SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20
NEWS: The weekend is upon us and we’ll return to God’s house tomorrow! At 9 AM, our Sunday Bible study, led by Pastor Joel, is based on the Lord’s prayer. Among the study materials used are parts of Martin Luther’s Large and Small Catechism. Our worship service takes place at 10 AM and the title of Pastor Joels sermon is, “Exclusive Yet Inclusive.” It’s based on our Gospel reading for the day, which is Luke 13:22-30 Our other readings are Isaiah 66:18-23 and Hebrews 12:4-24 After we’ve taken the Lord’s supper and our service is complete, everyone is invited to join us for our monthly POTLUCK in our Fellowship Hall. If you didn’t sign up to bring anything, no problem! Just come and enjoy the together time with our fellow brothers/sisters in Christ. For those who did sign up, thank you. Also, anyone is free to bring a main dish, side dish, appetizer or desert dish to share.
Also serving our Lord and congregation tomorrow are”
Fellowship: Potluck
Flowers: Chad & Marika Doan in celebration of their girl’s birthdays
Techies: Ian Andrews
Reader: Margaret Paton
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Margaret Paton
Ushers: Rick Adams, Bill Sperberg
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Margaret Paton. Margaret asks prayers for the families of two friends, who passed away last week. Also, for her sister and husband as they await word on a home purchase nearby. We also lift up to the Lord Pam, the sister of Linda Johnson, who was rushed into emergency surgery after a car wreck.
READINGS: Psalm 51; 2 Samuel 12:1-25; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“So That No One May Boast”
John 3:5-7 – Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.'”
“How,” I hope you are asking, “can I be blessed by the new birth and become a new creature?” In reply, Christ tells us how our hearts can be changed. We “must be born again,” He says, by faith. We must come to Him, God’s Son and the world’s Redeemer, admitting that because of our sins we are hopeless, helpless, and lost. But grasping His grace, clinging to the cross, trusting the Gospel truth that at Calvary He was crucified for us, as there He suffered the pain, penalty, guilt, curse, and terror of our transgressions, we not only receive pardon for our iniquity, but by the Holy Spirit’s miracle of regeneration we are also born again into a new life.
Hear and believe this divine truth. We have the promise, “that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” For your own peace, come to Christ, be born again in Him! I put this decisive question before each of you today: “Are you born again?” Before you answer, keep clearly in mind that nothing less than complete rebirth will permit you to enter the Kingdom!
It is not enough to be sorry for your sins; it is not enough to go to church, sing in the choir, or be on the board; it is not enough to pray, to give generously, or to work tirelessly. Beneficial as these things are, Christ emphatically reminds us, “You must be born again.” It is God who does it all—He alone can save. As the apostle Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Jesus has done it for us all at Calvary. There’s nothing we can add to it, no matter how hard we try. And how could it be otherwise? What do we have to present to God to prove our worthiness before Him? Sadly, not a single thing. But knowing that, we trust in God’s grace, His abundant mercy, and thank Him for doing what we could never do on our own.
A new life in Christ is ours—one where forgiveness and peace reign in place of our sin, turmoil, and uncertainty. Praise be to God who does this all for us. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much to save us from our sins. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
From “Be Born Again in Christ!” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier, the first Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. How does being “born again” mean more than “turning over a new leaf,” or just trying harder?
2. How can you know you are born again? (See Romans 10:8-13; John 3:16-17.)
3. Why do our efforts and good deeds fall short when it comes to our salvation?
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 87-88 1 Corinthians 12
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
