SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022
Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!
NEWS: We return to the Lord’s house today to celebrate the Third Sunday in Advent. We are welcoming Pastor Brian Hamer, LCMS Pastor and now Marine Corp Chaplain. He’ll be leading our Bible study at 9 AM and conducting our worship service at 10. The first reading of the day is Isaiah 35:1-10 followed by James 5:7-11 Our Gospel lesson is Matthew 11:2-15 After we’ve celebrated the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time, with coffee and goodies. Then our fellowship continues at Killer Pizza from Mars, off El Camino Real, near Stater Bros.
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: Allen & Margie Latall
Techies: Bruce Woodward, OPEN
Reader: K Berni
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Daria Roth
Ushers: Rick Adams, OPEN
Please remember to pick up your copy of “Why Pray” today as well. On January 8 in the new year Pastor Joel will start a whole church study in the book, which we will do during our Sunday service. The suggested donation is $5.00 and that can be deferred if you need to.
Please remember we have a church library in the back of the sanctuary. There are many great resources you can check out there, on the honor system.
We also have a “Little Library” by the entrance to the parking lot. You can take a book or two or…and leave a book or two or… Right now there are many children’s books in there so please check it out. It should go without saying but if you do leave a book, nothing “inappropriate.” Thanks!
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Doug Lara.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers nd to light the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Psalm 5:1-8; Psalm 142; Isaiah 28:14-29; 1 John 5:1-21
Alleluia. Behold I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. Alleluia.
DIGGING DEEPER: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“KEEPING PROMISES”
“He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” (Luke 1:51-55)
What do promises mean to you?
Small children think promises are wonderful. If they ask to go to the park and Mom or Dad says, “We’ll see,” that’s one thing; but if it’s a promise, well, that’s time to celebrate!
As we grow older, we learn that some people can and do break their promises, but not God. When God says something, it comes true.
Mary sings about this. “God has helped His servant Israel,… as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.” God promised to send Jesus to be a Child of Abraham’s family, and to become a blessing to the whole earth. And now it’s finally happening!
Mary is already carrying Jesus, our Savior. Though she can’t feel Him kick yet, and He is only an inch or two long, God’s plan is in motion. Jesus has started His life with us and for us—the life He will lay down for us at the cross, and then take up again in His resurrection. The life He has promised to share with us, forever, because God’s promises are always strong and true.
WE PRAY: Dear Father, thank You for keeping Your good promises! Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Tell a story about a promise you remember, big or small.
* Do you find it hard to trust people without a promise? Why or why not?
* How do God’s promises affect your actions in life?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Zechariah 11-12 Revelation 2
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
