SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: As our weather dried out yesterday we had 47 who attended our service in person. More joined us onlinel and we thank everyone who served our congregation. We are also blessed and grateful for Pastor Joel in teaching our Bible study and leading our worship service.
This Wednesday evening we will open our church at 5:30 PM for prayer time. This will include our church neighborhood, Oceanside, our county and state and whatever other prayer needs are on someones mind. At 6 PM we have our first midweek Potluck meal of the Lenten service. This takes place in the Community/Fellowship Hall. At 7 PM we have our second Lenten service, back in our sanctuary. The theme for Pastor Joel’s sermon’s are the Old Testament book of Jonah. Please plan to join us!
The Board of Director’s usually meet the first Thursday of the month. This coming month, March, we will meet on the second Thursday, March 9th, to be exact. Please plan accordingly.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Tom and Gloria Morofski.
READINGS: Isaiah 65:1-16; Psalm 53; Galatians 4:21-31
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“THE COMPANY HE KEEPS”
As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he rose and followed Him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when He heard it, He said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:9-13)
“A man is known by the company he keeps.” If this is true, then what must we think of Jesus? In this story we see Him with the outcasts of society—the tax collectors and other unnamed “sinners.” And Jesus is comfortable with them! What’s worse, they seem to be comfortable with Him! How can this be, if Jesus is a holy man?
Jesus is holy, but He is a healer first. Doctors go where the sick people are; they are not surprised or disgusted by their problems. In the same way, Jesus comes to us, no matter how sick with sin we are. He is not surprised and He is not disgusted. Instead, He reaches out to make us well again. He takes our sin and brokenness upon Himself, and in exchange, He gives us His own life, holiness, and joy. He takes our cross and gives us a share in His resurrection.
WE PRAY: How wonderful You are, O Lord! Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Who do you feel most comfortable with—respectable people or disreputable people?
* Why do you think you feel that way?
* What effect do you think Jesus’ visit had on Matthew’s friends?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Leviticus 8-10 Mark 6:30-56
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
