SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SATURDAY, JUNE 25
THE PRESENTATION OF THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION
Here is the link to a copy of a sermon given by Dr. Benjamin Mayes from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN on June 25, 2019. It gives much great background on the Augsburg Confession: http://blog.ctsfw.edu/2019/06/25/commemoration-presentation-of-the-augsburg-confession-2/
NEWS: We make our return to God’s house tomorrow, on the third Sunday after Pentecost, to learn, worship and confess with our fellow brothers/sisters in Christ. The day starts with our Sunday Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel is leading us on a study of the Lord’s Prayer, including insights from the Small and Large Catechisms. Our worship follows at 10 and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “You are Righteous! Judge Not.” It’s based on Luke 9:51-62 which is our Gospel lesson for the day. Our other readings are 1 Kings 19:9-21 and Galatians 5:1, 13-25 After we’ve taken the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us for our fellowship time outside with coffee and goodies. Then, for those hungry for a late breakfast or for lunch, please meet up with us at the Pit Stop, at Mission and El Camino Real. Enter off of Mission, where Express Fuel, the library and police headquarters is located. Also serving our congregation tomorrow:
Fellowship: Open
Flowers: The Neemia family
Techies: Ian Andrews, Bruce Woodward
Reader: Keith Neblett
Acolyte: Josphine Neemia
Greeter: Open
Ushers: Victor Dille, Keith Neblett
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Rick and Gail Adams. They especially request prayers for Noah, who is being sent to Korea by the Army, on July 22nd.
READINGS: Psalm 119:41-48; Psalm 73; Proverbs 31:10-31; John 21:1-25
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“The God Who Is Known”
Acts 17:22-24, 30-31 – So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man … The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.”
One can only imagine the impact St. Paul’s sermon must have had on the Greek philosophers of that day. Addressing the presence of an altar inscribed to an unknown god, Paul replies that there is only one God, that He made heaven and earth, and He is very much alive.
There is no need, friends, to speak any longer about an “unknown god.” There is no need to stumble around in spiritual hopelessness. God has made Himself known to you for your forgiveness and your salvation. Scripture says that long ago God spoke through Isaiah, Jeremiah, and many other prophets, in many ways. More recently, however, God has spoken to us through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 1:1-4).
And the Scriptures let us know that because of Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Father will not deal with you and me according to the penalty our sin demands. Instead, forgiveness is promised. As the psalmist of old says, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:11-12).
God “knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14). He knows there is nothing we can do to earn His love or expect His forgiveness. Therefore, this compassion—all this love the known God has for you—is offered to us in the cross of Christ, by which God has lifted judgment against us. As the apostle John writes: “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7b). And this God gave proof of this “by raising Him from the dead.”
Let us then confess with the saints, praising this God who knows us—and has made Himself known to us. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, You have clearly made Yourself known to us and shown us that You love us in Jesus. Thank You! Amen.
From “The Known God,” a sermon from Rev. Dr. Wallace Schulz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Why do you think the Greeks of Paul’s day had an altar dedicated to an unknown god?
2. How has God made Himself known to us?
3. When someone says it’s impossible to know anything about God, how do you respond?
Today’s Bible Readings: 1 Kings 5-7 Acts 7:44-60
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 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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
