SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2022
A HAPPY, BLESSED DECEMBERR TO ALL!
NEWS: ATTENTION BOAERD OF DIRECTORS: It’s the first Thursday of the month and that means we are meeting this evening. The time is 7 PM and we meet via Zoom. Bruce sent out the link to everyone in an email on Tuesday.
Who likes cookies? Almost all of us do and you can get your fill THIS SATURDAY in our sanctuary! Our COOKIE EXCHANGE/CHRISTMAS PARTY starts at 2 PM. It’s for kids of all ages and we ask that, if you can, please bring four dozen home baked or store bought cookies (or a combination of those). We’ll also serve cider and show a family Christmas movie, “The Star.” All are invited to join the fun, fellowship, good eating and good time!
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Darryl Finley. Darryl requests prayers for direction in his life.
READINGS: Psalm 34:11-18; Psalm 50; Isaiah 7:10-8:8; 1 Peter 3:1-22
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“INTERRUPTION”
Now while he was serving as priest before God … there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard …” (Luke 1:8a, 11-13a)
What do you do when your life gets interrupted?
Zechariah wasn’t expecting an angel that day. He was like us—an ordinary believer, someone who served God in his daily life and did the work God put before him.
And then God put something else in front of him. A sudden turn, a swerve in the road. A miracle. Unexpected fatherhood. A child who would grow up to prepare the way for Jesus.
No wonder he was troubled!
What about you, when your life gets interrupted? What do you do, when fear falls on you?
The angel points the way: “Don’t be afraid,” he says. “Your prayer has been heard …” Heard by whom? By the Lord who loves us, and who will hold us up, even as the world changes around us.
No matter what happens to us, God isn’t taken by surprise. He knew what was coming. He knows how you feel. He will not leave you to deal with it on your own. How could He? He is the God who came into this world—and into your life—to suffer and die and rise again, all to make you His own dearly loved child. He will not desert you now.
WE PRAY: Lord, when I’m unsettled, be with me and support me. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* When were you shocked and surprised—by something good?
* If you feel like sharing, what are you having trouble adjusting to now?
* When you are afraid, how do you find help in Jesus?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Ezekiel 40-41 2 Peter 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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
