Daily Devotion

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2024

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

NEWS: Today we are celebrating the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany and our day in God’s house begins with Bible study at 9 AM. It’s a new study led by Pastor Joel and the title is, “Praying God’s Will.” Our worship servi9ce takes place at 10 and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Who’s In Charge Here?” It’s based on our Gospel reading for the day, Mark 1:21-28 The Old testament lesson is Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 111 Our Epistle comes from Mark 1:21-28

After the Eucharist is taken and our service is complete, please join in for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then join us for continued fellowship at El Pollo Loco near Target on College Ave.

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, Bruce Woodward

Reader:  K Berni

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  FILLED

Ushers:   OPEN, OPEN

Flowers:  The Neemia family

Fellowship:  Bruce & Carole Woodward

PRAYERS: Today we remember Tom and Gloria Morofski in our prayers.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strengtyh and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Psalm 12; Zechariah 6:1-7:14; Romans 16:17-27

 Alleluia. I must preach the god news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose. Alleluia.

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good” January 28, 2024

 

“Sing praise to God, the highest good, the Author of creation, The God of love who understood our need for His salvation. With healing balm our souls He fills and ev’ry faithless murmur stills: To God all praise and glory! “What God’s almighty pow’r has made, in mercy He is keeping. By morning glow or evening shade His eye is never sleeping. Within the kingdom of His might all things are just and good and right: To God all praise and glory!” According to a false understanding of God called deism, God created the world but then withdrew from His creation, leaving it to run on its own. The God of deism would not involve Himself in the world He made. That God is not  the God revealed in Holy Scripture, the Triune God in whom we believe. Our hymn praises our Creator for His continuing care for His creation: “What God’s almighty pow’r has made, in mercy He is keeping.” God clothes the lilies of the field in colors more glorious than the royal robes of King Solomon. Our Creator feeds the birds of the air. Not even one sparrow falls to the ground apart from His knowledge (see Matthew 6:28-30, 10:29). God provides sunlight and rain, causing “the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate” (Psalm 104:14a). God is very “hands on” in the world He made. Our loving God is not just involved with the sun and rain and growing crops. He is “the God of love who understood our need for His salvation.” The people God created chose to disobey His commands. His wonderful creation was marred and corrupted by sin and death, and we too sin daily against our Creator. Our God, who is completely involved in His creation, sent His Son into the world to be our Savior. Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, came into this sin-stained world. His loving hands healed the sick and gave sight to the blind. Finally, those hands were nailed to a cross. Jesus suffered, died, and rose to life for us. He fills our souls with the “healing balm” of His forgiveness. By faith we have been created anew in Jesus, and “the Author of creation” is still very much hands-on in our lives. Remembering our Creator’s care for the birds and lilies, we do not need to be anxious about the troubles of daily life. At all times, God keeps us in His unwavering care, and “His eye is never sleeping.” Even though we may not always know or understand God’s purpose and His plans for us, we can be confident because we live in His kingdom, where “all things are just and good and right: to God all praise and glory!” WE PRAY: Lord God, Author of creation, keep me in Your merciful care. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good,” which is number 819 in the Lutheran Service Book. Reflection Questions: 1. When you create or build something, what aspects are you most concerned with? Why? 2. How does Jesus’ birth show God’s involvement in creation? Why was this important to Him? 3. When life is difficult, what comfort does a verse like Jeremiah 32:17 give you?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Genesis 27-28; Matthew 18:21-35

 

WE HAVE TWO LIBRARIES AT CHURCH! One of them is in the back of our sanctuary. That has many books, 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