Prayer: Stay with us, Lord, and help us to be connected to you and to others. Amen.
Reading: John 15: 9-17 (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: I’ve always been fascinated by the word “abide.” What does it really mean? If you go to the dictionary, the definition says, “to remain; continue; stay.” Remain with me. If you rewrite the beginning of our passage for today, and replace the word “abide” with “remain” it would read: As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; REMAIN in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will REMAIN in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and REMAIN in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. I think we need to take it a step further, though. Doesn’t remaining in God’s love mean being connected to God and being connected to others. For us to feel and show the love that God has for us, we need to be connected to God and then share that love by being connected to others. Jesus tells us to love one another. We can only do that if we feel God’s love and share it with others. We need to be connected to God and to one another. Then we will truly abide! --Chad Hershberger
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On Fridays in April, we look at the scripture that our campers will be studying during Day 4 this summer of “Awesome God. Awesome Love.”
Prayer: Jesus, Prince of Peace, you are the source of all light, love, and life. We turn our hearts and minds to you this day and pray that you would overcome our sinful thoughts, desires, and ways. Help us to see our solidarity with all your children and put an end to our foolish perspective of divisions and groups. In the power of your Spirit, we pray. Amen. Reading: Romans 10: 5-13 (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: Answer 1 – this text challenges me to recognize how close God is to us. Answer 2- This text delights me to know that it is the Law that establishes a deep promise in our hearts. Answer 3- I have been in many worship services where this is used as a virtual statue that could be touched to confer grace—as an altar call, even without an altar. Answer 4 – God is breaking our conceptions and expectations again. We construct systems and businesses, churches, seminaries, organizations, service groups and work camps without realizing that God is already on our hearts. Retreats are not wonderful because God is there. Retreats and the like are helpful sometimes because we have forgotten how easy it is to find God. We will undoubtedly have different answers for each text we study, but this text reminds us that there are no separate ways that God comes to us. God is the lover of any and all hearts. We are one tribe with one Chief. --Andrew Fitch Prayer: Loving Shepherd, thank you for your goodness and care we positively need more than ever. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 22: 25-31 (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: My two favorite Psalms are Psalm 23 (The Lord is My Shepherd) and Psalm 121 (I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes). But the closing words of Psalm 22 are just as comforting and meaningful. They speak of “positivity,” which is a newly coined word. We live in a time of so much negativity. We desparately need the words of verses 26 and 27: “the poor shall eat and be satisfied; all who seek the Lord shall find Him and praise His name; hearts shall rejoice with everlasting joy.” May we never forget, or lose, the goodness our Lord offers us. He is…and always will be….our loving Shepherd. We need His care and love more than ever. -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear God, we love because you first loved us. Thank you. Amen
Reading: I John 4: 7-21 (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: One of the first songs I learned in my church youth group, was I John 4: 7 and 8 put to a tune. Best way to memorize scripture if you ask me. So, these two verses have been in my mind and on heart for a long, long time and that is a good thing. It answers so many questions: What are we to do? Love one another. Why are we to love? Because love is from God. Why does that matter? Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. What if I don't love? Whoever does not love does not know God. When your heart seems bursting with love, remember where the love first came from. When it seems hard to muster up a loving feeling for someone, remember being born of God and knowing God means you have the love in there to share. Still struggling? Get to know God better. Get to know scripture better. Sing it if that helps. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: May we look for ways we can break through with the Word and share your love with all. Amen
