Prayer: Forgiving Father, help us to see your blessings. Thank you for your love and forgiveness. Amen
Reading: Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: The Parable of the Lost Son is one we have heard so many times and know so well. We ponder who we are most like: the wayward son, the irritated older brother or the forgiving father. Let's look at it this way this time: We are all the wayward son (or daughter) and we live the same story over and over, day after day. We wake up every morning blessed with so much and still we want more. Then, too often, we squander it all away. A lost day. We turn back to God who welcomes us with open arms as we confess our sins. What would it take to get out of that rut? Count your blessings before expecting more. Live gratefully all day through. Know you are loved when you make mistakes (or even when feeling like the overlooked good guy). Take the role of the forgiving father and be at peace with others. That kind of day is not a lost day. --Ruth Gates
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Prayer: Lord, help me to see you in “the other.”
Reading: Scripture: Acts 10:1-23 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: We continue looking at this summer’s curriculum, “La Frontera” in our Friday devotions. Today’s concludes our consideration of Day 2, which focuses on the story of the Good Samaritan. Neighbors are those in need, those who look like us and don’t look like us. Today’s text is an alternate story for the day. June, my wife, tells me that I always have food on my mind. Maybe this is why I have always like this story. (I encourage you to read Acts 10 to the end to get the complete picture of what God is up to with Peter and Cornelius.) Peter is confronted by a whole sheet full of food and was told to eat. Never mind that in the past Peter was taught not to eat the food in the sheet. In the meantime, some of Cornelius’ folks were moving toward Joppa to find Peter. But Cornelius was one of those unclean people that Peter was to avoid. What will happen when they meet? Peter remembers the vision of all the unclean food he was commanded to eat. And he gets it! “God is sending Cornelius. I’m to invite him in!” How do we engage the stranger sent to us who is different from us? Skin tone, nationality, language, dress, citizenship, cleanliness, religion, sexual orientation ….. The folks we sometimes experience as “the other.” Whether that idea is conscious or unconscious doesn’t matter. We approach perhaps guardedly. We extend our boundaries to make sure we are safe. The meeting is awkward at best. The other day a Latina picked up a fruit in Weis Market and I had no idea what it was. So, I asked her. I had never done that before. Her broken English and my non-existent Spanish made it go slowly, but we managed. Somehow, that was an important meeting for me. I live in a community with a growing Latino population. And that’s o.k., but mostly I’ve lived alongside that community—like passing each other in Weis Market. It’s a little different now. Maybe just a bit-- “the other” has become “the neighbor.” Funny how the Holy Spirit sends folks to meet each other. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Refreshing God, help us look to you for what we need. Thank you for your living water. What a difference it makes. Amen
Reading: Psalm 63: 1-8 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: We have a saying in our family. "Drink water." It's important. We have learned it through Scouts (Be prepared.), summer sports (Stay hydrated.), illness (Force fluids!) and general good health (8 glasses a day). Yes, we often remind ourselves and each other to drink water. It makes a difference. The Psalmist exclaims, "My soul thirsts for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." Imagine if we thirsted for God spiritually in the same way in the same way know our need to drink water physically. As if it were a way to be prepared, provide stamina, flush out infection and keep us functioning any given day. It would make a difference. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Gracious God, we complain about things and what good does it do? Help us to see it often only destroys ourselves. Thank you for being faithful to us. Your mercy is great. Amen
Reading: I Corinthians 10: 1-13 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. --I Corinthians 10: 10 Oh man, wouldn't it be great to see that big complainer in your life destroyed by the destroyer? Sounds harsh, I know. But you know who I'm talking about. The grumbler, the whiner, the one who can never be pleased. Yeah, that one. Destroyed by the destroyer. That takes care of that! Oh, but wait, we are to be reading the Bible and today particularly I Cor. 10: 1-13, as if it is speaking to ourselves. Sure, Paul had a lot to teach the Corinthians back in the day but our days are no different. Honestly, what was your last complaint? That the line was long at the store? The assignment was too hard? The boss wasn't fair? The weather is too cold (or too hot!)? Complain, complain, complain. And the destroyer destroys us. But who is the destroyer? It may just be ourselves, our attitudes and our very own complaints. Lots of folks are getting what they need at the store. You are challenged to work harder and perhaps learn more. The bigger picture may show that the boss had your best interests in mind in the long run. The seasons and temps serve their purpose. Sometimes complaints are justified, sure. But sometimes complaints destroy the good that may be in the works. Sometimes the complaints simply destroy the complainer. Oh, to see with the eyes of God. The best we can do is see with the eyes of faith, hope and love. Save us, gracious God. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Give us this day our daily bread, Father. