ASLC Easter Vigil

Join us in worship this evening at 7 pm. We will move from darkness to light, we will witness the baptism of a new brother in Christ, and we will proclaim Christ risen. Then tomorrow morning, we will continue the celebration with two worship services at 8:30 and 11.


This is the night! This is our Passover with Christ from darkness to light, from bondage to freedom, from death to life. Tonight is the heart of our celebration of the Three Days and the pinnacle of the church's year. The resurrection of Christ is proclaimed in word and sign, and we gather around a pillar of fire, hear ancient stories of our faith, welcome new sisters and brothers at the font, and share the food and drink of the promised land. Raised with Christ, we go forth into the world, aflame with the good news of the resurrection.

Gospel

John 20:1–18

John's Gospel describes the confusion and excitement of the first Easter: the stone is moved, disciples race back and forth, and angels speak to a weeping woman. Then, Jesus himself appears.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. ²So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." ³Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. ⁴The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. ⁵He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. ⁶Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, ⁷and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. ⁸Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; ⁹for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. ¹⁰Then the disciples returned to their homes.
¹¹But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; ¹²and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. ¹³They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." ¹⁴When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. ¹⁵Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." ¹⁶Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). ¹⁷Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" ¹⁸Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

ASLC Good Friday

Join us today for two worship services.
We'll gather at 10 am in a service designed for families with young children. Come and hear the greatest story of all, sing together, share a craft and a snack.
Then at 7 pm, we will gather as the darkness of Jesus' death descends to pray together and to contemplate the mystery through the proclamation of the Gospel story by the All Saints choir.

At the heart of the Good Friday liturgy is the passion according to John, which proclaims Jesus as a triumphant king who reigns from the cross. The ancient title for this day—the triumph of the cross—reminds us that the church gathers not to mourn this day but to celebrate Christ's life-giving passion and to find strength and hope in the tree of life. In the ancient bidding prayer we offer petitions for all the world for whom Christ died. Today's liturgy culminates in the Easter Vigil tomorrow evening.

Gospel

John 18:1—19:42

On Good Friday, the story of Jesus' passion—from his arrest to his burial—is read in its entirety from the Gospel of John.

 

Chapter 18

After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. ²Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. ³So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. ⁴Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" ⁵They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus replied, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. ⁶When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they stepped back and fell to the ground. ⁷Again he asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." ⁸Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go." ⁹This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, "I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me." ¹⁰Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. ¹¹Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?"
¹²So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. ¹³First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in- law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. ¹⁴Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.
¹⁵Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, ¹⁶but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. ¹⁷The woman said to Peter, "You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." ¹⁸Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.
¹⁹Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. ²⁰Jesus answered, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. ²¹Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said." ²²When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" ²³Jesus answered, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" ²⁴Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
²⁵Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, "You are not also one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." ²⁶One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" ²⁷Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.
²⁸Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate's headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. ²⁹So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" ³⁰They answered, "If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you." ³¹Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law." The Jews replied, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death." ³²(This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)
³³Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" ³⁴Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" ³⁵Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" ³⁶Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." ³⁷Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." ³⁸Pilate asked him, "What is truth?"
After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, "I find no case against him. ³⁹But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" ⁴⁰They shouted in reply, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a bandit.

 

Chapter 19

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. ²And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. ³They kept coming up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and striking him on the face. ⁴Pilate went out again and said to them, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him." ⁵So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" ⁶When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him." ⁷The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God."
⁸Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. ⁹He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰Pilate therefore said to him, "Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" ¹¹Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." ¹²From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor."
¹³When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge's bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. ¹⁴Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, "Here is your King!" ¹⁵They cried out, "Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!" Pilate asked them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but the emperor." ¹⁶Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.
So they took Jesus; ¹⁷and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. ¹⁸There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. ¹⁹Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." ²⁰Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. ²¹Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'" ²²Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." ²³When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. ²⁴So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it." This was to fulfill what the scripture says,
"They divided my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots."
²⁵And that is what the soldiers did.
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." ²⁷Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
²⁸After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty." ²⁹A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. ³⁰When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
³¹Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. ³²Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. ³³But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. ³⁵(He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) ³⁶These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, "None of his bones shall be broken." ³⁷And again another passage of scripture says, "They will look on the one whom they have pierced."
³⁸After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. ³⁹Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. ⁴⁰They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. ⁴¹Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. ⁴²And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

ASLC Maundy Thursday

Gather to worship tonight at 6:15. We will begin in the sanctuary for Confession and Forgiveness, we'll move to the Gathering Space for a meal and to hear from the apostle Peter. Then we'll return to the sanctuary for foot-washing, Holy Communion, and the stripping of the altar.