Reading: Acts 8: 26-40 (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 find history to be both fascinating to learn and humbling to remember. European history in particular is complicated beyond my keeping it straight. I was in France the year of the 70th Anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy but the places we saw went back hundreds of years. In Austria, while I was excited to see sites of the story of the family Von Trapp, of course most of what we learned was about classical composers Haydn, Mozart and others centuries before The Sound of Music. So, recently in Spain and Portugal, I already knew the Catalan independence movement is a current event whose story goes back through the Moors, the Roman Empire, the New World exploration, Islam and Christianity - many complications and barriers. The book of Acts is the story of the early Christian church and Phillip was the breakthrough man who carried Jesus' love to widows, to Greek-speaking Jews, to Christians who were not traditional Hebrews, to Samaritans and then, in our reading today, to an Ethiopian. It can be said Phillip was responsible for the first African Christian, and legend has it that the strong North African church of the first few centuries could be traced back to this convert. History is fascinating and humbling. Think of some barriers that you would like to see the gospel "break through." What kind of men or women of God will be needed for that to happen? Are you one of those individuals? -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Prune away our running all directions so we may strengthen our core and accomplish more. Amen
Reading: John 15: 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: Andy, my husband, is the gardener in our family so I asked him once again why pruning is so important. This time I heard something new as he explained. Pruning back extra or wayward growth, makes more of the energy of the plant go into developing better roots. With a better root system, the plant grows not only stronger but it can also withstand hardships like drought. With a better root system, the plant can also pull in more nutrients from the soil. We may think the more we get involved in many things, the more productive we will be. However, like a plant needs its branches pruned in order to grow stronger roots and in turn bear more fruit, perhaps it would be good once in awhile to cut back some of the things we do in order to strengthen our core and accomplish more. -- Ruth Gates On Fridays in April, we look at the scripture that our campers will be studying during Day 4 this summer of “Awesome God. Awesome Love.”
Prayer: Great God, you have in mind for us a good future full of hope and healing. Help us to follow your way and lift us up back onto your path when we grow weak, falter, or try to go our own way. In your name we pray. Amen Reading: Numbers 21: 4-9 (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: There are a few things in nature that get our attention, but mostly it is the ones that could possibly harm us—that we are afraid of. Snakes, bears, and possibly spiders. Mosquitoes don’t catch our attention until it is often too late, but then we can just swat and spray repellant. The spiders will be shooed away or moved out of the shed. The bears lumber through our area on rare occasions and usually act like they would prefer to snack on blueberries than scare us any further. Snakes, on the other hand are just plain evil. Aren’t they symbols of sin, darkness, and the work of the devil? They bite people and cause sickness and sometimes death. How horrible. They should be wiped from the planet. Away with the snakes! Yet, they are lifted up—literally and figuratively as a symbol of God’s capacity to heal through the most unpredictable means. They become a marker of life found by turning to God. Those miserable snakes become a background image for the theology of the cross. That is, we begin to understand that suffering and death is not the final word. God always has the final word. The fangs give way to a beautiful vision of life and love. In hope we can see that not even life or love take the spot of the final word, but it is an unending welcome of glory and praise in God’s presence. God has the best intentions for our life and for all of creation. We simply must remember that and care for all that God intends and has created to be good. --Andrew Fitch Prayer: Dear God, In You alone is rest and peace. We praise you for the assurance that we will dwell with you forever. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 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: A few times I slept with my grandma right after my grandpa died to keep her company. Before we went to sleep, she took my hand and started praying Psalm 23 and asked me to join in. She told me that she prays it every night before she goes to bed. And this summer our reading for Friday was Psalm 23, it was the first time a Psalm was used for the reading and it was so special. In both of these cases this is the perfect psalm to say. Right before bed and the last day before leaving camp to go home. It is so comforting to hear the words that the Lord leads us through life and is with us in the good parts- in green pastures and still waters, and in the hard parts- in the valley of the shadow of death and at a table with your enemies. After hearing these words, we are filled with peace knowing that God is with us always! --Marie Barnard Prayer: May we show our love in truth an action like little children. Amen
Reading: I John 3: 16-24 (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: What do little children do to show love? They give hugs. Before they can even speak, a child knows being held means love. Our lesson today says, "Little children, let us love, not in word and speech, but in truth and action." (v. 18) Before words, love is shared by looking in the eye, a smile, a laugh, a tear, a hug. All things even little children can do. So before we get all big and grown up with words and speeches, remember love is shown in truth and actions.' -- Ruth Gates Prayer: May our words simply point to what we sincerely believe and point others there, too. Amen.
