SVLC DEVOTION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2023

by | Dec 15, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2023

 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

 NEWS: Tomorrow we celebrate the Third Sunday in Advent. Bible study is at 9 AM and pastor Joel will be leading. In our 10 AM worship service the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Waiting with Joy.” It’s based on our Epistle for the day, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Our Old Testament lesson comes from Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 126 The Gospel is John 1:6-8, 19-28

We will celebrate the Eucharist, as we dom every Sunday. After we have taken Christ’s body and blood and our service closes, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then join us at Jersey Mikes as we continue fellowship.

Also serving our Lord and congregation tomorrow are:

Techies:  OPEN, OPEN

Reader:  Kathy Berni

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Margaret Paton

Ushers:   Keith Neblett, OPEN

Flowers:  The Carlisles

Fellowship:  The Carlisles

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Barb and Gunti Galleisky in our prayers.

 READINGS: Zechariah 4; Psalm 136; Revelation 12

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“NOT FORGOTTEN”

December 16, 2023

 

And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. (Luke 1:62-64)

Do you notice that Zechariah is still mute for the first week of John’s life? I would have expected it to end when John was born, but God had other plans. So Zechariah counted John’s fingers and toes in silence—watched quietly while his wife learned to nurse the baby—and learned to comfort a crying baby with touch alone. Did Zechariah wonder if God had forgotten him?

But then the day of John’s circumcision came, and Zechariah had the chance to do as the angel had promised: he named his son John. And God gave him back his speech.

Why then, exactly? We may guess, but we don’t know. To fulfill the words of the angel in every detail? Maybe. To give Zechariah a chance to write faithfully, after his faithless speech nine months before? Who knows?

But to Zechariah, I doubt it mattered. He had his wife and baby—he had his speech back—and he had the full assurance of God’s forgiveness and love, which had truly never left him. No wonder he used his new speech to praise God!

We too may experience difficult, painful times, and we may wonder if God has forgotten us. He has not. Even then He is working in us for our good, and we too will know the fullness of God’s love and forgiveness—given to us for all time in Jesus, who died and rose to make us God’s own.

WE PRAY: Be with me, Lord, when I sit in silence and darkness. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* When has God felt far away to you?

* How did you get through that time?

* How do you trust in the Lord during suffering?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 81-83; Revelation 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 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