ASLC Devotions - Monday

Acts 9:8, 18

Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing….And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored.

Saul lost his sight then regained it to do God’s will. Have you ever “lost your sight?” I’m not talking about the time you tore up the house looking for a lost phone or set of keys and then saw it right under your nose. I’m talking about losing sight of God’s plan for you; how you should act as a follower of Jesus.

Special Olympics is now a part of our life. For several years Ayesha didn’t do any sports, but when she watched her friends’ practices/games, saw how much fun it was and with a little convincing from the other parents she joined. She loves it, and very good at it (ok, proud mom talking!). Watching all these Special Ed kids play is pure joy. It opens your eyes to what can be accomplished no matter what your challenge is. They are so excited when they get a basketball through the hoop, the volleyball over the net, or just make it to the finish line of the race. That joy is infectious and it reminds me of the simple things that we take for granted.

God doesn’t ask us to do the impossible. He doesn’t give us more than we can handle.

Let us Pray: Open my eyes today, Lord to your plan for us and doing your will.

Janet Lowe

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour at 9:45. Wednesday, we will have supper at 6:15 and worship at 7 as we meet a woman who was caught in adultery in our series "Christ on Trial." Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Saturday

John 1:5-9

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

There are many references to the” light” in the Bible. What does it mean to or for you?  As a child many of us were afraid of the dark and had a night light to ward off the darkness.  Now as an adult the “light” comes in our belief in Jesus the one John was preparing the way for us of his coming.  With Jesus in our hearts we no longer need to be afraid of the darkness as he is the “light” that God promised to all of us.  Remember that your “light is shining brightly” for Jesus will always be there to keep the darkness away.

Kathy Garner

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11.  Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list. 

ASLC Devotions - Friday

Ephesians 5:1-2

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

Do you look like your Mom or your Dad.?  Perhaps a wonderful blend of both.  That's natural.   We may even resemble our parents in our behavior, because they were our first teachers.  We learn to talk and walk by imitating them.   Often, we also have personalities much like our parents.  Our parents, in love, try to teach us the things that we should learn.

 We are also sons and daughters of God the Father Almighty because He created Adam and Eve, the first parents, and through them he created us. In this passage, the apostle Paul urges us, using the most endearing terms, "beloved children" to be imitators or followers of Christ.  Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, we are also sinners and rebels against God.  Jesus Christ, the obedient Son, restored the relationship between us and Christ the Father by his suffering and death on the cross to pay the full price of our sins. 

We're to love our neighbors as Christ loved us.  As imitators of Christ, we no longer walk in the darkness of sin. If we live our lives, taking God along with us, we won't adopt bad habits like drug or alcohol abuse, sexual immorality, violence, hated, lies and other schemes of the devil.  We won't deceive anyone or take advantage of them.  We'll try to live Christian lives trying to care for our families and neighbors, helping them with every need.  We'll stop, like the Good Samaritan and  care for  the injured, homeless and helpless.  We're to show others that Christ is a gift for those with failed and broken lives.  There is hope, restoration and healing for those who have passed the point of despair.  

God loved us.  Now it's time to pass it on.

Thank you God, for showing me Your mercy and love in Christ Jesus.  Amen

Carole Graesser

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11.  Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Thursday

Ephesians 4:32

… And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

The truth of our lives is that, over time, stuff is going to happen to us. For whatever reason, there are instances when people do things to us that are unkind and mean spirited, with no apparent concern for our feelings.

The key is not what was done to us but how we act in response to it?  So, what do we do? Do we let anger fester and turn into animosity and retaliation?  Or, do we take a deep breath and let go and move on?  Our attitude and our disposition make such a difference in our lives.  We choose how we react to things, how much we’re going to let things bother us and affect our day.

The point is … There are times in our lives, friends, when we have to let go of stuff, even stuff where we might seem justified. Let it go!  Sometimes it’s hard to let go. Sometimes the pain is deep and we don’t seem like we can get beyond it. Sometimes we don’t seem to be able to forget.  Sometime events of our past mar the future … they seem like they’re just too much a part of us.

