SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS
SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2023
I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1
NEWS: Today we are celebrating the Ascension of our Lord as we return to His house. Bible study is at 9 AM and Pastor Joel will continue 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.
After fellowship, our twice-yearly ALL MEMBER MEETING takes place. 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. All currently serving have 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.
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: Bruce Woodward, Ian Andrews
Reader: Charlotte Neblett
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Allen Kolkman
Ushers: Victor Dille, Keith Neblett
Flowers: The Neemia family
Fellowship: Carole Woodward
PRAYERS: Today we lift up Chris Roth in prayer.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty God, as Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Jeremiah 2:1-13; Psalm 119:81-88; Luke 23:44-56
Alleluia. Behold, I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Alleluia.
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Crown Him with Many Crowns”
“Crown Him the Lord of heav’n, enthroned in worlds above, Crown Him the King to whom is giv’n the wondrous name of Love. Crown Him with many crowns as thrones before Him fall; Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.”
Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. He has received from His Father authority over all things, yet many people, earthly rulers among them, refuse to acknowledge the Savior’s lordship. Tyrants seek to dominate not only their own people, but other countries as well. Nations go to war as these leaders wrongly attempt to impose their sovereignty over others. Even though we trust in Christ for salvation and confess Him as Lord, when we consider our own lives and circumstances, we too may have doubts about His Lordship. Life can be troubling and sorrowful, and we wonder if Jesus is truly in control.
Jesus is Lord and there is no doubt about it. The crucified and risen Savior said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18b). Jesus did not receive His kingdom or achieve dominion by earthly means, by conquering kings and armies. He humbled Himself to be born of a virgin and made “for a little while lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:7b). Jesus, crowned with thorns, was nailed to a cross and suffered the penalty of death for the sins of the world. On the first Easter morning, He rose to life in conquering might, overcoming every foe.
The Savior ascended to reign in glory at the right hand of God the Father, who left nothing outside of Jesus’ control, although “at present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to Him” (Hebrews 2:8b). Even though we still struggle with doubt and fear, by faith we acknowledge Jesus as Lord and King. When we stumble and fall in sin and seek to take control from Him, our loving King calls us to repentance and forgives our sins. When we are frightened by the warring nations in our world, we turn in prayer to our gracious King, asking for His peace. We live with confidence, knowing that our Savior is “enthroned in worlds above.”
Earthly kings may choose names and titles that indicate their fearsome power. To our King is given the “wondrous name of Love” and the wondrous Name of Jesus, “the Name that is above every name, so that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9b-11). Jesus is Lord and all crowns and thrones belong to Him.
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, watch over me and reign as King in my life. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” which is number 525 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. What’s the most difficult thing to believe about Jesus?
2. What does it mean that Jesus was “for a little while lower than the angels”?
3. Why has the Heavenly Father given Jesus such a place of honor at His right hand?
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 4-6 John 7:1-27
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
