SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2022
NEWS: This Saturday is the monthly Men’s Bible Study/Breakfast. We’ll be having bagels from I Love Bagels. If you plan on attending and haven’t chosen a flavor yet, please let Bruce know what kind you want. We will be viewing a video on The Real St. Nicholas. At 10 AM our monthly Work Party takes place and goes until Noon. This is where we clean up and fix up our church and property. All are invited to, pitch in…just show up and talk to Bruce about what you can do.
On January 8 Pastor Joel will be starting a whole church study from the book, “Why Pray.” We have copies available for everyone which can be picked up at church. The suggested donation, if you choose, is $5.00 for a copy.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Linda Johnson. Linda gives a prayer of thanks that her doctor finally connected with her and has scheduled surgery in February for her damaged left elbow. She also requests prayers for her grandson Kenny.
READINGS: Psalm 11; Psalm 142; Isaiah 24:14-25:12; 1 John 2:15-29
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“TOGETHER”
“And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:36-38)
It comforts me to see how God puts us together in hard times. Here is Mary, about to face the trial of her life—young, unmarried, and pregnant. She has a fiancé to tell, parents to deal with, a village to face. What to do? What to do first? God knows.
And so He has Gabriel tell her about Elizabeth her relative, who has also been blessed with a miracle pregnancy and could really use some help right about now! What a great idea, to go and visit her, right?
God is kind. He sees Mary’s needs before she sees them herself, and He provides for them—through Elizabeth.
Sometimes just the fact that someone is “there” for you is the best gift of all, beyond anything they can do for you. Maybe that’s why God Himself came into our world as a human baby—as Jesus, our Savior? Whatever He might have done from heaven on high, He did infinitely better for our hearts when He came close to us in that manger—on the roads of Galilee—on that cross at Jerusalem—greeting His people, alive again. As He suffered and died and rose for our sakes, He kept us close to Him all the way.
WE PRAY: Thank You, Lord, for pulling us close to You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Do you prefer to suffer alone or with others nearby?
* Tell about a time when someone else’s presence was a comfort to you.
* How is God with you in dark times?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Zechariah 1-4 3 John
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
