SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SATURDAY, JULY 2nd
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND!
NEWS: Tomorrow we return to God’s house to be with our fellow brothers/sisters in Christ or for online worship, steaming to those who can’t be with us in person. The day starts with Bible study at 9 AM and Pastor Joel is leading us in the study of the Lord’s Prayer. Our worship service is at 10 AM and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Never Alone! Never Without!” The text is based on Luke 10:1-20 Our other readings for this Fourth Sunday after Pentecost are Isaiah 66:10-14 and Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18 When we’ve finished the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us outside for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then, for those hungry for lunch, we will be meeting up at The Great Wok of China/Albertos. They are next to each other at 4635 Frazee Rd., by 76. There is common outdoor seating so everyone can socialize, whatever cuisine one chooses.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Theodora Elias.
READINGS: Psalm 51:1-9; Psalm 60; Joshua 7:1-20; Acts 10:34-48
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Unchanged”
Psalm 102:25-27 – Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but You are the same, and Your years have no end.
A “changeless Christ for a changing world” is a well-known saying among Christians in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. It speaks to the constancy of God’s love for mankind as shown each of us in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. As the psalmist of old notes so beautifully, our God does not change. As architect of the universe in all its vast array, He will one day bring it to nothing. Like a simple article of clothing, it will one day wear out and pass away. But God, the One who loves us as His own, will never change; He is the same throughout eternity.
How then do we take comfort in this truth about our Creator? As we see the constant evidence of change and decay in the world around us, how are our hearts lifted by God’s constancy in character and the love He has shown us in Jesus Christ? They are lifted by knowing that whatever happens to us, no matter how bleak life might seem, God is always with us—never failing, never forsaking, never turning us away. Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out” (John 6:37).
What, then, does the changeless Christ in this changing world mean to you as the year presses on? Does it not, first of all, ask that out of gratitude for the Son of God, who died for you, you receive Him as your Redeemer, glorify Him as your God, crown Him as your King, serve Him as your Lord of love, thank Him for the unnumbered and unrecognized blessings for which He has bountifully enriched you? Does the Savior’s constant compassion not urge you to spend time with Him in true worship?
My dear friend, I hope this is exactly what Jesus’ love for you means for you! God who did not spare His own Son but gave Him for us all wants you to know the depth of His love and the true reason for His Son’s sacrifice. Jesus did not go to the cross simply to set an example; He went to the cross to set us free from our sins and the despair of an eternity without Him (see John 8:36; Romans 8:1-4; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:8).
May you know God’s unchanging love as expressed to you in His Son, resurrected from the dead and now ruling for all eternity!
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, though we change You do not. Give us faith in Jesus that is steady and growing. In His Name we pray. Amen.
From “The Changeless Christ for a Changing World,” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier, the first Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. What does it mean to you to speak of Jesus as being changeless?
2. A worn-out universe-what might that look like?
3. How do you take hope in the ever-consistent nature of God?
Today’s Bible Readings: 1 Kings 12-13 Acts 11
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 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 Saturday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