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 55:1-9 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: This Lent, I’ve given up desserts. So, since Ash Wednesday, I’ve not had any cake, pie, ice cream, or Little Debbies. I’ve seen the value in doing this, as I’ve lost a few pounds, too, since I started doing this. I’m also finding that I really don’t need as many sweets as I might usually consume. I get a little bit of a sweet tooth occasionally, but I’m staying the course. It feels good to have lost a little weight and feel like I’m eating healthier. Another practice I’ve done this Lenten season is to pray the Lord’s Prayer when I go to bed at night. I start my prayers to God with this familiar prayer and then add my own petitions. I often get stuck on the line “give us today our daily bread.” I know that I have been blessed with more than just what I need to survive physically. In our reading today, we also are reminded about having more than just bread and what we really need. Getting too caught up in a consumer society is not what God wants us to do. And yet in this country, many times we feel we need more to get ahead. My hope is today that you will look at your life and see what maybe you can give up. It might be something material, or it might be something that will help you have better health. What is God calling you to give up? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Watchful Father, you see all we do and notice what we don't. While we know it is only by grace we are saved, help us to actually do something for your Kingdom. Thank you for being patient with us. Amazing when the fruits of our labor make a difference. Amen
Reading: Luke 13: 1-9 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: A few years ago, our Wednesday night Lantern worship services were dramas based on parables and one evening it was the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree. I will always remember Glen, who played the role of the fig tree, shaking down to his very roots. He really became the character of a laid back, lazy, unproductive tree holding two branches in his hands above his head until it was noticed his branches were totally bare, the accusation of wasting soil and the threat of being cut down. Then began the look of worry in his face and the nervous shaking of the branches. No, his arms weren't just getting tired. He was one scared tree and we all believed it. We also knew ourselves we could be that tree. As Glen recalls his character development for the performance, “The fig tree was a bit of a slacker. He felt he had pulled the wool over the eyes of his master, and he was pretty proud of the fact. That turned out to be not the case as the lack of his initiative was discovered” I can't remember exactly how the story was enacted but I know by the end his branches were no longer shaking. They may have even had leaves and fruit growing on them. The gardener asked the master for a year to give the tree a chance and then dug around and fertilized it. The tree bore fruit, well and good, and was not cut down. While we have work to do for the kingdom, I don't think we need to be terrified trees as we trust the gardener, Jesus, will loosen up our feet and feed us to be productive. Let that be our prayer as we are grateful for God's patience. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, speak to me as I gather for worship with my neighbor.
Reading: Luke 4:16-21 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: We continue today looking at this summer’s curriculum, “La Frontera.” We are looking at Day 2, which focuses on the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus meets us in the neighbor. Today’s text is an alternate story for the day. Some Sundays it is necessary to stay home from church. But I really miss it when that happens. Some Sundays I go to church looking for a particular person that I want to share something with or ask a question. I appreciate the opportunity to just listen to the Word rather than being responsible to proclaim it. God meets me in that Word and in hymns, liturgy, prayers, and sacrament. And, God meets me in the social time that follows worship when we have a snack (My wife, June, says, “Eat up, that’s lunch.”) and engage with my neighbors. Jesus, too, worshipped in the community. He came to the synagogue, read and proclaimed the good news in the midst of the neighbor. Though it is possible to hear the word in the privacy of your TV room from a televangelist, it just isn’t the same as worshiping with your neighbors. In fact, I think that is the way Jesus meets us, in the midst of our neighbors. The Word is proclaimed and the sacrament is served in the midst of the neighbor. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Lord, your goodness is here for us to see. Help us wait, be strong and take heart. Amen
Reading: Psalm 27 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27: 13-14 Sometimes one thing after another seems to go wrong. "When it rains, it pours." they say. They also say "Things come in threes." which can make one a bit nervous when the second bad thing happens. Then there are times when blessings are showering down. When good times are rolling. When they say, "You ought to go buy a lottery ticket!" Whichever way it is going, I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord. In the comfort that comes from the heart in times of sadness. In the shared joy celebrating a grand moment with family and friends. In the helping hands that turn up at any time needed. In the grateful hearts who have hope. Sometimes we have to wait, be strong and take heart to see the goodness but we can still be confident it is there. --Ruth Gates This weekend, over 80 youth and adults will be at Mount Luther for our synod youth retreat, “GROW in the Snow.” Our theme is “We are the Body,” looking at Holy Communion and how we are all the Body of Christ. As a special devotional reading in preparation for that retreat, today’s First Light is about that theme.
