For today, we provide you with the Prayer of the Day from our hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, for Thanksgiving Day.
Almighty God our Father, your generous goodness comes to us new every day. By the work of your Spirit lead us to acknowledge your goodness, give thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
We give thanks for you and for your partnership and generosity every day.
Pastors Seth and Jenn
Remember that if you (or someone you know) has no place to be today, join us on Thursday for our free community meal, 11-2. We begin Advent in worship next Sunday at 8:30 and 11.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Lenten Devotional Being Prepared
Hi all.
Your help is needed.
Do you ever read these daily devotionals and think, "I've got something to say too?"
Do you ever wonder why Pastor Seth and Pastor Jenn get to have all the fun of writing these messages?
Do you have something to share?
I'm sure that you do, whether you know it or not.
So, we are again this year preparing a Lenten devotional booklet for All Saints written by the people of All Saints.
If you should decide to put your name on the writer's list, you will get:
Your help is needed.
Do you ever read these daily devotionals and think, "I've got something to say too?"
Do you ever wonder why Pastor Seth and Pastor Jenn get to have all the fun of writing these messages?
Do you have something to share?
I'm sure that you do, whether you know it or not.
So, we are again this year preparing a Lenten devotional booklet for All Saints written by the people of All Saints.
If you should decide to put your name on the writer's list, you will get:
- an assigned biblical text (usually 6-10 verses)
- a deadline (in mid-January)
- instructions and guidance, as much as you'd like.
Write your thoughts about what these passages are saying to you. What do they make you think of? What do you learn about God from them? What do you learn about yourself from them? Use the booklets "Christ in our Home" or the daily email devotionals as inspiration. But make it your own. Share your thoughts with your sisters and brothers.
Finally submit the following via email: your key verses, 250-350 word reflection, and how you would like your name to be printed.
These will be printed together in a booklet for our congregation, the booklet will be made into a pdf and put on our congregation's website, and the devotions will be emailed as part of our daily email devotional plan for the season of Lent 2011.
If you would be willing to share your thoughts and to help us create this project, please respond via email to pastorseth@allsaintspalatine.org
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
Psalm 24:7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
This passage comes from that great poetic tradition of personifying inanimate objects. The psalmist calls on the gates and the doors of all of Jerusalem to open because the King of glory is coming. I picture a cartoon-setting where the psalmist cries out "Lift up your heads, O gates!" and the gate wakes up quickly from a long slumber. The gate shakes off the last bits of sleep and opens up just in time to let the Lord pass through.
But what if we play with the personification in the other direction? What if we are the gates? What if we are the doors? Lift up your heads, O people! and be lifted up, O saints! that the King of glory may come in. This week, lift up your head and prepare yourself to be a vessel through which the King of glory can enter the world. Because you are a gate and a door. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for Thanksgiving worship tonight at 7. Bring a bag of groceries for the Palatine Food Pantry. Then join us on Thursday for our free community meal, 11-2. We begin Advent in worship next Sunday at 8:30 and 11.
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
This passage comes from that great poetic tradition of personifying inanimate objects. The psalmist calls on the gates and the doors of all of Jerusalem to open because the King of glory is coming. I picture a cartoon-setting where the psalmist cries out "Lift up your heads, O gates!" and the gate wakes up quickly from a long slumber. The gate shakes off the last bits of sleep and opens up just in time to let the Lord pass through.
But what if we play with the personification in the other direction? What if we are the gates? What if we are the doors? Lift up your heads, O people! and be lifted up, O saints! that the King of glory may come in. This week, lift up your head and prepare yourself to be a vessel through which the King of glory can enter the world. Because you are a gate and a door. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for Thanksgiving worship tonight at 7. Bring a bag of groceries for the Palatine Food Pantry. Then join us on Thursday for our free community meal, 11-2. We begin Advent in worship next Sunday at 8:30 and 11.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
ASLC Devotions - Tuesday
Isaiah 33:22 For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our ruler,
the Lord is our king; he will save us.
