SVLC DEVOTION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023

 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

 NEWS: Link of the Week:  Here is the Disneyland Christmas Candlelight Service  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74ERDejnQTo   It’s a very grand, traditional, completely Christian Christmas worship service and it’s very well attended.  It’s quite inspirational and well done. Disneyland also has a Gospel Celebration thing in February; I’ll try to provide a link to that when that time comes.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Diane Finley in our prayers.

 READINGS: Zechariah 1; Psalm 133; Revelation 9

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“JOY” December 13, 2023

 

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:41-45) Elizabeth’s joy delights me. She is so happy to see Mary and to know that Jesus Himself is present—a tiny embryo in Mary’s body. At this moment Elizabeth isn’t thinking of what lies ahead—family problems, Mary’s reputation, childbirth itself. She is simply overjoyed. It is good to take time for joy, because joy is the business of heaven (as C.S. Lewis noted). This world is filled with very real trouble and sadness, and if we choose, we can always remember something important to worry about—something that will crowd out joy from this moment. But Elizabeth lays all that aside to recognize God’s blessing here and now. “Blessed are you! Blessed is your baby! Blessed am I, to have you bring Jesus to me! Blessed are you, for believing God’s promise.” We, too, are blessed, and for the same reasons. We are blessed because Jesus has come to us, God most high become a human baby. We are blessed because God has kept His promise to redeem us, even at the cost of His own suffering, death, and resurrection. And we are blessed because the Holy Spirit has given us faith in His good promises. WE PRAY: Dear Savior, thank You for coming to me! Amen. Reflection Questions: * What joys has God given you today? * How do God’s blessings sustain you in time of trouble? * Give thanks for one joy God has given you. Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 74-76; Revelation 5

 

Pastor Joel is Here for You.  If you have a pastoral need or a prayer request for Pastor Joel, please call or text him at 775-336-9680 or email him at luckemeyerj@gmail.com

 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 hour  s: 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 Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us