SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2022
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!
NEWS: A great big THANK YOU to all who attended our COOKKIE EXCHANGE/CHRISTMAS party yesterday and to all who helped put it together and make it possible. 26 came to enjoy 19 different kinds of cookies and watch a great movie, The Star. Blessings to all!
This morning we celebrate the Second Sunday in Advent in our return to God’s house. Bible study starts at 9 AM with Pastor Joel leading. In our 10 AM worship service the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Stirring Up Peace.” The text is based on our Gospel reading of the day, Matthew 3:1-12 Our Old Testament lesson comes from Isaiah 11:1-10 and our second reading is Romans 15:4-13 After we’ve celebrated the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us outside for fellowship time, with coffee and goodies. Then, fellowship continues at Carl’s Jr., very close by, at North River Rd. and Douglas, by the CVS. Don’t be shy, everyone is invited!
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: The Neemia family
Techies: Bruce Woodward, OPEN
Reader: Allen Latall
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Daria Roth
Ushers: Victor Dille, Bill Sperberg
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Christian Galleisky.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Stir up our hearts, O Lord to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who live3s and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Psalm 145:1-9; Psalm 62; Isaiah 10:12-27, 33-34; 2 Peter 1:1-21
Alleluia. Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight; all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia.
DIGGING DEEPER: Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85; 2 Peter 3:5-14; Mark 1:1-8
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“HOMECOMING”
And when his [Zechariah] time of service was ended, he went to his home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” (Luke 1:23-25)
What was that homecoming like, I wonder? I can just see Elizabeth, coming to the door to greet her husband—and getting no answer. Questioning him, touching him, worrying—has he had a stroke? Is he sick, has someone hurt him, what is wrong? She must have imagined the worst before he got the story across to her.
And how did that happen—could Elizabeth read, maybe? If so, that would have made for an interesting half hour—him scribbling as fast as he could, she breathlessly following the story. And then the joy! Oh, the joy—knowing that God had heard her prayers as well, and that finally, finally, they would have a child.
No wonder she hid herself from the general public. It must have been way too much to take in. Five months was not too long to stay quiet and peaceful, thinking about the huge change in her world—and in ours. God was finally sending John, who would prepare the way for the Messiah—and right after him, Jesus, our Savior, who would give Himself up for us all to bring us back to God. What better news could there be?
WE PRAY: Father, thank You for such wonderful news—for Your Son Jesus. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What changes do you think this news caused in their family life over the next few months?
* Do you think they told anyone else? Why or why not? If so, when?
* How do you adjust to changes in your life, with the help of God?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Ezekiel 47-48 1 John 3
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.
