SVLC DEVOTION SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2024

by | Jan 26, 2024 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2024

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

 NEWS: We will be celebrating the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany tomorrow and our day in God’s house begins with Bible study at 9 AM. It’s a new study led by Pastor Joel and the title is, “Praying God’s Will.” Our worship servi9ce takes place at 10 and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Who’s In Charge Here?” It’s based on our Gospel reading for the day, Mark 1:21-28 The Old testament lesson is Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 111 Our Epistle comes from Mark 1:21-28

After the Eucharist is taken and our service is complete, please join in for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then join us for continued fellowship at El Pollo Loco near Target on College Ave.

Also serving our Lord and congregation tomorrow are:

Techies:  Ian Andrews, Bruce Woodward

Reader:  K Berni

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  OPEN

Ushers:   OPEN, OPEN

Flowers:  The Neemia family

Fellowship:  Bruce & Carole Woodward

 PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE OPENINGS WE HAVE. If you can help out with these it would be greatly appreciated!

 PRAYERS: Today we remember the Luckemeyer family in our prayers: Amy, Pastor Joel, Jeremy and Lucy Joy. Pastor Joel requests prayers for God’s provision for his family and overs a prayer of Thanksgiving for their church family.

 READINGS: Psalm 1; Zechariah 4:1-5:11; Romans 15:14-33

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Deep Down Clean”

January 27, 2024

 

Mark 1:40-42 – And a leper came to Him [Jesus], imploring Him, and kneeling said to Him, “If You will, You can make me clean.” Moved with pity, He stretched out His hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

Years ago, I was leading a Christian tour group to Egypt. We were awed by the sights and sounds of that country’s past magnificence and its current, vibrant culture. There was, however, one thing that didn’t impress some of our “cleanliness-is-next-to-godliness” travelers.” And that was the dust and dirt we encountered everywhere. One lady, who was particularly irked, saw a little girl playing on what looked to be a village garbage dump. In disgust the woman said, “Why doesn’t that child’s mother do something to clean her up?”

Our guide, a native Cairene, overheard her dissatisfaction. He picked up the microphone and calmly said, “Ladies and gentlemen, someone has asked how a mother could let her daughter get so dirty. I can only tell you this: visitors to our country hate dirt, but they don’t know the love we have for our little children. The mothers of our country cherish and love their little children, but they don’t really hate dirt—not like some of our visitors do. So, until love for a child and hatred for dirt come together, these children are likely to remain as they are—playing on dirty trash heaps.”

After that the bus got very quiet, with many thinking about the truth of what the guide had just said. For positive change to happen in our world—in our communities, families, and churches—then love and power need to come together.

As Christians, we know that love and power have come together—in Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father, moved by love, sent His only Son to be born as one of us. As the omnipotent Son of God, Jesus willingly lived, suffered, died, and rose for us. Because ultimate power and love come together in the Savior, all who believe in Him are changed, transformed, and completely cleansed. They are no longer covered by the filth of sin. As St. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

God has done for us what we could never do on our own: “For God has done what the Law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:3-4).

WE PRAY: Dear Heavenly Father, “Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7). In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

From “Jesus Is Willing,” a devotional from Rev. Dr. Kenneth Klaus, Speaker Emeritus for The Lutheran Hour

Reflection Questions:

1. What was an unexpected surprise you once experienced from traveling?

2. Do you think the man with leprosy was shocked when Jesus healed him? Why?

3. Is cleansing us from sin greater, do you think, than being cleansed of leprosy? Why?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Genesis 25-26; Matthew 18:1-20

 

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/

 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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org