SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2023

by | May 13, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2023

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

NEWS: A big THANK YOU to Debbie Kolkman and all the others who helped make the Birth Choice Baby Shower a success yesterday! We appreciate all who attended to help the important work being done. If you would like to find out more, you can visit birthchoice.net

 This morning we are back in God’s house for the Sixth (and final) Sunday of Easter. We begin at 9 AM with Bible study, led by Pastor Joel. He continues to lead us in studying the book of Genesis. At 10 AM our worship service takes place and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Real Resurrection, Real Hope.” It’s based on our second reading for the day, 1 Peter 3:13-22 Our first lesson comes from Acts 17:16-31 The Gospel reading is taken from John 14:15-21 After we’ve celebrated the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time, with coffee and goodies. Then join everyone at In N’ Out Burgers for continued fellowship. It’s on Mission, near Frazee.

 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:  K Berni

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Daria Roth

Ushers:   Rick Adams, Victor Dille

Flowers: Alba & Terry Reilly

Fellowship:  Bill & Pat Sperberg

PRAYERS: Today we raise up Keith Neblett in prayer.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: Oh God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Acts 10:34-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1-8; John 15:9-17

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”

May 14, 2023

 

“Alleluia! King eternal, Lord omnipotent we own; Alleluia! Born of Mary, earth Your footstool, heav’n Your throne. As within the veil You entered, robed in flesh, our great High Priest, Here on earth both priest and victim in the eucharistic feast.”

In the Jerusalem temple, a heavy veil or curtain separated the Most Holy Place, the place of God’s presence, from the rest of the sanctuary. The curtain was created out of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and woven with angelic figures of cherubim. Hidden from sight behind the veil was the symbol of the divine presence, the ark of the covenant. Only the high priest entered the Most Holy Place, carrying blood to atone for his own sins and the sins of the people (see Hebrews 9:3-7).

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He visited the great temple that had been rebuilt by King Herod. When He was 12 years old, Jesus sat with the teachers in the temple, listening and asking questions. He knew where He needed to be, saying to His anxious parents, “Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49b). As an adult Jesus taught in the temple courtyards and porches. He drove the money-changers from the temple, cleansing His Father’s house for prayer.

In the temple that Jesus knew, the rich, woven curtain, which may have been 60 feet high and four inches thick, still hung before the Most Holy Place. That heavy veil separated sinners from God’s holy presence, but when Jesus died on the cross, “the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Mark 15:38). Through Jesus’ atoning death, the dividing barrier between God and sinners was brought down. In ancient Israel only the high priest could enter through the curtain into God’s presence, and only once a year. But now we enter God’s holy presence through Jesus Himself, through “the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh” (Hebrews 10:20).

At any time, day or night, we can come before God in worship and prayer. We also enter God’s presence as Jesus, our great High Priest, invites us to His holy Supper. At the “eucharistic feast,” that is, the feast of thanksgiving, Jesus is present as “both priest and victim” as we receive His body and blood, given and shed for the forgiveness of our sins. In the Sacraments, in the study of His Word, in worship and in prayer, we freely enter God’s presence because He once entered our presence in the Person of His Son. Through Jesus’ redeeming death, the dividing curtain was torn down. The way is now open.

WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, hear my prayers for the sake of Jesus, our great High Priest. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus,” which is number 821 in the Lutheran Service Book.

Reflection Question:

1. Why was only the high priest allowed in the Most Holy Place?

2. What’s the significance of the temple curtain being torn in two when Jesus died on the cross?

3. Why is Jesus’ sacrifice sufficient for the forgiveness of our sins before God the Father?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 2 Samuel 13-14; John 4:1-26

 

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