SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2023
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4
NEWS: There were 26 in attendance last night for our Maundy Thursday service. TONIGHT we will have our Good Friday service at 7 PM. We will once again “nail our sins” to the cross. It’s a solemn service and we pray all can join us.
TOMORROW the Men meet for their monthly Bible Study/Breakfast. It starts at 9 AM in our Community building and it’s a great time for food, coffee, fellowship and the study of God’s word! At 10 the monthly Work Party takes place, along with the setup for our Easter breakfast. If youn can, please pitch in to help tidy up our church and property for the celebration of our Lord’s resurrection.
SUNDAY, we have our Easter breakfast, starting at 8:30 AM inn our Community building. Around 9:15 or so the kids will have a chance for fun as they do an Easter Egg hunt! Then we have our Easter service in our sanctuary at 10.
PRAYERS: Today we lift up Margaret Paton in prayer.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer death upon the cross; through the same Jesus Christ,, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 4:14-16 and Hebrews 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“EARTH-SHAKING”
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land … And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. … When the centurion and those who were with Him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:45a, 50-51, 54)
I am glad that God the Father allowed the world to express itself at the death of Jesus. It just feels right that the sun went dark and the rocks split when He died. Think of it—God Himself came among us as a human being, and now His own creatures have nailed Him to a cross. Of course His death is world-shaking.
And that’s terrifying. Most of Jesus’ followers are missing from the cross—where are Peter and Andrew and Matthew and James? My best guess is that they are terrified and hiding somewhere in Jerusalem. They are in shock. Their world has ended.
And yet. And yet! Jesus has promised to rise from the dead. All those promises they forgot are still there. A new world is about to dawn, and it will be a world utterly changed, changed forever—filled with mercy, love, and forgiveness. Because of Jesus.
WE PRAY: When my own personal world is ending, Lord, stay with me. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Have you ever felt like your own world was ending?
* In your new world, how are things different?
* Looking back, how can you see God holding you up through this time?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Joshua 4-6 Luke 9:18-36
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
