SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2022
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: Today 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
Tomorrow is the fourth and final Sunday in Advent for 2022. As we come into God’s house, Pastor Joel will lead our Bible study at 9 AM. In our worship at 10, the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Sign From God.” It’s based on our first reading of the day, Isaiah 7:10-17 Our Epistle reading comes from Romans 1:1-7 Our Gospel lesson is Matthew 1:18-25 After we.ve participated in the Eucharist and our service is complete, please join us outside for fellowship time, with coffee and goodies. Then our fellowship continues at the Pit Stop restaurant, off of Mission, by El Camino Real. You can get lunch OR a late breakfast there.
Please don’t forget to pick up your copy of, ”Pray Now”, before or after our service. This is a whole congregation study that Pastor Joel will be starting on January 8th, 2023. The suggested donation for each copy is $5.00, if you can. We’ll be taking a few minutes during each service to go over material.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for the Neemia Family: Fale, Mike, Easter, Penny, Josephine and Jeremiah. They request prayers for all those dealing with illness. They also ask prayers for their children and the blessings that they bring and give thanks for our congregation, that the Lord may continue to bless us in the New Year.
READINGS: Psalm 40:1-5, 16-17; Psalm 20; Isaiah 33:1-24; Revelation 5:1-14
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“A LONG TIME GROWING”
And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. (Luke 1:80)
John was probably about thirty years old when he began his ministry, getting the people of Israel ready for Jesus. Before that, what was his life like? We don’t know. Only that he “grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness.” It sounds like a long, quiet time of growth.
Did his parents live to see it? We don’t know, but since they were already old when he was born, maybe not. They saw their young child grow and become stronger day by day; and that was their joy and comfort. Beyond that, they lived by the promise God had given them—that He would use their son, and that Jesus, the Messiah, was even then living on earth.
You probably have projects like this in your own life—things or people that you care passionately about, but know that you are not likely to see the fulfillment. You may be raising children, or educating people, or planting a church, or shaping a neighborhood. You may be doing something as simple and lovely as growing a garden. Whatever it is, you entrust it to the faithful God who has watched over it, and you, from the beginning. He faithfully promised us a Savior way back in the beginning, and He kept His promise when Jesus was born for us. The same love that sent Jesus will watch over those we love as well.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, You know who and what I love. Please keep watch over them, even when I cannot. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What long-term concerns do you have?
* Do you ever worry about what will happen when you’re gone?
* How do you remind yourself to trust in the Lord?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 84, 90 Revelation 9
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 to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
