SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2023
I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1
NEWS: Today is the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany and Pastor Joel will be reviewing the last week of our study in the book, “Why Pray,” in our 9 AM Bible study. There will also be a sign-up sheet for those who would like Pastor Joel to walk through their neighborhood to pray for their neighbors. One can also do this by phone with Pastor.
At 10 AM our worship service starts and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “I Am Not Ashamed of the Law.” It’s based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 5:13-20 Our Old Testament lesson comes from Isaiah 58:3-9 Our second reading is 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 After we’ve participated in the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, join us for fellowship time, with coffee and goodies. Then come to In N Out Burger off of Mission Ave. to continue fellowship time with our church family. A Coke and burger or shake and burger are always a good bet there!
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, Open
Reader: Margaret Paton
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Margaret Paton
Ushers: Rick Adams, Victor Dille
Flowers: The Neemia family
Fellowship: Kathy Andrews
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Noah Adams as he is bravely serving our country in the military. We pray for all places where wars are going on. We pray for all our cities where unrest is occurring. We also pray for our nation, especially with the escalated tensions regarding China.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: O Lord, keep Your family the Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by Your mighty power; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11; 1 Corinthians 9:16-27; Mark 1:29-39
Alleluia. Jesus went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. Alleluia.
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Songs of Thankfulness and Praise”
“Manifest at Jordan’s stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme; And at Cana wedding guest in Thy Godhead manifest; Manifest in pow’r divine, changing water into wine; Anthems be to Thee addressed, God in man made manifest.
“Sun and moon shall darkened be, stars shall fall, the heav’ns shall flee; Christ will then like lightning shine, all will see His glorious sign; All will then the trumpet hear, all will see the Judge appear; Thou by all wilt be confessed, God in man made manifest.”
God was coming to earth, but how would He be “made manifest”? That is, how would He be made known or revealed? The prophets foretold God’s coming and the ways in which He could be recognized. “God in man made manifest” would “come with might” and “tend His flock like a shepherd” (Isaiah 40:10b, 11b). He would “bring good news to the poor” and “proclaim liberty to the captives” (Isaiah 61:1b).
In the Person of Jesus, God came to live on earth, born among us, true God and true Man. Jesus is “God in man made manifest.” At times Jesus made Himself known as the Messiah and Son of God, but more often He was made manifest in other ways. Baptized “at Jordan’s stream,” God the Son was revealed when His Father announced from heaven, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17b). Jesus’ identity was made known to His disciples at the wedding in Cana as He changed water into wine. With that first miracle, Jesus “manifested His glory. And His disciples believed in Him” (John 2:11b).
In the humility and weakness of His death on the cross, God in man was made manifest only to the sight of faith. Jesus fulfilled the words of the prophet as He was “pierced for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5b). He was revealed as the Son of God in His resurrection from the dead (see Romans 1:4) Still today Jesus makes Himself known to us in His Word, in Baptism, and in His Holy Supper. His compassion is revealed to others through our works of love and service for the people around us. In the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ saving work is made known in our words of witness.
Finally, the day is coming when Jesus our Lord will again be made manifest among us. On the Last Day, the “sun and moon shall darkened be” and “stars shall fall, the heav’ns shall flee.” Jesus will come again, but this time He will not be revealed only to His followers. “He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him” (Revelation 1:7a). Returning in great power and glory as Judge and King, Jesus will be finally and fully known to all as “God in man made manifest.”
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, I confess You as God in man made manifest. You are my Savior and Lord. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise,” which is number 394 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. How did Jesus let us know that He was God in the flesh?
2. Why was the Heavenly Father pleased with His Son?
3. How does our good works for others display the love of God to them?
Today’s Bible Readings: Genesis 46-48 Matthew 23:1-22
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