Reading: Acts 4: 5-12 (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: How do we convince people that Jesus is the way to salvation? And that we should follow Him and obey His teachings? I wish I had some of the Sunday School leaflets from my early childhood. There was a simple color illustration of the Bible story on the front page. And the story that followed inside was told in simple words, ending with a short prayer. Maybe this is why I so enjoy the children's sermon. One Sunday the pastor took a tube of toothpaste and emptied it all onto a plate. Then he looked at the children sitting before him and asked, “Now how do we put the toothpaste back in?” The message was once words are spoken, they are impossible to take back so be careful what you say. Let us choose our words with simplicity and sincerity. All we need do is share what we truly believe. -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Good Shepherd, thank you for knowing us, never leaving us and laying down you life for us. Amen
Reading: John 10: 11-18 (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: Having just gotten back from an eight day tour of Portugal and Spain with almost 90 people, two-thirds of whom were teenagers, I have an appreciation for what it takes to keep a large group together walking through airports, getting on and off motorcoaches, checking in and out of hotels and following guided tours. Those of us who were leaders or chaperones kept an eye out for strayers and stragglers; coazing them to follow along or catch up with the rest. It was hard work. Then there were times when we let the group loose for a couple hours of free time in the city or town we were visiting that day. Even then we kept an eye out for members of our group scattered everywhere. Amazingly, everyone gathered back together at the designated meeting spot at the set meeting time. We never lost anyone. It was hard work. Today's lesson about Jesus being the Good Shepherd has me thinking of his constant care and endless effort to keep us in his fold. In our walk with God, there are times when we are strayers and stragglers. However, the Good Shepherd, knows each of us, never leaves us and even lays down his life for us. Shepherding is hard work done with great love. -- Ruth Gates On Fridays in April, we look at the scripture that our campers will be studying during Day 4 this summer of “Awesome God. Awesome Love.” This week we are also reprinting prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally printed on March 10, 2014.
Prayer: You gave your only Son, God, so that we might have eternal life. We are grateful for this gift and the great love you show us every day. Amen. Reading: John 3: 1-17 (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: God always fulfills God’s promises. The gospel reading today contains the verse that most feel sums up the whole scriptures in a succinct way: God loved us and sent Jesus so that we would believe and live with God forever. I don’t remember when I memorized John 3: 16, but I know it was early in life. I’m sure we talked about it in Sunday School and my teachers probably worked with us to make sure we learned each word. John 3:16 is a verse, though, that people should not just learn by memory. It is one that should become part of who they are. Often I save something that some writes that really strikes me and when I find it later, it is often at a time when I need to read it the most. Just the other day, I stumbled upon an old devotional writing that I had clipped from some publication. It showed, in a simplistic form, how great this verse is. I share those words with you here so that you can learn to live in the good of them every day of your life. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director God- the greatest lover So loved- the greatest degree The world- the greatest company That He gave- the greatest act His only begotten Son- the greatest gift That whoever believes- the greatest simplicity In Him- the greatest person Should not perish- the greatest promise But- the greatest difference Have- the greatest certainty Everlasting life- the greatest possession This week we are reprinting prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally printed on April 16, 2015.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to examine our hearts before venting frustrations on others. Perhaps then we will all sleep a little better. Amen Reading: Psalm 4 (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: In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. (v. 4) Let's face it, anger may not be sin but it certainly can lead to sin. This prayer depicts anger springing from anxiety, which proves especially troublesome on sleepless nights. The Psalm suggests that, rather than venting your worry in outbursts against others, you should examine your own heart. Oh, and be silent, too. But, but, but...! No. Examine your heart and be silent. Period. Still not convinced? Easier said than done? Sure! So jump to verse 8: I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. That certainly is encouraging. Good night. Sleep well. --Ruth Gates This week we are reprinting prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally printed on November 1, 2017.
