ASLC Devotions - Thursday

2 Timothy 3:7

Some, who are always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

So, um, Paul, when you talk about “some” who are always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth, did you have someone in particular in mind? Did you, perhaps, have someone named Seth in mind? Because I do.

I love being a pastor for lots of reasons (and truthfully, just like your jobs, there are some things I don’t love so much – but that’s for another day). One of the things I love most about being a pastor is learning from people like you. I learn faith and trust from people on their death-beds. I learn hopefulness and a giving spirit from our Church Council. I learn joy from our children and our older adults.

The truth is, I keep learning these things. Because I need to be reminded. I need to keep being instructed. Oh, I know I’m learning and growing in my faith. God is doing things through me, just as God is doing things through you. But God still sends people to instruct me, every day. And for that, I’m thankful.

Pastor Seth Moland-Kovash

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and join us this weekend for the Third Sunday in Lent. Worship is at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour is at 9:45.

ASLC Devotions - Wednesday

1Timothy 4:7-8

Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

We tend to spend a lot of time on our outward appearances: our clothing and embellishments of course, our smart way of saying things and attempts at humor, decorating our homes in a particular style that represents who we are, associating ourselves with people like ourselves. You get the picture. We have been trained by society to look, act and think in ways that describe us. But is that who you really are on the inside? Does your outward appearance reflect your godliness? Or do you hide your godliness except for when you are around other godly people for fear of being judged?

In youth group today we talked about how we so easily judge others at first sight. Those of us in the room over age 20 shared how we are less judgmental than in earlier years because we have found that there is more to be seen beyond someone’s appearance, title or actions.

It is my prayer, that as we mature in our faith, that we allow our godliness to shine through, and that we make the choice to see the godliness in others as well.

Linda Kinsella

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and join us Wednesday (TONIGHT) for midweek Lenten worship. Dinner is served at 6:15 and worship (Holden Evening Prayer) is at 7 pm.

ASLC Devotions - Tuesday

Galatians 5:16-18

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law.

How many of us have had the feeling that we have expectations that all things should go our way? We all desire to have our ducks in a row and our plan for a happy life with friends and family. Then along comes an event/disaster/complication that takes all that planning away. We are sometimes left with feeling that life will never be the same. These are our desires for earthly things that make us happy in this world.

Events since June, 2011 have me feeling that life is a roller coaster and I’m definitely not in control. Today was Gasper’s Memorial Service and once again it hit me hard that a young life was taken away before his time. But, as Pastor Seth stated in his sermon, Gasper is experiencing more joy now than we will ever experience here. Keeping the Spirit in mind, the desire to understand God’s plan can truly be exasperating. We need to help each other get the message of the Spirit so we are not overwhelmed by the flesh.

Michael Nedzel

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and join us Wednesday for midweek Lenten worship. Dinner is served at 6:15 and worship (Holden Evening Prayer) is at 7 pm.

ASLC Devotions - Monday

2 Peter 1:5-8

For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ

When I was a kid, I loved Star Wars. My sister and I both collected Star Wars cards and figurines and went to the first movie a few times and went to the next ones as soon as they came out. Now, my family watches any and all of the Star Wars movies rather regularly. Relevance, you ask? I think the request in this passage to make every effort to develop our faith in order to be effective Christians is much like Luke’s work at commanding the Force. Like us, he was given a gift—the gift to be able to feel the Force. That gift would be nothing to him, however, without his effort in seeking out, practicing, and becoming proficient in using it in order to be the hero on the side of good in the battle of good versus evil. Yoda and Obi Wan were his teachers, but he had to be a willing student, which took some time on his part. We, too, have many teachers in our lives. We just need to be open to them and commit to practicing what they teach us.

Luke was an unlikely hero, and I think most of us consider ourselves that way as well. Yet there is story after real-life story about how people happen into being heroes to others. So, work on your faith, your self-control, your endurance, your love. Practice them. Be ready. And may the Force be with you!

Margo Ban

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and join us Wednesday for midweek Lenten worship. Dinner is served at 6:15 and worship (Holden Evening Prayer) is at 7 pm.

ASLC Devotions - Saturday

Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

How many of us feel like we have more than we can handle? I know there are many days when I sure feel that way. I’m sure there are times when we believe the burdens we carry are just too great!

Where do we go?

What do we do to ease those burdens?

It’s really quite simple; just give up our burdens to God. Do you really think he expects us to handle them by ourselves? It’s pretty arrogant to think we can take care of our burdens without Him.

All we need to do is take a little time each day and “Take it to the Lord in prayer”.

Won’t you join me during this Lenten Season and take time to give your burdens up to God?

²⁹

Sandy Herweg

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and join us this weekend for the Second Sunday in Lent. Worship is at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour is at 9:45.

ASLC Devotions - Friday

Matthew 21:1-3

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.

What would you have done if a stranger came to your home and asked for something of value to you? Would you have given it to him just because “The Lord needed it”?  

I am not so sure I would have been that generous to a stranger.  In today’s world that would be like giving a stranger your car as the donkey may have been his only means of transportation or used to work his fields.

I wonder what else was at work that day. Why would someone be so generous?  What motivated him to do this?  Was the Holy Spirit a part of this action. There were no papers, radios etc. to broadcast the news of Jesus coming to Jerusalem, so how did everyone know to be there on this special occasion. The work of God is truly amazing. I am glad he is there to guide me so I do not miss any special events with him.

Kathy Garner

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and join us this weekend for the Second Sunday in Lent. Worship is at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour is at 9:45.^*

ASLC Devotions - Thursday

Matthew 18:2-3

Jesus called a child, whom he put among them and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

For the past 15 years, I have worked with the youth group at All Saints. I have enjoyed this role, coming to church every Sunday, and putting myself among the young people of our congregation. I often say that I have learned more from them about the strength of faith, the art of forgiveness, and how to be humble than I have ever taught. Being a part of the youth program has helped to strengthen my own personal faith in times of deep sorrow and struggle, and it has helped me to value the community of faith we have here at All Saints.

Nothing could be a better example of this than recent events within the group. As I write this, one member of your youth group is dealing with a deep personal loss. My heart was touched this past Sunday morning as the entire group, regardless of class, gender, long-standing friendship or new acquaintance, lined up in a show of their love and support.  What a great example of serving others, and showing Jesus’ love for us to others around us. We can all learn from the youth, I think.

Karen Goodlow

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar and join us this weekend for the Second Sunday in Lent. Worship is at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour is at 9:45.