SVLC DEVOTION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2022

by | Nov 11, 2022 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2022

 NEWS: This morning the men meet for their monthly Bible Breakfast/Study at 9 AM. On the menu are pancakes and sausage, along with fellowship and the study of God’s word. Then the monthly Work Party takes place from 10 AM to Noon. All are welcome to come and help out as we tidy up our church and property.

Tomorrow we return to God’s house, with Bible study beginning at 9 AM. Pastor Joel is coming into home stretch, teaching us about the Lord’s prayer. Our worship service is at 10 and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Stones Will Be Thrown.” It’s based on our Gospel lesson for the day, Luke 21:5-28  Our other readings are Malachi 4:1-6 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13  After we have celebrated the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. That’s not the end of the socialization though as we will then proceed to In ‘N Out Burger near Mission and Frazee Rd.

Remember that next Saturday, the 19th, is our THANKFEAST. The sign-up sheet will be out tomorrow again for anyone who hasn’t thought about what they’d like to bring. You can also contact Allen Kolkman by email, kolkmanallen@gmail.com and he will sign you up.  We are doing things differently this year: We will have a BRIEF Thanksgiving worship service in our sanctuary at 2 PM. We ask that anyone bringing food drop it off in the Fellowship/Community building before 2 PM so it can be set up. After worship, around 2:30 or so, we can all proceed to the Fellowship building and be ready for our feast!

 PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Daria Roth. Daria requests prayers for the well being of our congregation.

 READINGS: Psalm 137; Psalm 130; Jeremiah 25:1-18; Matthew 26:1-19

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Welcome in His Presence”

November 12, 2022

 

Ephesians 3:11-12 -This was according to the eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him.

One day a missionary was returning home after several seasons overseas. As he rode the train, he met a man who asked him, “Was anybody there to welcome you when you got off the ship?” The missionary said there hadn’t been. The man snickered a bit and said, “Sir, after all that service and no one to cheer your return—has it been worth your effort?” The missionary could only reply, “I’m not home yet.”

Hearing this remark, the man thought the missionary was implying he would be met at his last stop by some admirers, a few souls thankful for the missionary’s faithful service. But it was not to be. When they arrived at the home station, there was no one to greet the preacher. The man resisted the urge to say anything more and simply walked away. Standing alone, the missionary was a little hurt. He had done, to the best of his ability, what God had asked him to do. Would it have hurt somebody, anybody, to come out to welcome him back?

Then, standing there alone, the Lord spoke to the missionary’s heart and said, “Remember, you’re not home yet.” Those words comforted the missionary a great deal. He recalled what he had been preaching all those years: this world is a temporary home for Christians. It is a place of transition. No one who lives in this world can say that they have truly reached “home.”

So it is for us, too, as we live our lives. Each passing day takes us closer to that moment when we will breathe our last. Will that time be filled with uncertainty and fear? Will we struggle against a “great unknown”? Not if Jesus is our Savior. Christ entered this world to bridge the gap our sins have caused—a gulf that separated us from our Heavenly Father. Jesus lived, suffered, died, and rose so that we might approach God with freedom, not fear; with confidence, not cowardice. Now Jesus sends His Holy Spirit to comfort us and keep us in the faith so that death is no longer a fearful prospect.

The blood Jesus shed for you and me is God’s divine declaration that forgiveness has been won for all mankind. Because Jesus took our sins to the cross, now, in repentant faith we can trust Him as our Lord and Savior. We are welcome in His presence. And yet, though this is true, we—like the un-applauded missionary—will still encounter problems as we travel home. There will still be crosses to bear, pains to endure, and all the things that come with living in this sinful world.

But we know Jesus is with us on this journey, watching over us, keeping us safe until the time comes when we eventually reach our heavenly home.

WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, remind us that we are coming home to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

From “Approaching God,” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Kenneth Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

Reflection Questions:

1. It’s easy to be let down by other people. How is God there for us when others aren’t?

2. How does faith in Christ’s saving work on our behalf give us confidence to not lose heart?

3. It takes a special kind of person to be a missionary. What are some qualities that would be valuable in this task?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Daniel 5-7; Titus 3

 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