John 13:21,25-27,31
21After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ … 25So while reclining next to Jesus, [the disciple] asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ 26Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 27After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ … 31When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.
A couple of years ago when I was first getting used to driving the car, I accidentally hit the side of my garage when I was coming home one night. Needless to say, there was some yelling, crying, and driving privileges taken away. For a while, it seemed like this little accident consumed my life.
But without my mishap in driving, I would not have written a narrative for my English class that I submitted to present at my school’s Writer’s Week in front of the whole school. I had turned a potentially terrible situation around by using it as inspiration to present in front of my peers.
Jesus knew that I would get in my accident, just as he knew that Judas would do something wrong; however, he did not judge me or Judas and just let us make our mistakes. Jesus knew that God would make both Judas and my problem turn into something good in the long run. Mistakes are inevitable; we just have to remember that God will take care of us and that it is all part of His greater plan for us.
Christine Spasoff
For more on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org Join us for worship this Holy Week on Maundy Thursday at 7 pm, Good Friday at 10 am (Children's Service) and 7 pm, Easter Vigil (Saturday) at 7 pm and Easter morning at 8:30 and 11.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
ASLC Devotions-Tuesday
John 12:20-21
20Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’
I often sympathize with the Greeks in the Bible. They seem to want to know and want to understand, but their own learning and intelligence gets in their way. Here, they have a request I’ve often had myself – to see Jesus. ‘Seeing is believing’ is a common phrase and the sentiment is old. Once
I’ve seen something, I can understand it better and know how to understand it.
Of course, these Greeks, like us today, don’t go directly to see Jesus. No, they go to an intermediary and ask for his permission. Which is another thing I’m guilty of. Instead of seeing Jesus all around me – in my coworker’s smile, in my children’s hugs, or anywhere else, I go seeking for Jesus
through intermediaries who may or may not be with Jesus at that moment. I seek Jesus like the Greeks.
The good news is that Jesus is here with us. Even in this dark, depressing end of the Lenten season, with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday looming, Jesus is here. With Easter seemingly still far way, Jesus is here. Look around, if you wish to see Jesus, and you will.
Doug Kuhlman
For more on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org Join us for worship this Holy Week on Maundy Thursday at 7 pm, Good Friday at 10 am (Children's Service) and 7 pm, Easter Vigil (Saturday) at 7 pm and Easter morning at 8:30 and 11.
20Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’
I often sympathize with the Greeks in the Bible. They seem to want to know and want to understand, but their own learning and intelligence gets in their way. Here, they have a request I’ve often had myself – to see Jesus. ‘Seeing is believing’ is a common phrase and the sentiment is old. Once
I’ve seen something, I can understand it better and know how to understand it.
Of course, these Greeks, like us today, don’t go directly to see Jesus. No, they go to an intermediary and ask for his permission. Which is another thing I’m guilty of. Instead of seeing Jesus all around me – in my coworker’s smile, in my children’s hugs, or anywhere else, I go seeking for Jesus
through intermediaries who may or may not be with Jesus at that moment. I seek Jesus like the Greeks.
The good news is that Jesus is here with us. Even in this dark, depressing end of the Lenten season, with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday looming, Jesus is here. With Easter seemingly still far way, Jesus is here. Look around, if you wish to see Jesus, and you will.
Doug Kuhlman
For more on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org Join us for worship this Holy Week on Maundy Thursday at 7 pm, Good Friday at 10 am (Children's Service) and 7 pm, Easter Vigil (Saturday) at 7 pm and Easter morning at 8:30 and 11.
Monday, March 29, 2010
ASLC Devotions-Monday
John 12:3-5,7-8
3Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the
fragrance of the perfume. 4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5’Why was this perfume not
sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ … 7Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it
for the day of my burial. 8You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’
This passage confuses me, because I see evil in that bottle of expensive perfume. I see evil in the fact that Jesus did not agree with Judas. Jesus' reasoning for allowing Mary to use the perfume on him was, he would not be with them for long, whereas the poor they will always have. But my question is, in all of Jesus' goodness, why did he choose to keep this unnecessary token for his personal use? Perfume is something we can live without, and it could have been sold to help others. Yet Jesus chose to keep it.
I do not wish to tarnish the enigma that is Jesus Christ, but I would like to make a point to others. He died for our sins, and is completely selfless, but he was still only human during this time. As humans we are flawed, and Jesus was not an exception while he resided within a human body. Without
flaws, Jesus never would have died for our sins.
Alexander Spriggs
For more on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org Join us for worship this Holy Week on Maundy Thursday at 7 pm, Good Friday at 10 am (Children's Service) and 7 pm, Easter Vigil (Saturday) at 7 pm and Easter morning at 8:30 and 11.
3Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the
fragrance of the perfume. 4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5’Why was this perfume not
sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ … 7Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it
for the day of my burial. 8You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’
This passage confuses me, because I see evil in that bottle of expensive perfume. I see evil in the fact that Jesus did not agree with Judas. Jesus' reasoning for allowing Mary to use the perfume on him was, he would not be with them for long, whereas the poor they will always have. But my question is, in all of Jesus' goodness, why did he choose to keep this unnecessary token for his personal use? Perfume is something we can live without, and it could have been sold to help others. Yet Jesus chose to keep it.
I do not wish to tarnish the enigma that is Jesus Christ, but I would like to make a point to others. He died for our sins, and is completely selfless, but he was still only human during this time. As humans we are flawed, and Jesus was not an exception while he resided within a human body. Without
flaws, Jesus never would have died for our sins.
Alexander Spriggs
For more on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org Join us for worship this Holy Week on Maundy Thursday at 7 pm, Good Friday at 10 am (Children's Service) and 7 pm, Easter Vigil (Saturday) at 7 pm and Easter morning at 8:30 and 11.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
ASLC Devotions-Saturday
Luke 22:1-2,7-8
1Now the festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. 2The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to
put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people.
7Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and
prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.’
The chief priests and scribes knew that many were listening to Jesus and they were afraid of the people. They were looking for an opportunity to betray Him when no crowd was present. In the face of adversity, they wanted to be alone and inconspicuous to avoid controversy. On the other hand,
Jesus anticipated his betrayal and suffering. Rather than isolate himself, he sought the fellowship of his disciples, continued to teach and celebrate.
This contrast provides us with a practical lesson. When faced with adversity, we can either be like the priests and scribes, isolating ourselves, or we can be like Jesus and choose the fellowship of believers.
Jan Olson
For more on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org Join us for worship on Sunday at 8:30 and 11. Easter morning (April 4) we will have a breakfast. To contribute cooking or service, be in touch with Sandi Bolinger or Lori Quinn (847-991-4513).
1Now the festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. 2The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to
put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people.
7Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and
prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.’
The chief priests and scribes knew that many were listening to Jesus and they were afraid of the people. They were looking for an opportunity to betray Him when no crowd was present. In the face of adversity, they wanted to be alone and inconspicuous to avoid controversy. On the other hand,
Jesus anticipated his betrayal and suffering. Rather than isolate himself, he sought the fellowship of his disciples, continued to teach and celebrate.
This contrast provides us with a practical lesson. When faced with adversity, we can either be like the priests and scribes, isolating ourselves, or we can be like Jesus and choose the fellowship of believers.
Jan Olson
For more on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org Join us for worship on Sunday at 8:30 and 11. Easter morning (April 4) we will have a breakfast. To contribute cooking or service, be in touch with Sandi Bolinger or Lori Quinn (847-991-4513).
Friday, March 26, 2010
ASLC Devotions-Friday
Hebrews 2:14-18
14Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16For it is clear that
he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect,
so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people.
18Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
In the business world, I was always most impressed with those folks who worked their way up in a company to get to management positions rather than those who just came into a company at those positions. Those who’ve worked their way up in a company know the business and how it works,
they know the folks in other departments that they can call on for help or with questions, and, perhaps most importantly, they understand the journey it took to get where they are today.
I believe that was what God was thinking when He had Jesus come to us in flesh and blood. He could effectively preach to us and deliver God’s message because he had lived as we had, felt what we had, been tempted as we had, and basically just had to deal with life like we all have to. That
gave Jesus and his message the weight it needed to be seriously considered by we humans on Earth. Here’s a guy who looks and acts like us who is God’s son coming to deliver God’s message. Maybe it makes us feel like we, too, can be close to God if we just let Him into our lives.
Margo Ban
For more on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org Join us for worship on Sunday at 8:30 and 11. Easter morning (April 4) we will have a breakfast. To contribute cooking or service, be in touch with Sandi Bolinger or Lori Quinn (847-991-4513).
14Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16For it is clear that
he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect,
so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people.
18Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
In the business world, I was always most impressed with those folks who worked their way up in a company to get to management positions rather than those who just came into a company at those positions. Those who’ve worked their way up in a company know the business and how it works,
they know the folks in other departments that they can call on for help or with questions, and, perhaps most importantly, they understand the journey it took to get where they are today.
I believe that was what God was thinking when He had Jesus come to us in flesh and blood. He could effectively preach to us and deliver God’s message because he had lived as we had, felt what we had, been tempted as we had, and basically just had to deal with life like we all have to. That
gave Jesus and his message the weight it needed to be seriously considered by we humans on Earth. Here’s a guy who looks and acts like us who is God’s son coming to deliver God’s message. Maybe it makes us feel like we, too, can be close to God if we just let Him into our lives.