With nightfall our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus' death and resurrection. At the heart of the Maundy Thursday liturgy is Jesus' commandment to love one another. As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, we are called to follow his example as we humbly care for one another, especially the poor and the unloved. At the Lord's table we remember Jesus' sacrifice of his life, even as we are called to offer ourselves in love for the life of the world.

Gospel

John 13:1–17, 31b–35

The story of the last supper in John's gospel recalls a remarkable event not mentioned elsewhere: Jesus performs the duty of a slave, washing the feet of his disciples and urging them to do the same for one another.

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ²The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper ³Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, ⁴got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. ⁵Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. ⁶He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" ⁷Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." ⁸Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." ⁹Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" ¹⁰Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." ¹¹For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."
¹²After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³You call me Teacher and Lord — and you are right, for that is what I am. ¹⁴So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. ¹⁵For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. ¹⁷If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. ^31b"Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. ³²If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. ³³Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' ³⁴I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. ³⁵By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

ASLC Devotions - Wednesday

Wednesday, April 20

John 13: 25-27

So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’

This is the part of the story that confuses me the most. Jesus knows he is going to be betrayed. Jesus tells his disciples that one of them will betray him, and with the bread even shows them who it is going to be.

There is part of me that thinks “Run, Jesus, RUN!” everytime I read this. “Don’t let the bad guys get you! RUN!”

But then I realize, if Jesus wasn’t betrayed, he would not have been captured, sentenced to death, and crucified. If Jesus wasn’t crucified, he would not have risen from the dead. There would be no Easter. No Easter eggs. No chocolate bunnies. No eternal life. No forgiveness. No Holy Communion; no wine; no bread. No Bread.

Jesus knew what was going to happen, and he knew the ultimate meaning and importance in it. Isn’t it interesting, though, that Jesus gave bread to Judas to indicate his future betrayal—bread, the sign of his body given for us, the sign of God’s ultimate forgiveness.

Karen Goodlow

ASLC Devotions

Tuesday, April 19

 

John 12:35

Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.

Winter is the darkest time of the year and spring signals the rebirth of nature. As I write this on a dreary cold winter day the days are starting to get longer - but by the time you read this it will be spring time. Daylight will be significantly longer and it will be much warmer than the string of sub freezing days we have been experiencing! The waiting is almost over; Lent is drawing to a close.

 

What do you regularly take for granted? Today, as I shovel snow at the end of my driveway it’s hard to imagine just how hot and dry the little patch of grass covered by the ice and snow will be this summer. When we read this in the spring the ice will be gone and it will be easier to believe that the heat will come.

 

How often do we take our sight for granted? Recently a popular TV show portrayed the value of a blind witness’s heightened senses in solving a crime. Part of the story line was the questionable creditability of the witness because he was blind. If we walk in darkness we don’t know where we are going – but our other senses can become sharpened. Why walk in the darkness, when we have the Light. Embrace the Light, believe in the Light; for although He is only with us for a few more days, His love endures.

Steve Fedota

ASLC Devotions - Monday

Monday, April 18

 

John 12:3

 

Then Mary took about a pintof pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfurme.

 

This story is enough to make any good Lutheran cringe. Excessive, extravagant, expensive, one pint of perfume used all at one time…and on someone’s feet! You know how we Lutherans are: we don’t like to call a lot of attention to ourselves, be too “show-offy,” brag about what we have, waste things, etc. But that Mary, well, she’s something else. She holds nothing back. Not even the most valuable item in her home.

