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.