SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
MEMORIAL DAY, MONDAY, MAY 29, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: It was a wonderful day in God’s house yesterday, with 44 joining us in person and more picking up our service online. Thank you to all who served our congregation in their variolus ministries and to Pastor Joel. His teaching, preaching and leading are a blessing to all of us!
The Tuesday Bible study takes place tomorrow evening at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. The topic is, “Life in The Year One: The Holy Lands.” They start at 6:30 PM with a short devotion. The study then takes place, followed by fellowship time with coffee and goodies, ending around 8 PM. All are invited and the Kolkman’s address is 710 Fredericks Ave., Oceanside.
PRAYERS: Today we lift up Gail and Rick Adams in prayer. We also remember all the brave men and women in all branches of the military who gave their lives for us, defending the greatest nation ever, the United States of America. We pray for those who are currently in the armed forces, as well as the Coast Guard, Border patrol, police forces, firefighters, paramedics, first responders of any kind, ER personnel, doctors, nurses and all other technicians and hospital workers. Anybody else also who I may have inadvertently left out.
COLLECT FOR PENTECOST MONDAY: O God, who gave your Holy Spirit to the apostles, grant us that same Spirit that we may live in faith and abide in peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with Youn and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Isaiah 57:15-21; Psalm 43; Acts 10:34, 42-48; John 3:16-21
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“The Voice of God”
Psalm 8:1-2 – O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, You have established strength because of Your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). The majesty and glory of God are readily seen in His creation—a beautiful sunset, billowing clouds, thunderous storms, and peaceful landscapes. God’s Name is majestic in all the earth!
God reveals Himself not only in His creation but in His Word, where we learn that God spoke to His people. He talked with Abraham, who was called “a friend of God” (James 2:23b). God’s voice was heard as He spoke to Moses “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11b). God’s voice thundered at Mount Sinai and the Israelites were so terrified that they begged Moses, “Do not let God speak to us, lest we die” (Exodus 20:19b). The voice of God came in a gentle whisper to Elijah as the Lord sent His frightened and weary prophet back into ministry. God’s voice inspired terror or brought comfort, but when the time was right, the voice of God spoke on earth in a very different way: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2a).
God’s majesty and glory are revealed even “out of the mouth of babies and infants.” The voice of God was heard in the cry of a newborn Child in Bethlehem, the infant wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger. In and through that infant, His own Son, God established strength “to still the enemy and the avenger.” Sin, death, and Satan would fall in defeat at the voice of that Holy Child when, grown into adulthood and nailed to a cross, Jesus called out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30b). The work the Father who sent Him to do the work of our redemption was complete. Then, in the early dawn on the third day after Jesus’ death, another strong voice announced the glad news, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen” (Luke 24:5b-6a).
We have heard the voice of God in His Word. Now is the time for our voices to be heard. As children or adults, we are called to share the good news of the majestic voice of God. It is a mighty voice that spoke in many times and in many ways. It is a mighty voice that was heard in an infant’s cry in Bethlehem and in words spoken from a cross. It is the voice of the Savior.
WE PRAY: Lord God, guide me in the study of Your Word so that I may hear Your voice there. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. Being an Old Testament prophets wasn’t easy. What were some of the challenges they faced?
2. What’s your favorite Old Testament prophecy about Jesus?
3. How can God’s fulfilled prophecies inspire us in our faith today?
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 27-29 John 11:1-29
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 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, pastor@svlcchurch.org