Prayer: God of the ordinary, You come to us in everyday things. You transform them and transform me. Open my eyes and my spirit to see you. Help me to notice where you are at work, bringing love and healing bringing joy and hope bringing challenge and new direction calling me to follow. Help me to realize that you are alive and active all around me, and within me. Help me to see that you are using what is common to bring about amazing things. Amen. Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Bread and wine. God comes to us in a simple meal that was typical in the lives of the people Jesus lived among. Common, everyday food and drink, transformed by the promises of God. When we gather and re-tell the story of Jesus’ meal with his followers, we follow Jesus’ instruction to “do this in remembrance” of him. As we pray for God to be present in the meal, in our lives, in the world, God comes in ways we can hardly begin to understand, but in ways we feel powerfully sometimes. God comes to us in a meal. Forgiving our brokenness. Binding us together with each other. Weaving us into the fabric of Jesus’ followers of all time and all places. Nourishing us for lives following him by living love for our neighbor even when it is hard and we don’t want to. How can a tiny bit of bread and a small swallow of wine do all that? God uses ordinary things. Ordinary events. Ordinary people. God transforms what is common into something so special. When we gather, whether it is for prayer, worship, conversation, silliness, or dinner together, we find that God uses what is there to bless us, heal us, push us, or comfort us. Through a comment, a question, laughter, a smile, an encounter, God moves and works our lives. Of course, God isn’t limited to using church-related things or contexts. Wherever we go, and whatever we do, if we watch for God, we will find God is there, transforming ordinary things and ordinary experiences into moments of healing and love, challenge and direction, comfort and care. Where will you notice God today? If you like, email me where you notice God. I’d love to hear where you see God in your life, and how that encourages or challenges you. I can even post responses on our Facebook page to help tell the story of where God is and what God is doing in this place. Bread and wine. Where are the ordinary things and experiences that God is using in your life? --Alicia Anderson Prayer: Help us run the race, Father, keeping our eyes on you and making a difference in other people’s lives. Amen.
Reading: Philippians 3:14 - 4:1 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I’ve only been in a few running races. Mostly 5Ks. Running just isn’t my thing. It is not my idea of enjoyable exercise. In the races that I’ve run, though, I’ve known the end. I’ve seen the mile markers and known how far I’ve run and how far I have yet to go. The finish line is always in sight because I know the race will end when I get to it, no matter how long it takes me. But our faith race doesn’t have a finish line that we can see. Some day, we will end up in heaven with God. But we don’t know the date, time, or place where we will be located. We just keep “running the race” and know that God will be there at the end. My aunt died last week and it gave me pause to think about life. When it comes to the end of our lives, what really matters is our relationship to God and to others. In other words, our earthly discipleship. We may accumulate stuff but we can’t take it with us. We may have big bank accounts, but they will be inherited by someone else. But how we made a different in our lives and how our faith in God will be what matters when the race is finished. So, as we run here on earth, we should make a difference. And we should strengthen our relationship with our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: Dear God, today, tomorrow and the next day your work needs to be done. Help us to keep going even when it feels impossible. May we be willing to be gathered under your wings. Amen
Reading: Luke 13: 31-35 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: We have all heard the expression, "It's like herding cats." as a humorous way to describe trying to do the impossible. In our text today, Jesus speaks of longing to gather Jerusalem's children together, as a hen gathers her chick's under her wing. However, they were not willing. Was Jesus' ministry like herding cats? Maybe it felt like it at times. But Jesus continued, "casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow and on the third day I finish my work." (v. 32) We have much to do, too, and at times it may seem impossible. Let's remember we are gathered under God's care as we live today, tomorrow and until our work is finished. