SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SATURDAY, JULY 30
NEWS: It’s already the last weekend of July and tomorrow we return to God’s house. Our Bible study starts at 9 AM as Pastor Joel continues to lead us in the study of the Lord’s prayer. This includes Martin Luther’s insights from the Large and Small Catechisms. Worship starts at 10 on this Eighth Sunday after Pentecost. The title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Foolishness or Satisfaction,” and the text is based on Luke 12:13-21 which is our gospel lesson for the day. The other reading s are Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14 along with Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 and Colossians 3:1-11 After we’ve received the Lord’s supper and sung our closing hymn, please join us outside for fellowship with coffee and goodies. There is no set plan this week for going out to lunch, but nothing says a spontaneous plan can’t be suggested or come together!
Those signed up to serve tomorrow are:
Fellowship: K Berni
Flowers: OPEN
Techies: Ian Andrews, OPEN
Reader: Kathy Andrews
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: OPEN
Ushers: Victor Dille, Bill Sperberg
Note that we have a couple of openings. If anyone can help out with them it would be much appreciated.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Ian Andrews.
READINGS: Psalm 50:1-6; Psalm 130; 1 Samuel 15:10-35; Acts 24:24-25:12
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“What We Have to Give”
Romans 12:3-8 – For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Do you know what it’s like to become a member of God’s family by faith in Jesus Christ? It’s like being at home with Christ Himself. It’s being more at home with Him than with anyone or with anything else in the whole world. This is why the Word of God often describes people who believe in Jesus as their Savior and follow Him as being “in Christ.” You are still you, of course, with your own personality, gifts, and abilities, but in Christ Jesus you truly become yourself, redeemed as a son or daughter of God, by faith in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
Use your gifts the apostle Paul said. They were given to you to be used. Gifts are given to be cultivated; talents are given to be invested for growth and progress. All the gifts we are given by God are meant to be used, to glorify Him and to edify those around us. Maybe you have the gift of proclaiming the Good News of Christ. By all means use it. Use it right where you are, without pride, to the limit of the faith God has given you.
One gift many people have today is to be able to contribute, to give of themselves and their finances. Material resources go a long way toward blessing the kingdom of God on earth. They too were given to us to use in God’s service. And for those who are so blessed, they are called to give, and give freely, as Paul also told us (see 2 Corinthians 9).
Our world needs the spirit of true charity, characteristic of the body of Christ. Without this, as Paul said, everything else becomes a “noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1b). Blessing others with our lives, and doing so cheerfully, that’s the way to use the gift that is in you when you are “in Christ.” Faithful child of God, use your gifts with all your heart as Christ gave Himself for you with all His heart.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, led by Your Holy Spirit, may I give cheerfully to others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
From “No Exaggerated Ideas About Yourself,” a sermon from Rev. Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. You can begin using a gift at any time in your life. What’s some gift you can begin using now?
2. Are there any common denominators in the list of gifts Paul gives us in the passage above?
3. What gift(s) has God given you to serve and bless others? One way to consider this is to take our EveryGift Inventory. You can find it here: www.lhm.org/everygift.
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 113-115 1 Thessalonians 3
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/
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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
