Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Lenten Devotional
Once again this year, we will be preparing a daily Lenten devotional written by YOU! If you would like to share your thoughts about a particular assigned Bible passage (about 200-250 words) please let Pastor Seth know (pastorseth@allsaintspalatine.org) for inclusion on our writer's list. The pastors and others will be available to help and consult. You have something to say.
ASLC Devotions - Wednesday
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.
I've never been much for New Year's Resolutions. I have made them at times in the past, but it's not something that I do yearly. And generally, I don't live up to them that well. In that respect, I'd suspect that I'm pretty similar to the most of the rest of you.
If I were inclined to make a New Year's Resolution this year, I might look for inspiration to this passage from James. Martin Luther might not be proud (he didn't like the book of James) but it's a good place to start. "Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom." Gentleness, wisdom, good life. If I could aspire to anything this year, that is what I aspire for my life to be marked by. Maybe you too?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This Sunday we will once again have only one worship service at 10 am as we celebrate Epiphany, the end of the Christmas season and the visit of the Magi. Bring Christmas goodies for a post-worship potluck as well. http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
I've never been much for New Year's Resolutions. I have made them at times in the past, but it's not something that I do yearly. And generally, I don't live up to them that well. In that respect, I'd suspect that I'm pretty similar to the most of the rest of you.
If I were inclined to make a New Year's Resolution this year, I might look for inspiration to this passage from James. Martin Luther might not be proud (he didn't like the book of James) but it's a good place to start. "Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom." Gentleness, wisdom, good life. If I could aspire to anything this year, that is what I aspire for my life to be marked by. Maybe you too?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This Sunday we will once again have only one worship service at 10 am as we celebrate Epiphany, the end of the Christmas season and the visit of the Magi. Bring Christmas goodies for a post-worship potluck as well. http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
ASLC Devotions - Tuesday
Today is liturgically the celebration of the Name of Jesus, because it's the eighth day of Christmas. Traditionally, Jewish children received their names on the 8th day. So we celebrate this name of salvation. Our text for today is the blessing whose words might be familiar, and I offer them to you today as a blessing for this next year of your life:
Numbers 6:22-27 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
This Sunday we will once again have only one worship service at 10 am as we celebrate Epiphany, the end of the Christmas season and the visit of the Magi. Bring Christmas goodies for a post-worship potluck as well. http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
Numbers 6:22-27 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
This Sunday we will once again have only one worship service at 10 am as we celebrate Epiphany, the end of the Christmas season and the visit of the Magi. Bring Christmas goodies for a post-worship potluck as well. http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
Monday, December 31, 2012
ASLC Devotions - Monday
John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’
Tonight there are lots of parties and gatherings happening. Generally they happen at night - obviously because we gather together to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another year. And we've all decided as a society that that happens at midnight tonight. It's a good milestone.
But wherever you gather this evening, whether in your own home or someone else's, or in a public space... first, be safe and drive carefully. But also, know that as you gather at night the light of the world walks with you. Jesus is the light of the world, the light that is stronger than any darkness and the light that freely offers you the gift of life as well.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This Sunday we will once again have only one worship service at 10 am as we celebrate Epiphany, the end of the Christmas season and the visit of the Magi. Bring Christmas goodies for a post-worship potluck as well. http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
Tonight there are lots of parties and gatherings happening. Generally they happen at night - obviously because we gather together to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another year. And we've all decided as a society that that happens at midnight tonight. It's a good milestone.
But wherever you gather this evening, whether in your own home or someone else's, or in a public space... first, be safe and drive carefully. But also, know that as you gather at night the light of the world walks with you. Jesus is the light of the world, the light that is stronger than any darkness and the light that freely offers you the gift of life as well.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This Sunday we will once again have only one worship service at 10 am as we celebrate Epiphany, the end of the Christmas season and the visit of the Magi. Bring Christmas goodies for a post-worship potluck as well. http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
Friday, December 28, 2012
ASLC Devotions -- Friday, December 28
Jeremiah 31:15-17
15 Thus says the Lord:
A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more.
When we write these, we use the scriptures appointed through the Daily Bible Reading on the ELCA's website. They're part of the daily lectionary. Occasionally (but rarely) we change them. Sometimes it's just hard to find inspiration in a long list of "begats" or the narrative is difficult to summarize succinctly. And sometimes I want to change the text because it's hard to read. That's how I feel about today's text. In the days after the shootings in Newtown, I saw several colleagues referencing these verses. In the ways that we have all been impacted by those events, we all became Rachel weeping for her children -- the children of the ancient scripture, and the children of this day no longer.
I obviously didn't change the text for this devotion. But, trust me, I thought about it. Just like the story of Stephen's stoning on the day after Christmas, who wants to have to hold the joyous birth of Jesus against the lamentation and bitter weeping of a bereft mother? No one. No one at all. In these days, in this world just as in all of the days past and future, the contrast is present and painful. But the scripture continues to say, "there is hope for your future." And it is to that hope that we all cling, mourning and tearful.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Thursday, December 27, 2012
ASLC -- Thursday, December 27
1 John 1:5
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.
We have officially passed the winter solstice, so our days are getting longer. But it will be at least some time before we really notice the difference. In these dark (and often cold) days of winter, we might have to look a bit harder for the light in our world. If we go too many days without much light, I know it affects me. Of course I'm talking about the literal light -- the light that comes from the sun, or is reflected in any variety of ways.
But this verse from First John can be a good reminder of the true light of our lives -- God. In God there is no darkness at all. During these dark winter days, we don't have to look for the true light, for it is all around us. Let us proclaim this message!
Thanks be to God!
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.
We have officially passed the winter solstice, so our days are getting longer. But it will be at least some time before we really notice the difference. In these dark (and often cold) days of winter, we might have to look a bit harder for the light in our world. If we go too many days without much light, I know it affects me. Of course I'm talking about the literal light -- the light that comes from the sun, or is reflected in any variety of ways.
But this verse from First John can be a good reminder of the true light of our lives -- God. In God there is no darkness at all. During these dark winter days, we don't have to look for the true light, for it is all around us. Let us proclaim this message!
Thanks be to God!
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
ASLC -- Wednesday, December 26
Acts 6:8
Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
It's always startling to read the story of Stephen on the day after Christmas. The single verse I've quoted above isn't all that disheartening, but if you're not familiar with how the story goes, it doesn't end well for Stephen. He is remembered as the first martyr for Christ, and he was stoned for some within the community "could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke" (v. 10). We read his story on December 26 because this is the Feast of St. Stephen, the day when we remember him.
Yes, it's startling. Yes, it stands in stark contrast to our celebrations of the birth of Jesus. But it is also the reminder that this baby born in a manger was not sent so that we could coo over his baby cries and then go back to our normal lives. This baby -- this Jesus -- brought a message of hope and promise, and his life, death, and resurrection proclaim victory over death.
Thanks be to God!
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
It's always startling to read the story of Stephen on the day after Christmas. The single verse I've quoted above isn't all that disheartening, but if you're not familiar with how the story goes, it doesn't end well for Stephen. He is remembered as the first martyr for Christ, and he was stoned for some within the community "could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke" (v. 10). We read his story on December 26 because this is the Feast of St. Stephen, the day when we remember him.
Yes, it's startling. Yes, it stands in stark contrast to our celebrations of the birth of Jesus. But it is also the reminder that this baby born in a manger was not sent so that we could coo over his baby cries and then go back to our normal lives. This baby -- this Jesus -- brought a message of hope and promise, and his life, death, and resurrection proclaim victory over death.
Thanks be to God!
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)