SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS
PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023
I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1
NEWS: Today is Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week, as we enter God’s house for Bible study and worship. At 9 AM Pastor Joel continues to teach us about the book of Genesis. In our service at 10 the tile of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Prophecies, Prophets, Donkeys and Kings.” It’s based on the Gospel lesson for the day, John 12:20-43 Our Old Testament reading is taken from Isaiah 50:4-9 and our Epistle comes from Philippians 2:5-11 After the Lord’s Supper is finished and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time, with coffee and goodies. Then please join us for additional fellowship time at El Pollo Loco, near Target, on College Ave.
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 and OPEN
Reader: Carole Woodward
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Kathy Andrews
Ushers: Rick Adams, Bill Sperberg
Flowers: Kathy Andrews
Fellowship: Suzette Prokopin
READINGS: Zechariah 9:9-12; Psalm 31:9-16; Mark 14:1-15:47
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty and everlasting God, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
GRADUAL: Christ entered once for all into the holy places, by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. He sent redemption to his people, he commanded his covenant forever.
PRAYERS: Today we lift up the Luckemeyer family in prayer: Amy, Pastor Joel, Jeremy and Lucy Joy. We especially pray for Lucy Joy, still dealing with a cold.
He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“WATCHING”
And when they had crucified Him, they divided His garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over Him there. (Matthew 27:35-36)
The soldiers were keeping watch over Jesus as He hung there on the cross. That was their job; and though it was highly unlikely that anyone would come and try to take Him down by force, still they watched.
Jesus, too, was watching.
What did He see? A group of soldiers gambling for His clothes at the foot of His cross; several women, including His mother, watching Him and weeping; two men dying on either side of Him. He saw His enemies passing by and laughing at Him. He doubtless saw a lot of plain, ordinary people too who didn’t understand at all what was going on as they passed by.
All of these were people God created, people God had given into His care.
And so He watched. I’m sure He prayed. And body and soul, He suffered for our sake—a watchman over us sinners, who needed Him so much.
WE PRAY: You suffered, died, and rose for us, dear Lord. Help me now to live for You—and for Your people. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* When is the last time you “kept watch” over something or someone, big or small?
* Who or what do you feel protective about—enough to stand watch over them, if necessary?
* What does it mean to you, to know Jesus watches over you?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 26-27 Luke 7:1-30
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
