SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2023

by | Sep 30, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2023

A VERY BLESSED, HAPPY OCTOBER TO ALL!

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

NEWS: It’s the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost and the beginning of October!  “Pastor Al,” Allen Kolkman will be leading our Bible study and worship service this morning. The title of his sermon is, “The DONE Religion.” It’s based on one of the great Bible verses, John 3:16  The Old Testament lesson is Isaiah 52:2-11 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 22 The Epistle comes from Ephesians 2:1-10  Our Gospel reading is Matthew 20:1-16

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:  Darryl Finley

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Kathy Andrews

Ushers:   Bill Sperberg, OPEN

Flowers:  The Carlisles

Fellowship:  The Neemia family

PRAYERS: Today we remember Diane Finley in our prayers. Diane requests prayers for her to follow God;s will and for health. Darryl requests prayers as he does research and practices for possible voice over work.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: Everlasting Father, source of every blessing, mercifully direct and govern us by Your Holy Spirit that we may complete the works You have prepared for us to do; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Ezekiel 28; Psalm 89; Hebrews 3:1-11

 Alleluia. Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another. Alleluia.

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“O God, My Faithful God”
October 1, 2023

 

“Grant me the strength to do with ready heart and willing Whatever You command, my calling here fulfilling; That I do what I should while trusting You to bless The outcome for my good, for You must give success.

“Keep me from saying words that later need recalling; Guard me lest idle speech may from my lips be falling; But when within my place I must and ought to speak, Then to my words give grace lest I offend the weak.”

“Keep me from saying words that later need recalling.” We have all been there at some point, expressing thoughts and opinions that probably should not even cross our minds, much less be spoken aloud. We ask to be guarded from “idle speech,” not small talk about the weather or another harmless topic, but the idle speech of gossip and slander. Once spoken, those harmful words cannot be recalled. The damage is done. As the apostle James reminds us, the tongue “is a fire, a world of unrighteousness” (James 3:6a). Like sparks that set a forest ablaze, “words that later need recalling” have no place among those who follow Jesus: “Now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth” (Colossians 3:8).

As Christians there are things about which we “must and ought to speak”—although always speaking “within my place,” because we don’t need to offer opinions about everything! We are to help those who are weak or new to the faith and we must “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:19b). We are to defend people in need and those who may not be able to speak for themselves. We are to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ and build them up in the faith. If the need arises to call another person to repentance or warn against sin, we pray that God would give grace to our words so that we do not offend the weak.

There are other times and places when we “ought to speak.” We must always be prepared to answer anyone who asks us for a reason for the hope that we have in Jesus. We are to do this “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15b), with words and actions that reflect the love of Jesus. We are called to proclaim repentance and forgiveness in Jesus’ Name. Blinded by sin, an unbelieving world may be more interested in harmful, “idle speech” and less open to hearing about the Savior who died for them. So, as we share the Good News of forgiveness and life in Jesus, we pray that God would give grace to our speech, because the words of salvation are words that never need recalling!

WE PRAY: Lord, give me grace to speak to others of the Good News of salvation. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “O God, My Faithful God,” which is number 696 in the Lutheran Service Book.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you try to keep yourself “in check” from speaking too quickly and saying things you wish you hadn’t?

2. Sometimes it’s how we say something that is a problem for others. Can you give an example?

3. What would speaking with “gentleness and respect” look like in real life?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Isaiah 50-52; Romans 9:16-33

 

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