SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUINDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

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

NEWS: We return to God’s house this morning on the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. Our day opens with Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel continues leading us in studying the book of Genesis. Our worship service begins at 10 and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Wages of God.” The basis is our Gospel reading, Matthew 20:1-16 The Old testament lesson is Isaiah 55:6-9 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 27 The Epistle reading comes from Philippians 1:12-14, 19-30

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:  Charlotte Neblett

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Darryl Finley

Ushers:   Victor Dille, Bill Sperberg

Flowers:  David & Melissa Carlisle

Fellowship:  Amy Luckemeyer

PRAYERS: Today we remember David and Melissa Carlisle in our prayers. They request prayers for strength and energy in their daily living.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: O God, whose strength is made perfect in weakness, grant us humility and childlike faith , that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Ezekiel 21; Psalm 82; Titus 2      

 Alleluia. If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. Alleluia.

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord” September 24, 2023

 

“Come, holy Light, guide divine, Now cause the Word of life to shine. Teach us to know our God aright And call Him Father with delight. From ev’ry error keep us free; Let none but Christ our master be That we in living faith abide, In Him, our Lord, with all our might confide. Alleluia, alleluia!” When the apostle Paul visited Athens, he saw that the city was full of idols and “his spirit was provoked within him” (Acts 17:16b). He began teaching the people of the city, both Jews and Gentiles, to “know … God aright” by “preaching Jesus and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18b). Some who heard Paul dismissed him as a babbler who was preaching about foreign gods. Others were interested and wanted to know more. Seeing an altar inscribed “To the unknown god” (Acts 17:23b), Paul proclaimed the identity of that God, the true God who created all people, including the people of Athens. Now the true God and Creator commands all people to repent. A day of judgment is coming and the righteous Judge whom God appointed, Jesus Christ, had been raised from the dead. As Paul spoke, the Holy Spirit, the “holy Light, guide divine” was at work in the Word and a number of Athenians believed and came to know their God aright. When we look at the world around us, at the culture in which we live, our spirits, like Paul’s, may be provoked within us because of the idols we see. Although we may not see the altars, there are many false gods worshiped by the world’s religions. We are surrounded by the tempting idols of self, greed, wealth, power, and pleasure. We meet people every day who do not “know … God aright.” We may be provoked in our spirits by the unbelief and idolatry around us but, like the apostle Paul, we cannot remain silent. The Holy Spirit has enlightened our hearts and minds. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we “know our God aright and call Him Father with delight.” We pray that the Spirit would keep us from error and keep us in the true faith, trusting in Jesus as our Lord and Master. Confronted by our culture’s unbelief and opposition, as well as its curiosity, we preach Christ crucified and risen from the dead. Some people will scoff at what they hear and dismiss us as “babblers.” Others, moved by the Spirit at work in the Gospel Word, will listen and believe. They, with us, will “know … God aright and call Him Father with delight.” Surrounded by idols and  by opportunities to witness, we pray in our hymn that the Holy Spirit would “now cause the Word of life to shine!” WE PRAY: Holy Spirit, cause the Word of life to shine as we witness to Jesus our Savior. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord,” which is number 496 in the Lutheran Service Book. Reflection Questions: 1. How does the Holy Spirit keep us close to Jesus? 2. Are there false “gods” that people worship in the world today? Can you name a few? 3. What kinds of things tempt you to turn toward the world and away from Jesus? (No need to share.) How do you address these things?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Isaiah 34-36; Romans 4

 

WE HAVE TWO LIBRARIES AT CHURCH! One of them is in the back of our sanctuary. That has many books,m DVD’s and (I believe) CD’s that are available to check out and return on the honor system. We also have our “Little Library” just inside the driveway to our parking lot. Please feel free to take a book or leave a book. The main focus is childrens or Christian material, but other, appropriate for a church setting, is acceptable.

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