on that, then click on the More dropdown arrow, then click Live. If you have a moment, please “Like” us and leave a brief comment about your online worship experience. Thank you! Also serving the Lord and our congregation today are:
Fellowship: Bruce & Carole Woodward
Flowers: The Woodwards
Techies: Ian Andrews, Chris Roth
Reader: Carole Woodward
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Allen Kolkman
Ushers: Victor Dille, Doug Lara
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Charlene Simpson.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty God, Your son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption. Grant us courage to take up our cross daily and follow him whereover he leads; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Psalm 48; 1 Kings 11:1-26; 2 Corinthians 6:1-18
DIGGING DEEPER: Jeremiah 15:15-21; Psalm 26; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28
Alleluia. Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Alleluia.
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Glory Be to Jesus”
“Glory be to Jesus, who in bitter pains, Poured for me the lifeblood from His sacred veins!
“Abel’s blood for vengeance pleaded to the skies; But the blood of Jesus for our pardon cries.”
Much of the violence around us has its roots in revenge. It is the way of the fallen world to seek vengeance for real or imagined wrongs. The desire for revenge does not always lead to bloodshed. In less deadly but still harmful ways, we trade hate for hate and insult for insult in our own personal versions of an “eye for an eye.” We believe that somehow vengeance will right the wrongs committed against us, although we are not so pleased if others seek revenge for our sins against them. We easily forget God’s Word for us, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord'” (Romans 12:19).
The penalty for sin, for our unforgiving desires, was first decreed in Eden: “Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Adam and Eve did not heed the warning and disobeyed God’s command, eating the forbidden fruit. Following in the rebellious footsteps of his parents, Cain killed his brother Abel because God accepted Abel’s sacrifice but not his own. God confronted Cain, saying, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10b).
The blood of Abel may have “pleaded to the skies” for vengeance, but the blood of Jesus our Savior “speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24b). The lifeblood that poured from “His sacred veins” and soaked the ground at the foot of the cross did not cry for vengeance. Jesus’ blood pleads for pardon for our sins. It is the blood of the new covenant of forgiveness, as Jesus said when He gave us His Holy Supper: “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood” (Luke 22:20b). It is the new covenant foretold by the prophet Jeremiah: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah … I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:31, 34b).
God could have decreed vengeance for our sins, but instead His just wrath against sin was satisfied by the sacrifice of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. For the sake of Jesus, God remembers our sin no more and, in the Lord’s Supper, gives us the gift of Jesus’ body and blood, given and shed for the forgiveness of our sins. With awe and thanksgiving, we receive Jesus’ body and His blood, the blood that eternally “for our pardon cries.”
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, teach me to walk in love and to forgive as I have been forgiven. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Glory Be to Jesus,” which is number 433 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why does seeking revenge seem so natural a thing to do when we are wronged?
2. What example did Jesus give when He was mistreated by others?
3. What are some things you can do to turn your vengeful anger over to the Lord?
Today’s Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 7-9 2 Corinthians 2
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:
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 Lord’s Day and Sunday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
