SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2022
THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!
NEWS: It’s the first day of Advent and the start of a brand new Church Year! Pastor Al, Allen Kolkman, will be leading our Bible study at 9 AM and our worship at 10. The Old Testament lesson for the day is Isaiah 2:2-5 The second reading is Romans 13:11-14 and the Gospel lesson comes from Matthew 22:36-44 After we have participated in the Eucharist and our serve comes to a close, please join us outside for fellowship time, where coffee and goodies will be served. Then our fellowship continues at Jersey Mikes, a few blocks up from church. It’s right between Dollar Tree and Starbucks.
We pray all can join us for part of their Sunday but for those unable to worship in person, we stream our service live. The link is here: www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside Click on that, then click on the More dropdown arrow, then click Live. If you have a moment, please “Like” us and leave a brief comment about your online worship experience. Thank you! Also serving the Lord and our congregation today are:
Fellowship: Suzette Prokopin
Techies: Ian Andrews, OPEN
Reader: Margaret Paton
Acolyte: Josephine Neemia
Greeter: Margaret Paton
Ushers: Victor Dille, Keith Neblett
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for David Clem.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Stir up your power, O Lord and come, that by your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Psalm 66; Isaiah 1:1-28; 1 Peter1:1-12
GRADUAL: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, your King is coming to you, righteous and having salvation. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.
DIGGING DEEPER: Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7; 1 Corintians 1:3-9; Mark 11:1-10
Alleluia. Lift up your heads, O gates. And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Alleluia.
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“TELL ME A STORY”
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4) Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. (Matthew 1:18a)
Do you like stories?
Both Matthew and Luke have a story to tell —the best story in the world. It’s the story of how God sent His own Son Jesus down into the world to become one of us, a human being. It is the story of how God our Creator became God our Savior; and how the Son of God became the Son of Man.
Matthew tells the story simply, and mostly from Joseph’s point of view. The darker parts of the Christmas story are mostly found in Matthew’s Gospel.
Luke tells the story with lots of drama and poetry and humor, with plenty of dialogue. He tells us how the women saw things —Elizabeth and then Mary, Jesus’ mother.
In this Advent season, we’ll be sharing this story together —the story of how Jesus, our Savior, came into this world to save us. Together we’ll celebrate how God kept His promise: “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
WE PRAY: Lord Holy Spirit, please open our ears to hear the story of Jesus’ coming. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Is there a story (besides this one) you like to hear again and again?
* If so, what is it? Why do you love it?
* What is your favorite part of the Christmas story?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Ezekiel 30-32 1 Peter 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 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:
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 Lord’s Day and Sunday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org.
