SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
MONDAY IN HOLY WEEK, APRIL 3, 2023
The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. John 12:23
NEWS: Holy Week is here and began with our Palm Sunday service yesterday. We had 48 who attended worship in person, with more joining us online. Thank you to all who assisted and served during our worship yesterday. Thank you to Pastor Joel for his teaching in Bible study and for leading our worship.
Our next service is this Thursday, Maundy Thursday. It’s at 7 PM and we’ll partake in Holy Communion. Then the next day is Good Friday, with a 7 PM service again.
PRAYERS: Today we lift up Tom and Gloria Morofski in prayer.
READINGS: Isaiah 50:5-10; Psalm 36:5-10; Hebrews 9:11-15; John 12:1-23
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty God, grant that in the midst of our failures and weaknesses, we may be restored through the passion and intercession of Your only-begotten Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“IN THE MIDDLE WITH US”
And over His head they put the charge against Him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. (Matthew 27:37-38)
It’s a good place for Jesus, don’t you think? Crucified between two thieves. Given the kind of people He welcomed during His life, I’m sure He felt right at home!
And that’s good for you and for me—because we need Jesus just as much as those two dying men did. Oh, we may not be robbers; but we have our own sins, just as deadly, even if they’re a lot less conspicuous. Hatred; gossip; pride; back-biting; cheating just a little, here and there; resentment; self-centeredness—all the ordinary sins that add up to have such a life-destroying effect. We may not be nailed to a cross like those robbers, but without Jesus, we’d be just as hopeless—just as surely heading for death.
But we do have Jesus—right here next to us, within call if not within physical reach. We can ask for the help we need, the same way one of those men did when he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42b). Jesus will surely give it. After all, it’s the reason He came into our world—to seek out the lost and to bring us home to God through His own suffering, death, and resurrection.
WE PRAY: Lord, bring me too into Your kingdom. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Do you think the thief who asked for mercy understood what he was asking for?
* If so, how do you think he knew it?
* How did you come to know Jesus and what He has done for you?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 28-29 Luke 7:31-50
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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