Prayer: God, help us to understand now what we can as we draw nearer to you step by step. Thank you for giving us glimpses along the way. Amen. Reading: I John 3: 1-3 (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: From the song, The Now and The Not Yet, by Amy Grant No longer what we were before, But not all that we will be. Tomorrow, when we lock the door, On all our disbelieving, And He appears (Holy, Holy) He'll draw us near and we'll be changed by His glory Wrapped up in his glory.... We will be like Him, for we shall see Him, As he is. But I'm caught in between The now and the not yet; Sometimes it feels like forever and ever, That I've been reaching to be all that I am, But I'm only a few steps nearer, Yet I'm nearer... I John 3: 1-3 is a bit confusing at first read through but this song came to my mind. This is how I make sense of these verses. There are things I don't know now but will someday; not yet what I want to be but getting nearer. It clarifies The Now and The Not Yet of I John 3: 1-3. I’m grateful for that glimpse. --Ruth Gates This week we are reprinting prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally printed on April 14, 2015.
Prayer: Jesus, help us to see you today. Amen. Reading: Acts 3:12-26 (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 have the honor of preaching this Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church in Berwick. As I’ve been preparing this week for my sermon, this question has been in my head: “Where have you seen Jesus?” We ask our campers that question on an almost daily basis in the summer. When I’m trying to discern a situation, I often ask myself that question or a similar one, “Where is Jesus in all of this.” Peter was a witness to the resurrection. He got to see Jesus several times after that first Easter Sunday. And, we went out and told people about it. We see that in our story today. I like this passage as it really ties together what God said would happen and what did happen. And it reminds us to pay attention to God’s Word to find direction for our lives. Where have you seen Jesus? Where is Jesus in all of this? May these questions be on your mind this day. –Chad Hershberger This week we are reprinting prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally printed on April 13, 2015.
Prayer: Dear God, open my mind so I can understand the scriptures. Reading: Luke 24: 36b-48 (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: Stop. Start over. Go back to the beginning and, after praying the prayer above, actually click on the link to read the text for today. Thank you. Now, take a moment and at least ask yourself Question 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn't make sense to me in this text? At this point if you are honestly scared, confused, challenged or trying to make sense of the text then by all means don't worry. You are in good company with the disciples after Jesus' death and word of his resurrection. Jesus had just appeared to them and they were startled and frightened thinking they had seen a ghost. He showed them his hands and feet and there was joy and amazement. Then it was time for Jesus to explain all that he had told them before, all that needed to be fulfilled and all that was written going back to the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. Obviously, their minds were already overwhelmed before Jesus even started talking. How would they ever understand? Well, Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (v. 45). Surely that must have helped. We come to our devotion time with busy and burdened minds. This daily devotion arrives by email, Facebook post, blog or Tweet sometimes as unexpectedly as the risen Christ appearing and eating fish. Take the time at that moment or at a set aside time to ask God to open your mind so you can understand His Word. Oh, and remember Questions 2, 3 and 4. God is always up to something! --Ruth Gates On Fridays in April, we look at the scripture that our campers will be studying during Day 4 this summer of “Awesome God. Awesome Love.”
Prayer: Let us make time, God, to ask our questions of you and deepen our faith. Amen. Reading: John 3:1-21 (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: There has been a time when his faith blazed like a bonfire. Now it smoldered. He yearned to believe as when he was a child. Full of questions and longing for hope, he came to Jesus by night. Jesus stirred the fire's fading embers, and said that faith is born and reborn again and again. As Jesus spoke, the wind struck the coals and they leapt into flame. And so it was with the man. Faith flickered to life. He began to believe again. Recall a time when your faith was smoldering. What questions did you have for Jesus? --ELCA Curriculum Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on August 14, 2014.
