SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and HOLY WEEK DEVOTIONS
TUESDAY, APRIL 12
NEWS: This Thursday we have our Maundy Thursday service at 7 PM. We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper, followed by the stripping of the altar. We leave the church in silence. Our Good Friday service is also at 7 PM and traditionally we should enter and leave God’s house in silence. There are NO Potlucks before either service.
This Saturday there is NO Men’s Bible study/breakfast as said yesterday. We WILL have an expanded Saturday Work Party, from 9 AM to Noon. Anybody can assist for any amount of time that they are able.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Terry and Alba Reilly. Alba requests prayers for her mother, dealing with kidney issues. Prayer requests from Margaret Paton as well: for her nephew Johnny, dealing with an infection after a recent amputation; for her friend Darlene, healing from a broken femur; for her friend Bill (who has attended some services with us) needing a hopefully minor back surgery.
COLLECT FOR THE DAY: Almighty and everlasting God, grant us by your grace so to pass through this holy time of our Lord’s passion that we may obtain the forgiveness of our sins; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 71:1-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Mark 14:1-15:47
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“KING OF THE JEWS”
And they cast lots to divide His garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ of God, His Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up and offering Him sour wine and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” There was also an inscription over Him, “This is the King of the Jews.” (Luke 23:34b-38)
Look at Him hanging there—naked, beaten, covered in blood. Look at the nails in His hands and feet. His crown is made of thorns, and His throne is a cross. The men of His court are dying criminals. What kind of a king is this?
Most people would say, “Not a very effective one.” As the rulers put it, “He saved others; why can’t He save Himself?” Where’s the power and glory now, Jesus? Why can’t You get down off that cross?
They didn’t know that Jesus’ weakness was His power, at that moment. His suffering was no accident; it was God’s design to save us all. Even as they mocked Him, Jesus was working; He was working as hard as He had ever worked in His life, to break the power of sin, death, and the devil, and set us all free.
That is what a king is for—to save His people. The prophet Zephaniah tells us what Jesus is doing: “The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; He has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil” (Zephaniah 3:15).
This is the King of the Jews, the Lord, in our midst—our crucified and risen Savior, Jesus.
THE PRAYER: There is no one like You, Lord. Thank You, Father, for giving us Jesus as our King. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What makes a good king?
* How does Jesus go beyond being simply a good king?
* Why do you think the Lord chose this sort of death for Himself, and not something else?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Joshua 19-21 Luke 11:29-54
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 Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
