Micah 4:11-13
11Now many nations
are assembled against you,
saying, ‘Let her be profaned,
and let our eyes gaze upon Zion.’
12But they do not know
the thoughts of the Lord;
they do not understand his plan,
that he has gathered them as sheaves to the threshing-floor.
13Arise and thresh,
O daughter Zion,
for I will make your horn iron
and your hoofs bronze;
you shall beat in pieces many peoples,
and shall* devote their gain to the Lord,
their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth.
There is a theme in the assigned readings of these days leading to Christmas, a theme that I see of preparation and a theme of triumph. The song of Mary that we will read, also reflects the rising of the lowly and the mightiness of God. It can be difficult to read, though, these images of death and destruction to people -- even if they don't seem to be heeding the Lord's thoughts. Who am I, who are we, to know the thoughts of the Lord?
What I do take from these verses, however, are words of comfort and strength for a nation. And always, always, the strength of God. Perhaps in these days of preparation, these days of feeling very small, that is the message that comes most clearly -- the strength is in God, the power is with the Lord.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Thoughts? Visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/ to share them.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
New Online Bible Study starting
Season of Epiphany Online Bible Study
Start your new year off right, with Bible Study. This group is for all of you want to study and discuss the Bible, but can't quite commit to regular attendance at a Sunday morning or Thursday morning or Wednesday evening group. This study will begin on the day of Epiphany (Wednesday, January 6) and will end on Transfiguration Sunday (February 14). Obviously, if it's going well, we'll continue with another session, but that is the outline of this session. We'll be studying 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 which talk about spiritual gifts and love. Those who sign up for the group at http://bookoffaith.ning.com/group/allsaintspalatine (yes, you'll have to sign up for an account there, but there are some really cool tools) will be able to read a brief update or comment each day with a question or two to ponder. Those who sign up are committing to check the site at least once a day during that time and to respond each day with at least one sentence. If you have any questions, email pastorseth@allsaintspalatine.org
Lenten Devotional Being Prepared
This message was sent last week. There are still a few slots open, so just in case you forgot to respond or have given it some thought, here it is again!
Hi all.
Your help is needed.
Do you ever read these daily devotionals and think, "I've got something to say too?"
Do you ever wonder why Pastor Seth and Pastor Jenn get to have all the fun of writing these messages?
Do you have something to share?
I'm sure that you do, whether you know it or not.
So, we are preparing a Lenten devotional booklet for All Saints written by the people of All Saints.
If you should decide to put your name on the writer's list, you will get:
Hi all.
Your help is needed.
Do you ever read these daily devotionals and think, "I've got something to say too?"
Do you ever wonder why Pastor Seth and Pastor Jenn get to have all the fun of writing these messages?
Do you have something to share?
I'm sure that you do, whether you know it or not.
So, we are preparing a Lenten devotional booklet for All Saints written by the people of All Saints.
If you should decide to put your name on the writer's list, you will get:
- an assigned biblical text (usually 6-10 verses)
- a deadline (in early January)
- instructions and guidance, as much as you'd like.
Write your thoughts about what these passages are saying to you. What do they make you think of? What do you learn about God from them? What do you learn about yourself from them? Use the booklets "Christ in our Home" or the daily email devotionals as inspiration. But make it your own. Share your thoughts with your sisters and brothers.
Finally submit the following via email: your key verses, 250-350 word reflection, and how you would like your name to be printed.
These will be printed together in a booklet for our congregation, the booklet will be made into a pdf and put on our congregation's website, and the devotions will be emailed as part of our daily email devotional plan for the season of Lent 2010.
If you would be willing to share your thoughts and to help us create this project, please respond via email to pastorseth@allsaintspalatine.org
ASLC Devotions -- Tuesday
Isaiah 11:6-9
6The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
7The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
9They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
We have a dog that has, to put it mildly, a lot of energy. Those who have met Woody the Puggle have experienced his exuberance for being part of God's creation. I walked into our living room the other morning just in time to see our son tackle the dog. I gasped in anticipation that the scene would end poorly for all involved. Imagine my shock when the dog simply rolled out of the way, and then sat very, very still as our son gently stroked both of his ears.
I don't think the early-morning scene was a sign of Christ's coming, but it gave me a tender moment to witness gentleness and coexistence, as well as maybe a little bit of grace. The calf and the lion are not supposed to live together, the wolf and the lamb have designated places in the pecking order -- places that don't involved coexistence. But the branch that grows from Jesse's roots -- the One whom we call Messiah, Lord, Savior, Jesus the Christ -- changes all of that. Where do you witness that grace and that coexistence? And how can we continue to pray that into reality?
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Respond, ask your own questions... http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
6The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
7The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
9They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
We have a dog that has, to put it mildly, a lot of energy. Those who have met Woody the Puggle have experienced his exuberance for being part of God's creation. I walked into our living room the other morning just in time to see our son tackle the dog. I gasped in anticipation that the scene would end poorly for all involved. Imagine my shock when the dog simply rolled out of the way, and then sat very, very still as our son gently stroked both of his ears.