Prayer: Dear God, bestow upon us your blessing as we strive to live in unity. Amen. Reading: Psalm 133 (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 is a very short Psalm! Only three verses. It takes longer to find than to read! Fortunately, our GROW Time devotions are set up with a quick link to the text. So, do a quick read! For me, the best verse is the first: "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in community." Short as this Psalm is, achieving that verse alone is a long process; sometimes a very long process. No wonder when unity does happen, it is a blessing of even life evermore! Living those twelve words makes a world of difference. I have read the phrase, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” These days I am thinking unity would be wonderful – at small levels and the largest. Where is there a need for unity in your life? How good and pleasant it would be if it are so! --Ruth Gates Prayer: As we reflect on the resurrection and the life of Jesus, may we be reminded that it’s all about love and light. Amen.
Reading: 1 John 1:1 - 2:5 (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 signed up to do the devotions this week because I figured that I could get them done well ahead of time and have them “in the can” before Easter. But, I forgot that I had done that. And so last week, as Easter approached, I realized that I hadn’t done my plan and that the devotions were not ready to go. So here I am, after Easter, trying to catch up and get these reflections written. Easter is on my mind, since we just celebrated it on Sunday. I read this scripture passage and was trying to think of a connection to Easter and how we all must be “witnesses to the resurrection.” But then I read verses 5-10 in Chapter 1. And it hit me. Don’t make this more complex than it is. Jesus came to save us and show us the light. All because of love. Love and light resonated in my head. That’s what it’s all about. Just as we often get caught up in the Christmas season, let’s not get caught up that we forget the simple message of God’s redeeming love for us. We celebrate it this Eastertime and every week of our lives. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: As we take stock of what we have, God, help us to be more generous. Amen.
Reading: Acts 4:23-37 (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: When I was in college, friends and I would joke that sometimes we would collect the coins in the couch cushions to scrape together enough money to buy a pizza for dinner. Granted, we were not poor, but as college students, our resources were limited. And there are times that you just want a pizza! Did you read the passage for today? I mean did you REALLY read it. Imagine what the early disciples did. They didn’t have anything. They pooled their money together. We read that Joseph “Barnabas” sold a field that belonged to him and laid the money at the feet of the disciples. They truly were in this together. As we recall the resurrection and the beginnings of the early church, let’s take stock of what we have that we could share with others. What might you give up so that you can support your favorite ministry more? What might God be calling you to pool resources so the Word can be proclaimed? We are blessed by God with our treasures. How do we share them today, this week, this month, and going forward? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Continue to help us to see you, Jesus, after the celebration of your glorious resurrection. Amen.
Reading: John 20: 19-31 (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: In the season of Easter, our weekly Gospel readings will recount the times Jesus came back after his resurrection and appeared to the disciples. This week, as we do every year right after Easter, we are reminded of Thomas who doubted that Jesus had appeared. He didn’t take the other disciples word for it. He had to see for himself. We also read in today’s scripture about Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit into his workers. How often do we doubt? How often do we feel the Spirit’s work in our lives? What if the two worked together? Could the Spirit help us to ease our doubt? Our passage today also reminds us that Jesus did so many things while he was on earth that they couldn’t record them all. Think about that. How many things does Jesus do for us that we don’t realize or see either? Continue to be on the lookout for times you see the Resurrected Jesus in your life. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: On this Easter Day, help us to see Jesus. Amen.
Reading: John 20:1-18 (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: “He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!” It’s Easter Sunday. The chorus of those words, the old familiar hymns, the spell of lilies and other flowers are all part of our celebrations this day. What a joy-filled day to remember that Jesus rose from the dead. For us! The disciples did not really understand at first what had happened. Our text today says as much that they didn’t quite fathom what transpired. But then, Mary saw Jesus. But she didn’t know who he was at first. It took a little bit of time to realize Jesus was there. Alive! Risen from the dead! Are there times in your life where Jesus is there, but you do not recognize him? There are many stories in scripture that we see that happening. I think particularly of the Road to Emmaus story, where Jesus wasn’t recognized until the breaking of the bread. Sometimes, it takes a look in our “rearview mirrors” to see how Jesus was with us in times when we didn’t really acknowledge his presence. As we begin the season of Easter, I challenge you to look for Jesus. Our Risen Lord is there with you, every step of the way. Announce to others, “I have seen the Lord!” Happy Easter! --Chad Hershberger |
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