Don’t let anger be the guiding light in your life, Forgive and Forget, just as God in Christ forgave you and me. Thanks be to God!

Kevin Drucker

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11.  Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Wednesday

John 7:14-16

About the middle of the festival, Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach.  The Jews were astonished at it, saying,”How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?”  Then Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine but his who sent me.”

Roman Daily News, 11/6/33, back page

Rogue Rabbi Triggers Temple Tempest

by Lucius Metellus Stylus

Jerusalem—A country rabbi wanted by Judean authorities showed up at the Temple here halfway through the weeklong Feast of Tabernacles, when crowds max out to celebrate the harvest and give thanks for an ancient rescue.  Claiming his credentials come from the Jewish God, the man defended healing on their day of rest.  He then stirred up the crowd with wild claims about where he came from and where he is going, then slipped away.

He returned the last day, shouting that he is “the source of living water” and citing Hebrew scripture.  This time the crowd cheered him as “Prophet” and “Messiah.”  Fearing a riot, the Temple Guard deployed but he escaped again.

A spokesman for our Roman governor said, “We're monitoring the situation.  Judea is a rebellious province and religious crowds can get hysterical.  We'll catch the agitator.”   An unnamed chief priest acknowledged, “We're worried. No prophet comes from Galilee.  None of us believes this man, but this is a low-information mob—they don't understand our Law.”

–--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We don't easily accept teachers without “proper” credentials.  Did Jesus study with a local rabbi?  Was he like the Music Man, making it up as he went along?  Or like the illiterate African-American slave preachers who testified that God wrote the Scriptures on their hearts?  Or the Son of God?  Who do YOU say he is?

Linda Foltz

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. TONIGHT - Wednesday, we will have supper at 6:15 and worship at 7 as we meet Nicodemus in our series "Christ on Trial." Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Tuesday

1 Corinthians 10:3-4
And all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.

God gave all of Israel the same Spiritual food and drink from the rock that was Christ.  What a gift to receive, how many people accepted those gifts?

Albert Barnes asks about these verses, “To what degree do you revel in the spiritual privileges that God has given you?”  “Do you ponder the wonder that out of all the people in the history of the world, God chose of His own initiative to save you?”

Half way through Lent we could probably use some help remembering that God has afforded us the same gifts he gave to the Israelites.  Are you able to accept God’s gifts?

Adrienne Bolbot

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. Wednesday, we will have supper at 6:15 and worship at 7 as we meet Nicodemus in our series "Christ on Trial." Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Monday

2 John: 7-8

Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist! Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward.

During Lent, we journey together remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for us to show God’s love. In this letter, the elder began speaking of loving one another. The elder warns us about “the deceiver and the antichrist,” and to “Be on your guard.” When I look around my neighborhood, I don’t see “the antichrist.” What is he talking about? Then I recall the negative people, the ones who do not seem to show love for others. Instead, they work to spread the darkness they feel, as if the story ended when Jesus died.  I think, those are the people that I am to be “on guard” for. They are the people that can pull me away from feeling and sharing God’s love and send me down the negative path of gossip and griping. Maybe, those are the people that we need to share love with most and remind them that Jesus rose from the dead. He rose to save us and to show God’s love for us. I will still be “on guard.” But maybe, if they are shown extra love, they can walk in the light with us as we journey through Lent.

Vikki Drucker

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. Wednesday, we will have supper at 6:15 and worship at 7 as we meet Nicodemus in our series "Christ on Trial." Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Saturday

John 4:5-6
So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.  Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well.

Today it’s -2 degrees and, hopefully, by the time you read this, it will have warmed up. As it is so cold, it gives me an excuse not to wander outside, sit at my warm comfy desk with a cup of coffee, read the Bible and write.  “Thanks, All Saints”

 I like this verse because it shows the “human” side of Jesus.  He got tired!  Tired of what?  Tired of the crowds constantly pursuing him and asking favors?  Tired of the responsibility preaching his word to so many in so little time?  Tired of walking into hostile territory (Samaria), in order to break down demographic barriers?

