SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2023
Create in me a clean hear, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
NEWS: We received word yesterday, Friday morning, that David Clem has gone to be with the Lord. At this time the funeral plans are to be determined. As soon as there is more information we’ll pass it along.
Tomorrow we’ll be celebrating the First Sunday of Lent. Our morning in God’s house begins with Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel is leading us in a study of Genesis. In our 10 AM worship service, Pastor Joel’s sermon is based on our Gospel reading for the day, Matthew 4:1-11 and is entitled, “If You Are…” Our Old Testament lesson comes from Genesis 3:1-21 and the second reading is taken from Romans 5:12-19 After we have celebrated the Lord’s Supper and our service comes to a close, please join uis for Fellowship time, with coffee and goodies. Then our fellowship will continue at El Pollo Loco, on College Ave., near Target. Please plan to join us!
We have openings tomorrow for anyone who is willing to help serve our congregation. Here is the list and if you can fill one of the openings it would be very much appreciated:
Techies: Open, Open
Reader: Allen Kolkman
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Margaret Paton
Ushers: Victor Dille, Open
Flowers: Margaret Paton
Fellowship: Open
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Margie and Allen Latall. We request prayers for all those being impacted across the state by the historic weather events, with winds, rains, flooding, snows and cold temperatures (for CA anyway). We also request prayers for Allen, who will have surgery on his right eye on March 14 at UCSD, in an out patient procedure.
READINGS: Isaiah 63:1-14; Psalm 51; Galatians 3:10-29
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“FISHERMAN”
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him. (Matthew 4:18-22)
I wonder if John remembered this moment on the day he stood under Jesus’ cross? What a contrast—going from a bright, hopeful morning on the seashore to the darkness of grief and fear on a small hill outside Jerusalem. And yet the cross was there, waiting, even in Jesus’ first call: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
It wasn’t as if the disciples didn’t know death. Fishing involves death by its very nature, though not usually for the fisherman! But this is Jesus’ kind of fishing—where the fisherman dies so the fish will live, and the fish are caught in God’s nets—only to live forever in freedom and joy.
We are some of those fish—you, and I, and everyone who has come to trust in Jesus because the disciples told people about Him. They spread the word, and people around the world came to faith in a God who loved them so much He would lay down His life for them. Now we, the fish, get to be fishermen as well—telling our friends and family about Jesus.
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, I’m so glad You caught me! Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Do you like to fish? Why or why not?
* Who was your fisherman, who first brought you to Jesus?
* Pray for a “fish” you know and love who doesn’t yet know Jesus.
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Leviticus 3-5 Mark 5:21-43
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/
A very blessed Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
