SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SUNDAY MARCH 13, THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!
NEWS: HAVE YOU “SPRUNG AHEAD?” If not, you’re late for Bible study and church! Move your clocks ahead an hour.
Our Bible study is at 9:00 AM (Daylight Saving Time) this morning as Pastor Joel teaches about the miracles of Jesus and how they relate to us today. Our worship service is at 10 AM. After Pastor Joels children’s message, all kids can follow Ms. Margie into the Fellowship Hall for Bible Buddies. After we celebrate the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, we have our fellowship time outside with coffee and other goodies. THEN, for anyone who is hungry for lunch, please proceed up River Road to Jersey Mikes (by Starbucks and Dollar Tree).
We hope all of you can join us for worship and fellowship. It’s been great to see so many back with us the past few weeks. God’s Housen is a great place to spend one hour a week with our Lord and his people. For anyone who is unable to join us in person, we do stream our service live on our Facebook page. Look below under Other Resources, click on our Facebook link, click on the More dropdown and then click Live. Please “Like” us and leave a brief comment too, if you have a moment to do so.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Kyle Ross.
COLLECT FOR TODAY: O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Psalm 139; Psalm 102; Genesis 16:1-9; Genesis 16:15-17:22; Mark 6:1-13
DIGGING DEEPER: Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-8, 13-17; John 3:1-17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
DEVOTION:
“MOTHER HEN”
[Jesus said] “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34)
My husband’s grandma raised chickens in Vietnam. One day a hawk came. The mother fluffed up every feather she had and held her wings out. The baby chicks hid underneath, warm and safe. But up top, the mother was ready for battle!
This is the picture Jesus uses to describe what He does for us. He stretches out His wings, calling all God’s people to Him. When we are next to Him, we are safe and warm. Nothing can harm us.
But the devil gets a totally different picture. What he sees is angry and scary. To him, the message is “Go away. Do not hurt the ones I love. You will regret it forever.”
And that is what the cross says, isn’t it? To us who believe in Jesus and trust in Him for life and salvation, the cross is a picture of safety. It reminds us that Jesus laid down His very life to save us—yes, and took it up again, too.
But to the powers of evil? Oh, to them the cross is a terrible thing—the proof that they are defeated and well on the way to being destroyed forever. That will happen once and for all on the Last Day, when Jesus comes again.
THE PRAYER: Lord, I am looking forward to Your coming again. In the meantime, keep me safe with You! Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What do you know about hens and how they take care of chicks?
* Have you ever been angry and protective because something was endangering someone you love?
* Are there things in your life that may harm you and make God very protective of you—even to the point of anger?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Numbers 7-8 Mark 13:21-37
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select “Save Link As” or “Save Target As” or “Download Linked File As”
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:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
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 hours: 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 Lord’s Day and Sunday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