Sometimes the church/liturgical calendar plays around with our national/secular calendar in interesting ways. Of course it's Thanksgiving week and we're all thinking about turkey and dressing and football and giving thanks. For some of us (especially those of us with young children who remind us) we're thinking about pilgrims and voyages across the ocean and being afraid of not surviving. And we remember that those pilgrims came because of a fear of a king, a ruler, a judge. They came because of a conflict with the ruler and the ruling class where they lived. They needed to go somewhere else to worship as they wanted.
In this way, Christ the King (which is the liturgical holiday just past and that we're still thinking about with this lesson) reminds us that we have a righteous and a just king. No matter where we live, no matter if we like the government or the politics or the system... we have a ruler who will save us. The Lord is our king. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for Thanksgiving worship Wednesday evening at 7. Bring a bag of groceries for the Palatine Food Pantry. Then join us on Thursday for our free community meal, 11-2. We begin Advent in worship next Sunday at 8:30 and 11.
the Lord is our king; he will save us.
Sometimes the church/liturgical calendar plays around with our national/secular calendar in interesting ways. Of course it's Thanksgiving week and we're all thinking about turkey and dressing and football and giving thanks. For some of us (especially those of us with young children who remind us) we're thinking about pilgrims and voyages across the ocean and being afraid of not surviving. And we remember that those pilgrims came because of a fear of a king, a ruler, a judge. They came because of a conflict with the ruler and the ruling class where they lived. They needed to go somewhere else to worship as they wanted.
In this way, Christ the King (which is the liturgical holiday just past and that we're still thinking about with this lesson) reminds us that we have a righteous and a just king. No matter where we live, no matter if we like the government or the politics or the system... we have a ruler who will save us. The Lord is our king. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for Thanksgiving worship Wednesday evening at 7. Bring a bag of groceries for the Palatine Food Pantry. Then join us on Thursday for our free community meal, 11-2. We begin Advent in worship next Sunday at 8:30 and 11.
Monday, November 22, 2010
All Saints Devotions -- Monday
Jeremiah 46:27 But as for you, have no fear, my servant Jacob,
and do not be dismayed, O Israel;
for I am going to save you from far away,
and your offspring from the land of their captivity.
Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease,
and no one shall make him afraid.
This is the time of year for the weepy "homecoming" commercials. You know the ones I mean. Somebody sneaks into the house early on Christmas morning or pops in just as the turkey is set on the Thanksgiving table. Nobody expected them to be able to make it home. Maybe there were weather problems. Maybe they lived too far away. Maybe they were in the military. Nonetheless, they make it home. Everybody cries. The viewers cry. And then I guess we go buy the coffee or batteries or cellphone plan or whatever it is that made it all possible.
I'm not selling you anything this morning. God's not selling you anything. But God promises a return more profound than any family get-together. God promises that one day we will return to God's house. One day we will be welcomed home and the feast will be set before us and nobody will be able to make us afraid ever again.
So this season as you are surrounded by love and hope, either at All Saints' Thanksgiving dinner, at your family's gathering(s) or wherever it is... look at those things as signs. They are signs of the great feast that God promises us. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for Thanksgiving worship Wednesday evening at 7. Bring a bag of groceries for the Palatine Food Pantry. Then join us on Thursday for our free community meal, 11-2. We begin Advent in worship next Sunday at 8:30 and 11.
and do not be dismayed, O Israel;
for I am going to save you from far away,
and your offspring from the land of their captivity.
Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease,
and no one shall make him afraid.
This is the time of year for the weepy "homecoming" commercials. You know the ones I mean. Somebody sneaks into the house early on Christmas morning or pops in just as the turkey is set on the Thanksgiving table. Nobody expected them to be able to make it home. Maybe there were weather problems. Maybe they lived too far away. Maybe they were in the military. Nonetheless, they make it home. Everybody cries. The viewers cry. And then I guess we go buy the coffee or batteries or cellphone plan or whatever it is that made it all possible.
I'm not selling you anything this morning. God's not selling you anything. But God promises a return more profound than any family get-together. God promises that one day we will return to God's house. One day we will be welcomed home and the feast will be set before us and nobody will be able to make us afraid ever again.