I guess we’ll never know, but it’s kinda fun to imagine him all alone with his thoughts looking for a “coffee break”.  A time to rest and reflect.   These little tidbits of insight into Jesus, are what makes him my ‘go to guy”.  Somebody approachable and understanding because he’s been there, done that. “Thanks be to God”

George Buerger

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. There will not be Education Hour this Sunday only. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Friday

Ephesians 2:19 
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.

Being in a foreign land can be intimidating. Everything is different from what you expect – the basic sounds, the signs, the food, how people behave around you. It is very easy to get overwhelmed and to seek comfort in familiar places and languages. It’s natural, but doing so cuts into the experience of visiting a foreign country. Only by going off the beaten path and exploring can you truly experience something so different.

I can only imagine how those first Gentile Christians felt, coming in to what must have been a confusing mix of terms, expectations, traditions, and beliefs. Imagine how it must still be today for someone without a Christian background coming to a worship service at All Saints. The Good News, though, that the entire passage in Ephesians 2:11-22 addresses is that, through God, we are made one. All people are welcome in God’s house – the Gentile, the Jew, the black, the white, the American, the Asian, the African, …. Everyone is welcome. That unity is something I too often take for granted. We are truly strangers and aliens together; we are only one in Christ. Ponder today on how God has made you feel at home.

Doug Kuhlman

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. There will not be Education Hour this Sunday only. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Thursday

Colossians 1:23

The only condition is that you fully believe the Truth, standing in it steadfast and firm, strong in the Lord, convinced of the Good News that Jesus died for you  and never shifting from trusting Him to save you. This is wonderful news that came to each of you and is now spreading all over the world.  And I, Paul have the joy of telling it to  others.

Paul was an interesting character to say the least, and I don’t think he read many books on leadership.  He came by it naturally with the help of the Holy Spirit.  But if he had chosen a book or guide, it might have been by Henri Nouwen entitled “In the Name of Jesus: Reflection on Christian Leadership”.  Nouwen wrote this book from a very different and enlightened perspective, as he was a university professor who worked extensively with developmentally disabled adults. His goals and questions are different from others.  He didn’t wonder if people would take him seriously or if he would accomplish all his goals. Nouwen didn’t need written proof that progress was being made.  He only  asked the question time and time again, “Do you love Jesus?”  Henri dealt with people who were lonely and sometimes full of fear and despair, but he wanted them to know the heart of Jesus, a heart that forgives, cares, and heals.  “The Christian leader for the future is the one who truly know  the heart of God as it has become flesh in the living Jesus”, he writes.

Paul could have been the author of Nouwen’s book and as we know the author of many famous and inspiring Christian books (Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, and so on). 

Verse 23 says it the best “And I Paul have the joy of telling it to others”

What are we waiting for, we have the guide and we have the Instructor.  Let’s Share the JOY!

Sandy Drucker

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. There will not be Education Hour this Sunday only. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Wednesday

John 8:6

They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him.

There are different stories throughout the New Testament about the scribes and the Pharisees trying to test Jesus. This particular story is about the adulterous women and what should be done. They keep pushing Jesus to do something. When I imagine Jesus has had enough of their ridiculous behavior, he says: “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” I’m sure many of the people were incredulous Jesus would suggest such a thing. After some time of reflection by these people they realized they are not free of sin and left.

At last it is just Jesus and the woman, I bet the women is thinking “Oh boy! Now I’m really going to hear about it!”. Jesus does nothing of the sort. He asks where the accusers are, knowing full well they were all gone. Jesus says to her, “Go your way, and from now on do not sin again”.

That really is the crux of this story, the sin and doesn’t it always come down to sin? The people in the temple knew they weren’t sin free. Do you think the woman in the temple will not sin anymore? She’ll try but I don’t think that is possible.

