SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people Titus 2:11
NEWS: TONIGHT is Wine on The Patio…really Wine in The Living Room! It’s at the home of Allen and Debbie Kolkman. It goes from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. All that’s asked is you bring either a bottle of wine or some other drink…it doesn’t have to be alcoholic, to share. Or, bring a snack, appetizer or sweet treat to share. There’s good fellowship to be had!
For all the rest of the current SVLC news, please refer to the Weekly Shepherd of The Valley Weekly Church Newsletter that Allen Kolkman emailed out yesterday.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for the Woodward family: Carole, Eric and Bruce. They request prayers that they and especially Eric can stay healthy in this cold and flu season.
READINGS: Psalm 47; Psalm 135; Zechariah 14:1-21; Titus 2:7-3:15
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Your Time to Shine”
Matthew 5:14-16 – Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
This devotion pairs with this weekend’s Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at lutheranhour.org.
Great movements are like sunrises. They first cast their brightness just on the tips of a few mountain peaks, and then they cascade on the tallest steeples, then they light up the whole valley, then the whole village, and then the whole world. Christianity is just that sort of movement, and if there ever was a time this dismal world needed a light to shine, it is now. God has a new ray of light ready to shine into your life with a new day from on high.
His name is Jesus, the Dayspring. The Creed calls Him the God of God and the Light of Light who takes, outcasts and makes them a chosen race, who takes those stuck at the bottom of life’s barrel and makes them a royal priesthood, who takes the unwanted, the unemployed, the unsuccessful, the unhappy, and makes them a holy nation, a people who finally belong. Once, we were not a people, now it is our time to shine as we live out God’s more excellent way. We, by the power of the Holy Spirit, are the light of the world because we reflect the true light, Jesus.
You might be in a dark and difficult winter this year, but God is the Light who changes things, and God has a Word for your heart from John 8. “Again, Jesus spoke to them saying, I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” Would you like to have power like that? You do. It’s found in God’s Word. It’s found in Jesus. That’s why we give candles to the newly baptized because as we remember our Baptisms, we can let our lights shine, we can make a difference in this world, we can be a movement that brings the light.
Sister, brother, friend, it’s our time to shine together. No matter who you are, let your light shine with the light of Christ.
WE PRAY: You, O Lord, are the Light of the world, the light that shines in our valleys of death and darkness. Shine on us with Your saving grace and peace so that we can illuminate the world. In Your Name. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Dr. John Nunes.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever been truly lost in the dark? Where were you and how did you find your way out?
2. Can you give some examples from the Bible how Jesus was a helpful light for others?
3. How can our Christian love and witness be a light for someone else?
Today’s Bible Readings: Genesis 41-42 Matthew 22:1-22
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 Friday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