 

The perfume, made from spikenard, a plant that was grown only in the far east, cost 300 denarii, valued at about $27,000 today. So Mary takes this clay pot of amazingly fragrant and valuable perfume, pours it over Jesus' feet and then unbinds her hair - something no self-respecting woman would do in public - and dries his feet with her hair. She gave with abandon, without thought of what others might think. And her household was filled with the fragrance of her incredible act.

 

 Judas, the group's book keeper criticizes her, saying like a good Lutheran, that this costly item should have been sold and used to benefit the poor.

 

Well, I've got to admit; I am no Mary. I am not willing to pour away my most precious and expensive possession, risk my reputation in the community for someone who, oh, wait a minute. That's exactly what God did for me. I guess I need to follow Mary's lead. You too?

 

Jane Oppermann

ASLC Devotions - Saturday

Saturday, April 16

 

Mark 10:32

 

They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him

 

I read this verse and wondered why the disciples were amazed. What did they find amazing?

 

Was it the crowds they saw along the way during their travels with Jesus? Was it the miracles they saw Jesus perform? Was it what Jesus told them was coming, he would be killed and rise again in 3 days for our sakes? Was it he chose them to be his disciples?

 

I wonder how many of us take time to be amazed and appreciate all the amazing things God does. I try to find one thing each day I find amazing. It may be something as simple as a beautiful sunset or finding the answer to a problem. I always give thanks to God for whatever amazing thing I discover. I also give thanks for the most

amazing thing God did for us by giving his only Son to save us.

 

I hope all of you will take time each day to find something amazing to celebrate and give thanks to God for whatever that may be.

 

Sandy Herweg

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar. We'll see you all Sunday morning (Palm Sunday) at 8:30 and 11.

ASLC Devotions - Friday

Friday, April 15

Philippians 1:27

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.

I don’t know about you but I am very proud of All Saints and talk about our church whenever I am talking to/visiting with friends and relatives.  

Most of my longtime friends and relatives are outside Illinois, but I had the opportunity to show our church to seven who visited from New York, Idaho, Florida and Chicago. Every one of them felt the overflowing warmth that our church displays. They go home and tell others of their experience here.

The Outreach committee has done a great job of reaching out into the community and beyond to make All Saints known. It’s wonderful to hear that when I mention the name of our church people know who we are. The Holy Spirit is truly at work here.

Continue to proclaim the good news: For ALL to Know Christ!

 

Janet Lowe

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar. We'll see you all Sunday morning (Palm Sunday) at 8:30 and 11.

ASLC Devotions - Thursday

Thursday, April 14

Philippians 1:6

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.

Our church helps with a number of good works in our community. PADS, Christmas Angels, the blood drive, Foods Resource Bank, Habitat for Humanity, etc. There are many more examples. These good works are a lot of, well… work. A lot of people spend a lot of time on these activities. In the midst of all that work, it might be fair to ask – is this really worth it? Are we getting anywhere with this?

I am reminded of an old painting on the wall of my grandmother’s church basement. It showed a man in row boat on the sea, being tossed in the whitecaps, with dark skies rolling in, lightning flashing, and the lighthouse achingly far off in the distance. A Russian proverb printed along with the painting said “Pray to God, but row for shore.”

One of the biggest theological questions out there is whether we have free will to make our own decisions or whether all is predetermined. Personally, I believe that God has given us free will to make our own decisions. At the same time, however, I think God whispers to us in our daily lives, guiding us, correcting us, and giving us strength and encouragement when we need to row the boat to shore.

In this verse, Paul reminds us that it is God’s good works among us. These good things we are doing are God’s and it is God, through our hands, who will bring them to completion.

John Lofgren

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar. We'll see you all Sunday morning (Palm Sunday) at 8:30 and 11.

ASLC Devotions - Wednesday

Wednesday, April 13

 

Matthew 22:32

 

 “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is God not of the dead, but the living.”

