SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023

by | Dec 9, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 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 Second Sunday in Advent as we return to God’s house. Bible study, led by Pastor Joel, begins at 9 AM. At 10 our worship service takes place and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Repent, Receive, Be Reminded, Be Restored and Repent.” The text is based on Psalm 85 where our Psalmody is taken from and our Gospel of the day, Mark 1:1-8 The Old Testament reading comes from Isaiah 40:1-11 The Epistle is 2 Peter 3:8-14

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:  Ian Andrews, Bruce Woodward

Reader:  Allen Latall

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Kathy Andrews

Ushers:   Rick Adams, Keith Neblett

Flowers:  Charlene Simpson

Fellowship:  Daria Roth

PRAYERS: Today we remember Theodora Elias in our prayers.

COLLECT OF THE DAY: Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Nehemiah 12:44-13:31; Psalm 130; Revelation 7:1-8

 Alleluia. Prepare the way of the Lord, make hism pathsn straight; all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia.

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“REMEMBERING”

December 10, 2023

 

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:30-33)

I wonder how much of these promises Mary even noticed at the moment the angel was speaking to her. After all, her mind must have been taken up with the first incredible promise: “You will conceive and bear a Son.” All the details about His greatness and kingdom could wait!

And yet, she did hear them—for she remembered them and passed them on to Luke the Gospel writer years later. This Jesus would be the royal Son of David, the true King of Israel. He would be the Son of God. And He would reign forever.

I can only suppose the Holy Spirit helped her to remember all this, even in a moment of shock. After all, Jesus promised the same divine help to His disciples in John 13:26. The Spirit would bring to their remembrance everything Jesus had told them—even through the shock of His death on the cross for our salvation, even through the joy of His resurrection. And ultimately they would pass those words of life on to us, so that we, too, might believe (see John 20:31).

Mothers treasure the promises of their children’s greatness. And we treasure these words too, because they tell us about our beloved Savior Jesus—who loved us enough to give Himself for us.

WE PRAY: Dear Savior, thank You for saving us. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* When has shock made it hard for you to pay attention?

* How did you remember things later? Did someone remind you?

* What specific words do you treasure about someone you love?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Zechariah 9-10; Revelation 1

 

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