Margo Ban
For more on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org Join us for worship on Sunday at 8:30 and 11. Easter morning (April 4) we will have a breakfast. To contribute cooking or service, be in touch with Sandi Bolinger or Lori Quinn (847-991-4513).
Thursday, March 25, 2010
ASLC Devotions-Thursday
Hebrews 2:1,8b-9
1Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 8… As it is, we do not yet see everything
in subjection to them, 9but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because
of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
At the beginning of the letter to the Hebrews we’re told that “long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways through the prophets,” but now God has spoken, definitively, to us through his Son, Jesus. Jesus, who is higher even than the angels. Jesus, who now sits at the right hand
of the Majesty on high. Jesus, who tasted death for everyone. Jesus is the one who we must pay greater attention to.
As we approach again the holiest of weeks, and walk with Jesus as he tastes death, pay attention. Live the words of ELW Hymn #347:
Go to dark Gethsemane
… watch with him one bitter hour
… learn from Jesus Christ to pray.
Follow to the judgment hall, view the Lord of life arraigned
… learn from him to bear the cross
… learn from Jesus Christ to die.
But don’t stop there – are you still paying attention? Early hasten to the tomb… where Jesus, our Savior, who tasted death for us, teaches us also to rise to eternal life.
Doug Williams
For more on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org Join us for worship on Sunday at 8:30 and 11. Easter morning (April 4) we will have a breakfast. To contribute cooking or service, be in touch with Sandi Bolinger or Lori Quinn (847-991-4513).
1Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 8… As it is, we do not yet see everything
in subjection to them, 9but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because
of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
At the beginning of the letter to the Hebrews we’re told that “long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways through the prophets,” but now God has spoken, definitively, to us through his Son, Jesus. Jesus, who is higher even than the angels. Jesus, who now sits at the right hand
of the Majesty on high. Jesus, who tasted death for everyone. Jesus is the one who we must pay greater attention to.
As we approach again the holiest of weeks, and walk with Jesus as he tastes death, pay attention. Live the words of ELW Hymn #347:
Go to dark Gethsemane
… watch with him one bitter hour
… learn from Jesus Christ to pray.
Follow to the judgment hall, view the Lord of life arraigned
… learn from him to bear the cross
… learn from Jesus Christ to die.
But don’t stop there – are you still paying attention? Early hasten to the tomb… where Jesus, our Savior, who tasted death for us, teaches us also to rise to eternal life.
Doug Williams
For more on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org Join us for worship on Sunday at 8:30 and 11. Easter morning (April 4) we will have a breakfast. To contribute cooking or service, be in touch with Sandi Bolinger or Lori Quinn (847-991-4513).
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
ASLC Devotions-Wednesday
Luke 18:31-33
31Then [Jesus] took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon.
33After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.’
Jesus is talking to the disciples and predicting his death once again. They were quite puzzled. “Son of Man?” What was he talking about? They’re going to hurt him and make him suffer? He’s such a nice guy why would anyone want to do that? He’s going to die? What did he mean, “On the third
day he will rise again?”
We’re quite lucky, aren’t we? We’re the ones messing up all the time and this nice guy had to go and die for us. It is hard to accept that we deserve to have all our sins forgiven. It is hard to believe that anyone could love us that much. Do I deserve it? Not me!
I’m messing up all the time “He loves me; yes, he really does. He died and rose again because he loves me. He loves us all. We’re pretty lucky, aren’t we?
Karen Peterson
For more on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org Wednesday, September 24 will be our Seder Dinner. Email office@allsaintspalatine.org to reserve your spot. Join us for worship on Sunday at 8:30 and 11. Easter morning (April 4) we will have a breakfast. To contribute cooking or service, be in touch with Sandi Bolinger or Lori Quinn (847-991-4513).
31Then [Jesus] took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon.
33After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.’
Jesus is talking to the disciples and predicting his death once again. They were quite puzzled. “Son of Man?” What was he talking about? They’re going to hurt him and make him suffer? He’s such a nice guy why would anyone want to do that? He’s going to die? What did he mean, “On the third
day he will rise again?”
We’re quite lucky, aren’t we? We’re the ones messing up all the time and this nice guy had to go and die for us. It is hard to accept that we deserve to have all our sins forgiven. It is hard to believe that anyone could love us that much. Do I deserve it? Not me!
I’m messing up all the time “He loves me; yes, he really does. He died and rose again because he loves me. He loves us all. We’re pretty lucky, aren’t we?
Karen Peterson
For more on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org Wednesday, September 24 will be our Seder Dinner. Email office@allsaintspalatine.org to reserve your spot. Join us for worship on Sunday at 8:30 and 11. Easter morning (April 4) we will have a breakfast. To contribute cooking or service, be in touch with Sandi Bolinger or Lori Quinn (847-991-4513).
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