SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: This afternoon the Memorial Service for Eric Woodward takes place at 2 PM in our church with Pastor Joel officiating. Afterwards we will have a gathering in our Community building with finger foods and refreshments to remember Eric.
Tomorrow, we return to God’s dwelling on the 16th Sunday after Pentecost. Pastor Joel will lead our Bible study at 9 AM as we continue to study the book of Genesis. In our 10 AM worship service the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Forgiveness From the Heart” and is based on our Gospel lesson, Matthew 18:21-35 The Old Testament reading comes from Genesis 50:15-21 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 32 The Epistle comes from Romans 14:1-12
After we have celebrated the Eucharist and our service is complete,, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then fellowship continues at El Pollo Loco in the Mission Marketplace on College Ave., near Target. Please plan to join us!
Also serving our Lord and congregation tomorrow are:
Techies: Ian Andrews, Victor Dille
Reader: Allen Kolkman
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Rick Adams
Ushers: Keith Neblett & OPEN
Flowers: Margaret Paton
Fellowship: Diane Finley
PRAYERS: Today we remember Glen and Deb Strasman in our prayers. Deb requests prayers for her father who has advanced dementia and is living with them.
In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray that the Lord would continue to provide for the needs of Pastor Joel and his family as they serve our congregation and that the congregation would continue to serve their needs.
READINGS: Ezekiel 13; Psalm 75; 2 Timothy 1
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Following in Their Footsteps”
Matthew 14:12 – And his (John the Baptist’s) disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.
Our text deals with the death of John the Baptist. Our Lord Himself said that no human being was greater than John, and must we not trace much of that preeminence to the fact that John had a godly father, and a praying mother? John, whom God called His messenger to go before the Savior, was a model minister, and perhaps no minister of God had the courage to denounce sin more unsparingly.
John, executed for his faithfulness to his Lord, was the first preacher to pay for his faith with his life, but not the last. Can you imagine the agony which gripped John’s disciples when they heard of this horror? John had many ardent followers and enthusiastic supporters, but now they were left alone, their hopes shattered. How would they get along without their leader? Thank God, they also knew the One for whom John came, their unfailing Source of strength! As our text records, “they went and told Jesus.”
These forlorn disciples who went to Jesus also remind our age—so full of skepticism and doubt—Who is the worlds’ one unfailing Source and supply of true comfort: our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Here is Christ, God’s Son, the Sovereign and Savior of your soul. He loves you, no matter how others hate you. He gave Himself for you so that you could be His in eternity. He took your sins upon Himself, permitted His holy body to be nailed to the cross, and lovingly paid the price for your transgressions.
As Jesus was for John’s disciples, so He is for you and me. He is present for us all. Go to Him, tell Him of the anguish that weighs down your soul to the point of despair and know that, graciously, He will hear you and help you. This is the urgent plea for faith and trust In God that Lutheran Hour Ministries sends throughout the world. We bring the Good News of salvation in Christ and urge light-seekers to walk in the footsteps of John’s disciples, to bring it all to Jesus.
Do you want the strength and spiritual power that come through faith in Christ? Then come to Him now. Accept Him as your Savior. Tell Him your troubles. Pray fervently, trusting Him in His Word, and as you bow before Him, the Son of God, the risen Savior of your soul, remember that He promises each and every one of us, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out” (John 6:37).
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, when we hurt and are uncertain, may we come to You for love and understanding. Amen.
From “Tell It to Jesus!” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier, the first Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Where did John get such courage to denounce sin and proclaim the coming Messiah?
2. It would be fascinating to know what Jesus said to John’s disciples when they came to Him with the news of John’s murder. How might Jesus have reacted?
3. Why is it important for us to bring our sorrows and troubles to Jesus?
Today’s Bible Readings: Isaiah 14-16 Ephesians 3
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
