SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2023

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

Alleluia. Hear, O Israel: The Lord,m our God, the Lord is one. Alleluia.

NEWS: Today we celebrate All Saints Day in God’s house. To learn more about the meaning, please read the insightful and informative article Allen K. put in the most recent Church Newsletter that was sent on Thursday.

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 the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Children of Assurance, Children of Righteousness, Children of God.” The basis is our Epistle reading, 1 John 3:1-3 The first reading comes from Revelation 9:9-17 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 149 The Gospel lesson is Matthew 5:1-12

After we have taken the Eucharist and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then comes to El Polo Loco, near Target on College Ave., for continued fellowship time.\

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

Techies: Bruce Woodward, OPEN

Reader: Keith Neblett

Acolyte: Josephine Neemia

Greeter: Carole Woodward

Ushers: Rick Adams, Keith Neblett

Flowers: Bruce & Carole Woodward

Fellowship: Rick & Gail Adams

PRAYERS: Today we remember Theodora Elias in our prayers.

COLLECT OF THE DAY: Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, cleanse us by the power of Your redeeming blood that in purity and peace we may worship and adore Your holy name; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

READINGS: Ezra 10:1-17; Psalm 117; 1 Peter 2:13-25

GRADUAL: These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Behold a Host, Arrayed in White”

November 5, 2023

“Despised and scorned, they sojourned here; but now, how glorious they appear! Those martyrs stand, a priestly band, God’s throne forever near. On earth they wept through bitter years; now God has wiped away their tears, Transformed their strife to heav’nly life, and freed them from their fears. They now enjoy the Sabbath rest, the heav’nly banquet of the blest; The Lamb, their Lord, at festive board Himself is host and guest.”

The point of view of the unbelieving world is decidedly different than the understanding that we, as Christians, have. Unbelievers may see events as mere chance or “fate.” During a flood or storm, people may speak of the disaster as “an act of God” or an act of “mother nature,” but there is no true faith behind such statements. By faith, we know that our God commands the seas, setting a boundary for the restless waters: “Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed” (Job 38:11b). In winter storms, God “scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down His crystals of ice like crumbs … He sends out His Word, and melts them” (Psalm 147:16b-17a, 18a). By faith we see in storms the majesty of the Creator and His creation.

Our hymn verse shows another way in which our understanding of Christian faith and life differs than that of the world. Faithful believers were “despised and scorned” on earth, but by faith we know “how glorious they appear” as they live forever in the presence of God. Many were martyred for their faith in Jesus. They “wept through bitter years” and endured earthly strife, but we look beyond those trials. Now in glory, all of their fears are erased and God has wiped away their tears.

The fact that we can see life more clearly than the unbelieving world does not make our trials go away. We must still endure them. The church is “despised and scorned” on earth in the same way that Jesus was scorned by so many people: “He was despised and rejected by men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; as One from whom men hide their faces” (Isaiah 53:3a). Yet we know and believe that the despised Man of sorrows is the Lamb of God who “was pierced for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5a). Our sins forgiven; we are healed by His wounds. The Man of sorrows is the risen and exalted Lord who now reigns in glory. He is host and guest at the “marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9b). One day, when we finally live in Christ’s presence, the bitter years of earthly strife will be transformed “to heav’nly life.” With all the saints, we will enjoy our eternal Sabbath rest at “the heav’nly banquet of the blessed.”

WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, strengthen Your church during times of trial until we enjoy the heavenly banquet of the blessed. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn “Behold a Host, Arrayed in White,” which is number 676 in the Lutheran Service Book.

Reflection Questions:

1. How can God work through persecution to bless both the persecuted and those who persecute?

2. What does Scripture say is the outcome of those who are martyred for their faith in Jesus?

3. How can we endure the world’s scorn for our faith and still be loving witnesses for the Gospel?

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Jeremiah 39, 52, 40; Hebrews 10:19-39

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.

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