SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, APRIL 7
NEWS: This evening the Board of Directors have their monthly meeting online at 7:00n PM. Bruce Woodward sent out the Zoom link via email. Please contact Bruce if you did not receive it.
The monthly Work Party, which we usually hold on the second Saturday of the month, will NOT take place this week. Right now, it is tentatively reschedules for Holy Saturday, April 16, from 10 AM to Noon. Stay tuned as more information becomes available.
Tomorrow, Friday evening, is the monthly Wine on The Patio at the Kolkman’s house, 710 Fredericks, in Oceanside. It runs from 6:30 to 8 PM and it’s a good time just to get together for food and goodies of the hors d’oeuvre variety. Everyone is invited so please just bring something to share: a bottle of wine, other all-ages or adult beverage, an appetizer or dessert type dish… and enjoy the good company!
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Tom and Gloria Morofski. They request prayers as their beloved kitty pet is struggling with health issues.
READINGS: Psalm 69; Psalm 32; Exodus 4:19-31; Mark 15:16-32
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“SON OF THE FATHER”
But they all cried out together, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”—a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. They kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify Him!” A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has He done? I have found in Him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release Him.” But they were urgent, … and their voices prevailed. So Pilate … released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. (Luke 23:18-19, 21-23, 24a, 25)
I wonder what Barabbas thought when the jailer came to open his cell. Did he think he was going to the cross? Did he struggle? How long was it before he truly believed he was going free?
I wonder what he thought of Jesus. Did they tell him who the alternate was—the Man who would now die in his place? Did he think of Him now and again? Did he creep to the back of the crowd at Calvary to see the Man who hung there for his sake?
Barabbas’ name means “son of the father.” We may never know what this particular son of a father did, as he went free to a life that was not, after all, lost to him. But as other sons and daughters of the Father, we can answer these questions for ourselves. For Jesus took our place as surely as He took Barabbas’s—and we, too, have our lives restored beyond all hope.
What will you do, with the life He has given you?
THE PRAYER: Dearest Lord Jesus, true Son of the Father—I love You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Have you ever been given a second chance? When?
* What difference did it make to your life going forward?
* How could you show Jesus’ mercy to someone else who needs it, even today?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Joshua 4-6 Luke 9:18-36
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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
