SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2023
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature[e] and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52
NEWS: Tomorrow the men meet up for their monthly Mens Bible Study/Breakfast. It starts at 9 AM in our Community/Fellowship building. We’ll all enjoy good food, coffee, fellowship and the study of God’s word.
At 10 AM our monthly Work Party takes place and goes until Noon. This is where we take anyone who wants to help clean up, fix up and generally tidy up our church and property. You are invited to come and help out for as long as you can spare.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Charlene Simpson. She asks prayers for her daughter Amy Terrill, who is still looking for gainful employment after graduating with a master’s degree in public health.
We pray for Margaret Paton who is in surgery today for a wrist and arm issue.
We pray for our church, for God’s provision and sustenance.
READINGS: Micah 4:6-13; Psalm 64; Luke 2:22-52
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“URGENCY”
[Jesus said] “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace … Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, … ‘You go into the vineyard too.'” (Matthew 20:1-3a, 5b, 6a, 7b)
Jesus tells this parable not long before His suffering and death to save us all. That might explain why there’s so much urgency in the story. Very soon now Jesus will put the responsibility for telling others about Him in our hands.
The owner of the vineyard starts hiring at dawn. But then he goes back for more workers at 9 a.m.—and at 12 noon—and again at 3 p.m. Even at 5 p.m. just before quitting time, he’s still at it! This is a man who really wants to get his harvest in. Not tomorrow, not next week—today.
God is urgent about gathering people into His kingdom. He wants us forgiven and brought home to Him as soon as possible. He will not be happy with any delay. He doesn’t want any of His harvest to be lost.
And so Jesus tells the story looking at the believers around Him. They are His workers, and He is sending them out—He is sending us out—to bring in the rest of the harvest. He has already saved us, and now He honors us by giving us work to do in His own saving mission.
WE PRAY: Lord, send me. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Have you ever told anyone about Jesus?
* If not, ask Him to show you the first baby step in doing this joyful work.
* If so, how did it go? How do you feel about it?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Numbers 1-2 Mark 12:1-27
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 Friday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
