SVLC DEVOTION REFORMATION SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

REFORMATION SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2023

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

NEWS: Today we celebrate Reformation Sunday. The traditional liturgical color for Reformation is red.. Our day in God’s house opens with Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel will continue leading us in studying the book of Genesis. Our worship service is at 10 AM and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” It’s based on our Psalm of the day (where our Psalmody will be taken from), Psalm 46 Our first reading is Revelation 14:6-7 The Epistle comes from the book of Romans:3:19-25 The Gospel lesson is taken from John 8:31-36

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:  Victor Dille, OPEN

Reader:  Charlotte Neblett

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  OPEN

Ushers:   Rick Adams, Bruce Woodward

Flowers:  Deanna Dille

Fellowship:  Deanna Dille

 NOTE: We have an opening for a Greeter and a Techie. If you can assist, please pitch in.

WE HAVE TWO LIBRARIES AT CHURCH! One of them is in the back of our sanctuary. That has many books,m DVD’s and (I believe) CD’s that are available to check out and return on the honor system. We also have our “Little Library” just inside the driveway to our parking lot. Please feel free to take a book or leave a book. The main focus is childrens or Christian material, but other, appropriate for a church setting, is acceptable.

PRAYERS: Today we remember Ian Andrews in our prayers.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against allenemies and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Ezra 7:1-10; Psalm 112; James 4

 Alleluia. Fear not little flock, for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Alleluia.

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” October 29, 2023

 

“Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us, We tremble not, we fear no ill; they shall not overpow’r us. This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will, he can harm us none, He’s judged; the deed is done; one little word can fell him.” Sometimes a little name-calling is in order, but not toward other people. This necessary name-calling is directed toward our enemy, “this world’s prince,” as Martin Luther, the author of this hymn, calls him. Scripture gives our foe many other names, from the serpent of Eden in Genesis to the ancient serpent and dragon of Revelation. We are helpless against the evil foe. “With might of ours” nothing could be done, but our champion fought for us, Jesus Christ, the Lord of Sabaoth, that is, the Lord of the armies of heaven. On the battlefield formed by a cross and a tomb, Jesus was struck down, suffering the penalty of death for our sins. Perhaps the devil thought he had won at that point, but any hope of victory for the evil foe was crushed when Jesus rose from the dead. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus defeated Satan and removed the weapons of sin and death from the foe’s grasp. The word “devil” means accuser or slanderer and, when Jesus rose in triumph, heaven rejoiced at the slanderer’s defeat: “The accuser of our brothers has been thrown down” (Revelation 12:10b). Our sins are washed away in Jesus’ blood. The devil’s slanderous accusations against us fall flat. The fallen foe has come down to earth “in great wrath, because he knows his time is short!” (Revelation 12:12b). We face a conquered, although still dangerous, enemy. Jesus once called the devil “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44b), and with that description our conquering Lord puts a weapon into our hands. In this hymn, Luther says of the devil, “He’s judged; the deed is done; one little word can fell him.” Luther explained that “little word” in two ways. A little word that defeats Satan’s schemes is, of course, the Name of Jesus. But there is another little word that defeats the deadly foe (and involves a bit of name-calling). That one little word is “Liar!” or as Luther explained, “Devil, you lie!” Satan tries to lead us into sin or despair with tempting suggestions: “Everyone else is doing it.” “No one will know.” “God really never said anything about that.” “God will never forgive you.” All lies! When the evil foe tries to trap us, we stand firm through faith in Jesus and tell the enemy exactly what we think of him. One little word can bring him down: “Liar!” We know the Truth, and His Name is Jesus! WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, help me to stand firm against temptation. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” which is number 656 in the Lutheran Service Book. Reflection Questions: 1. Calling people names is an easy trap to fall in to. How do you stay on guard against doing that? 2. The devil, on the other hand, is a filthy liar, and we do well to remember that. How will he lie to us in regard to Jesus? 3. How does remembering that Jesus is the truth keep us strong against temptation?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Jeremiah 23-24; Hebrews 4

 

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