A message from Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson
"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us..." (Titus 3:4-5a).
Into this shadowed world light shines and joyous voices sing. Glad tidings cheer the heart and liberate hope. "A child has been born for us, a son given to us" (Isaiah 9:6). God our Savior has appeared!
God's saving goodness and loving kindness have arrived in Jesus, the Word made flesh. Though hidden in the humility of a manger, and later in the scandal of the cross, God's promise is being made good in plain sight for all to see, in a life of generous mercy, richly poured out for all.
"See, your salvation comes," the prophet wrote (Isaiah 62:11). God's faithfulness to God's promises calls us to a new hope, for the hope of eternal life is an inheritance that we can enjoy today in lives of generosity and compassion, joy and peace.
Merry Christmas from Pastors Jenn and Seth
Remember that this Sunday (December 27) we will have only one worship service, at 10 am.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Christmas Eve
Almighty God,
you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light.
Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus' presence
and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us tonight as we celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. 3:00 Family Worship and 5 and 11 Holy Communion with candlelight "Silent Night." Preservice music before each. If you are able, please park outside our lot or at the outskirts to leave room for visitors and those who are not able to walk far distances.
you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light.
Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus' presence
and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us tonight as we celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. 3:00 Family Worship and 5 and 11 Holy Communion with candlelight "Silent Night." Preservice music before each. If you are able, please park outside our lot or at the outskirts to leave room for visitors and those who are not able to walk far distances.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
Micah 4:6 On that day, says the Lord,
I will assemble the lame
and gather those who have been driven away,
and those whom I have afflicted.
We all have our dreams of the perfect Christmas. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. I'm dreaming of singing "Silent Night" in German. I'm dreaming of eating more cookies than any human being not named Santa should eat on any one night.
Micah had a vision of a perfect Christmas too, though he didn't call it that. Micah's vision of a perfect celebration of the Lord's coming sounds to me something like an awards banquet at the Special Olympics crossed with a night at our PADS shelter. That'd be pretty cool. So Micah's vision of the Lord's coming looks something like a standard week here at All Saints. Thanks be to God for the ways that you live into this vision of the Lord's coming.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us to celebrate the birth of the Christ child tomorrow (Thursday) at 3, 5, and 11. 3:00 Family Worship, 5 and 11 Holy Communion with candlelight. Preservice music before each.
I will assemble the lame
and gather those who have been driven away,
and those whom I have afflicted.
We all have our dreams of the perfect Christmas. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. I'm dreaming of singing "Silent Night" in German. I'm dreaming of eating more cookies than any human being not named Santa should eat on any one night.
Micah had a vision of a perfect Christmas too, though he didn't call it that. Micah's vision of a perfect celebration of the Lord's coming sounds to me something like an awards banquet at the Special Olympics crossed with a night at our PADS shelter. That'd be pretty cool. So Micah's vision of the Lord's coming looks something like a standard week here at All Saints. Thanks be to God for the ways that you live into this vision of the Lord's coming.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us to celebrate the birth of the Christ child tomorrow (Thursday) at 3, 5, and 11. 3:00 Family Worship, 5 and 11 Holy Communion with candlelight. Preservice music before each.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Tuesday
Micah 4:3-4 He shall judge between many peoples,
and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more;
but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees,
and no one shall make them afraid;
for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.
E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come!
Show us your justice between nations and peoples.
Help us to beat our swords into ploughshares, our Predator drones into fertilizer planes.
Show us how to put the swords away forever; teach us something other than war.
Give us each a vine and a fig tree, a safe place to eat and be satisfied, not looking over the hill to see whose fig tree looks bigger.
Banish fear forever.
E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child with three Christmas Eve services: 3:00 family service, 5 and 11 Holy Communion candlelit services, with preservice music before each.
and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more;
but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees,
and no one shall make them afraid;
for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.
E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come!
Show us your justice between nations and peoples.
Help us to beat our swords into ploughshares, our Predator drones into fertilizer planes.
Show us how to put the swords away forever; teach us something other than war.
Give us each a vine and a fig tree, a safe place to eat and be satisfied, not looking over the hill to see whose fig tree looks bigger.
Banish fear forever.
