SCLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2023

by | May 6, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, MAY 7, 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 the Lord’s house for the Fifth Sunday of Easter today. Bible study is at 9 AM as Pastor Joel teaches us about Genesis. In our 10 AM worship the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Solid Faith, Solid Foundation.” Its based on our second reading of the day, 1 Peter 2:2-10 Our first reading comes from Acts 6:1-9 and Acts 7:2, 51-60 The Gospel lesson for the day is taken from John 14:1-14 We will celebrate the Lord’s supper. After that is complete and our service finishes, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then we’ll head over to the Oceanside Bakery for continued fellowship time.

 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:  Keith Neblett

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Rick Adams

Ushers:   Victor Dille, Bill Sperberg

Flowers: The Neemia family

Fellowship:  Daria Roth

 PRAYERS: Today we lift up Barand Kirschner in prayer. Berand requests prayers for peace in the world.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 Alleluia. We know that Christ being risen from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. Alleluia. Romans 6:9

If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Alleluia. John 14:23

 READINGS: Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 150; 1 John 4:1-11; John 15:1-8

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing”

May 7, 2023

 

“Where the paschal blood is poured, death’s dread angel sheathes the sword; Israel’s hosts triumphant go through the wave that drowns the foe. Alleluia!

“Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed, paschal victim, paschal bread; With sincerity and love eat we manna from above. Alleluia!”

Donated blood is a generous gift from those who are able to give, a gift that saves lives. Long ago, and in a very different way, blood saved lives when the people of God were enslaved in Egypt. With mighty acts of power, God set His people free. In a final act of judgment, the firstborn of Egypt died and blood saved the firstborn of Israel. Each Israelite family was to kill a lamb and put its blood on the lintel and doorposts of their home. When the Lord came to strike down the Egyptians, He would see the blood on the doors and pass over the Israelite homes, a saving act remembered in our hymn: “Where the paschal blood is poured, death’s dread angel sheathes the sword.” The people of Israel left Egypt, passing safely through the parted waters of the Red Sea as the waves held back by God’s power returned to drown the pursuing foes.

Now “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7b). Jesus’ blood, shed on the cross, has set us free from sin, but that precious blood does not mark the lintels and doorposts of our homes. Jesus, the Lamb of God, gives us His body and blood to eat and drink in the holy celebration of the Lord’s Supper. As it was for ancient Israel, for us too, “where the paschal blood is poured, death’s dread angel sheathes the sword.” Through faith in Christ Jesus, our sins are forgiven and, going “triumphant through the wave that drowns the foe,” we will into enter eternal life in the presence of our Savior.

After speaking of the sacrifice of our Passover Lamb, the apostle Paul continues, “Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8). The blood of Christ, our Passover Lamb, is not seen on our doors. Jesus’ blood marks our lives and His love is made known in our words and actions. We are called to live a life of sincerity and love that reflects the love of our Savior. By the power of the Holy Spirit, through our works of kindness and our words of witness, others will come to know and trust in Jesus, the Passover Lamb who shed His blood to save them.

WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, through Your Words and Sacraments, strengthen my faith for a life of love and service. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing,” which is number 633 in the Lutheran Service Book.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever received a blood transfusion? If so, did that affect your thinking about the value of blood?

2. How does the shedding of Jesus’ blood point back to the sacrifices of the Old Testament?

3. Why is how we live as Christians important for the non-believers around us?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 1 Samuel 30-31; Luke 24:1-35

 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