SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: We return to God’s house tomorrow on the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Our day begins with Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel is leading and teaching us about the book of Genesis. In our 10 AM worship, the title3 of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Built Up or Crushed.” It’s based on our Gospel reading, Matthew 21:33-46 The Old Testament lesson is Isaiah 5:1-7 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 80 Our Epistle comes from Philippians 3:4-14
After we have taken the Eucharist and our serve comes to a close, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then please head over to the Pit Stop restaurant off of Mission Ave. for continued fellowship. It’s a great place to have a late breakfast or lunch/dinner!
Also ministering to our congregation tomorrow are:
Techies: Ian Andrews, Bruce Woodward
Reader: Carole Woodward
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Darryl Finley
Ushers: Victor Dille, Keith Neblett
Flowers: Suzette Prokopin
Fellowship: Suzette Prokopin
PRAYERS: Today we remember Berand Kirschner in our prayers
READINGS: Ezekiel 34; Psalm 95; Hebrews 7:1-10
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Lessons for the Young—and Old!”
Philippians 2:5-7a – Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant.
Taking note of the generation gap some 2,000 years ago, St. Paul wrote to Timothy, a young man who represented the next generation. “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). As you can see, the rift between young and old has been going on for a very long time.
The apostle Paul was wise enough not to disdain those who were younger than him. Instead, Paul tells Timothy to help his peers, set an example in righteous living, conduct his affairs in love, faith, and purity, shine as a follower of Jesus. He is the Savior of every generation and the Lord of both the old and the young.
St. Paul was not above trying hard to understand the next generation. Surely, there were—and are—those who simply condemn the young outright, for any number of reasons, but Paul would not be one of them. Instead, the apostle tells Timothy to take the initiative, to “devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. … Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:13b, 15-16).
Paul tells Timothy—and us—you are a believer in Jesus Christ. Have the mind that you see in Jesus. Young as you are, you have been forgiven by the Father for the sake of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, for we all need God’s forgiveness. And as a forgiven sinner, remember what it means to forgive, to walk in mercy and grace toward others, seeing how you, too, have been shown grace by God for your many sins.
And what did Timothy do? He heeded the words of the beloved apostle, his wise and compassionate spiritual mentor. Timothy faithfully served his spiritual father who was a generation older. In fact, to Paul, young Timothy was indispensable. “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the Gospel” (Philippians 2:20-22).
Such a beautiful Christian relationship bridging two generations! The older teaching the younger; the younger serving the older; both growing together in their faith and devotion to the Savior who loved and saved them for eternity.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, teach us to be respectful to other generations and to remember that Jesus died for us all, both young and old. In His Name we pray. Amen.
From “The Generation Gap,” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Name three things that differ between your generation and the one before or after yours.
2. What does it mean that Christ “emptied Himself” in becoming human?
3. Is there someone you’d like to get advice from but don’t know how to ask? What stops you?
Today’s Bible Readings: Hosea 1-4 Romans 14
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and se
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 your 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.”
You can now 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 Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.org/
Here is the website for Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
KFUO is the listener supported radio station owned and operated by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Based in St. Louis, their format consists of teaching, preaching, ministry and sacred music: https://www.kfuo.org/
A very blessed Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org OR