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, speak to me that I may speak caringly of my neighbor. Reading: Matt. 15:10-20 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: We continue today looking at this summer’s curriculum, “La Frontera.” In February we are looking at Day 2, which focuses on the story of the Good Samaritan. Neighbors are those in need. Today’s text is an alternate story for the day. There is a lot of emphasis in our lives about what we put into our mouths. Sodas are mostly sugar and not good for you. Pasta is a lot of carbohydrate which turns to sugar. Keep eating it, you’ll gain weight! Etc., etc., etc. Jesus encourages us to consider what comes out of our mouths. This is what defiles. What does that have to do with loving my neighbor—the one in need? A lot, I think. Too often we say nasty things. When we do the neighbor listening for a kind word is discouraged. Sometimes we thoughtlessly offend folks. When we do the neighbor listening for affirmation is belittled. Sometimes we speak about only ourselves. When we do the neighbor hoping to be included is put off. Sometimes we just speak, and speak and speak. When we do the neighbor who wants to share something personal is silenced. And all that which comes out of our mouths defiles the relationship we have with our neighbor. Jesus meets us in our neighbor in need. Let us speak well of one another. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Protecting God, may we have hope even as we hobble along. Amen
Reading: Psalm 91: 1-2, 9-16 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I know someone who dashed his foot against a stone. And it hurt. A lot. According to this Psalm, the angels will guard us in all our ways including from this very injury. So, what happened here? Perhaps this Psalm is to be interpreted figuratively. I mean, reading and considering further, who is going to trample a serpent underfoot? That is just asking for trouble, if you ask me. But I am very risk adverse. Let's keep this in mind. A dashed foot may cause one to hobble around for a bit but dashed hopes can be paralyzing. So the Psalm also tells us the Lord will answer when we call. The Most High will be with us in times of trouble. The Almighty will rescue and honor us. The Lord is our Salvation. That brings hope even when hurting. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Help us, O God, to look to Jesus in all things.
Reading: Romans 10:8-13 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Today is Ash Wednesday. Our liturgy today, among other things, suggests our human mortality and frailty. Remember, dust you are and to dust you shall return. Related to that truth is the statement in one of our confessions, We are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. Then, it seems, we can logically just eat, drink and be merry. What else is there? But Ash Wednesday also encourages us to look to Jesus as we begin the journey through Lent to Easter. Look to Jesus. Death and the grave doesn’t end it. There is release from the sin that holds us captive. St. Paul in our reading today is emphasizing EVERYONE, that is Jew AND Greek. Buy I want to emphasize the rest, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Turn, then to Jesus, today, throughout Lent, throughout life. God knows our frailty, immortality and sin. He sends Jesus to turn that all around. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Generous God, help us to remember to give you our first and best rather than the leftovers. Amen
Reading: Deuteronomy 26: 1-11 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Never one to throw away food, I am all for using leftovers. The trick is to disguise them. Change them up a little bit so it is hard to notice we had this just last night. Still, most foods are better the first time around and what is left is often not enough for a meal. Does God get our best or something pulled back out and reheated? Does God receive the priority in our plans or whatever time is left? God tells his people to give him their first fruits. Put it in a basket and present it. Remember how God provided in the past, provides now and will provide ahead. Rejoice! -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Guiding Father, it sounds so nice to think we are led by the Spirit but sometimes our paths are difficult. Help us to know you are with us always. Amen
Reading: Luke 4: 1-13 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I recently sent an inspirational refrigerator magnet to someone. Basically it said I was praying for her. "May you always have enough happiness to keep you sweet; enough trials to keep you strong; enough...etc., etc. So nice...except three days later she ended up in the Emergency Room! That certainly was not what I had in mind and certainly not what she wanted. Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit came down and that all seems lovely! However, in the very next chapter of Luke, Jesus was led by the Spirit into a difficult situation: the desert (or wilderness). On top of that, Jesus ate nothing for 40 days. Then, having hit what I would think would be rock bottom (seeing as I cannot go even one day without a good cup of tea), the devil came along to tempt Jesus. Definitely that is not what I would have had in mind or wanted. But when the devil had finished all his tempting, (if I may here reference another gospel- Matthew 3: 11), angels came and attended Jesus. And that is exactly what happened to the recipient of my well-intentioned gift of an inspirational magnet. Along with competent and caring medical staff, two other angels (good friends) appeared in the ER to be with the lonely, sick patient and with them she was kept strong. We are led by the Spirit in all times. It may not always be what we had in mind or wanted, but the presence of the Holy Spirit is what we need. So, while I may back off on giving meaningful magnets as gifts, the prayers will always continue. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Father, help us to help our neighbors. Amen.
