SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SATURDAY, AUGUST 7
NEWS: It’s the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost tomorrow. That means we return to God’s house for Bible study and worship! Pastor Joel continues to lead us in studying the Lord’s prayer at 9 AM and all are invited to attend. Included in the resources used are writings from Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms. In our worship service, which starts at 10, the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Anxiety and Growing Faith and Righteousness.” It’s based on our Old Testament lesson for the day, our first reading, Genesis 15:1-6 Our second lesson is Hebrews 11:1-16 and the gospel lesson for the day is Luke 12:22-34 Please bring a family member, friend or neighbor with you to hear the wonderful gospel message!
After we’ve finished the Lord’s supper and our service is complete, please join us outside for Fellowship time, as we enjoy coffee and goodies. You can further satisfy your hunger for food and more fellowship by then meeting up with us at Jersey Mikes, up the road from church , by Starbucks and Dollar Tree. Also serving our Lord and congregation tomorrow are:
Fellowship: The Kolkmans
Flowers: Terry & Alba Reilly
Techies: Bruce Woodward, OPEN
Reader: K Berni
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Gail Adams
Ushers: Victor Dille, Keith Neblett
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Diane Finley. We ask the Lord’s guidance for Diane as she has had potential identity theft.
READINGS: Psalm 92; 1 Samuel 20:1-23; Acts 28:16-31
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Drawing Us Near”
saiah 40:25-26 – To whom then will you compare Me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of His might and because He is strong in power, not one is missing.
Isaiah 40 is a magnificent chapter in the Bible. While it never fails to inspire me, it also reminds me how our sin has separated us from our Creator. Think back to the Bible’s opening statement: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). From those first words, the Bible directs you and me to marvel at the greatness of the Creator. Thus Isaiah 40:26 says, “Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?”
So, while we are astonished at God’s creation, how is it we can feel insignificant and imagine our lives are cosmic specks? Sin again—we have alienated ourselves from our Creator.
Although God had called everything else into being by His Word, God personally fashioned our first parents Adam and Eve in His image. But when Adam and Eve fell into sin, when they did not submit to His Word, they alienated themselves from their Creator. Genesis 3:8, 10 say, “And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD among the trees of the garden. … And he said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” And in alienating themselves from their Creator, they became alienated from each other.
That’s why we can feel insignificant and imagine we are meaningless cosmic specks. We have lost the image of God. You and I need to be recreated.
Jesus Christ is your Savior, your Redeemer, your Creator, and Re-Creator. Sent by His Father into our world, His death on the cross for your sins and mine, His resurrection and promise of everlasting life, and His Spirit given in the Word of God recreates us. When you trust Jesus Christ and His words, the image of God begins to be renewed in you.
So, for us who believe, the vast universe narrows down to God’s Son. St. Paul says, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of the darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Now we can look at Isaiah 40 through the lens of faith in Jesus Christ, the all-powerful and all-compassionate Son of God who came into our world so that we might truly know our Heavenly Father.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for drawing us near to You through Your Son Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.
From “Lift up Your Eyes on High and See: Who Created These?” a sermon excerpt by Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, Speaker Emeritus for The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. What thing do you look at in nature that makes you feel really insignificant?
2. Why was Adam naked and afraid when he heard God walking in the garden? (See Genesis 3.)
3. Why do we not have to hide from God because of our sins?
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 130-132 1 Corinthians 1
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/
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 and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Allen and Margie Latall: aalatall@gmail.com OR mjlatall62@gmail.com OR Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
