SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, MAY 27, 2023
Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. Psalm 119:132 ESV
NEWS: We’ll be celebrating Pentecost as we gather in the Lord’s house tomorrow. The day will start with Bible study at 9 AM and Pastor Joel will continue to lead us in studying the book of Genesis. In our 10 AM worship service Pastor Joel has entitled his sermon message, “It’s More About the Message Than the Power.” It’s based on our second lesson of the day, Acts 2:1-21 Our first reading, from the Old Testament, is Numbers 11:24-30 The Gospel comes from John 7:37-39 After we have taken the Eucharist and our service closes, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then, the fellowship continues at El Pollo Loco, in the Mission Marketplace, on College Ave., near Target.
NOTE: tomorrow we will be collecting a special Door Offering to help in the restoration of the former pre-school playground. It is in sad shape right now and we are trying to get it reading for our 50th Anniversary celebration in July.
Also serving our Lor5d and congregation tomorrow are:
Techies: Ian Andrews OPEN
Reader: Allen Kolkman
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Rick Adams
Ushers: Terry Reilly, Bill Sperberg
Flowers: The Neemia family
Fellowship: Rick and Gail Adams
PRAYERS: Today we raise up the Woodward family in prayer: Carole, Bruce and Eric. The Woodwards give thanks for God’s endless blessings in their lives. They also give thanks for their granddaughter Evelyn, who turns 1 today. They ask prayers that she grows to know God’s love.
READINGS: Jeremiah 4:19-31; Psalm 119:129-136; Acts 2:1-13
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“An Impeccable Testimony”
Acts 2:1-4 – When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. In the New Testament, on the Day of Pentecost, ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, God sent His Spirit among His people in a very special way. This event, however, was not the first time God gave His Spirit to His church. For generations, throughout the Old Testament, God sent His Spirit unto His people. In the book of Job 33:4 we read, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” In Psalm 104:30a we read, ” When You send forth Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the ground.” In Ezekiel 37:14a we read, ” And I will put My Spirit within you, and you shall live.”
When the Spirit of Pentecost comes into our hearts, He comes to transform us, to make us more like Jesus. As St. Paul has written, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
What did the first Pentecost of 2,000 years ago mean and what does the Pentecost Spirit mean for us today? It’s God bearing witness to His Son in our hearts. So now as we prepare to celebrate Pentecost, I invite you to be open to God’s life-changing Spirit. To celebrate Pentecost is to embrace the Spirit-given truth that “what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He thus fulfilled” (Acts 3:18).
Jesus, God’s anointed Lamb, both God and Man, has come to save us from our sins. It is the Spirit of Pentecost sent into the world who testifies to these things. Jesus said, “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me” (John 15:26).
Therefore, friends, the celebration of Pentecost is about understanding and receiving the knowledge that your sins are forgiven through the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross. This the Heavenly Father has sealed for us by raising Jesus from the dead (see Acts 2:24; Romans 8:11; Ephesians 1:15-23). This is the good news that God’s Spirit wants to assure you of total forgiveness and your new power for living.
Make this week a special week. Celebrate not only by looking back, but by looking forward, knowing that God’s Spirit is near, drawing you closer to Jesus, making you more and more like Him.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending us Your Holy Spirit who bears witness to Jesus. Amen.
Taken from “God Wants to Transform Your Life,” a sermon by Rev. Dr. Wallace Schulz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever studied a second language? If so, why did you want to learn it?
2. How miraculous is it for someone to be able to speak another language—instantly?
3. Name some ways you can share Jesus with someone without speaking.
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 20-22 John 10:1-21
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/
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 Memorial Day weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org
