Prayer: Lord, be with us as we constantly have insights into following you in new and exciting ways. Guide us ever, great redeemer. Amen.
Reading: Acts 9: 1-6 (7-10) (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 summer at camp during staff training, we will be looking at how we can create “magic moments” for our campers. Our material comes from a book I recently read called The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath. They talk about how one of the characteristics of a defining moment is insight. In our story today, Paul gets new insight. Suddenly, he hears Jesus and realizes what he has been doing has been wrong. We know his insight doesn’t involve seeing, because we are told he is blind for a few days. The Road to Damascus story reminds us that we have times in our lives where we are given a revelation. It often steers us in a new direction or helps us understand something we did not before. Be looking for these insights. They can help you see God in new ways! --Chad Hershberger
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We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on April 8, 2016.
Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus. Amen Reading: John 21:1-14 (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 Resurrected Christ, indeed, meets us wherever—fishing and having breakfast. This is one of my favorite resurrection stories. How could it not be? The disciples are fishing when Jesus comes to meet them. Can hardly beat that! He shows them where the fish are. My fish finder doesn’t work like it should. And then while bringing the boat to shore in the early light, the disciples see Jesus by a charcoal fire—bread and broiled fish. Wow! Can you imagine a better fishing trip than that? Are you going fishing today? No? Going to work? Maybe a family outing? A hospital visit? Lunch with a friend? Just hanging around the house? Car in the repair shop? Soccer game? Volunteering somewhere? Difficult meeting? Choir practice tonight? Just surfing on the computer? Whatever, wherever, expect the resurrected Jesus to join you. That’s what He does!! --Jim Bricker Today, we look at a Day 4 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “Transformed Community: God’s Agent of C.H.A.N.G.E.”
Prayer: Dear Lord, your love is radical and crosses boundaries. You don’t even seem to recognize the same lines that we highlight and paint. Help us, blessed Jesus to treat foreigners and those who are poor or in need with compassion and consideration. Teach us to freely share from your abundance. Amen. Reading: Deuteronomy 24:14-15 You must not oppress a lowly and poor servant, whether one from among your fellow Israelites or from the resident foreigners who are living in your land and villages. 15 You must pay his wage that very day before the sun sets, for he is poor and his life depends on it. Otherwise he will cry out to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin. (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: Yes, following Jesus is political. That is, people are political. You might not like the twisted double-speak of politics, but the reality is that caring for the poor, the foreigners, and the needy of all lands means advocating for them to the government. God wants us to speak out and stand up, to step out or sleep on the road. We should not lose the meaning of the church that is sanctuary, as in a safe place or a refuge from danger for all. The church is not just walls, but is a people who form a protective barrier for those who need our protection. We should hear the words of Jesus ringing in our minds, “what you did to the least of these you did to me.” Singing the song, “Sanctuary,” is not only spiritual in meaning. May our lives be proved pure and holy, tried and true…for you, Jesus. --Andrew Fitch We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on March 28, 2018.
Prayer: Dear Lord, this is the day you have made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Amen. Reading: Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24 (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: I’m sure all of us have made mistakes in our lives or have been rejected and in our world, we are scrutinized and look down upon. But through Christ, that is not the case. Verses 22 and 23 say, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” What once was thrown to the side because it was not good enough is now a beautiful achievement that is adored. This reminds us that though we may be rejected on Earth, Jesus turns our sins and faults into lessons that help us to grow in our faith and make us better followers. This Easter Sunday as we remember that Christ was raised from the dead to give us new life, let us rejoice and praise him for the wonderful way he raises US up when we are down! --Marie Barnard Prayer: Dear God, you are the Almighty. Reveal to us your power today. Amen
Reading: Revelation 1: 4-8 (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: When I think of the word revelation I think "Ah-hah!" so I figure the book of Revelation is all about "Ah-hah!" moments. Except for this: Revelation is a book full of mysteries. Not easy to understand. More "Huh?" than "Ah-hah!" Fortunately, today's lesson is only four verses of the first chapter. So, from it I simply take the word Almighty. The Lord God is Almighty. Where have you seen God as almighty? When have you said, "Ah-hah!"? Maybe when his creation bursts forth with life after a long cold winter. Maybe when your heart was strengthened and gladdened after a difficult time. Maybe when it is revealed that love never fails. That is power. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Help us to obey you and not human authority, God. Amen.
