SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: It’s the thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost tomorrow and we’ll be back in God’s house! Bible study starts at 9 AM as Pastor Joel continues teaching us in the book of Genesis. Our worship service takes place at 10 and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “The Strongest Rock.” It’s based on our Gospel reading, Matthew 16:13-20 The Old Testament lesson is Isaiah 51:1-6 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 138 Our Epistle comes from Romans 11:33-12:8 We celebrate the Eucharist every week and after our service is finished, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. We’ll then go to In N’ Out burgers off Mission Ave. to continue fellowship.
Also serving our Lord and congregation tomorrow are:
Techies: Ian Andrews, OPEN
Reader: Keith Neblett
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Allen & Margie Latall
Ushers: Bill Sperberg, OPEN
Flowers: Debbie and Allen Kolkman
Fellowship: Diane Finley
PRAYERS: Today we remember Barb and Gunti Galleisky in our prayers.In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for those looking for affordable housing. We ask the Lord to give landlord’s both wisdom and compassion when setting rent prices. We also ask Him to help those looking to own or rent, to find the dwellings that serve their needs.
READINGS: Ester 2; Psalm 54; Colossians 3:18-4:6
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Resisting the Urge to Retaliate”
2 Kings 6:21-23 – As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?” He answered, “You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” So he prepared for them a great feast, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.
Elisha not only denounced the king’s lust for blood, he also outlined a constructive plan. “Set bread and water before them,” he proposed, “that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” God’s prophet—against the popular opinion and leadership of the day—actually directed that the Syrian prisoners be fed and set free. He wanted mercy, not might, to prevail.
Nor is Elisha’s Old Testament voice the only one raised in Scripture, asking for compassion for one’s enemies. The apostle Paul echoes the prophet in Romans: “‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:20b-21).
From Genesis to Revelation the Bible is filled with similar appeals for pardon. But it is Jesus Himself who gives the lesson of love its strongest appeal in this holy commandment: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). And to underscore this mandate of mercy for our stony hearts, the Gospel repeats, “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28).
This is our directive from the mouth of God’s own Son. Do you have the forgiving love of Christ in your life? Are you ready to deny yourself, to forego your pride and ego, so that others might be blessed?
Might or mercy? Condemnation or compassion? The choice so often comes down to these two. May the Holy Spirit grant us all a firm grasp of the choice that Jesus made in the circumstances He faced. Will you now join me in this personal pledge? Jesus, You showed me compassion when Your holiness could have destroyed me in my sins. Blessed Savior, because I am Yours, mercy, not might, will mark my life from this day onward. O Christ, help me to be more like You.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, forgive us for the love we refuse to show others and draw us more closely to follow the example Jesus set before us—to love one another always. In His Name we pray. Amen.
From “Might or Mercy?” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier, the first Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever shown mercy to someone when might would have been a logical response?
2. What examples of Jesus loving His enemies inspires you to do that with difficult people in your life?
3. Why is it so easy to condemn others when we don’t like that type of attitude toward us?
Today’s Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 1-3 1 Corinthians 16
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
