SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 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 Second Sunday after Pentecost as we return to God’s house. The day begins with Bible study at 9 AM. The book of Genesis is our topic and Pastor Joel will continue to lead us. In our 10 AM worship, the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Love that Finds You, Love that Moves You.” It’s based on our Gospel lesson, Matthew 9:9-13 Our Old Testament reading is Hosea 6:1-6 The second passage is taken from Romans 4:13-25  After we’ve celebrated the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then fellowship continues at Carl’s Jr. on Douglas Drive.

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:  OPEN

Ushers:   Victor Dille, Keith Neblett

Flowers:  OPEN

Fellowship:  Suzette Prokopin

 A REMINDER: we have TWO libraries available at Shepherd of The Valley. The first is in the back of the church with various books and resources that can be checke3d out and returned on the honor basis. Please remember to return what you took when you are finished. For any further questions or comments, please contact Kay Berni.

 The second library is our “Little Library” at the entrance to the parking lot. You can take a book (or two or three…) or leave books as a donation. We have had had many children’s books available in the past as well as some geared more toward adult level reading. All we ask is that any donations do not include “explicit” or appropriate material. For any questions about the Little Library, please contact Margie or Allen Latall.

PRAYERS: Today we remember Barb and Gunti Galleisky in prayer.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty and eternal God, Your Son Jesus triumphed over the prince of demons and freed us from bondage to sin. Help us to stand firm against every assault of Satan and enable us always to do Your will; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Genesis 3:8-15; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35

 Alleluia. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Alleluia. Psalm 122:1

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands” June 11, 2023

 

“No son of man could conquer death, such ruin sin had wrought us. No innocence was found on earth, and therefore death had brought us, Into bondage from of old and ever grew more strong and bold, And held us as its captive. Alleluia! “Christ Jesus, God’s own Son, came down, His people to deliver; Destroying sin, He took the crown from death’s pale brow forever: Stripped of pow’r, no more it reigns; an empty form alone remains; Its sting is lost forever. Alleluia!” Scripture tells us this sad truth: “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life” (Psalm 49:7). It is not possible. We could never afford the cost, but from what must we be ransomed? A price had to be paid to set us free from death. The necessary payment would ensure that we “should live on forever and never see the pit” (Psalm 49:9). The impossible price had to be paid to free us from the grasp of death. Some people may try to ransom themselves from death. Many researchers develop medicines for healing; others try to find ways to extend life beyond what is usually experienced. There are people who hope someday to join their minds to computers and enable themselves to “conquer” death in that way. But death overcomes every human effort to defeat it. Our hymn expresses the sorrow we feel over our fallen condition and our inability to escape death: “No son of man could conquer death, such ruin sin had wrought us.” In Eden, God decreed death as the penalty for sin. Without God’s help, no one can escape that penalty because “no innocence was found on earth.” Only someone innocent of all sin could pay the ransom for the sins of others and conquer death. “Christ Jesus, God’s own Son, came down.” Jesus, true God and true Man, had no sins of His own for which He deserved to die. He carried our sins on His own body on the cross, suffering the penalty of death in our place. Only the innocent Son of God could pay that costly ransom, as the psalmist foretold: “But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me” (Psalm 49:15). It is true that we will, from an earthly point of view, experience death. Yet for all who trust in Jesus, to die is to fall asleep in Jesus and to be immediately at home with our Lord. When Jesus returns on the Last Day, our bodies will be raised from death and transformed into glory. The price has been paid in full, “not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18b-19a). Death has been defeated because Jesus paid the ransom for us. Jesus has risen and we too will rise! WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, You ransomed me from the power of death. I will praise You forever. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands,” which is number 458 in the Lutheran Service Book. Reflection Questions: 1. Is it possible to ransom ourselves from death in an eternal way? 2. What has God ransomed us from exactly? How did He do this? 3. How does knowing that Jesus gave His life for you impact the way you think and live?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Proverbs 2-4; John 19:23-42

 

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