Reading: Acts 5: 27-32 (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: In this passage, we are told to obey God rather than human authority. Peter and the apostles got drug off to court because they were doing God’s work. They also shared the gospel message of Jesus being raised from the dead and reminded the court that they were witnesses. Do we do that? Do we share our faith with others regularly? Do we witness to Christ’s death and resurrection? If you said, “No,” why not? May we have the faith to do so and may we obey God’s authority. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Help us in our disbelief, Lord. We know you are there. And we know it is you! 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: We just celebrated Christ’s resurrection and for the next few weeks, we will see his appearances to the disciples after Easter. This Sunday is traditionally “Doubting Thomas” Sunday, as we look at this story about Thomas not being with the disciples at first when Jesus came to visit. He didn’t believe it. When do you have disbelief? Are there times in your life that you don’t see Jesus in your everyday life? Do you need to see physical signs, just like Thomas? Know that Jesus is with you, even when you can’t necessarily see Him. He is Risen indeed! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Alleluia! Christ has risen! He has risen indeed! Alleluia!
Reading: Luke 24: 1-12 (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: Great and glorious news is the text for today! What is not so shocking but is a little bit maddening is that the men did not believe the women. They had to have proof. I am curious about how it made the women feel, and what their response was to the men’s unbelief. Are there times in your life that you have had a great story to tell and that people did not believe you. My go to retort is that I am not a liar and that I am telling the truth. How about the Easter story? There are still people today that are skeptical about Jesus and that he has risen from the dead to save us all. All I can say is that I believe. That’s my faith story and I am sticking to it! Christ has risen indeed!! --Charlene Rineer Today, we look at a Day 4 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “Transformed Community: God’s Agent of C.H.A.N.G.E.”
Prayer: Good and loving God, help us to truly know your ways and genuinely try to work with you instead of against you. May we see your work in others and recognize the good and saving love that you share through our imperfect vessels. Turn us away from trying to fill up and polish over our issues and problems. Show us again how you make us strong in weakness, bring us to speech from silence, and from resignation to devoted action. Amen. Reading: Jonah 3:10-4:11 (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: Whale Chow…Prophet of Temper Tantrums…Preacher Doolittle…Even though we might want to make fun of Jonah and keep coming up with monikers for his madness, we must recognize the oceans deep meaning of his story. Seriously, all puns aside, there is an unassailable truth in this conclusion of the “Sign of Jonah” (as Jesus calls it). The reality is that God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness do not make sense. We think that GodOur thirst for “justice” is often actually revenge. The challenge of reading the story of Jonah is to not get caught up in the drama, but to focus in on the participatory salvation. All along, God simply asks Jonah to be a part of the solution for who God cares about. There is a difference between who we care about and who God cares about (hint: our list is much shorter). The key is to open our hearts to care for those whom God calls us to care about. --Andrew Fitch Prayer: Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening. And, the day is almost over.
Reading: John 18: 1- 19:42 (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: It is the solemn and holy day of Good Friday. It might seem strange, but this is one of my favorite days. Reflecting on the work Jesus did on the cross is important to me, especially on this day. I have great memories of Good Friday Community Breakfasts, noon-time services, Tenebrae worship, and watching “The Passion of the Christ.” Each of these caused me to pause and reflect on the meaning of this day. As this day comes to a close, we know what will happen soon. Christ, be with us, in our sorrow and grief. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Loving God help us love one another as you have commanded us to do. Let us wash each other’s feet with kindness and compassion. Help us follow Jesus’ example of giving and serving. Let our words and actions speak loudly to let others know that we are your disciples. Amen.
