SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: Tomorrow we will be celebrating the Ascension of our Lord as we return to His house. Bible study is at 9 AM as Pastor Joel continues to lead us in a study of Genesis. In our 10 AM worship, the tile of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Knowing, Power, Witness.” Its based on our first lesson for the day, Acts 1:1-11 Our second reading is Ephesians 1:15-23 The Gospel is taken from Luke 24:44-53 Once we’ve celebrated the Eucharist and our service is complete, there will be a BRIEF fellowship time with coffee and goodies.
Then, please plan to attend our twice-yearly ALL MEMBER MEETING. Our board members and officers will bring everyone up to date on their ministries and what they are doing to serve the congregation. Then, elections will take place for the positions of President, Vice–President, Financial Secretary, Treasurer and Recording Secretary. Everyone has agreed to continue in their offices for another two years with the exception of the Recording Secretary. Deanna Dille has agreed to take that office over from Margaret Paton, who is stepping down. We look forward to everyone staying to show their support for the hard working folks who help keep our church running.
PRAYERS: Today we lift up Kyle Ross in prayer.
READINGS: Jeremiah 1; Psalm 119:73-80; Luke 23:32-43
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Influencers”
2 Timothy 1:5-7 – I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Just last week we celebrated Mother’s Day. Among the many godly mothers and their sons mentioned in the Bible, Eunice and her son Timothy stand out. Timothy was a faithful friend and loyal assistant of the apostle Paul. Though a bit timid in temperament, Timothy joined with Paul on various missionary trips and had even been left in charge of the congregation at Ephesus.
Somewhere near the end of Paul’s fight for the faith, he wrote the words in our text above to Timothy. Paul wanted to strengthen the faith and zeal of his young apprentice. He wanted to encourage him to be true and steadfast in what he had learned about Jesus: how He died for our sins, how He rose again to be our Savior, how He is coming back one day to gather all believers to share eternal life with Him.
In his travels, Paul had seen all types of circumstances in the people he encountered. He understood the effect people have on one another—both good and bad. “Bad company ruins good morals,” he told the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 15:33b), warning them of the dangers that lay ahead if they follow their current course. But of Timothy’s mother and grandmother, Paul speaks to the grace and goodness of a faith shared and encouraged within a family—how God uses it for achieving His own purposes.
It’s a lesson for us today. Many are the influences our children will experience in the course of growing up. If what they find in their homes is but the simple reflection of what they see all around them, well, then theirs will be an uphill battle, to say the least. But when the home is centered in the love of Christ and His forgiveness, children are encouraged by this example. They are empowered by God’s Spirit to live a life of faith, firmly grounded in His Word.
Paul understood the tremendous impact of one’s upbringing when he wrote this to Timothy: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15). What a wonderful compliment from the apostle to those who raised Timothy!
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, give us courage to express our faith in our households, loving our families as You have loved us in Jesus Your Son. In His Name we pray. Amen.
From “Blessed by a Christian Mother,” a sermon from Rev. Dr. Armin Oldsen, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. How was the Christian faith viewed in the household where you grew up?
2. Has someone been a strong Christian influence in your life? Does that person know how you feel about their impact on your life?
3. What can you do to set more of a Christian example in your own home?
Today’s Bible Readings: 2 Samuel 23-24 John 6:41-71
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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org
