SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2023

 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1

NEWS: This morning is the First Sunday of Lent. Things start off in God’s house at 9 AM with Bible class. Pastor Joel is leading us in a study of Genesis. In our 10 AM worship service, Pastor Joel’s sermon is entitled, “If You Are…” It’s based on our Gospel reading for the day, Matthew 4:1-11  Our Old Testament lesson comes from Genesis 3:1-21 and the second reading is taken from Romans 5:12-19  After we have celebrated the Lord’s Supper and our service comes to a close, please join uis for Fellowship time, with coffee and goodies. Then our fellowship will continue at El Pollo Loco, on College Ave., near Target. Please plan to join us!

 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…and please note the openings if you are able to help out:

 Techies:  Open, Open

Reader:  Allen Kolkman

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Margaret Paton

Ushers:  Victor Dille, Open

Flowers: Margaret Paton

Fellowship:  Open

PRAYERS: Today we pray for the Luckemeyer family: Amy, Pastor Joel, Jeremy and Lucy Joy. The Luckemeyers give a prayer of Thanksgiving for a wonderful first year of ministry here and pray for many more to come.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: O Lord God, You led your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of Your church that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come’ through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Isaiah 63:15-64:12; Psalm 52; Galatians 4:1-20

 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“JUST COME!”

And He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So His fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and He healed them. And great crowds followed Him … (Matthew 4:23-25a)

Have you ever looked at the content of your prayers and felt guilty? I know I have. Somewhere, long ago, someone said to me it was wrong to pray so much for healing and practical help with my life. They said that this was just using Jesus, and that Christians should mostly say prayers of praise and gratitude and quit asking so much.

But now I think they were wrong. For in this story we see people all over Galilee and Syria coming to Jesus—why? Because they are sick! Because they are suffering with demons, or they are in pain, or they love someone who is dying. They aren’t coming to Jesus for high-minded spiritual reasons; they’re coming because they’re desperate.

And Jesus helps! He doesn’t complain, and He doesn’t turn anyone away. His attitude seems to be, “Come to Me and I will give you real, everlasting life. I don’t care why you come to Me—just come!” And when they come, He gives them even more than they asked for—through His life, suffering, death, and resurrection.

Jesus says this to us, too, doesn’t He? “Just come.” Don’t worry about your reasons for coming. God is calling you, and He doesn’t mind if you are using Him. Let Him bring you near.

WE PRAY: Dear Father, bring me close to Jesus. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* What do you spend the most time praying about?

* Do you ever feel guilty about any of your prayers?

* How has God made you welcome in His presence?

Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Today’s Bible Readings: Leviticus 6-7    Mark 6:1-29

 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