SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS
SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 2023
I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1
NEWS: It’s the Fourth Sunday of Easter and we welcome everyone to join us in God’s house. Bible study begins at 9 AM as Pastor Joel continues to lead us in studying the book of Genesis. In our 10 AM service the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “The Gospel Voice.” It’s based on the Gospel lesson for the day, John 10:1-11 Our first reading is taken from Acts 2:42-47 Our second reading comes from 1 Peter 2:19-25 We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper, as we do every Sunday. After that is finished and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then we’ll continue fellowship by going to the Pit Stop Diner. I’m sure we all know where that is!
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: OPEN, OPEN
Reader: Carole Woodward
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: OPEN
Ushers: Victor Dille, OPEN
Flowers: The Neemia family
Fellowship: OPEN
NOTE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OPENINGS FOR SERVUNG. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO FILL ONE OF THESE, THANK YOU!
PRAYERS: Today we raise up Diane Finley in prayer. She requests prayers for her energy level, as it has been decreasing lately.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where he leads; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men[c] by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 ESV
READINGS: Acts 4:1-12; Psalm 23; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“The King of Love My Shepherd Is”
“In death’s dark vale I fear no ill with Thee, dear Lord, beside me, Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy cross before to guide me.
“Thou spreadst a table in my sight; Thine unction grace bestoweth; And, oh, what transport of delight from Thy pure chalice floweth!”
Set free from slavery in Egypt, the people of Israel traveled through the unknown wilderness toward the Promised Land as “the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud … and by night in a pillar of fire” (Exodus 13:21). The pillars of cloud and fire never left the people, allowing them to travel day and night. As we travel through this earthly life and finally through “death’s dark vale,” it is Jesus’ cross that goes before us to guide us.
Where will this cross lead us? We know where the cross led Jesus. From His birth in Bethlehem to Good Friday, the cross was always before Him. The cross defined His purpose for coming to live among us. As the hour of His death drew near, Jesus said, “Now is My soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour” (John 12:27). When that hour came, our Lord suffered and died on that cross to save us. By His death Jesus destroyed the devil, who held the power of death, and set us free from sin and death. Now the cross, a sign of triumph, goes before us through life, through the unknown valley of death, and into the promised land of life in God’s presence forever.
Where will this cross lead us? Our Savior carried His cross for us and He calls us, too, to take up the cross and follow Him. In Baptism we were crucified with Jesus and now we say with the apostle Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). This life lived by faith is a life led by His cross. For those who do not believe, the cross is a stumbling block; to them it is foolishness. We know otherwise. For those who trust in Jesus, the word of the cross is the power of God to save. God’s saving power set the people of Israel free and led them safely through the wilderness into the Promised Land. God’s saving power in Christ Jesus has set us free from sin and, as we are led by the cross, He will bring us through this earthly life until we live in His eternal presence.
WE PRAY: Uphold me, Lord Jesus, as I take up the cross and follow in Your steps. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “The King of Love My Shepherd Is,” which is number 709 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why is it so easy to forget that God wants to guide and direct our lives? How do we get in the way?
2. Has the cross of Christ led you to places you never would have imagined going?
3. How does following in the footsteps of Jesus actually simplify our lives?
Today’s Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 19 Psalms 23 Psalms 59 Luke 21:1-19
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
