SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2023

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

NEWS: This morning, in our return to God’s house, we are celebrating the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost. The day begins with Bible study at 9 AM and Pastor Joel continue to guide us through the book of Genesis. In our 10 AM worship, the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Thank You God For Not Doing Things My Way.” It’s based on our Gospel, taken from Matthew 16:21-28 Our Old Testament reading is Jeremiah 15:15-21 The Psalmody is taken from Psalm 26 Our Epistle lesson is Romans 12:9-21 After we have celebrated Holy Communion and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then fellowship continues with lunch.  We’ll meet at “Great Wok of China” (4635 Frazee Rd)  – they have great lunch specials, or next door is Rancho Viejo Mexican (4645 Frazee) or if you like dessert for lunch, there’s Cold Stone also next door.  They are in the same shopping center as “In ‘N Out” but on the other side near 24 Hour Fitness.

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, Victor Dille

Reader:  Keith Neblett

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  OPEN

Ushers:   Bill Sperberg, Margaret Paton

Flowers:  Denae Jerome

Fellowship:  Daria Roth

PRAYERS: Today we remember Tom and Gloria Morofski in our prayers. We pray for healing and a speedy recovery for Tom as he had hip replacement surgery on Friday. We also pray for other member of our church family dealing with medical needs and issues: Eric Woodward, Alba Reilly and Linda Johnson.

In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray that our nation would be one that protects and defends her citizens, would be a refuge to those who are truly persecuted and would bring justice for all evil committed. We pray the Lord would be our guiding light, that we may be a guiding light to others.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: Oh God, the source of all that is just and good, nourish in us every virtue and bring to completion every good intent that we may grow in grace and bring forth the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Esther 10; Psalm 62; 2 Thessalonians 1

 Alleluia. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Alleluia.

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“With the Lord Begin Your Task” September 3, 2023

 

“With the Lord begin your task; Jesus will direct it. For His aid and counsel ask; Jesus will perfect it. Ev’ry morn with Jesus rise, And when day is ended, In His Name then close your eyes; Be to Him commended. “Thus, Lord Jesus, ev’ry task Be to You commended; May Your will be done, I ask, Until life is ended. Jesus, in Your Name begun Be the day’s endeavor; Grant that it may well be done To Your praise forever.” “With the Lord begin your task … and when day is ended, in His Name then close your eyes.” We have been created anew in Christ Jesus and we are to do everything in His Name. As the apostle Paul summarizes, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). How does that happen? How do we commend the entire day to our Lord? It is the way we live because in Baptism, our “old self,” our sinful self, was crucified with Jesus. We were clothed in the new self, “which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:10b). Each day our new self arises to put aside anger, lies, and slander. In a day commended to Jesus, we think and speak and act like Him—kind, humble, patient, and forgiving—qualities all wrapped up in love. We are not always successful in committing our days and nights to Jesus. We start out that way, but our own selfish desires may push aside the Savior’s ways. Moved by the Holy Spirit to repent, we are restored and forgiven, beginning another new day with Jesus because “the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23a). We are forgiven because Jesus began every day for us. The Savior committed Himself to the task given to Him by His Father, to lay down His life for us. Then, at the beginning of the most wonderful day, the first Easter morning, He was raised to life so that we would have new life each day, and eternal life, in Him. Morning and evening, created anew in Jesus, we live and work and rest in His peace, trusting Him, sharing the Word of God with each other, and praising our Lord in songs and hymns and psalms. Sometimes it is no easy task, but as we begin and end each day with Jesus, He does the same for us: “By day the LORD commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me” (Psalm 42:8a). We do everything in Jesus’ Name because He did everything for us. WE PRAY: Jesus, guide me as I begin and end each day with You. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “With the Lord Begin Your Task,” which is number 869 in the Lutheran Service Book. Reflection Questions: 1. How do you stay “on task” with your goals? What sidetracks you? 2. Does beginning the day in prayer really make a difference? Why or why not? 3. How can we encourage others toward their goals without being overbearing or negative about it?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 2 Chronicles 21; Obadiah; 2 Corinthians 8

 

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