E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child with three Christmas Eve services: 3:00 family service, 5 and 11 Holy Communion candlelit services, with preservice music before each.
Monday, December 21, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Monday
Genesis 25:27-28 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skilful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Stephen Colbert is one of my favorite comedians. Not one of my favorite parenting experts. But in a chapter of his book on parenting he recommends that all parents should have a favorite child, and they should tell their children they have a favorite. But they shouldn't say which one. This keeps the kids guessing. Again... not probably the best parenting advice, but pretty funny in my opinion. Maybe Isaac and Rebekah should have been a little more secretive about their favorites. Maybe then Esau and Jacob wouldn't have grown up to rival one another so much, and lots of problems later could have been avoided.
In this week of family gatherings, we all know that the "Hallmark" picture of family gatherings isn't always true. Sometimes there are forced smiles, subjects to be avoided, or people to be outright ignored. One reason Jacob and Esau had so many problems later in life is that they got confused: they thought that their parents favor equaled God's favor, that God loved them the most. So remember this week: God sent His Son for everyone. For you and for me. And for your crazy Uncle Buck. All the same.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
If this Christmas season is one marked by sadness and mourning for you, gather with others for our Blue Christmas worship service tonight (Monday) at 7 pm.
Stephen Colbert is one of my favorite comedians. Not one of my favorite parenting experts. But in a chapter of his book on parenting he recommends that all parents should have a favorite child, and they should tell their children they have a favorite. But they shouldn't say which one. This keeps the kids guessing. Again... not probably the best parenting advice, but pretty funny in my opinion. Maybe Isaac and Rebekah should have been a little more secretive about their favorites. Maybe then Esau and Jacob wouldn't have grown up to rival one another so much, and lots of problems later could have been avoided.
In this week of family gatherings, we all know that the "Hallmark" picture of family gatherings isn't always true. Sometimes there are forced smiles, subjects to be avoided, or people to be outright ignored. One reason Jacob and Esau had so many problems later in life is that they got confused: they thought that their parents favor equaled God's favor, that God loved them the most. So remember this week: God sent His Son for everyone. For you and for me. And for your crazy Uncle Buck. All the same.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
If this Christmas season is one marked by sadness and mourning for you, gather with others for our Blue Christmas worship service tonight (Monday) at 7 pm.
Friday, December 18, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Friday
Hebrews 10:35-36
35Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. 36For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
In this final stretch of Advent, how's your endurance? Are you ready for this whole blessed season to be over so we can get to Christmas and open presents and then put everything away and return to normal? Have you forgotten the little bits of magic you found when you first opened the box of ornaments or turned on the lights outside? How's your confidence that Jesus will be born and we will raise our voices in songs of praise of hope for the world, again?
During this season, remember that God will not abandon you -- have confidence in that. Remember that our waiting comes with great hope, great expectation, and ultimately great promise. Find your endurance waning? Light the candles, center yourself with prayer, dip into the well of worship, and remember God's promises for your life.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
35Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. 36For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
In this final stretch of Advent, how's your endurance? Are you ready for this whole blessed season to be over so we can get to Christmas and open presents and then put everything away and return to normal? Have you forgotten the little bits of magic you found when you first opened the box of ornaments or turned on the lights outside? How's your confidence that Jesus will be born and we will raise our voices in songs of praise of hope for the world, again?
During this season, remember that God will not abandon you -- have confidence in that. Remember that our waiting comes with great hope, great expectation, and ultimately great promise. Find your endurance waning? Light the candles, center yourself with prayer, dip into the well of worship, and remember God's promises for your life.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Thursday, December 17, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Thursday
Hebrews 10:14
14For by a single offering [Jesus Christ] has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
I know that I'm a long ways from being perfect in any and all human ways. Knowing that, and living with that reality, means that a verse like this one humbles me to no end. Through our baptism, we have been made holy -- and through Christ's saving offering, we have been perfected.
Wow. I'm going to let that one sink in a little while.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
14For by a single offering [Jesus Christ] has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
I know that I'm a long ways from being perfect in any and all human ways. Knowing that, and living with that reality, means that a verse like this one humbles me to no end. Through our baptism, we have been made holy -- and through Christ's saving offering, we have been perfected.
Wow. I'm going to let that one sink in a little while.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)