When I was a kid, I had a very hard time putting all “this religious stuff” in my head in an organized, logical “German” manner. My family went to church & Sunday School every Sunday. Annually I was taught the same stories. Jesus being born in December, then being crucified 3 months later with all those miracle stories in between just seemed like a whirlwind to me. Too fast. Too many questions. I was told to have faith and believe but it was hard. Jesus lived so long ago and the stories written in a book I couldn’t read, much less understand. My religious beliefs were a mess!!

It wasn’t until much later that I began to reflect on my life. A beautiful family, good health, a great job, and a nice home with many “toys” were all mine. What had I actually done to deserve these things? Why was I so “lucky”, when many of my friends had tragedies to deal with? As I couldn’t logically answer these questions, I decided to trot down the street to All Saints Lutheran to search for answers.

 

That was 10 years ago. I still don’t have any more answers than when I started. However, I have met many spiritual people, had many spiritual experiences, and truly enjoy being in a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. I’ve decided that maybe it’s not important to put logic to my story. I do know that God is not some ancient figure in a book that’s hard to read. God is living, here and now, and continues to be there for me everyday. That’s enough.

George Buerger

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar. Join us Wednesday evening (tonight!) for supper at 6:15 and worship at 7. Then we'll see you all Sunday morning (Palm Sunday) at 8:30 and 11.

ASLC Devotions - Tuesday

Tuesday, April 12

Ephesians 2:1-10

In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins. At that time you followed the world’s evil way; you obeyed the ruler of the spiritual powers in space, the spirit who now controls the people who disobey God. Actually all of us were like them and lived according to our natural desires, doing whatever suited the wishes of our own bodies and minds. In our natural condition we, like everyone else, were destined to suffer God’s anger.

But God’s mercy is so abundant, and his love for us so great, that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience he brought us to life with Christ. It is by God’s grace that you have been saved. In our union with Christ Jesus he raised us up with him to rule with him in the heavenly world. He did this to demonstrate for all time to come the extraordinary greatness of his grace in the love he showed us in Christ Jesus. For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.

God’s grace is a gift. We hear that often during our pastors’ sermons. His grace is not the result of our own actions and good deeds. We should help others because it is the right thing to do and we should do it joyfully, not as a means to get us into God’s good graces.

We give and receive each other’s earthly gifts – a smile, a warm dinner at PADS, the message that Jesus loves us - without the requirement to reciprocate. That is the definition of a “gift”. And Paul assures us that God’s grace is a gift. It is a saving grace, no matter how much we mess up trying to be good and not sin. Grace be with you,

Monika Fiedler

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar. Join us Wednesday evening for supper at 6:15 and worship at 7. Then we'll see you all Sunday morning (Palm Sunday) at 8:30 and 11.

ASLC Devotions - Monday

Monday, April 11

 

Acts 20:7-9

 

Paul was holding a discussion with them; he continued speaking until midnight. A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, began to sink off into a deep sleep while Paul talked still longer. Overcome by sleep, he fell to the ground three floors below and was picked up dead.

 

Who of us, trapped in an oxygen-deprived conference room and forced to endure yet another presentation from the CFO with eye charts of year-end financial reports, can’t identify with “Lucky” Eutychus? Here’s a young man (some say between 9–14 years old) who’s worked all day, who maybe was dragged to the upper room by his parents to hear the great Paul who, on first blush, seems to be so entranced by his own words that he can’t stop talking. And, finally succumbing to fatigue, does what any kid does and falls asleep—only unfortunately he’s positioned himself in front of an open window through which he falls to his death.  Bummer.

I admit, when I got this assignment, I didn’t think all that charitably about Paul. Reading the entire passage, salvation and resurrection seemed to be less important to him than making sure the congregation at Toras got the full measure of his wisdom before he moved on. Why Luke decided to tell us about this event, I don’t know—but curiously, trying to find meaning and relevance in this passage lead me to explore dozens of commentaries I’d never have considered and learn stuff I never thought remotely interesting. But it is interesting… and approached from the perspective of “buried treasure,” the Bible is an endless gold mine of social, cultural, historical—and, yes, spiritual—knowledge. Fortunately, Eutychus was resurrected and, I hope, found knowledge and faith to sustain him all his days.

