SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS
SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 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 in Lent. As we return to God’s house to be with our brothers and sisters in Christ, Bible study begins at 9 AM. Pastor Joel continues to lead a study in the book of Genesis. Our worship service starts at 10 and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Outcasts of the Grave.” It’s drawn from our Gospel reading for the day, John 11:1-45 Our Old Testament lesson is Ezekiel 37:1-14 and our second reading comes from Romans 8:1-11 The Eucharist will be celebrated and once our service closes, please stay with us for fellowship time. We serve coffee and other goodies there. Then we’ll head over to In N Out Burger on Mission to continue the fellowship.
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:
Greeter: Margaret Paton
Technicians: Ian Andrews and Bruce Woodward
Altar Care: Margaret Paton
Flowers: The Neemia family
Lector: Margaret Paton
Ushers: Victor Dille and Terry Reilly
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Fellowship: Daria Roth
Communion Assistant: Allen Latall
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Lois and Gordon Friske.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: 2 Chronicles 9:1-12; Psalm 79; Luke 7:36-50; Psalm 130
Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“SEEING TO IT”
Then when Judas, His betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed … (Matthew 27:3-5a)
Oh, Judas. He brings the silver back to the people who bought him, hoping desperately to undo the evil that he has done. And predictably, his fellow murderers aren’t interested: “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” Judas “sees to it” in the only way he can imagine: he executes himself. How I wish he had waited for Jesus’ resurrection.
As for the priests and elders, they see only one loose end to tend to, and that is the proper disposal of the blood money. With Judas gone and Jesus gone, nothing is left but administrative trivia.
Or so they think. Because at that very moment, Jesus our Savior was “seeing to” us—every one of us who has ever been guilty of innocent blood. Whether it was outright murder or the lesser murders of hatred and hurting and wrecking other people’s lives, whether we did it with actions or words or just in the quiet of our own hearts—we are guilty, aren’t we? And Jesus saw to us. He did it by pouring out that same innocent blood on the cross—by giving His life willingly so that we might be forgiven and made clean. Nobody could do it but Him. And now He offers clean, pure, forgiven resurrection life to all of us who trust in Him.
WE PRAY: Lord, thank You. I love You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What do you think Jesus would have done if He had met Judas after the resurrection?
* Why is hatred akin to murder? (Consider Matthew 5:21-22.)
* Is there a guilt you’ve been carrying for a long time? Pray about it. Jesus will forgive.
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 5-7 Luke 3
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
