SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6
NEWS: This evening is our last Lenten potluck and midweek Lenten service. The meal starts at 6:15 PM in our Fellowship Hall with our service at 7 in the sanctuary. Pastor Joel will base his message, once again, on Psalms on The Way to The Cross. Please join us!
Tomorrow evening we have our Board of Directors meeting at 7 PM via Zoom. Contact Bruce Woodward if you have not received the link.
Friday evening is Wine on The Pation at the Kolkman’s house from 6:30 to 8 PM. You can bring something to drink, an appetizer or desert to share with everyone.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Allen and Margie Latall. I, Allen, thank everyone for their recent prayers. I am on a fairly strong med for a fungal infection in my lungs and it may take some time before this clears up. We also ask the Lord’s help for his peace to be upon and come upon all people’s, all nations and the world in which we live. Additionally, we pray for Margaret Paton’s friends Kevin and Ha, on the way to Vietnam to see a dying family member.
READINGS: Psalm 18:6-7, 16-20; Psalm 23; Psalm 6; Exodus 4:1-18; Mark 15:1-15
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“COWARDICE”
Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this Man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining Him before you, behold, I did not find this Man guilty of any of your charges against Him. … Nothing deserving death has been done by Him. I will therefore punish and release Him.” (Luke 23:13-14, 15b, 16)
“I will therefore punish and release Him”—what is that about? Pilate publicly admits Jesus is innocent. But he’s not going to just let Him go. He’s going to scourge Him, which is a level of pain that some people don’t live through. How is this justice?
It isn’t, of course. But Pilate’s relationship with the people has always been stormy. If he lets Jesus go, he may have a riot on his hands, and have to call out the army. If things get bad enough, the Roman emperor will recall him—and that could mean his own death.
Pilate decides to sacrifice Jesus. Better that than sacrificing himself, he thinks.
This is horrifying. And yet—who among us can say that we have never done wrong because we were afraid? It’s so easy, isn’t it—to keep silent when we should speak, to sit still and let someone else suffer, because we know what will happen to us if we get involved.
Cowardice is a sin—and yet, there is hope for us, in Jesus. He knows exactly what is in our hearts, and loves us just the same. His own courageous love drove Him to lay down His life for us, going as far as death on a cross. And now that He has risen from the dead, He calls us to Himself. Those who trust in Him receive the Holy Spirit, who is our courage and hope and joy—Jesus living through us.
THE PRAYER: Lord, be my courage when I am afraid. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* When is the last time you heard someone praise courage as a virtue?
* Tell about a time in your own life when you were afraid to do what you knew was right.
* How did Jesus help you at that time?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Joshua 1-3 Luke 9:1-17
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 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:
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 Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
