SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2024
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: We celebrate the Third Sunday after Epiphany tomorrow and our day in the Lord’s dwelling begins with a new Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel is leading and it’s titled, “Praying God’s Will.” At 10 our weekly worship service takes place. The title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “The Kingdom of God is at Hand – Repent and Believe in the Gospel.” It’s based on Mark 1:14-20 (emphasis on verse 15.) That’s our Gospel reading for the day. The Old Testament lesson is Jonah 3:1-5, 10 The Psalmody is taken from Psalm 62 Our Epistle comes from 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
After we have celebrated the Eucharist and our service is complete, please proceed to the Community building for a POTLUCK MEAL! All are welcome to bring a main dish, side dish, appetizer, desert or drinks to share.
Also serving our Lord and congregation tomorrow are:
Techies: Ian Andrews, Victor Dille
Reader: Margaret Paton
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Rick Adams
Ushers: Terry Reilly, OPEN
Flowers: David & Melissa Carlisle
Fellowship: POTLUCK MEAL IN THE COMMUNITY BUILDING
PRAYERS: Today we remember Christian Galleisky in our prayers.
READINGS: Ezekiel 47:1-14, 21-23; Romans 9:19-33
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
| “Words to Live By”
January 20, 2024 |
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| Matthew 24:35 – (Jesus said) “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away.”
The history of the Bible through the years is as impressive and as fascinating as is its origin. The development adds to the significance of the fact that it is the book of all time. There were anxious moments, even before the Bible had been completed. Before the reign of Josiah, king of Judah, the children of Israel had turned to idols and had practically forgotten about the true God. So great was their indifference that the Book of the Law was misplaced somewhere. Think of it, the book of all time collecting dust in an old storage room! Hilkiah, the high priest, found it while cleaning out the temple. And good men rejoiced in its discovery.
In New Testament times the history of the Bible parallels the history of the Christian church. Will Durant, in his work, titled Caesar in Christ, wrote this: “There is no greater drama in human record than the sight of the few Christians, scorned or oppressed by a succession of emperors, bearing all trials with a fierce tenacity, multiplying quietly, building order while their enemies generated chaos, fighting the sword with the word, brutality with hope, and at last defeating the strongest state that history has known. Caesar and Christ had met in the arena, and Christ had won.”
Today’s powerful forces are determined to destroy the Bible and its gracious influence. Voices are heard predicting that the Bible has outlived its usefulness and will pass out of existence. Don’t you believe it! Those who predicted the Bible will lose its hold on the hearts of men and will soon be forgotten can be sure of one thing: history will make a fool of them, as it has made fools of countless others. Shortly before his own death, Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Soviet Union, said, “I expect to live long enough to attend the funeral of all religion.” No man will ever attend the funeral of the Bible. As Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away.”
The Founding Fathers of the United States were mostly men who read the Bible, believed in it, and lived by it, to some degree. Can it be that today we who live in the U.S. are confronted with so many critical problems and so much moral laxity because we and our leaders have largely forgotten the book?
I believe the problems men face today would be greatly alleviated if the truths of the Bible were applied to them. This is also true of the individual. The Bible offers us a comforting hand in our bereavement, a steadying hand in our fear and anxiety, and a forgiving hand in our sinfulness. It gives us purpose and direction. It tells us we are fashioned by God Himself and that He loves us and is interested in our lives.
And it tells us that we would be forever lost were it not for our Savior, God’s own Son, who gave Himself up to the cross for our sins. Now, for Jesus’ sake, we are saved by God’s grace. The Bible, in all its glorious revelation, was written for you and me to make us wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus alone.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, You have spoken to us through Your Word, the blessed Scriptures we can read in so many languages. Teach us to plumb their depths—and live! Amen.
From “The Book of All Time,” a sermon excerpt by Rev. Dr. Armin Oldsen, former Speaker for The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you have a regular plan for reading the Bible? How do you do it?
2. Heaven and earth will pass away before Jesus’ words do. What is something He’s said that you are glad will last through all eternity?
3. When is the last time you remember applying God’s Word to your life? What were the circumstances? |
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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
