SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: Although we had a wet Sunday…thank the Lord for the needed rain, it was abright day in God’s house yesterday! There were 46 who worshipped in=person, with more joining us online. Thank you to all who helped serve in our worship service and a big Thank You to Pastor Brian Hamer, current Chaplain for the Naval Academy in San Diego, for leading our Bible study and conducting our worship service.
Tomorrow evening the Tuesday Bible study takes place at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It goes from 6:30 to 8 PM and the parables of Jesus are being looked at. There is a short devotion, then the Bible study, followed by fellowship time. All are invited to attend. The Kolkman’s address is 710 Fredericks Ave., Oceanside.
This Saturday, December 17th, the Kolkman’s invite the church family to their home between 3 and 5 PM as a kind of an open house. While the focus is primarily on adults, kids are more than welcome! Debbie and Allen will provide drinks (including “adult” ones) and sandwich stuff. YOU are asked to please supplement that with perhaps a salad or dessert, or any holiday goodie. Dress? Holiday fare. No need to sign up or RSVP, just please come if you can! Questions? Contact me at kolkmanallen@gmail.com
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Margie and Allen Latall. We both humbly request prayers for our various health needs.
READINGS: Psalm 106; Isaiah 29:1-14; Jude 1-25
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“FACING THE FUTURE”
And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home. (Luke 1:56)
So many good things must come to an end. Mary must leave her place of comfort and go home to face Joseph—and possibly her parents and relatives as well.
I imagine she spent a lot of time thinking about this late at night while the family slept. I suspect she spent a lot of time praying about this with Elizabeth and silent Zechariah. They all knew it would be a challenge.
But God would be with her. God had His hand on the future, just as He had on the past. He would not desert her.
He will not desert you either, no matter what you are facing. He knows what is coming, though you may not know yourself yet. He cares for you. And so you can walk step by step toward the future, knowing that your hand is in the hand of your Savior Jesus, who has promised to stay with you. He knows the road you walk. He has been down it before—all the way—if it turns out well, or even if it leads to suffering and death. And He knows the unthinkable paths through to resurrection—the ways that God brings good out of chaos, and redeems all our suffering.
Trust Him.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord Jesus, stay with me always. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What do you do when you are facing uncertainty?
* How has God helped you in the past when you were in trouble?
* How can you comfort others who are walking dark and uncertain roads?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Zechariah 13-14 Revelation 3-4
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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
