SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: We give thanks to all who worshipped in-person and online with us yesterday. We thank all who served us in our worship service and also Pastor Joel, for leading our Bible study and conducting our worship service.
There is NO Tuesday evening Bible study for the next few weeks due to the holiday season, but it will return early in the New Year.
Yes, this Saturday is Christmas Eve and we will have a service starting at 5 PM. This will be a Candlelight service too! Ple3ase invite your family members, friends and neighbors as they are welcome to join us!
As Christmas Day falls on Sunday this year we will have our usual Sunday service at 10 AM, celebrating this special day. There will be NO Bible study.
PRAYERS: Toay we pray for Suzette and Leonard Prokopin. They request prayers that peace of hearts, minds and souls my abound in this Christmas season and into the New Year.
READINGS: Psalm 103:11-18; Psalm 19; Isaiah 40:1-17; Revelation 7:1-17
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“A HUMAN REFLECTION OF GOD”
And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. (Matthew 1:19)
I like Joseph. As far as he knows, his fiancée has cheated on him and gotten pregnant, and yet he isn’t stomping around and yelling so the whole neighborhood can hear. Instead, he goes home to think it out in peace and quiet. That’s self-control.
And one of the people he’s thinking about is his fiancée, Mary. He’s worried about her future, even though he thinks she’s carrying another man’s child. He doesn’t want her put to shame or harmed in any way. Joseph isn’t out for revenge.
But he can’t see any better way out of this mess than a quiet divorce. And while he’s thinking about it, he falls asleep … only to have God give him a much better solution.
I am glad that God chose a man like this to be the earthly father of Jesus. In his own small human way, Joseph reflects God the Father—wise, slow to anger, quick to show mercy and kindness. Joseph will go on to take excellent care of God’s Son Jesus for the rest of his life. And Jesus will grow up to do the same for us—laying down His life for us, sinners always in need of His mercy, kindness, and love.
WE PRAY: Lord, thank You for Your patient kindness and mercy. Make me more like You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* When someone hurts you, do you withdraw, or burst out in anger?
* When has someone shown unexpected mercy on you?
* How has God’s mercy made it possible for you to show mercy to someone else?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Ezra 5-7 Revelation 11
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