Reading: Luke 10: 25-37 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: We continue today looking at this summer’s curriculum, “La Frontera.” Since we are into a new month, we are now doing to look at Day 2, which focuses on the story of the Good Samaritan. The importance of this story is that Jesus wants us to know that no one is beyond our concern or aid. We need to look for our neighbors in both those who live near us and those who live far away. We also need to look for our neighbors in those who look like us and those who do not look like us. Neighbors are people in need. Today, I hope you think about your neighbors or people who are in need. Think both locally and globally. What can you do to help your neighbors? –Chad Hershberger Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for being with us in our highs and lows just as you are in high places and low places. Help us to reach up and reach out to you in worship and praise. Amen
Reading: Psalm 99 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Extol the Lord our God; worship at his footstool. Extol the Lord our God; worship at his holy mountain. Psalm 99: 5, 10 Psalm 99 speaks of praising God. It reminds us to worship the LORD at his footstool and at his holy mountain. As I thought about that, two different ideas came to mind and both stir and strengthen my faith. Worship God at his footstool: God is there at out lowest. When we are dragging and have to pull ourselves up; when what we seem to need is just out of reach. Extol the LORD...at his footstool. God is down there with us and we can reach up with hope and faith. Worship God at his holy mountain. God is there at our highest. When we are feeling on top of the world and our arms are spread out; with everything we can see to embrace. Extol the Lord... at his holy mountain. God is above all and we can reach out with joy and love. Praise the LORD! --Ruth Gates Prayer: May your light so shine, God, and be seen by others. Amen.
Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I always think it is interesting when we read a New Testament passage and it references something from Old Testament days. This is the case today, as we are reminded of yesterday’s story of Moses having to cover his face. Paul tells us that once and for all, because of Jesus, we don’t have to cover our face. We can see God in our everyday lives, with the Spirit’s help. God’s light shines in our lives. Our readings for this week remind us of transformation that happens when God is a part of our lives. We don’t have to hide from God; we just have to let the light shine! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Shine, God, in our lives. Let others see you in our face. Amen.
Reading: Exodus 34:29-35 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Moses went up the mountain to get the Ten Commandments. Again, we read about a mountaintop experience. While on that mountain, Moses sees God. And then he returns. And what does he get to show those who didn’t go with him? The radiance of his face. His face was glowing so much after being in God’s presence that he had to put a covering on it. Imagine that! When we encounter God these days- whether through seeing creation, seeing the good actions of others, or seeing God working in our lives- are we glowing? Do others know? It’s my hope, as Mount Luther director, that when our kids and adults see God at camp that they go home with glowing faces. And that their parents need to put a camp T-shirt over their head to stop them from beaming about their God time at camp! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Father, may we have open ears to hear you, open eyes to see you, and an open mind to be reminded that you love us all! Amen.
Reading: Luke 9:28-43 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Have you ever gone to a baseball game or soccer match, and you sit down in the stands, but then somebody who is taller than you comes and sits right in front of you? What do you do? Well, you probably either move a bit so you can see around; or you change seats altogether. A lot of times, changing your place helps you see better. That’s the way it is with learning about God too. Changing your place can help you to see and hear a little bit better. When we’re in a different place, we often are able to hear the teaching of Jesus in a fresh way. It is what happened to the disciples when they went with Jesus and experienced his transfiguration. They were in a different place and had a mountaintop experience. They saw Jesus in a new way and I bet they told others about what they saw when they came down from that mountain. This Sunday all across the Upper Susquehanna Synod, we celebrate Mount Luther Sunday. It’s a designated day to uplift outdoor ministries in our region. We chose Transfiguration Sunday because the story of how Peter, James, and John went up a mountain with Jesus and saw him in new light is very similar to how our campers come and have a mountaintop experience at camp. They see and hear Jesus in new ways. And, we hope they will go back home and tell others about it. I love this story because I think it is another instance of a Biblical outdoor ministry story. Jesus even had a cabinmate request in this story! He took his three friends to camp with them. His friends even wanted to build tents so they could camp out. But most importantly, they were changed because they saw Jesus in new ways in a new location. That’s what Mount Luther is all about. We’re here to teach the message of God’s love for us, in a place set apart by God. Jesus speaks to us in this place. His message is still fresh, and our campers will hear it in new ways because we’ve come to our place. May they have open ears to hear it, open eyes to see it, and an open mind to be reminded that God loves us all! --Chad Hershberger |
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