None of us are free of sin, that’s why God sent his son Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. We sin without even realizing it, yet God forgives everything! We should rejoice in spite of our flaws and our inability to remain sin free. Remembering always - God is a forgiving and benevolent Father. 

Sandy Herweg

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. TONIGHT (Wednesday), we will have supper at 6:15 and worship at 7 as we meet a woman healed on the sabbath in our series "Christ on Trial." Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Tuesday

Romans 4:13

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith.

Today let’s think about genealogy, confirmation, circumcision, and missing Bible verses.

Have you ever noticed on Sunday morning when the scripture readings skip over some verses, beginning with verses 1-5 of a Bible chapter and then, leaving out a few verses, continuing on with verses 13-17? Ever check to see what those verses have to say?

The verse above is where last Sunday’s Second Reading picks up after such a break. In between is a discussion about whether Abraham’s faith was reckoned to him (counted or regarded to him) before or after he was circumcised. According to the law, forgiveness of sins came only to those who did what was required by the law. But following the law by being circumcised did not bring Abraham to faith in God. Abraham had that faith already. He had the righteousness (acting according to the law; freedom from guilt) by faith, a gift from God. The circumcision was merely an outward sign to show that he was faithful to God and God’s law. It served as a confirmation that he already believed God’s promise for him and all his descendants: forgiveness and grace!

We’re all descendants of Abraham and we too have received the gift of forgiveness and grace. Celebrate your family heritage – you’re sins are covered by righteousness through faith.

Doug Williams

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. Wednesday, we will have supper at 6:15 and worship at 7 as we meet a woman healed on the sabbath in our series "Christ on Trial." Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Monday

Hebrews 3: 6

Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken later.  Christ, however, was faithful over God’s house as a son, and we are his house if we hold firm the confidence and pride that belong to hope.

My wife Cheri grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin with her family having very good construction and home improvement skills (something I definitely don’t have.)  One of my brothers in law, Eric, spent 30 years building houses throughout Wisconsin before he retired last year.  Eric always told me how important the “foundation” is in any building project.  Without a good foundation; there will be problems later on with the building. 

As I reflected on these verses today, I’m once again reminded that Christ built the foundation and house of my life starting with my Baptism and continues to build and sharpen my faith through his word, his Holy Meal, through other people, and his presence in my life.  As we walk with Jesus to the cross this Lenten season, always remember that Jesus was faithful over Gods house as he endured the cross.  And the best news of all is that Jesus is building a house for his children in heaven. Always hold on to this precious gift of faith that Jesus gave us as he built our house and laid the perfect foundation.  

Wayne Kolweier   

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. Wednesday, we will have supper at 6:15 and worship at 7 as we meet a woman healed on the sabbath in our series "Christ on Trial." Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Saturday

Luke 7:2

Just at that time the highly prized slave of a Roman army captain was sick and near death.

The Roman centurion, by all accounts, was a generous and kind man who contributed greatly to his community.  Not feeling worthy and showing a great deal of respect and humility, he sent the Jewish elders and his friends to Jesus, pleading for healing for his deathly ill slave.  How sad the captain must have been, filled with fear and anguish over losing someone so dear.

We all have experienced sadness and have been in desperate situations to one degree or another.  How do we as Christians address sadness and can hope be found in the midst of our grief? 

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus experiences and understands sadness.

 He wept with Mary at the death of her brother and in the Garden of Gethsemane in his last hours.  God the Father embraces us just as He did Jesus, an ever-present source of strength.

Thank goodness the story doesn’t end there but rather read further in Luke to refresh your memory.

Our sadness starts at the cross but joy replaces our grief at the empty tomb.

Nate Drucker

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Friday

Romans 3:21-31

But now, irrespective of law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;  . . . For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.