Faith Witt

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar. Join us Wednesday evening for supper at 6:15 and worship at 7. Then we'll see you all Sunday morning (Palm Sunday) at 8:30 and 11.

ASLC Devotions - Saturday

 

Saturday, April 9
Luke 24:50-53
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

And thus, ends Luke’s Gospel, with Jesus heading off into the sunset, and they all lived happily ever after. I love happy endings.
But I don’t believe this is the end of the story. Do you? To me, this is only the beginning. Jesus saves us from all our sins here on earth, so we may experience the big prize with him in heaven. The story lives on—through each of us—and it will continue on and on and on.
This scripture also reminds me of the end of one of my favorite series of books, The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis:
“And for us this is the end of all stories, and we can most truly say they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.”

Karen Goodlow

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for more information about all of our ministries. We'll see you Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11.

 

ASLC Devotions - Friday

Friday, April 8

 

Revelation 11:15

 

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet and there were loud voices in heaven which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."

 

I love Handel's Messiah.  Probably the most favorite section of the Messiah is the Hallelujah Chorus.  It's so grand, majestic and triumphant.  It's actually not the end of the Messiah as is our text not the last chapter of Revelation.  The Hallelujah Chorus is the best known section.  My favorite part of the Chorus is when they sing this line from verse 15 and the voices get real soft and legato.  "The kingdom of this world . . ..”  Then you hear strings.  The voices still sing softly ". . . is become."  And then the voices and the instruments jump back in full throttle and punch it," . . . is becomes. . . the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.  And he shall reign for ever and ever."  The music captures so well the theology of the text.  The kingdom of the world is small and fading and lilting when compared to the majestic kingdom of our Lord of his Christ who burst on the scene in triumph power and royalty  and reign forever and ever.  Hallelujah!  It's gospel text put to gospel music.

 

Carole Graesser

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for more information about all of our ministries. We'll see you Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11.

ASLC Devotions - Thursday

Thursday, April 7

 

Revelation 10:9 

 

"Take and eat the scroll (some say this is the Word of God.....His instructions).  It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey."

 

Revelation is a fascinating book! It is all fiery, wordy,

scary, full of prophecy and warnings, mysterious. It is fortunate to have this passage during this season of Lent because it kind of sums up the Lenten attitude.

 

The Lord's words are as sweet as honey. He makes promises to us that will provide eternal life! ETERNAL LIFE!!! Life in God's holy arms! But there is also the bitter reality: if we CHOOSE not to hear God's Word, there will be a sour price to pay.

 

The mighty angels have things to tell us in Revelation, but the simple truth is this: Listen to God's simple commands. Don't make them harder than they have to be. And when making this effort, God doesn't expect perfection, He expects dedication. Your belly doesn't have to turn sour, but can be refreshed daily knowing that Jesus died to save us from the sourness, if only we listen and proclaim God's sweet words!

 

Linda Kinsella


Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for more information about all of our ministries. We'll see you Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11.

ASLC Devotions - Wednesday

Wednesday, April 6

Matthew 9: 28-29

 

They went right into the house where he was staying and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe I can make you see?"  "Yes, Lord" they told him, "we do."  Then he touched their eyes and said, "Because of your faith it will happen."

 

"Because of your faith, it will happen."  In order that the blind men could see, they had to first profess their faith that Jesus could heal them.  How many times do people ask for something of God but do not really trust it could happen?  When it doesn't, they become disheartened and even angry.  They turn away - to what?  Society offers things to sooth the wounds: alcohol, drugs, sex and on and on.  But what happens when all that wears off and they are still hurting?  The Bible has the answers.  Here are a few examples that can give comfort.

 

Jesus said "Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11: vs. 28.

 

Give your burdens to the Lord and he will carry them.  He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.  Psalm 58: vs. 22

 

Out of his glorious, unlimited resources, he will give you the mighty inner strengthening of his Holy Spirit.  Ephesians 3: vs. 16.

