SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2023
I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1
NEWS: We return to God’s house this morning on this Fourth Sunday after Epiphany! In our 9 AM Bible study Pastor Joel reviews the fourth week of readings in, “Why Pray.” The title of Pastor Joel’s sermon in our 10 AM worship is, “Blueprint for the Church.” It’s based on our Gospel lesson for the day, Matthew 5:1-12 Our Old Testament reading comes from Micah 6:1-8 and the second lesson is taken from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 We will celebrate the Eucharist as we do each Sunday. After we’ve completed that and our service is finished, please join us for fellowship time, with coffee and goodies. Then fellowship will continue at the Oceanside Bakery, near police headquarters on Mission Ave. They have breakfast and lunch available and it’s always a great place to dine!
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:
Techies: Ian Andrews, Bruce Woodward
Reader: Allen Latall
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Margaret Paton
Ushers: Keith Neblett, Open
Flowers: The Neemia family
Fellowship: Daria Roth
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Chris Roth. We ask the Lord to bless him in his job responsibilities.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Psalm 107; Zechariah 8:1-23; 2 Timothy 1:1-18
Alleluia. They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority. Alleluia.
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Thy Strong Word”
“Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous; bright with Thine own holiness, Glorious now, we press toward glory, and our lives our hopes confess. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
“From the cross Thy wisdom shining breaketh forth in conquering might; From the cross forever beameth all Thy bright redeeming light. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!”
The cross in history did not suggest “conquering might,” at least not for the victim. Criminals were nailed up in public display as a warning to others who might be tempted to commit the same crime. Yet as our hymn proclaims, the wisdom of God breaks forth from a cross—the cross of Jesus—in conquering might.
It is not a plan that we would have imagined, this plan to bring salvation through a terrible death on a cross. We might have come up with a more spectacular plan, an attractive and glorious idea that would get everyone’s attention. The crucifixion of Jesus did not suggest God’s conquering might. God’s own Son was conquered and crucified. In the eyes of the unbelieving world, the wisdom shining from the cross appears to be foolish, but God’s ways are not our ways. The apostle Paul explains, “For the Word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). The apostle continues, “It pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21b). What we preach is Christ crucified.
The Word of the cross is the Good News that Jesus was crucified as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world and rose in triumph over death. All who believe in Him have forgiveness for their sins and the gift of eternal life. It is good news that delivers what it promises. The Word of the cross is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16b). When God speaks, things happen and the powerful Gospel Word of the cross “bespeaks us righteous.” The Word of the cross breaks forth in conquering might to declare us, “Not guilty!”
Glorious now in the sight of God, we are clothed in Jesus’ righteousness and bright with His holiness. We press forward through our earthly lives toward the greater glory of life in God’s presence forever. In word and deed, our lives confess the hope that is ours in Jesus, and we pray that others will come in the power of the Holy Spirit to believe the saving Word of the cross.
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, help me in my words and actions to be a witness for You. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Thy Strong Word,” which is number 578 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you know someone whose life exhibits greatness though he or she is very humble?
2. What did Paul mean when he said, “It pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe”?
3. How is the cross of Christ a liberating reality for mankind? What took place there on our behalf?
Today’s Bible Readings: Genesis 29-30 Matthew 19
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/
Here is the website for Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.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