Finally! Something I DON’T have to DO! Yay! What’s amazing about not having to do something, though, is that it ends up being more difficult for us! Doing is what we know! That’s what’s so hard about faith—and not just in God. Faith in my family. Faith in my friends. Faith in myself. It’s not a sure thing, not in my control because I’m not doing it. Someone could let me down. I could let myself down. But that’s why faith in God is so darned important—He will not let me down and, in fact, will save me time and time again. And I really want to get this faith thing down now so that I have it in my back pocket when something happens that rocks my world. Or even when something happens that makes me eat more chocolate than usual one day. So, I’m just gonna accept it and relax in the knowledge that God has my back. Sweet!

Margo Ban

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11.  Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Thursday

2 Timothy 1:5

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.

Paul is writing to his young colleague Timothy to encourage him in his ministry, even as he affirms his gratitude to God for him, for his mother, and for his grandmother. Timothy may be young in years, but he has been deeply nurtured in his faith throughout his life. And Paul knows the importance of Timothy's service in those start-up years of the early church.

Each Sunday, as we gather in worship and turn the pages of our hymnal, to find the announced hymn, I find myself first checking the small print at the bottom of the page, to note the name and age of the hymn writer and composer. (If you don't want the world to know your age, don't write hymns.) Some of our hymns are "golden oldies", hymns centuries old which we've sung all our lives. However, more and more of the hymns we also love to sing have been written in very recent decades. Great  hymns. Very meaningful hymns. How reaffirming it is, that faith is passed from generation to generation----"Faith of our Fathers (and Mothers) Living Still"----yet ALSO faith of our sisters and brothers, faith of our children and grandchildren, faith of old and young alike!"

And like Paul we say, "thanks be to God".

Del Anderson

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Wednesday

Matthew 18:12-14

If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

When I read this verse I wondered what was that shepherd thinking? He was given the care of a hundred sheep and he is going to leave the ninety-nine in search of the one that went astray? Not too many business people would risk ninety-nine to save one. As a parent, I can relate to the shepherd; if one of my children went astray, there is nothing on this Earth that would keep me from searching for that child until I found and returned him (or her) to our family.

It is a great comfort to me knowing that Jesus, our shepherd, will never let us go astray without searching until he finds us and brings us back into his flock.

Joseph Quinn

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. Wednesday (TONIGHT), we will have supper at 6:15 and worship at 7 as we meet Matthew in our series "Christ on Trial." Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Tuesday

Hebrews 2:17
Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people.

I don’t know how you feel about the picture presented above, but the thought that Jesus had to be like me or you is hard to fathom. I look around and question if he would play golf, ride a bicycle, go swimming, shovel snow (written during the second big freeze), go sledding, or any of the myriad of things we do. He became like his brothers and sisters in every respect so that we could identify with him and his mission. He sacrificed himself for us to destroy the one, who has the power of death, the devil.

So, as we go through this Lenten Season, the cold, snow, wind chill, closeted in our homes, slipping and sliding challenges our fortitude. Realize that whatever we have done, are doing or will be doing has been atoned for by his sacrifice. We need to make the effort to help each other share the same things that he has shared for us. But, because we are human and sometimes fail, we need to pick ourselves up and get back into helping each other. For he did not come to help angels, but he did come to save you and me.

Michael Nedzel

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. Wednesday, we will have supper at 6:15 and worship at 7 as we meet Matthew in our series "Christ on Trial." Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Monday

Hebrews 2:18

Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

I have a hard time wrapping my arms around the concept that Jesus was human, yet He never sinned. How is that human? That He was tempted, but never caved in? I can only speak for myself, but I am tempted and sin so many times in one day, that I can’t fathom NEVER caving in !!!

Then, the more I think about it, the key word is “suffered”. Jesus suffered just like any other human. Maybe He had some of these thoughts: “Do I go and take a regular job so I can live in one place, have a nice home and raise a family and not travel”. “Isn’t there more to life than hanging out with the poor and the sinners. Can’t I find a better suited crowd?” “I’ve changed my mind God, I’m going on vacation and going to skip some of these miracles.”

