SVLC DEVOTION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2022

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2022

 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

 NEWS: Please refer to the Shepherd of The Valley Weekly Church Newsletter that Allen Kolkman sent via email yesterday.

 PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Gail and Rick Adams. Prayers are requested for Ricks sister Lory (yes, the correct spelling), as she deals with kidney issues.

 READINGS: Psalm 89:1-4, 14-18; Psalm 132; Isaiah 58:1-59:3, 14-21; Luke 1:26-38

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“THE VALUE OF A HUMAN BEING” December 30, 2022

 

And there was a prophetess, Anna … She was advanced in years, having lived … as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38) I have friends in their eighties who occasionally say to me, “Well, I just don’t feel like I’m good for anything anymore. I can’t do anything to help anybody. Why doesn’t God take me home?” People could easily say the same thing of Anna in this story, you realize. She too is old; she spends all her time in worship and prayer—not in teaching Sunday School, not in running a food pantry or singing in the choir. She is not a “productive citizen.” And yet she is the one who recognizes and greets the Christ Child, and she tells all the believers she knows about Him. In this story, God gives an honored place to people who are valuable in His eyes though not in the world: a displaced worker, a new mother, a very old woman. And of course the least and lowest—a newborn baby. Jesus. It isn’t what people do that matters to God; it is who they are. And these people are … forgiven sinners. Beloved by the Lord. Redeemed by Jesus, who would suffer, die, and rise again to make them God’s own children. You are loved—not for what you do, but for who you are. You are Jesus’ own, because the Holy Spirit has brought you to trust in Him. He thinks you are worth His very life. You are loved. WE PRAY: Lord Holy Spirit, help me to see how You value me. Amen. Reflection Questions: * Do you ever feel valueless? * How do you know that God values you? * How could you help someone else feel the value God sets on them? Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Malachi 1-2; Revelation 21

 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 Friday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org