So this season as you are surrounded by love and hope, either at All Saints' Thanksgiving dinner, at your family's gathering(s) or wherever it is... look at those things as signs. They are signs of the great feast that God promises us. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for Thanksgiving worship Wednesday evening at 7. Bring a bag of groceries for the Palatine Food Pantry. Then join us on Thursday for our free community meal, 11-2. We begin Advent in worship next Sunday at 8:30 and 11.
Friday, November 12, 2010
ASLC Devotions - Friday
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
I am by nature a cynical person. I tend to see the glass as half-empty. That's my natural way of looking at the world. I am a cynic by nature, but I'm an optimist by experience.
It's good for me to see people working together and serving together and loving one another and sacrificing for one another. And it happens all the time. I see it in the ministries of All Saints and I see it in the life of All Saints on a regular basis. I see people serving and helping and giving and sharing. I see people stepping in to offer a new idea or new excitement and energy. I see it every day. And it challenges my cynicism.
I must always give thanks to God for you, All Saints, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Amen.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This week it's back to 8:30 and 11:00 worship with Education Hour at 9:45. See http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for more information.
I am by nature a cynical person. I tend to see the glass as half-empty. That's my natural way of looking at the world. I am a cynic by nature, but I'm an optimist by experience.
It's good for me to see people working together and serving together and loving one another and sacrificing for one another. And it happens all the time. I see it in the ministries of All Saints and I see it in the life of All Saints on a regular basis. I see people serving and helping and giving and sharing. I see people stepping in to offer a new idea or new excitement and energy. I see it every day. And it challenges my cynicism.
I must always give thanks to God for you, All Saints, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Amen.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This week it's back to 8:30 and 11:00 worship with Education Hour at 9:45. See http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for more information.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
ASLC Devotions - Thursday
Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen.
Paul is writing about those who worship statues and idols. They could be worshiping the true God, but instead they've chosen to worship a statue of a cow or a statue of a man or what-have-you. They've had the truth about God and they've chosen a lie instead. They're serving a creature rather than climbing right to the top of the supply chain to worship the Creator. How sad for them!
I'm so glad we don't worship statues anymore. I'm glad we don't serve statues and idols anymore.
Instead, we've exchanged the truth about God for lies and serve lots of other false gods. The more things change the more they stay the same.
What false gods or idols have you been serving lately? What has taken first place in your life lately?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This week it's back to 8:30 and 11:00 worship with Education Hour at 9:45. See http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for more information.
Paul is writing about those who worship statues and idols. They could be worshiping the true God, but instead they've chosen to worship a statue of a cow or a statue of a man or what-have-you. They've had the truth about God and they've chosen a lie instead. They're serving a creature rather than climbing right to the top of the supply chain to worship the Creator. How sad for them!
I'm so glad we don't worship statues anymore. I'm glad we don't serve statues and idols anymore.
Instead, we've exchanged the truth about God for lies and serve lots of other false gods. The more things change the more they stay the same.
What false gods or idols have you been serving lately? What has taken first place in your life lately?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This week it's back to 8:30 and 11:00 worship with Education Hour at 9:45. See http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for more information.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
Psalm 123
To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
As the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
until he has mercy upon us.
To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
As the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
until he has mercy upon us.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.
Our soul has had more than its fill
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.
Today a whole psalm to read. And less from me. All I want to say is, let this psalm be your prayer today. Lift up your eyes to the One enthroned in the heavens. The Lord will have mercy upon you. The Lord has had mercy upon you.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This week it's back to 8:30 and 11:00 worship with Education Hour at 9:45. Join us Wednesday (tonight) for Holden Evening Prayer and fellowship at 7:00 as well. See http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for more information.
Monday, November 8, 2010
ASLC Devotions - Monday
Job 20:9 The eye that saw them will see them no more,
nor will their place behold them any longer.
One of the profound truths of the Bible is so simple and obvious yet it is truly profound. Nothing lasts forever. Wealth and power and privilege do not last. As the common phrase not found in the Bible puts it: "You can't take it with you." Life does not last. Health does not last. Nothing lasts forever. This passage from Job is actually talking about people who threaten or hate you. They don't last forever.
