SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, DECEMVBER 17, 2023

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

NEWS: Today we celebrate the Third Sunday in Advent. Bible study is at 9 AM and Pastor Joel will be leading us. In our 10 AM worship service the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Waiting with Joy.” It’s based on our Epistle for the day, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Our Old Testament lesson comes from Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 126 The Gospel is John 1:6-8, 19-28

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: Bruce Woodward, OPEN

Reader: Kathy Berni

Acolyte: Josephine Neemia

Greeter: Margaret Paton

Ushers: Keith Neblett, OPEN

Flowers: The Carlisles

Fellowship: The Carlisles

PRAYERS: Today we remember the Jerome family in our prayers: Denae, Christopher and Emily. Denae requests prayers for her parents, Bruce and Carole, and Christopher’s Mom, recovering from an MRSA (type of staph infection) in her leg bone.

COLLECT OF THE DAY: Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

READINGS: Zechariah 5; Psalm 137; Revelation 13:1-10

Alleluia. Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. Alleluia.

DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“SUNRISE COMING”

December 17, 2023

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people … because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:67-68, 78-79)

It is a great joy to have a newborn baby. It is an even greater joy to know that your dear child will grow up to serve the Lord as the prophet who will get things ready for Jesus. This is Zechariah’s joy as he looks at John.

But he has an even greater joy than that, and it’s one we share with him. Zechariah knows Jesus is coming, born only six months after John—so close in time that their adult ministries will overlap. And Jesus is no mere prophet—He is “the Lord God of Israel” Himself, who has “visited and redeemed His people.” God is not just reaching down from heaven to fix things in our world; He has come Himself.

And what is that coming like? It is like the sun coming down from the sky to shine in our dark and broken world. It is like joy after grief, like morning after nightmare. Jesus is coming, and He will destroy all the power of sin, death, and the devil. We who trust in Him will never walk in darkness again.

WE PRAY: Jesus, let me see Your light when everything seems dark around me. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* Why are people afraid of the dark?

* Can you remember a time in your life when you were so happy to see the morning come? Tell the story if you choose.

* Jesus calls Himself the Light of the world. Why is that a good name for Him?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 84, 90; Revelation 9

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