SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: This morning the monthly Men’s Bible Study/Breakfast happens at 9 AM in our church. It’s a good opportunity to enjoy fellowship, food, coffee and discussing God’s word. At 10 AM the Fellowship team meets in the sanctuary. Our monthly Property Improvement event also takes place at 10. This is where all are invited to come and help tidy up our church and surrounding property.
Tomorrow we pray all can be in God’s house for the Second Sunday after Epiphany. The day starts with our Sunday Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel will discuss the second week of our five week study in the book, “Why Pray.” Anyone who hasn’t can still pick up a copy to use as a daily devotional or to join in with others attending the study.
At 10 our worship service takes place and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Behold!” It’s based on the Gospel reading, John 1:29-42 Our other readings are Isaiah 49:1-7 and 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 After the Eucharist and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time, where there will be coffee and goodies. Then, all are invited for continued fellowship as we go to Killer Pizza from Mars! It’s just past the Post Office and before Stater Brothers, off El Camino Real.
Also serving our Lord and congregation tomorrow are:
Fellowship: Terry and Alba Reilly
Techies: Ian Andrews, Bruce Woodward
Reader: Allen Kolkman
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: OPEN
Ushers: Terry Reilly, Bill Sperberg
Flowers: Charlene Simpson
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Linda Johnson. Linda requests prayers for safe travel as she’ll be going to Florida to see her sister. Also for her upcoming surgery on February 14th. She also asks prayers for the spiritual welfare of her son, currently an unbeliever.
READINGS: Psalm 104:27-30; Psalm 79; Ezekiel 36:33-37:14; Romans 5:1-21
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Praying with Confidence”
Matthew 5:11-12 – (Jesus said) “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The five-year-old boy was at a fast-food restaurant with his mother, brother, and sister. I’m proud to say that the family saw no need to change their custom of praying before their meal. The boy asked if he could say the prayer. He prayed with the volume and vigor of a normal five-year-old: “Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest and let these gifts to us be blest … and, Lord, if Mom would add fruit pies for desert, I would be even more thankful. God, this is Your friend, Danny, signing out for the rest of the family.”
A lady in the next booth whispered, so all could hear, “No wonder this country has gone to the dogs. Kids—they don’t even know how to say their prayers. As if God doesn’t have other things to do than provide fruit pies?” An older man leaned across the aisle and said, “I’ve been praying for a lot of years, and if I know God like I think I do, He would rate that prayer as being one of the best He’s heard. In fact, it’s a shame more people don’t ask Him for fruit pies. Fruit pies can be good for our hearts and souls.”
Mom bought fruit pies for the entire family. The little boy turned around, tapped the shoulder of the lady who had put down his prayer, and said, “Here, I want you to have my fruit pie. Fruit pies can sometimes be good for our hearts and souls.”
Though a seemingly trivial event, the boy successfully survived his first taste of “persecution.” In the years to come, Satan will return to try again. Scheming and shrewd, the father of lies will try to wear down, tear down, and destroy the boy’s Christian courage and confidence. He will do the same to you, brother and sister. When that day comes, I encourage you to remember that you are not alone.
Christian heroes in every generation have been persecuted for their faith. In those moments of trial, they turned to their Redeemer for strength and courage. Like Paul the apostle they believed, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Confident in Christ’s atoning work on the cross and His glorious resurrection from the dead, their words and deeds declared their faith to all those around them that Jesus reigns triumphant.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for hearing our prayers, large and small, and for giving us Your Son Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.
From “A Dubious Distinction,” a devotion from Rev. Dr. Kenneth Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you have special memories of eating out with your family at a favorite restaurant?
2. Ridicule comes in many forms. Do you have an experience like Danny’s in your life?
3. Who inspires you to keep strong in your faith when times are difficult?
Today’s Bible Readings: Job 14-16 Matthew 10:1-20
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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