We serve a powerful and eternal God. Only God lasts. Only God's love lasts. God's love is stronger than hatred and jealousy and rivalry. God's love lasts and those things don't. God's love is stronger than any wealth or privilege. Those things will go away. God's love will not. What a privilege it is to worship and to serve an eternal and a loving God.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This week it's back to 8:30 and 11:00 worship with Education Hour at 9:45. Join us Wednesday for Holden Evening Prayer and fellowship at 7:00 as well. See http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for more information.
nor will their place behold them any longer.
One of the profound truths of the Bible is so simple and obvious yet it is truly profound. Nothing lasts forever. Wealth and power and privilege do not last. As the common phrase not found in the Bible puts it: "You can't take it with you." Life does not last. Health does not last. Nothing lasts forever. This passage from Job is actually talking about people who threaten or hate you. They don't last forever.
We serve a powerful and eternal God. Only God lasts. Only God's love lasts. God's love is stronger than hatred and jealousy and rivalry. God's love lasts and those things don't. God's love is stronger than any wealth or privilege. Those things will go away. God's love will not. What a privilege it is to worship and to serve an eternal and a loving God.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This week it's back to 8:30 and 11:00 worship with Education Hour at 9:45. Join us Wednesday for Holden Evening Prayer and fellowship at 7:00 as well. See http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for more information.
Friday, November 5, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Friday
Acts 24:10
10When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: “I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation.
We don't get a lot of adverbs in the writings of scripture, and often we have to provide our own stage cues, as it were. However, today, we read that Paul made his defense cheerfully. He believes with all of his might that he's done nothing wrong, and in fact many things right, so it's not surprising that he's able to state his defense cheerfully. But it makes me wonder how many things I do these days cheerfully? How about you? Are you of cheerful spirit as you go about your day or make your defense?
There are certainly moments when we understandably not cheerful, and perhaps it would even be considered inappropriate to be cheerful, but most days, at most times, my activities could use a dose of cheerfully.
Peace to you, cheerfully,
Pastor Jenn
Don't forget to turn back your clocks Saturday night!
Sunday morning schedule: 9:00 education, 10:00 worship followed by congregational meal! See you there!
10When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: “I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation.
We don't get a lot of adverbs in the writings of scripture, and often we have to provide our own stage cues, as it were. However, today, we read that Paul made his defense cheerfully. He believes with all of his might that he's done nothing wrong, and in fact many things right, so it's not surprising that he's able to state his defense cheerfully. But it makes me wonder how many things I do these days cheerfully? How about you? Are you of cheerful spirit as you go about your day or make your defense?
There are certainly moments when we understandably not cheerful, and perhaps it would even be considered inappropriate to be cheerful, but most days, at most times, my activities could use a dose of cheerfully.
Peace to you, cheerfully,
Pastor Jenn
Don't forget to turn back your clocks Saturday night!
Sunday morning schedule: 9:00 education, 10:00 worship followed by congregational meal! See you there!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Thursday
Acts 23:11
11That night the Lord stood near [Paul] and said, “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.”
Part of what we do as Christians is witness and testify for the Lord, which can be a tiring task. Moreso, of course, for Paul who nearly lost his life in this particular passage on behalf of his testifying. No wonder the Lord shows up and says, "Keep up your courage!"
We could bemoan the fact that the Lord never shows up directly next to us and whispers encouragement in our ear. Or, we could look around us and hear all the words of support and promise that our brothers and sisters in Christ give to us as they testify to what the Lord has done for them, and continues to do in each of our relationships. Dear ones, keep up your courage.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
We will gather for worship at All Saints on Sunday at 10:00 with education at 9:00. A fellowship meal will follow worship. Please join together as we witness to the Lord and encourage each other.
11That night the Lord stood near [Paul] and said, “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.”
Part of what we do as Christians is witness and testify for the Lord, which can be a tiring task. Moreso, of course, for Paul who nearly lost his life in this particular passage on behalf of his testifying. No wonder the Lord shows up and says, "Keep up your courage!"
