SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2023

 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1

NEWS: We humbly return to God’s house this 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!

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:  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 Ian Andrews in our prayers. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for the Lord’s help, that all citizens of Oceanside my love their neighbors through their vocations.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: Gracious Lord, Your blessed Son came down from heaven to be the true bread that gives life to all the world. Grant that Christ, the bread of life, my live in us and we in Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 Alleluia. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone lives of this bread, he will live forever, Alleluia.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 51:59-64; Psalm 41; Philippians 1:1-11

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus” August 13, 2023

 

“I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, Trusting only Thee; Trusting Thee for full salvation, Great and free. “I am trusting Thee to guide me; Thou alone shalt lead, Ev’ry day and hour supplying All my need.” In our hymn we express a statement of childlike faith: “Jesus, I trust You.” This is the humble trust that Jesus asks of His followers. Welcoming the children brought to Him for His blessing, Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Mark 10:14b-15). “Jesus, I trust You.” In Baptism the Holy Spirit places those childlike words into our hearts and by God’s grace through simple trust in Jesus Christ we are brought into His kingdom. Yet sometimes living as a citizen of that Kingdom is not so simple. When facing the ordinary challenges of daily life and the stress and worry of work, finances, and family relationships, we can find it difficult to say with confidence, “Jesus, I trust You.” In the power of the Holy Spirit, we joyfully and firmly trust in Jesus for “full salvation, great and free.” In His suffering and death on the cross, Jesus canceled the debt of sin that we owed, a debt that we could never pay. Our sins are forgiven and, receiving that gift, we boldly say, “Jesus, I trust You.” Our Savior rose to life in triumph over death. His victory is our victory. When He returns in glory on the Last Day, we too will rise from death to live in His presence forever. That is our sure and certain hope, and in that hope we boldly say, “Jesus, I trust You.” If we trust Jesus for those great gifts, now and forever, can we also trust Him in our ordinary, daily challenges? We already know the answer. Jesus has promised to be with us always as He guides us in love and care, “ev’ry day and hour supplying” all that we need. As the apostle Paul asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31b-32). We already know the answer to the apostle’s question. Jesus gave Himself into death and rose to life for us. Nothing can separate us from His love. Trust Him. After Jesus spoke of receiving the Kingdom with childlike trust, He gathered the children in His arms and blessed them. That is where we are each day, each moment—safe in Jesus’ arms. Trust Him! WE PRAY: Jesus, I trust You. Keep my heart relying on You in all things. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,” which is number 729 in the Lutheran Service Book. Reflection Questions: 1. Who trusts you the most? Why? 2. Earning one’s trust is not easy. How do we know we can trust Jesus in what He says? 3. Can you explain what it means to say you trust in Jesus? How does that play out in everyday, real life?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 1 Chronicles 7-9; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40

 

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