Yes, those are silly thoughts that Our Savior would think. His sufferings were much deeper. “How do I watch my people worship idols, persecute each other, not care for the poor and ill. How Father, do I get all this work done in time?”

But He did. He NEVER caved in. He suffered, He died, He rose to Our Father in Heaven. He did it for us humans that don’t have the power to do it for ourselves. Thanks be to Jesus!

Linda Kinsella

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. Wednesday, we will have supper at 6:15 and worship at 7 as we meet Matthew in our series "Christ on Trial." Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Saturday

Matthew 18:4-5

Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

 

Each Sunday, I have the privilege to begin the Sunday School opening.  We sing songs, have a brief introduction to the day’s lesson or other meaningful topic, celebrate birthdays, take offering and then pray.  During prayer time, we all hold hands to make a prayer chain – sometimes even crossing hands to make a “twisted” prayer chain - start with a repeated prayer, and then give the kids an opportunity to make prayer requests out loud. Time and time again, I am amazed and humbled by the insight these children have.  They offer up prayers for a friend whose family member is ill, whose grandpa passed away, or a simple, “Jesus loves me.” Sometimes they are silly (please God let us have a snow day!), but they learn that no matter where they are, whatever time of day it is, or whatever is on their minds, they can pray to God. We always close with, “And all God’s children say ‘Amen!’”

 

I pray to always see that prayerful opportunity the way a child does, with innocence, joy and simple caring.

 

Lori Quinn

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. Wednesday, we will have supper at 6:15 and worship at 7 as we meet Matthew in our series "Christ on Trial." Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Friday

Romans 1:11-12 
For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

I often find it difficult to profess my faith to those around me.  Either the right opportunity doesn’t come up or if it does I remain silent rather than say, This I Believe… and then proceed to tell the story of how God’s grace in my life means so much to me.  It is for this reason that I so envy Paul in this lesson (and many other of Paul’s writings).  Paul is “longing to see” the church in Rome not only to share some spiritual gift with them to receive their word and be mutually encouraged.  Paul is clearly filled with the Spirit and can hardly restrain himself from spreading the Good News. No fear of being looked at as some sort of weirdo, no Paul is, “not ashamed of the Gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith…”

I suspect I’m not alone in being timid in speaking out about God’s message of grace.  Maybe the first step is just to greet the stranger I may see on a Sunday morning at All Saints.  That simple greeting and hand shake may be just the gift of the spirit that person needs.  That doesn’t sound so hard.  

Jeffrey Witt

Today we begin sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. For Ash Wednesday, we hear the words of Jesus. Join us for worship today at noon and 7 pm. Then, Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Thursday

Romans 1:6

including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

Each of Paul’s letters to various budding faith communities begins with a lengthy greeting that reminds the reader of his faith journey and challenges them to grow their faith.  In today’s reading he reminds us that we are called to be Christians.  Being called.  I’ve known that term for years but I will admit to never seriously applying that term to my own life until pondering this reading.

What am I called to be?

While I aim to exceed expectations as a husband, father and employee, I would not compare that to those whom I see as called in their lives; preachers, missionaries, and the like. 

But am I called to be a Christian?

My parents, being good Christians, raised me up in the faith and as a result I have regularly attended worship because that’s the way it’s done.  However, there have been a few of periods where I just got out of the habit of going to worship.  As the weeks turned into months that then turned to years, my spirituality and connectedness to God would slowly begin to fade.  Eventually, I would begin to miss that relationship with both God and a faith community.  Since returning to God (Because He never left me!) here at All Saints, I can see that was God getting active in my life during that period and leading the way. He was calling me back. 

So yes, I am called to be a Christian.

John Nicholas

P.S. If you’re reading this, you are called too.

Today we begin sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. For Ash Wednesday, we hear the words of Jesus. Join us for worship today at noon and 7 pm. Then, Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.

ASLC Devotions - Wednesday

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

 ‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 ‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


Today we begin sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. For Ash Wednesday, we hear the words of Jesus. Join us for worship today at noon and 7 pm. Then, Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.