SVLC DEVOTION SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 2023

 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

 NEWS: Hey all men, please join us today for our Men’s Bible Study/Breakfast at 9 AM in the Community/Fellowship building. Not only is there food, there’s fellowship and the study of God’s Word as well. At 10 AM our monthly work party takes place. It goes until Noon and here’s where anyone can help fix up, tidy up and repair anything that needs it in our church and on our property.

We humbly return to God’s house tomorrow morning and our day begins with Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel continues to lead us in studying the book of Genesis. In our 10 AM worship service, that title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Looking Thru Storms.” The text is based on our Gospel lesson, Matthew 14:22-33 Our Psalmady is taken from Psalm 18 The Epistle comes from Romans 10:5-17 After we have taken the Eucharist and our service draws to a close, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then for a nice treat, fellowship continues at Killer Pizza From Mars, in the Stater Brothers shopping area, near the small Post Office. We’ll look forward to all joining us!

Also serving our Lord and congregation tomorrow are:

Techies:  Ian Andrews, Victor Dille

Reader:  Keith Neblett

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Margaret Paton

Ushers:   Bill Sperberg, OPEN

Flowers:  Margie and Allen Latall

Fellowship:  Suzette Prokopin

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Rick and Gail Adams in our prayers. Gail requests prayers for her neighbor, dealing with health issues. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for all workers in Oceanside, that they may work diligently and not steal from their employers, including their employers time.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 51:24-58; Psalm 40; Ephesians 6:5-24

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Find True Rest—in Him” August 12, 2023

 

Genesis 2:3 – So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all His work that He had done in creation. “I’m not tired.” Every parent has heard those words as their child slips into a much-needed slumber. Children often fight sleep, afraid that they will miss something. It’s a different story for adults, though, isn’t it? We welcome naps. But the cares of this life are pressing. And so we grind on, knowing we are tired, but knowing also that rest will simply have to wait. Yet, in Luther’s Small Catechism, he says something worth remembering about rest. After teaching believers to say the Creeds, the Lord’s Prayer, and a final evening prayer, he said—no matter what happened that day—”Then go to sleep at once and in good cheer.” Yes, get some rest! It’s important that you do. Genesis 2 tells us that God rested on the seventh day. After six days of creating, God rested because the creation was complete. His word was done, and it was good, very good. Things were in harmony; everything was as it should be: at rest. What if the point of this life is that kind of rest with Him? First, we need to see our rest deprivation isn’t simply because of the pace of the modern world or our never-ending to-do lists. Our rest deprivation comes from our sin—our brokenness—our ongoing rebellion with the God who created us, redeemed us, and who is for us the only lasting Source of refreshment and rest! When Luther says, “Then go to sleep at once and in good cheer,” it wasn’t that he didn’t have a care in the world. He was constantly in the middle of community and church squabbles, often as the judge of an issue; he was relied on by others to solve very real problems in their lives. Like all of us, he had restless nights, but he turned his cares over to God who loved and redeemed him. If you need rest today, go to God in prayer. Put your faith in the One who has redeemed all of creation from sin, death, and the devil. This Jesus has done by His death on the cross, sealing our salvation—and our rest—by His third-day resurrection. So, after your prayers tonight, go to sleep at once and in good cheer. But if you do find yourself struggling to sleep, take heart and rest in the promise that whatever you are facing, Christ has already conquered it for you. WE PRAY: Jesus, please give me rest and peace knowing my life is secure in Your hands. You created me. You redeemed me. You are with me. Teach me to rest in that. Amen. From “God’s Refreshing Rest Can Be Yours Today!” a devotional message from Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour Reflection Questions: 1. What do you do to recharge when you’re low on energy? 2. Why do you think God would establish a day of rest? Why do you think He made it holy? 3. How do you settle down your mind when it just keeps racing with anxious thoughts? Do you look to God in such times?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 1 Chronicles 4-6; 1 Corinthians 7:1-19

 

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 hour  s: 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