SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 ESV
NEWS: Please refer to the Church Newsletter Allen Kolkman sent by email last evening.
PRAYERS: Today we remember Melissa and David Carlisle in prayer.
READINGS: Jeremiah 7:1-29; Psalm 120; Psalm 121; Acts 4:23-31
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“It’s All Good, Even When It’s Not”
Genesis 1:31 – And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
This devotion pairs with this weekend’s Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at lutheranhour.org.
Saint Augustine, the North African bishop, who lived 1,600 years ago, once said, “When you see the Trinity, you see love.” That’s the perfect love of the Father, Son, and Spirit. God, after all, is love, 1 John tells us. Augustine said again, “People go to gaze at mountain peaks, to gape at the boundless tides of the sea, to admire the broad sweep of rivers, the encircling oceans, and motions of the stars, and yet they leave themselves unnoticed. They do not marvel at themselves.”
And for Christians, marveling at self does not mean self-centered individualistic naval gazing. It means praising God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for making a community of humans, especially communities of love, for placing us into families and giving us friends who are sometimes closer than our sisters and brothers, for providing us with allies and supporters who help us to realize the fullness of our humanity because they treat us with respect, divine dignity. It means marveling at the sacred gift of other persons who come into our lives in the name of love and as opportunities to return love, the love of God, which comes to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
WE PRAY: Holy God, faithful and unchanging, enlarge our minds with the knowledge of Your truth and draw us more deeply into the mystery of Your love, that we may truly worship You—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—One God now and forever. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Dr. John Nunes.
Reflection Questions:
1. Name some human attributes that show people are impressive examples of God’s creation.
2. What do you think are some of the reasons God’s creation pleased Him when He was finished?
3. What types of communities do you live in? How do they support you? How do you bless others?
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 53, 55, 58 John 13:1-20
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, pastor@svlcchurch.org