We could bemoan the fact that the Lord never shows up directly next to us and whispers encouragement in our ear. Or, we could look around us and hear all the words of support and promise that our brothers and sisters in Christ give to us as they testify to what the Lord has done for them, and continues to do in each of our relationships. Dear ones, keep up your courage.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
We will gather for worship at All Saints on Sunday at 10:00 with education at 9:00. A fellowship meal will follow worship. Please join together as we witness to the Lord and encourage each other.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
Psalm 50:1
1The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
I love the idea of God summoning the earth from morning to night. A lot of people tell me that they begin their day with prayer -- prayer for people, prayer over the newspaper, prayer to have the energy to get out of bed. God is there, summoning the earth and you.
Many of you also end the day with prayer -- for a restful night, for the people you encounter throughout the day, for the situations that weigh heavily on your heart and mind. God is there, still summoning the earth, and you.
And throughout the day, God summons the earth, and you. Listen, God is calling.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
1The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
I love the idea of God summoning the earth from morning to night. A lot of people tell me that they begin their day with prayer -- prayer for people, prayer over the newspaper, prayer to have the energy to get out of bed. God is there, summoning the earth and you.
Many of you also end the day with prayer -- for a restful night, for the people you encounter throughout the day, for the situations that weigh heavily on your heart and mind. God is there, still summoning the earth, and you.
And throughout the day, God summons the earth, and you. Listen, God is calling.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
ASLC Devotions-- Tuesday
Zechariah 7:9-10
9Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; 10do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.
The question came, "Should I fast during a particular month, as I have always done, to entreat the favor of the Lord?" And the answer came as it is written above. Show kindness and mercy. Do not oppress the widow or the orphan or the poor or the alien. Do not devise evil toward one another.
There are a few times in scripture, particularly when reading the prophets, when we read a word that seems to speak against what was seen to be acceptable worship: fasting, burnt offerings, lamentation and mourning. And God speaks back to say that justice, kindness and mercy should direct our living, and in so doing, our lives become an act of worship. That seem like pretty good directives for us today, too. May our whole lives be an act of worship today, and every day.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
9Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; 10do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.
The question came, "Should I fast during a particular month, as I have always done, to entreat the favor of the Lord?" And the answer came as it is written above. Show kindness and mercy. Do not oppress the widow or the orphan or the poor or the alien. Do not devise evil toward one another.
There are a few times in scripture, particularly when reading the prophets, when we read a word that seems to speak against what was seen to be acceptable worship: fasting, burnt offerings, lamentation and mourning. And God speaks back to say that justice, kindness and mercy should direct our living, and in so doing, our lives become an act of worship. That seem like pretty good directives for us today, too. May our whole lives be an act of worship today, and every day.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Monday, November 1, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Monday
Ephesians 1:17-19
17I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
Today is All Saints Day, the day when we remember all of the saints who have gone before us and who surround us still. The verses above from Ephesians speak a prayer for the spirit of wisdom and revelation, enlightenment, hope, riches of God's glorious inheritance, and the greatness of God's power. There are few prayers more powerful, and more moving.
As you remember the saints in your life, those who now rest eternally from their labors and those who labor in God's kingdom still, know that we pray this prayer together. Amen.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
We will celebrate All Saints worship Sunday with the following schedule: Education for all ages at 9:00 am, Worship at 10:00 am, Congregational Meal following worship. Please join us, and don't forget to change your clocks as you head to bed Saturday night!
17I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
Today is All Saints Day, the day when we remember all of the saints who have gone before us and who surround us still. The verses above from Ephesians speak a prayer for the spirit of wisdom and revelation, enlightenment, hope, riches of God's glorious inheritance, and the greatness of God's power. There are few prayers more powerful, and more moving.
As you remember the saints in your life, those who now rest eternally from their labors and those who labor in God's kingdom still, know that we pray this prayer together. Amen.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
We will celebrate All Saints worship Sunday with the following schedule: Education for all ages at 9:00 am, Worship at 10:00 am, Congregational Meal following worship. Please join us, and don't forget to change your clocks as you head to bed Saturday night!
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