 

The Bible assures us over and over that God is with us and he will never let us go.  And aren't we fortunate that we have pastors who tell us that in many ways and a supportive congregation who prays for us and helps us if we let them.  Let us praise and thank God.

 

Kay Weir   

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for more information about all of our ministries. Gather tonight (Wednesday) for soup supper at 6:15 and worship at 7. Then we'll see you Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11.

ASLC Devotions

Tuesday, April 5

 

Colossians 1:9-14

 

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, . . .. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption and forgiveness of sins.

 

When we babysit for our grandchildren, we are constantly reminded to turn on their closet lights when they go to bed. The light gives them security and comfort and makes them less fearful of the dark. The illumination provides clear direction for a safe passageway to the hallway.

 

Paul reminds the Colossians he continually prayed for their increased understanding and knowledge of God’s purpose for their lives. As we know from Paul’s letters, prayer is an essential aspect of his ministry. The prayers for this young Christian family contained inspiration from the Holy Spirit to live in faith, regardless of the resistance they met, and for the final outcome of their faith which we know to be eternal life. Paul prayed fervently for the new congregations to stay strong in their faith in Jesus Christ. Paul’s text assures us that Christ qualified us to share the inheritance of the “kingdom of light” or heaven, and that our Savior has delivered us from the darkness of sin through His saving grace by dying on the cross.

           

Our path is clearly lit, and we know our way home, home to be with our Lord. What a comfort, what security His light gives!

 

Sandy and Nate Drucker

ASLC Devotions - Monday

Monday, April 4

 

Acts 9:18

 

 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized.

 

This is the story of the conversion of Saul (a persecutor of Christians ) to Paul (a great Christian preacher and leader). He was on the road to Damascus getting ready to harass, arrest, and possibly kill some more Christians. A bright light from heaven knocked him off his donkey and blinded him. Meanwhile, a voice from heaven (the voice of Jesus) called out to him.

 

And then the scales fell from his eyes and he could see. In Paul's case this was literal. But when have the scales fallen from your eyes metaphorically, and you've finally been able to see? When have you seen the truth that you couldn't see before? When have you seen the path out of a problem that didn't seem to have a solution?

 

When the scales fall from your eyes, the only response is to give thanks to God for the grace of sight.

 

Pastor Seth Moland-Kovash

ASLC Devotions - Saturday

Saturday, April 2

 

John 1:1

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

It was the first day of first grade at Pilgrim Lutheran School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. I sat in the first desk in the first row on the far right side. Mrs. Zwinscher, our kindergarten teacher, an older, very slight woman - think Ruth Bader Ginsburg - had graduated with us. On that first day she stood next to my desk, and explained what was ahead for us all.

“First grade is full of curves and circles, not straight lines like in kindergarten,” Mrs. Zwinscher explained. “We learned to write in capital letters then, but now we will learn to write in lower case. And we will learn to read.”

I trembled with excitement. How could I be so lucky, to have my beautiful Mrs. Zwinscher once again, and to learn to read! And that year I gobbled up words, basking in the pure joy of discovering this new world.

Just as Mrs. Z. illuminated my life that year in first grade, John is telling us the same thing in this passage: “In the beginning was the Word.” And now this Word, our God, the all-powerful creator of everything, has come to us, revealing Himself to our first grade minds. And slowly the Word made flesh, shows us who he is and actively, palpably, imaginatively lives in us with light and life and being.

How can we be so lucky?!

Jane Oppermann

ASLC Devotions - Friday

Friday, April 1

Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

We are all children of God and, like most children, we imitate our parents. In this case we are asked to be imitators of God and I can think of no better role model for a parent.

One thing that keeps coming to mind when I read these passages is a lyric from one of my favorite Beatles songs, “All you need is Love.”  The unlimited love that God shows for us every day. The unconditional love a child shows his parents. The ultimate act of love that Christ showed us by offering up his live as a sacrifice to God for our lives.

So go ahead and be imitators, imitators of God and remember, all you need is love, especially when it comes from our father.

 

Joe Quinn