SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2023

by | Dec 31, 2022 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1st, 2023

NEW YEARS DAY AND THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

From our home to yours, a Very Blessed, Happy, Healthy, Safe and Productive New Year to all!

I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1

NEWS: As we return to be with our fellow believers and our Lord, the focus of our worship is God’s grace – past, present and future. Please invite anyone you can bring as being in God’s house is a great way to start the New Year off in good fashion. Our readings for the day are Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 followed by Revelation 21:1-6 and then our Gospel lesson, Matthew 25:31-45 After we’ve celebrated the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Depending on the weather this may be inside or outside.

There is NO Bible study today: that resumes next week, on January 8th. The theme is, “Why Pray.” Pastor Joel will ber leading a study in the book of the same name. All are invited to pick up a copy and participate. The suggested donation is $5.00 but you can certainly defer that if that’s an issue.

 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:  OPEN

Techies:  Ian Andrews

Reader:  Keith Neblett

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  OPEN

Ushers:  Victor Dille, OPEN

Flowers:  OPEN

 PRAYERS: Today we pray for Ian Andrews. We also pray for the family of Tom Morofski’s former pastor in Sterling Heights, MI, the Brinley’s, as the Lord called him home to his arms.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: Oh God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature. Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 111; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40

Alleluia. My eyes have seen your salvation; a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. Alleluia.

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“TROUBLED”

January 1, 2022

 

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matthew 2:3)

Someone asked me once, “But why was Jerusalem troubled along with King Herod?” I was very surprised. Then I realized they’d probably never worked or lived with an abusive person. When your abuser is upset, believe me, you know it. You’re afraid to be his next target.

This makes daily life a misery, of course. But it does something else—it can also mess up the way you think about God. If someone in authority over you mistreats you in serious ways, you can start to wonder: Is God abusive too? Will He understand the situation I am in or the mistake I made? Will He forgive, or will He berate me and make me feel two inches tall? Even though our minds know better, our hearts still expect a blow.

Jesus understands this, and He is immeasurably gentle with those of us who have suffered harm like this. His patience and kindness are deep, so deep. As Isaiah puts it, “He will not cry aloud or lift up His voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench” (Isaiah 42:2-3a). God Himself has suffered abuse—what else was the cross, and what went before it?—and come out the other side, in His resurrection. And He will lead us to share in that same new life with gentleness, teaching us to trust an atom at a time—because His love is real. He will wait for us as long as it takes.

WE PRAY: Dearest Lord, thank You for Your patience with me. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* How did you first learn about God?

* How did that impact the way you think about God?

* How can you make sure others see Jesus clearly through you?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Genesis 1-3; Matthew 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 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 Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.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 OR