SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SUNDAY, AUGUST 21
Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!
NEWS: Today is the Lord’s day and we make our return to God’s house. 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.
We pray all can join us for part of their Sunday but for those unable to worship in person, we stream our service live. The link is here: www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside Click on that, then click on the More dropdown arrow, then click Live. If you have a moment, please “Like” us and leave a brief comment about your online worship experience. Thank you! Also serving the Lord and our congregation today 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
Please take note that we also have TWO libraries at church! One is in the back of our sanctuary and has various books one can check out on the Honor System. Talk to Kay Berni for more information. We also have a Little Library by the entrance to the parking lot. Take a book, leave a book… There are children’s books in there and others geared more toward adults. For more information, talk to Margie or Allen Latall. All we ask that if you leave a book or books that they not contain inappropriate subject matter.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Doug Lara.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us to know Your Son, Jesus, to be the way, the truth and the life, that we may boldly confess Him to be the Christ and steadfastly walk in the way that leads to life eternal; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Psalm 139; 1 Kings 1:1-4, 15-35; 1 Corinthians 12:14-31
DIGGING DEEPER: Isaiah 51:1-6; Psalm 138; Romans 11:33-12:8; Matthew 16:13-20
Alleluia. You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. Alleluia.
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Since Our Great High Priest, Christ Jesus”
“Since our great High Priest, Christ Jesus, Bears the name above all names, Reigning Son of God, surpassing other titles, pow’rs and claims—Since to heav’n our Lord has passed, Let us hold our witness fast!
“Since we have a priest who suffered, Knowing weakness, tears, and pain, Who like us was tried and tempted, Unlike us, without a stain—Since He shared our lowly place, Let us boldly seek His grace.”
Apart from biblical studies, we may not often think about high priests. We know about pastors and priests and the work they do, but not so much about high priests. If we don’t know much about high priests, we may not know why we need one. In ancient Israel, the high priest was the mediator who represented the people before God. The high priest presented to God the sacrifices necessary to atone for his own sins and for the sins of the people. Without the sacrifices offered by the high priest, the people of Israel could not enter into God’s presence.
Today we joyfully enter into the presence of God in worship and prayer. We address Him in prayer as “our Father,” but we are privileged to approach Him in this way only because we have a High Priest who intercedes for us, a High Priest who bears the name above all names, the name of Jesus. Unlike the high priest of Israel, Jesus had no sins of His own for which to atone. He offered the sacrifice necessary to atone for our sins so that we might enter into the presence of God. He “offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:12b), a sacrifice that will never need to be repeated. Jesus did not enter an earthly tent or temple with the blood of goats or bulls as Israel’s high priest did. Jesus Himself is both High Priest and Sacrifice. He was born among us as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29b). Jesus suffered and died on the cross. He rose from the dead and ascended in triumph, entering into the holy places of heaven “by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12b).
Jesus our High Priest, like us, knew “weakness, tears, and pain.” Like us He was “tried and tempted,” but “without a stain” of sin. Jesus is not a remote and unapproachable figure. We have a High Priest who understands our weaknesses, who suffered, died, and rose to redeem us. Jesus has opened for us the way to the throne of grace where we will “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16b).
WE PRAY: Jesus, my great High Priest, in You I have help in every time of need. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn “Since Our Great High Priest, Christ Jesus,” which is number 529 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why was the high priest important in Old Testament times?
2. What did Jesus do that makes Him our perfect High Priest today?
3. Have you ever mediated a reconciliation or agreement between two people? Care to share?
Today’s Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 17-19 1 Corinthians 13
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 you 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.”
Now you can 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 Lord’s Day and Sunday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
