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.’ John 8:12
Toward the end of Advent we marked the winter solstice, when the darkness stops taking over our days and light begins to reappear. It also coincided with the Blue Christmas worship that we held at All Saints. Other churches have similar worship times, as a way to remember the losses that we have experienced, and to acknowledge that often the holidays are a mixed bag of emotion.
Now, we are reminded of Jesus' words and promise as the light of the world -- and the light of life. Even in our darkest moments, Jesus is there, shining forth for us, lighting our way.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
37And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’ Mark 13:37
Perhaps we're all feeling a little sleepy these days -- either from a lack of activity, too many cookies (ahem), or the frenzied activity of visiting and traveling. And yet Jesus says, "Keep awake!"
Now this verse addressed the next coming -- we don't know when that day will come. But in these days post- Christmas, when we've packed away most of the holiday cheer and the needles from the tree aren't the only things getting on our nerves, perhaps we should awaken again to see Jesus in our midst. Keep awake, for you don't know when you'll see Jesus. Keep awake, for you don't know when you'll witness the miracle of goodwill between children, siblings even! Keep awake, for you don't know when you'll have the chance to bring the gospel to someone who desperately needs it today, in the form of a smile, a kind word, a smidgen of grace when you thought it might be all gone.
Keep awake,
Pastor Jenn
Perhaps we're all feeling a little sleepy these days -- either from a lack of activity, too many cookies (ahem), or the frenzied activity of visiting and traveling. And yet Jesus says, "Keep awake!"
Now this verse addressed the next coming -- we don't know when that day will come. But in these days post- Christmas, when we've packed away most of the holiday cheer and the needles from the tree aren't the only things getting on our nerves, perhaps we should awaken again to see Jesus in our midst. Keep awake, for you don't know when you'll see Jesus. Keep awake, for you don't know when you'll witness the miracle of goodwill between children, siblings even! Keep awake, for you don't know when you'll have the chance to bring the gospel to someone who desperately needs it today, in the form of a smile, a kind word, a smidgen of grace when you thought it might be all gone.
Keep awake,
Pastor Jenn
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Tuesday
8Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and search out all the commandments of the Lord your God; that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you for ever. 1 Chronicles 28:8
King David is in the midst of giving a speech about what he wasn't able to accomplish -- mainly because God had different plans for him -- and what his son Solomon will do, when we read this verse. I would guess, from what I know about David, that he would have liked to have done more, that he would have liked to have built the temple, the sanctuary for God. But as a man of faith who listened to God, he respected that building the resting place for the ark of the covenant was not for him to do.
And so the task passes on to the next generation. We might not be in the business, as a church, of passing on land to those who come after us, but we are given many things that we are to leave for those who come next -- our faith, our hope, our heritage, our songs. I give thanks for the inheritance of faith that we have received from our ancestors, and I give thanks for the passing of these gifts that I see taking place around me.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
King David is in the midst of giving a speech about what he wasn't able to accomplish -- mainly because God had different plans for him -- and what his son Solomon will do, when we read this verse. I would guess, from what I know about David, that he would have liked to have done more, that he would have liked to have built the temple, the sanctuary for God. But as a man of faith who listened to God, he respected that building the resting place for the ark of the covenant was not for him to do.
And so the task passes on to the next generation. We might not be in the business, as a church, of passing on land to those who come after us, but we are given many things that we are to leave for those who come next -- our faith, our hope, our heritage, our songs. I give thanks for the inheritance of faith that we have received from our ancestors, and I give thanks for the passing of these gifts that I see taking place around me.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Monday, December 28, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Monday
13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Matthew 2:13
Sometime early in Advent I sifted through a file in my office labeled simply "Art." Through the years, I've clipped images from magazines, bulletin covers, postcards, calendars and tucked them into this file folder. I go through it occasionally, as a devotional practice. I re-discovered this past season an image of the holy family fleeing. They're portrayed loosely, and both Mary and Joseph have their heads turned as if looking behind them; Mary clutches the bundle I presume to be Jesus closely.
It's not the typical image that I carry with me of the holy family. More often I imagine them as they're seen in so many nativity sets, resting in adoration. This angel that comes to Joseph, though, sets them in motion again -- and in haste they go, go, go. I held that image in my mind during the season preparation, knowing as we must, what comes next. And while the family was fleeing from Herod, from a certain death, they were headed for safety, and they were headed for respite.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Sometime early in Advent I sifted through a file in my office labeled simply "Art." Through the years, I've clipped images from magazines, bulletin covers, postcards, calendars and tucked them into this file folder. I go through it occasionally, as a devotional practice. I re-discovered this past season an image of the holy family fleeing. They're portrayed loosely, and both Mary and Joseph have their heads turned as if looking behind them; Mary clutches the bundle I presume to be Jesus closely.
It's not the typical image that I carry with me of the holy family. More often I imagine them as they're seen in so many nativity sets, resting in adoration. This angel that comes to Joseph, though, sets them in motion again -- and in haste they go, go, go. I held that image in my mind during the season preparation, knowing as we must, what comes next. And while the family was fleeing from Herod, from a certain death, they were headed for safety, and they were headed for respite.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Friday, December 25, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Christmas Day
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.
"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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)