SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
NEWS: A happy first weekend of fall to everyone! At some point, our weather will feel more fall-like. We have our Sunday Bible study, which starts at 9 AM tomorrow, in our sanctuary. Pastor Joel will continue to lead.us in a study of the Lord’s prayer. This includes sections from Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms. Our worship service starts at 10 and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “A Matter of Faith.” It is based on our Gospel reading for the day, Luke 16:19-31 Our other readings are Amos 6:1-7 and 1 Timothy 6:6-19 After we’ve shared the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us outside for our fellowship time, where coffee and goodies are served. Then, our fellowship time continues at Jersey Mikes, River Road where it intersects with College. We pray all our church family can meet together Sunday.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Tom and Gloria Morofski.
READINGS: Psalm 123; Psalm 99; Nehemiah 9:22-38; 1 Timothy 6:3-21
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Light for Us All”
Isaiah 60:1 – Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
In the Old Testament, the word “light” is associated with the Lord. In Psalm 27:1a we read, “The Lord is my light.” In Isaiah 60:19b we read, “The Lord will be your everlasting light.” Job said, “By His light, I walked through darkness” (Job 29:3b). And in Micah we read, “When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light unto me” (Micah 7:8b).
The same spirit of hope carries on in the New Testament. The Old Testament rabbis said the name of the Messiah was “light.” When Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world,” He was proclaiming that He was the fulfillment of that glorious prophecy (John 8:12b). Jesus made the most divine statement He could have made. And as the drama of the New Testament unfolds, Jesus, the Light of the world, is also there. For example, when prior to his conversion, Saul was traveling to Damascus, “Suddenly,” the Bible says, “a light from heaven flashed around him” (Acts 9:3b). This was the presence of God. And then, Saul (who would become the apostle Paul) heard the voice of His Savior speaking graciously unto him!
The apostle John continues to build on Jesus and His message of light and hope when he writes, “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7).
In Jesus Christ, and through God’s gift of faith, your light has come. When Jesus lives in you by God’s gift of faith, no power of the devil can destroy you. Let the promise of God spoken through John be your daily consolation and hope. “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4b).
When God’s Word comes to us and shines into the deepest recesses of our hearts, this divine light exposes all our sins and failures. We are ashamed, deeply ashamed; we can’t cover ourselves with excuses and alibis. This is why Jesus and the light of His Word is so comforting. Through God’s gift of repentance and faith, Jesus places His robe of perfect righteousness over us. You see, the Bible says, “For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). God did this so you and I can now stand pure and righteous in God’s sight, never again ashamed to come into the presence of our Heavenly Father.
Each of us now can face our fears with courage. We can say with St. Paul, “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Arise and shine, brothers and sisters! Let your light shine among your neighbors and friends so they, too, may glorify your Father who is in heaven.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for the light of Your Son Jesus Christ. In His Name we pray. Amen.
From “Arise! Shine! Your Light Has Come!” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Wallace Schulz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. What does it mean “that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all”?
2. How can we know that we are walking in the light and not in the darkness when it comes to our relationship with Jesus?
3. What are some ways we can be a “light” to others?
Today’s Bible Readings: Isaiah 34-36 Romans 4
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
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