I don't think the early-morning scene was a sign of Christ's coming, but it gave me a tender moment to witness gentleness and coexistence, as well as maybe a little bit of grace. The calf and the lion are not supposed to live together, the wolf and the lamb have designated places in the pecking order -- places that don't involved coexistence. But the branch that grows from Jesse's roots -- the One whom we call Messiah, Lord, Savior, Jesus the Christ -- changes all of that. Where do you witness that grace and that coexistence? And how can we continue to pray that into reality?
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Respond, ask your own questions... http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
Monday, December 14, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Monday
Numbers 16:12-14
12 Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab; but they said, ‘We will not come! 13Is it too little that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness, that you must also lord it over us? 14It is clear you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Would you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come!’
When the Israelites leave captivity in Egypt, the land they enter leaves much to be desired in their mind -- as does the leadership of Moses and Aaron. The people whine, a lot, and they seem convinced that the land is not as Moses has promised. What the people seem to forget, however, is that it's not really about Moses and Aaron.
The Lord speaks to Moses repeatedly, giving him the message for the people that this land is land that the Lord is giving unto the people. It's a pretty common human mistake, I think, to forget that the Lord is speaking. What ends up happening to the band of folks who have turned away from listening to God's word? In verse 31 and beyond we learn that the earth actually opened up and swallowed them with all of their households and goods. The land around us might not appear to be flowing with milk or honey, and we might feel that we'll die in this wilderness, but it's always a good reminder to listen to the Lord.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Questions? Thoughts? Just want to share? http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
12 Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab; but they said, ‘We will not come! 13Is it too little that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness, that you must also lord it over us? 14It is clear you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Would you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come!’
When the Israelites leave captivity in Egypt, the land they enter leaves much to be desired in their mind -- as does the leadership of Moses and Aaron. The people whine, a lot, and they seem convinced that the land is not as Moses has promised. What the people seem to forget, however, is that it's not really about Moses and Aaron.
The Lord speaks to Moses repeatedly, giving him the message for the people that this land is land that the Lord is giving unto the people. It's a pretty common human mistake, I think, to forget that the Lord is speaking. What ends up happening to the band of folks who have turned away from listening to God's word? In verse 31 and beyond we learn that the earth actually opened up and swallowed them with all of their households and goods. The land around us might not appear to be flowing with milk or honey, and we might feel that we'll die in this wilderness, but it's always a good reminder to listen to the Lord.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Questions? Thoughts? Just want to share? http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
Friday, December 11, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Friday
2 Corinthians 9:11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us
I just want to use today's message to say thank you.
I am thankful to each of you for your generosity to the ministry that happens in and through All Saints.
I am thankful to God for your generosity... for your giving to support the "boring" things of our budget like a mortgage and and staff salaries. And for your giving to things like the recent Christmas Angels project, where you supported 28 families, more than ever before!
Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
To discuss this passage and others, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com. Remember to join us for our special cantata presentation and Communion worship this Sunday at 8:30 and 11.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Thursday
2 Corinthians 8:13-14 I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance.
Paul was writing to the Corinthians about the collection for the church in Jerusalem that needed the support of sisters and brothers in Christ around the world. But I want you to think about this slightly differently this morning: where is your abundance? And it's not fair (and untrue) to say... nothing. Has God blessed you with financial abundance? Has God blessed you with an abundance of musical talent? Has God blessed you with an abundance of time? Where specifically is your abundance?
Next question: where do you see a need in that same area? It may be in some ministry here at All Saints. It may be in your PTA or your neighborhood association. But where do you see a need that matches with your abundance? That's what Paul is talking about... God always provides an abundance to match every need. Our calling as Christians is to make the matches. Thanks be to God for all the ways in which you share your abundance!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
To discuss this passage and others, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com. Remember to join us for our special cantata presentation and Communion worship this Sunday at 8:30 and 11.
Paul was writing to the Corinthians about the collection for the church in Jerusalem that needed the support of sisters and brothers in Christ around the world. But I want you to think about this slightly differently this morning: where is your abundance? And it's not fair (and untrue) to say... nothing. Has God blessed you with financial abundance? Has God blessed you with an abundance of musical talent? Has God blessed you with an abundance of time? Where specifically is your abundance?
Next question: where do you see a need in that same area? It may be in some ministry here at All Saints. It may be in your PTA or your neighborhood association. But where do you see a need that matches with your abundance? That's what Paul is talking about... God always provides an abundance to match every need. Our calling as Christians is to make the matches. Thanks be to God for all the ways in which you share your abundance!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
To discuss this passage and others, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com. Remember to join us for our special cantata presentation and Communion worship this Sunday at 8:30 and 11.
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