SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 10
Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!
NEWS: Today is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. The day begins with our Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel continues to lead the study on the miracles of Jesus and what they mean to our lives. Our service is at 10 and Pastor Joel’s sermon is entitled, “I am Barabbas, I am the Thief.” The text is based on Luke 23:13-43 When worship concludes, we have fellowship time with coffee and goodies to eat. For those wanting and needing lunch, we’ll then proceed to Jersey Mikes, just up the road, It’s right between Starbucks and Dollar Tree.
Also Ministering today…
Fellowship: Diane Finley
Flowers: Daria Roth
Techies: Ian Andrews, Josh Cerny
Reader: Allen Kolkman
Acolyte: Open
Greeter: Margaret Paton
Ushers: Rick Adams, Keith Neblett
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for the Neemia family: Mike, Fale, Easter, Penny, Josephine and Jeremiah.
COLLECT FOR TODAY: Almighty and everlasting God, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 118:19-29; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 26:1-27:66
He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
GRADUAL: Christ entered once for all into the holy places, by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“THE COURTESY OF GOD”
Jesus] sent two of the disciples, saying… “You will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.'” … And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as He rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. (Luke 19:29b, 30b, 31, 35-36)
I love those words, “The Lord has need of it.” God, needing something from us? My mind boggles. But that is what we get, at the moment of Jesus’ greatest earthly glory. It’s all borrowed.
Jesus borrows a donkey because He has nothing of His own to use, no horse or cart. Jesus has no saddle—so His disciples volunteer their cloaks. He has no royal carpet to ride on, no courtiers to go before and after Him—so the townspeople supply everything He needs.
This is the great courtesy and kindness of God, to give us the honor of supplying His needs, even on this day of His glory. For how should it be, that the great God should become a human being—should need milk and clothes and a manger to sleep in, parents to change Him and wash His diapers? How should it be, that the God who came to save us should let us cook for Him, run errands for Him, anoint Him for His burial?
And now that He has saved us forever through His death and resurrection, He still gives us the chance to serve Him—to take care of “the least of these My brethren,” the people in need around us. For He says, “What you do to them, you do to Me” (see Matthew 25:31-40). What an honor!
THE PRAYER: Thank You, dear God, for allowing me to give to You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What have you “lent to the Lord,” small or great?
* How did it make you feel?
* Why do you think God makes our small services a part of His great work?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Joshua 13-15 Luke 10:25-42
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select “Save Link As” or “Save Target As” or “Download Linked File As”
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:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
Here is the website for Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
Lutheran Public Radio is listener supported and has two channels, one for sacred music and the other for talk, including news, current issues, politics and spiritual matters from a Lutheran perspective. Hosted by Pastor Todd Wilken, Issues, Etc. airs live Monday thru Friday from 1 to 3 pm Pacific, with the “Best Of” running at other hours: https://lutheranpublicradio.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 Lord’s Day and Sunday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
