SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2023
I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1
NEWS: We make our return to the Lord’s house this morning on this Sixth Sunday after Epiphany. Bible study starts at 9 AM and Pastor Joel will continue the discussion of, “Why Pray.” There are copies available for anyone to pick one up. Our worship service starts at 10 and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Thank You, God, for Your Grace.” It’s based on Matthew 5:21-42, which is the Gospel reading for the day. Our Old Testament lesson is taken from Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Our second reading comes from 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 After we’ve celebrated the Lord’s Supper an d our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies.
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 (please note the open positions if you can help):
Techies: Open, Open
Reader: K Berni
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Open
Ushers: Victor Dille, Open
Flowers: Josh & Amanda Cerny
Fellowship: Bruce & Carole Woodward
Our Super Bowl Party starts at 3 PM in our sanctuary because it’s got the biggest screen on the property! Soft drinks will be provided. If you care too, please bring some snacks or food to share. There will be board games as well (or bring your own to share) so the kids and adults who aren’t into football can have some fun! It likely won’t be divine intervention that determines the winner so come and cheer for whoever you want: the Kansas City Chiefs or Philadelphia Eagles.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Victor and Deanna Dille.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Oh Lord, graciously hear the prayers of your people that we who justly suffer the consequences of our sin may be mercifully delivered by your goodness to the glory of your name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; 1 Corinthians 10:19-31; Mark 1:40=-45
Alleluia. Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Isarel. Alleluia.
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”\
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; No merit of my own I claim but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground in sinking sand.
“His oath, His covenant and blood support me in the raging flood; When ev’ry earthly prop gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”
People build their lives and base their hope on all kinds of things. Others seek to build up wealth and material possessions or pin their hopes on success in business. Families provide a source of hope as parents work hard to help their children build a better future for themselves. Others seek more selfish foundations, building up their popularity and influence over others.
Some of these foundations for hope are worthy goals, others not so much. Foundational things such as family, home, and work are gifts of God. Yet none of these things can provide a lasting foundation on which to build our hope. For each of us, a time will come “when ev’ry earthly prop gives way.” Although solid enough under the ordinary circumstances of daily living, during illness, disaster, or grief such props become unstable and, in the face of death, these earthly foundations crumble entirely. Wealth, business success, and popularity cannot save us. Even family members who support us in faith and uphold us in prayer cannot defeat death.
Jesus Christ alone is the solid Rock on whom our hope is built. We have His oath, His promise: “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b). He died and rose in triumph over death and in so doing “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10b). The new covenant of God’s steadfast love and forgiveness was sealed in Jesus’ blood shed on the cross. In the raging flood of life’s trials, these things—Jesus’ oath, His covenant and His blood—support us, and they cannot be swept away.
By God’s grace through faith our lives are built on Jesus Christ, our solid Rock and sure Foundation. Earthly hopes may disappoint us, but we have a different kind of hope: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). This living hope, the hope of forgiveness and eternal life, cannot fail, even in the face of illness, disaster, loss, and death because it is the hope that is built entirely on Jesus. He will never fail us.
WE PRAY: Jesus, my hope is built on You alone. Support me in the raging floods of life. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less,” which is number 575 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you try to prepare for future challenges?
2. Have you experienced a time when all you had left was Jesus?
3. Have your strategies of living responsibly changed through the years? How so?
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 14-15 Matthew 26:36-75
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
