SVLC DEVOTION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

 NEWS: Please refer to the Shepherd of The Valley Church Newsletter that was sent through email by Allen Kolkman yesterday.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Christian Galleisky in our prayers.

 READINGS: Psalm 146:1-7; Isaiah 30:27-31:9; Revelation 3:1-22

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“COMMUNITIES” December 15, 2023

 

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” (Luke 1:57-63a) It’s good to have people who care for you, and who will rejoice with you when good things happen. It’s not so good when those same people get into your personal business, questioning your decisions, and trying to go over your head to get you to change them—as Elizabeth found, when her neighbors weren’t happy with John’s name! Still, God did say in the beginning, “It is not good that the man should be alone,” at which point He made another human being. Which led to more human beings in the long run. We were made to live together. Maybe that’s why Jesus came to us, born into a family, raised in a village. Maybe that’s why He spent three years training His disciples, so that after Jesus died and rose to rescue us from the powers of evil, they could become the baby Christian church—the body of Christ—a community of love. Jesus’ love—showing itself through the sacrificial care of our fellow believers. WE PRAY: Lord, thank You that You have given me the rest of Your people, so I don’t have to be alone. Amen. Reflection Questions: * What are some benefits of living in a community? * What are some problems you’ve noticed? * What is the most Christ-like community you have lived in, and why? Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 79-80; Revelation 7

 Pastor Joel is Here for You.  If you have a pastoral need or a prayer request for Pastor Joel, please call or text him at 775-336-9680 or email him at luckemeyerj@gmail.com

 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 Friday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us