SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2023

by | Nov 25, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2023

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

NEWS: Today is the last Sunday of the church year and we celebrate, “Christ The King Sunday.” Bible study will hap-pen at 9 AM with Pastor Joel teaching us about the book of Genesis. Our worship takes place at 10 and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “What If He’s On our Side?” It’s based on the Psalm of the day, where our Psalmody is from, Psalm 95 The Old Testament reading is Ezekiel 34:11-16,, 20-24 The Epistle lesson is Ephesians 1:15-23  Our Gospel comes from Matthew 25:31-46

After we have taken the Eucharist and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then fellowship continues at the Pit Stop Diner, on Mission Ave., near police headquarters.

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:  Allen Latall

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  OPEN

Ushers:   Darryl Finley, Bill Sperberg

Flowers:  David & Melissa Carlisle

Fellowship:  OPEN

PRAYERS: Today we remember Charlotte Simpson in our prayers.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: Lord Jesus Christ, so govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your glorious return, we may persevere in both faith and holiness of living; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Nehemiah 5:1-13; Psalm 119:153-160; Jude 1

 Alleluia. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Alleluia.

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Crown Him with Many Crowns”

November 26, 2023

 

“Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne; Hark how the heav’nly anthem drowns all music but its own. Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee, And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

“Crown Him the Lord of heav’n, enthroned in worlds above, Crown Him the King to whom is giv’n the wondrous name of Love. Crown Him with many crowns as thrones before Him fall; Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.”

Although there may be few such rulers in our world today, kings most often come into their kingship because of the death of the previous monarch. In other circumstances, as in ancient times, a king might take up his reign after conquering his enemies and taking their realms as his own.

Our Lord, the Lamb of God, came into His kingship through suffering and dying. Jesus was crowned, not with gold, but with thorns. He was lifted up, not on a throne, but on a cross. His kingship was mocked by the sign posted above His head, a warning to others who desired kingly power: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19b). Jesus the King died and was buried, not with great ceremony as might be done for a monarch, but in haste because of the nearness of the Sabbath day. On the third day after His death, Jesus the King rose in triumph over death, a victory no earthly king, however powerful, could claim. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered His enemies—our enemies—sin, death, and the devil. The risen and exalted Lord ascended to reign in glory at the right hand of God the Father. Saints and angels celebrated as the King took His throne: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15b).

The verses of our hymn celebrate the “many crowns” of the Lamb who was slain for us. He is crowned as the virgin’s Son who, even though He was God, humbled Himself, taking on our human flesh to be born among us. Jesus is crowned as the Lord of love, who bore our sins in His body on the cross. He receives a crown as the Lord of life because He conquered death to win eternal life for us. Finally, Jesus is crowned as the Lord of heaven, the One to whom all authority is given. So many crowns! Yet all of these crowns are hardly enough to reflect the power and glory of our King, who will one day present to each of His faithful subjects the crown of life.

WE PRAY: Jesus, I will praise You forever as my matchless King. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” which is number 525 in the Lutheran Service Book.

Reflection Questions:

1. Can you name any kings or queens from around the world?

2. Why was Jesus’ crown made of thorns and not gold or silver?

3. How can we “crown” Jesus in our daily lives with the glory He deserves?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Ezekiel 27-29; 1 Peter 3

 

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