SVLC DEVOTION SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 2024

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 2024

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

 NEWS: Tomorrow is the Second Sunday after Epiphany and we start the day in God’s house at 9 AM with a brand new Bible study. Entitled, “Praying God’s Will,” participants are encouraged to bring a copy of Luther’s Small Catechism. However, if they can’t find a copy they will still be able to participate. Everyone is encouraged to come!

In our 10 AM worship service the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “How Do You Know Me?” It’s based on Mark 1:4-11 The Old Testament lesson is 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 139 The Epistle reading comes from 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 The Gospel is John 1:43-51

After we have taken the Eucharist and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then fellowship will continue at In N’ Out Burger off of Mission near Frazee Rd.

Also serving our Lord and congregation tomorrow are:

Techies:  Ian Andrews, Victor Dille

Reader:  Allen Kolkman

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Rick Adams

Ushers:   Terry Reilly, OPEN

Flowers:  Joy

Fellowship:  Melissa and David Carlisle

 PRAYERS: Today we remember dee and Victor Dille in our prayers.

 READINGS: Ezekiel 36:13-28; Romans 4

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“One Grumpy Leper” January 13, 2024

 

2 Kings 5:11-14 – But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he [Elisha] would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the Name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. Naaman was the commander in chief of the Syrian king’s army, and he was seeking God. Yet Naaman, with all his riches, fame, and might, was a leper, the victim of a physical scourge which consumes the flesh. He was not defeated by this dread disease, however. He had heard of the one true God through an unnamed Hebrew slave girl, so he went to visit the king of Israel for help. In this venture Naaman was at first disappointed, as Israel’s prophet Elisha would not come out to meet Naaman. Instead, Elisha sent a messenger, telling him to wash in the Jordan River seven times. Naaman was incensed at Elisha’s refusal to meet him, as he had been taught to believe it necessary for some intermediary or priest to introduce him to the Lord and intercede especially for him. The Syrian warrior had not discovered—as many to this day have not—how simple and straightforward faith in God is. We can personally approach God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Naaman was disappointed because Elisha didn’t perform any mysterious ceremonies to cure him of his leprosy. Wash in the Jordan? “Why Syria has rivers far superior to this!” he exclaimed. Eventually, Naaman’s own servants spoke the needed words of wisdom. “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it?” And Naaman did do it, dipping himself in the Jordan seven times, “and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” This simple action—not some elaborate ritual or feat of determination—healed the once-stricken Syrian. When Naaman changed from doubt to devotion, when trust took the place of his hot passions—and this happens when we are born again in Jesus Christ—see how gloriously the Lord showed His power! And to us God says likewise to be washed, not seven times in the Jordan, but once in Holy Baptism, confessing our sins to Him and turning to the Savior who died and rose again for our free and full salvation. WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, make us clean by the life-giving water of Your Word—Your Son—our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In His Name we pray. Amen. From “The Simple, Saving Faith,” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier, the first Speaker of The Lutheran Hour Reflection Questions: 1. Do you find it easy or hard to go to God when you have a serious problem? 2. To become a leper in the ancient world was to be become an outcast. What does it say about Naaman that he was the commander in chief of the Syrian king’s army? 3. How can we share the life-giving Good News of Jesus with those who are suffering physically or emotionally?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Job 8-10; Matthew 9:1-17

 

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/

 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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org