SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2023
I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1
NEWS: We return to God’s house today with Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel will review the third week of our five week study in the book, “Why Pray.” I believe there are still copies available for anyone who hasn’t picked one up. It’s a daily devotional which takes 5 to 10 minutes at most to read through each day.
Our worship service follows at 10 AM and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon this week is, “Teach Us To Fish.” It’s based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 4:12-25 Our other readings are Isaiah 9:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 After we’ve taken the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Our fellowship then continues at the Pit Stop Diner, off Mission Ave., near El Camino Real. It’s a great place to catch a late breakfast or lunch!
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:
Techies: Ian Andrews, Open
Reader: Darryl Finley
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Margaret Paton
Ushers: Rick Adams, Victor Dille
Flowers: The Neemia family
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Keith Neblett.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: John 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62; 1 Corinthians 7:29-35; Mark 1:14-20
Alleluia. The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel. Alleluia.
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“The People That in Darkness Sat”
“To us a Child of hope is born, To us a Son is giv’n, And on His shoulder ever rests, All pow’r in earth and heav’n, All pow’r in earth and heav’n.
“His name shall be the Prince of Peace, The Everlasting Lord, The Wonderful, the Counselor, The God by all adored, The God by all adored.”
Who is the Child of hope born to us? At His birth, a few people understood the Child’s identity, but they knew about Him only through divine revelation. Mary and Joseph knew who He was because angelic messengers told them about Mary’s firstborn Son. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Holy Child would be the Son of the Most High God. The Holy Child would save His people from their sins. An angel announced to shepherds that the baby born that day was the long-awaited Savior, Christ the Lord. The wise men followed a star and in Herod’s palace learned from the Scriptures that the new King of the Jews was to be born in Bethlehem.
The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of the Child of hope and confirmed His identity. Mary’s firstborn Son would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6b). Our hymn echoes what the prophet foretold. This Holy Child is “the God by all adored.” The swaddled infant in the manger is God in human flesh, Jesus, God the Son, who would reign over a kingdom that has no end.
Yet before “all pow’r in earth and heav’n” would rest on His shoulder, the Holy Child grew up to shoulder a terrible burden. The God by all adored, who long ago in Eden decreed the penalty of death for sin, took that penalty of death onto Himself. Jesus took onto Himself the sins of the world, bearing them in His own body on the cross. Then, on the first Easter morning, the Prince of Peace rose from the dead. The risen and exalted Lord received “all pow’r in earth and heav’n.” Through faith in Jesus, we have forgiveness for our sins and the hope of eternal life.
Jesus once asked His disciples about popular opinions concerning His identity: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13b). A variety of incorrect opinions had been suggested. Then Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15b). Simon Peter knew the identity of the Holy Child, now grown to adulthood, but the disciple’s answer came only through divine revelation. In an answer revealed by God the Father, Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16b). How would you answer Jesus’ question? Who is the Child of hope born to us?
WE PRAY: Jesus, You are the mighty God, the Prince of Peace. Reign in my life now and forever. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “The People That in Darkness Sat,” which is number 412 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you have a favorite praise song? What is it?
2. What must it have been like for the disciples to realize that Jesus was the Son of God?
3. How would knowing that change the way you lived your life?
Today’s Bible Readings: Job 34-35 Matthew 14:22-36
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 Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
Here is the website for Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.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
