SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2023

 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1

NEWS: Today is the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost as we enter the Lord’s house. Bible study begins at 9 AM and Pastor Joel will continue leading us in studying the book of Genesis. In our 10 AM worship service the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, ”The Light Has Come, He Is Here, He Is Coming In All Fullness.” It’s based on our Psalm of the day (where our Psalmody is taken from), Psalm 43  The Old Testament reading comes from Amos 5:18-24 The Epistle is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Our Gospel reading is taken from Matthew 25:1-13

After we have celebrated Holy Communion and our service is complete, please join us for a brief fellowship time. Then please plan to stay for our twice-yearly ALL MEMBER MEETING. Our Six Ministry Teams will report on their goals and ministries of this past year and plans for next year.  The Officiers will give their reports, including concerning our finances.  We will also discuss our budget for 2024.  We have just two regular meetings a year, and we keep them short and focused.  Each is very important so please participate! 

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:

Techies:  Victor Dille, OPEN

Reader:  K Berni

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Rick Adams

Ushers:   OPEN & OPEN

Flowers:  Rick & Gail Adams

Fellowship:  Leonard & Suzette Prokopin

PRAYERS: Today we remember Debbie and Allen Kolkman in our prayers. We give thanks for their continued involvement in our congregation.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty and everlasting God, You have given exceedingly great and precious promises tothose who trust in You. Grant us so firmly to believe in Your Son Jesus that our faith may never be found wanting; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Daniel 5; Psalm 119:41-48; 2 Peter 2:1-10

 Alleluia. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich yet for your sake be became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. Alleluia.

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying” November 12, 2023

 

“‘Wake, awake, for night is flying,’ the watchmen on the heights are crying; ‘Awake, Jerusalem, arise!’ Midnight hears the welcome voices And at the thrilling cry rejoices: ‘Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise? The Bridegroom comes, awake! Your lamps with gladness take! Alleluia! With bridal care yourselves prepare To meet the Bridegroom, who is near.'” “Wake, awake!” This is not a time to be lazy or careless in matters of faith. There are people who may call themselves “Christian” but deny the Lord Jesus and His teachings. They prefer to adapt themselves to the values of the surrounding culture so that they do not offend anyone with unwelcome talk of sin, repentance, and the need for a Savior. Like the foolish virgins of Jesus’ parable, the lamps of those who embrace such false beliefs are flickering or, sadly, have gone out. Yet now is the time to be awake and alert, to keep the lamp of faith brightly burning. Jesus is coming back! When will our Lord return? We do not know, but we have His promise: “Surely I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20b). Jesus compared His return to unexpected events—a thief breaking into a home at night, a master returning unexpectedly to his household, and a bridegroom arriving, at a time not precisely known, to claim his bride. The homeowner who is awake and alert is ready to defend against a thief. Faithful servants have nothing to fear when the master arrives unexpectedly. Wise virgins, attendants of the bride, are waiting with lamps brightly burning when the bridegroom comes. Although Jesus will come back at a time we do not expect, the Savior has told us about the signs alerting us to His return. There will be “wars and rumors of wars,” famines and earthquakes, false prophets and “lawlessness will be increased.” Christians will be persecuted and “hated by all nations” (see Matthew 24:7-12). Even a brief glance at a news report reminds us that such things are happening now, and have been happening since Jesus ascended into heaven. Jesus reminds us repeatedly that now is the time to be ready: “Watch” (Matthew 25:13a), “Be on guard” (Mark 13:23a) and “Stay awake” (Mark 13:37b). “With bridal care yourselves prepare to meet the Bridegroom, who is near.” How are we to prepare? Jesus Himself gives us the answer, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15b). In humble repentance and with trust in our crucified and risen Lord, we are prepared. By God’s grace through faith in Jesus, we are clothed in the festive wedding garment of Jesus’ righteousness. With lamps of faith brightly burning, we are ready to welcome our Bridegroom, who will soon come to claim His Bride, the church. On the day of His return, raised up from death and transformed in glory, we will celebrate for all eternity the wedding feast of the Lamb! WE PRAY: Come, Lord Jesus! Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Wake, Awake for Night Is Flying,” which is number 516 in the Lutheran Service Book. Reflection Questions: 1. In general, how attentive is the world to the things of God? 2. Since Jesus is coming soon, is there anything we should be urgently tending to? 3. How do you prepare for a guest who may arrive at any time?

 

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

 

WE HAVE TWO LIBRARIES AT CHURCH! One of them is in the back of our sanctuary. That has many books,m DVD’s and (I believe) CD’s that are available to check out and return on the honor system. We also have our “Little Library” just inside the driveway to our parking lot. Please feel free to take a book or leave a book. The main focus is childrens or Christian material, but other, appropriate for a church setting, is acceptable.

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 Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/

 Here is the website for Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.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