SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS
SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2023
I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1
NEWS: Today we celebrate the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost. Our morning begins with Bible study at 9 AM .We continue to review the book of Genesis as Pastor Joel leads us. At 10 AM the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Hope for All of Us Together.” It’s based on Romans 8:18-27 the second lesson of the day. Our Old Testament reading is Isaiah 44:6-8 The Gospel comes from Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 After we have celebrated the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then fellowship will continue at El Pollo Loco in the Mission Marketplace. We look forward to everyone joining us!
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: Keith Neblett, Terry Reilly
Flowers: Kathy Andrews
PRAYERS: Today we remember Chet Laird in prayer. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray that our Marines on Camp Pendleton would know the love of God through Jesus Christ, and if called upon for battle that they would be protected and not be led into unjust war by our political leaders.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve your goodness, still you, provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us your Holy Spirit, that we may acknowledge your gifts, give thanks for all your benefits and serve you in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Jeremiah 40; Psalm 21; Acts 24
Alleluia. Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance. Alleluia.
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“In Holy Conversation”
“In holy conversation we speak to God in prayer, And at His invitation our deepest thoughts we share. We come, His will obeying, as children bringing needs; And to support our praying, His Spirit intercedes.
“These holy conversations begin in childlike ways; We bring our supplications and words of thanks and praise. With care our Father listens to ev’ry thought expressed, Then answers our petitions in ways He knows are best.”
We must admit that some of our daily conversations are far from holy. Arguments, angry replies, and quarrelsome social media posts do not reflect our calling as God’s holy people. We also have conversations that are marked by honest interest, kindness, and compassion, but even those welcome dialogues are not usually defined as “holy.”
Prayer is a holy conversation because the One to whom we speak is holy. He is our God and Creator, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father. Prayer is a holy conversation because our Holy Father has invited us to speak with Him. He wants to hear us and “listens to ev’ry thought expressed.” Prayer is a holy conversation because God has, in Christ, made us holy, that is, righteous in His sight and set apart for service in Jesus’ Name. We are, by God’s grace through faith in Jesus, “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9a). As holy priests, we have the privilege of bringing our petitions before the throne of God.
Our holy conversations “begin in childlike ways” because “God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!'” (Galatians 4:6b). We use the psalms, formal prayers of the church, written devotional prayers and simple, heartfelt requests. We may use the precious words of the Lord’s Prayer or offer short, desperate pleas like that of Peter on the storm-tossed Sea of Galilee when he said, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30b). All of these prayers are holy conversations spoken by holy priests to God and as children talking to their Father.
These holy conversations may not always sound very holy as we call out to God in fear or frustration. Yet even those words are holy because our Holy Father invites us, even commands us, to pray. When words fail us, “to support our praying, His Spirit intercedes.” It is a two-way conversation; we hear our Father’s reply in the Scriptures, the inspired Word of the One who is always listening. In that Word we have His promise to grant us the peace found in holy conversation: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
WE PRAY: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the privilege of prayer. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “In Holy Conversation,” which is number 772 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. Who is the first person you talk to each day?
2. The tongue is a difficult beast to tame. How do you keep your speech holy?
3. How can starting the day in prayer benefit our conversation throughout the day?
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 67, 71 Philippians 2
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
