SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30,, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: It’s the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost tomorrow and “Pastor Al,” Allen Kolkman will be leading our Bible study and worship service. The title of his sermon is, “The DONE Religion.” It’s based on one of the great Bible verses, John 3:16 The Old Testament lesson is Isaiah 52:2-11 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 22 The Epistle comes from Ephesians 2:1-10 Our Gospel reading is Matthew 20:1-16
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper, as we do every Sunday. After that is complete and our service ends, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then our fellowship will continue at Carl’s Jr., on Douglas near River Rd. We look forward to all joining in!
Those serving our Lord and congregation tomorrow are:
Techies: Ian Andrews, Victor Dille
Reader: Darryl Finley
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Kathy Andrews
Ushers: Bill Sperberg, OPEN
Flowers: The Carlisles
Fellowship: The Neemia family
PRAYERS: Today we remember Darryl Finley in our prayers.
READINGS: Ezekiel 27; Psalm 88; Hebrews 2:10-18
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“The Search Is On!”
Luke 19:10 – [Jesus said] “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Have you ever been lost? I have. Well, I wasn’t really lost, but I was misplaced for a while. When I was 12 years old, my parents took us to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where the Black River meets Lake Superior. Once you park, to get to the beach, you cross a rickety bridge over the Black River. After crossing the bridge, the path forks. One way leads to the beach; the other ascends along a cliff to Rainbow Falls.
That day my folks were slow getting out of the car as they were tending to my baby brother Andrew. So, anxious to get moving, I led my brothers, Eric and Matthew, over the bridge to the beach. Once over the bridge—since my parents were tending to Andrew—I took my younger brothers to the falls first. I figured we’d go there, scout out the falls real quick, and be back to the beach in no time.
So off we went. While we were gone, my dad was feverishly looking for us. My mom was calling out our names. As a parent now, I can’t imagine what they were going through. But I do know they would have searched until we were found, no matter what. To this day, I can still see my mom’s tears and the stern relief on my dad’s face when they found us—and his sterner words telling me to never run off like that again. Why—because they loved us and wanted what was best for us.
It’s hard to imagine, but there are children all around the world whose parents couldn’t care less about them. Amidst that pain, God’s people can be those who demonstrate that’s there’s another way to live, another way to love, to care for those no one else cares about. His love is the kind of love that seeks us out, that finds what was lost, that adopts what was orphaned, that won’t stop until we are safe in His loving arms.
I felt that kind of love one day when, as a sinner, I understood God’s love. I’m thankful for the love my parents showed me, but I’m even more thankful they made sure I knew the kind of love God has for us in our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s the kind of love that is there when life is against you and there is no one you can count on. It’s the kind of love that knows when you’re completely lost.
Jesus clearly tells us that He does not wait for us to come to Him. He came to earth to seek us, to save us when we’ve lost our way. Why?
Because that’s the way of God’s love.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending us Jesus, the One who has come to seek and save the lost. In His Name we pray. Amen.
From “A Friend Searches Until You’re Found,” a devotional message from Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. You may remember that horrifying feeling of being lost as a child. Do you recall where you were and how it happened?
2. If Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, is there anyone He’s not looking for?
3. When is the last time you gave directions to someone? Where were they going?
Today’s Bible Readings: Isaiah 47-49 Romans 9:1-15
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
