SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2022
NEWS: Tomorrow is the monthly Men’s Bible Study/Breakfast. We’ll be having bagels from I Love Bagels. If you plan on attending and haven’t chosen a flavor yet, please let Bruce know what kind you want ASAP. The choices are:
Everything
Onion
Garlic
Jalapeno
Jalapeno Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Asagio Cheese
Spinach Parmesan
Plain
Egg Bagel
Honey Wheat
Multigrain
Poppy Seed
Sesame Seed
Salt Bagel
French Toast Bagel
Cinnamon Sugar
Cinnamon Raisin
Blueberry
Cranberry
Chocolate Chip
We will be viewing a video on The Real St. Nicholas. At 10 AM our monthly Work Party takes place and goes until Noon. This is where we clean up and fix up our church and property. All are invited to, pitch in…just show up and talk to Bruce about what you can do
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Berand Kirschner.
READINGS: Psalm 17:6-15; Psalm 148; Isaiah 26:1-19; 1 John 3:1-24
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“UPSIDE DOWN”
In those days Mary arose and went with haste … and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:39a, 40-44)
It must have been odd for Mary to hear Elizabeth saying such things to her. “Blessed are you among women!” she cried. “Why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” As a young woman speaking to a respected elder of her family, Mary would expect to be junior—humble, helpful, even disregarded. I wonder if she felt uncomfortable?
But the joy overcame everything. “My soul magnifies the Lord,” she sang, “and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” He is the One who has turned the world upside down, making Mary the mother of Jesus. He makes elderly childless Elizabeth the mother of Jesus’ forerunner John. So together they look forward to a day when God will raise the humble and forgotten to places of honor—not through their own deserving, but through the salvation of Jesus.
Because it’s like this for us, too, isn’t it? Who are we, that our Creator should come into our flesh to be a human being and save us? Who are we, to become His relatives—to be the objects of His love—to be saved by His life and His death and His resurrection?
WE PRAY: Thank You, Lord, for honoring us this way. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* When have you felt uncomfortably honored?
* Why do you think God likes to turn things upside down?
* What does it mean to you, that you are Jesus’ relative?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Zechariah 5-8 Jude
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 Friday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