Reading: John 13: 1-17, 31b-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: I don’t know if you have every participated in a foot washing ceremony or not, but I can tell you from personal experience that it is real humbling. I have both washed people’s feet and have had my feet washed. Every time it has been a real inspirational act. A few of the times it has been at the end of mission trips. The leaders of the organization that lead the trip would wash the leaders of the different youth groups feet, and then the leaders of the youth groups would wash their youth’s feet. We also would be prayed over and then pray over our youth. It has always been very impactful and it remains a highlight of the trips for many. We remember that we are loving others as Jesus has loved us, and we recall our service as God’s disciples. If you every get a chance to participate in a foot washing ceremony I highly recommend it. Don’t be like Peter and balk against the experience. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: May we practice your example of radical hospitality, Jesus. Amen.
Reading: John 13: 21-32 (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: During the mid-week services I led this year, we looked at hospitality as a faith practice. One of the things we talked about was Judas and how Jesus welcomed him even though he knew what Judas was about to do to him. Jesus was radical in many ways. One was that he welcomed those who were different from him and who were often seen as “outcasts.” Jesus was an example for all of us. What are ways that we can practice radical hospitality to others at church, in our communities, and in the world? --Chad Hershberger We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on April 2, 2015.
Prayer: Lord, by your death you brought salvation to us and glory to the Father. May we remember that even though we will eventually die and leave this earth, we will live forever in heaven with you. Amen. Reading: John 12:20-26 (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: We don’t really like to talk about death. We don’t always know the right things to say to comfort a grieving loved one. When the grandfather of two of my students recently passed away, I didn’t know what to say to them. I thought and thought about it, and finally wrote them each a very brief note on stationery. In the Protestant Church, our symbols do not reflect death. We have an empty cross as opposed to a crucifix. We remember that Jesus died, but we focus on how he now lives forever in heaven. In these Bible verses, Jesus reminds his disciples that a seed cannot grow until it dies. There can be no resurrection without a death. We cannot know Jesus without knowing death. I recently saw this quote on Facebook: “If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.” (Anne Bradstreet in Meditations Divine and Moral) In other words: There can be no resurrection without a death. And because of Jesus’ death we have life. When I gave those sympathy notes to my students, the big brother thanked me and later in the day, when I saw the little brother and gave him his note, he got a little teary and said, “You’re the only teacher who would think to write me a note.” Although I never received any training on grief support or how to help students deal with death, I think I did the right thing by acknowledging those students’ loss. And I think we all do the right thing when we remember Jesus’ sacrifice, his dying for us, and our life everlasting because of his death. How have you been reassured that “winter is always followed by spring” and that “there can be no resurrection without a death?” --Christine Conz Moll Prayer: We give you thanks, Lord, for the faithful who helped us in our journey. Amen.
Reading: John 12: 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: Imagine being Lazarus. Dead. Then raised again. And now, in our story today, they want to kill him again. What gives? The reason they want him dead? He caused people to believe in Jesus. Can you imagine someone that helped you grow in your faith having a plot against them because you believe in Jesus more? If that were the cause, our camp counselors might be first on the list. Let us celebrate this day those who have helped us walk in the faith. Let us lift them up to God for the good they did in our lives. --Chad Hershberger Today, we look at a Day 4 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “Transformed Community: God’s Agent of C.H.A.N.G.E.”
Prayer: Lord God, you give us work and you created rest. Guide us and lead us to keep a good and holy balance in our lives. Let us praise you in work, play, rest, and everything in between! Amen Reading: Leviticus 25, especially verses 1-10 (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: “Come on.” “No, I am not ready to go yet. Just let me do a few more things…” We sometimes work too hard. Some of us don’t work hard enough. Leviticus and numerous other passages of the Sacred Pages articulate a design for days that center around a good and productively holy balance. The reality is though, that we don’t really understand the concept of a “Jubilee” year. Even more startling is the reality that we have probably never followed God’s direct command for this drastic and broad reaching reality. This scripture should give us pause to consider the way that God wants us to live is in direct conflict with the way that all societies of the world think that we should conduct business in all forms. Take a break and think about it. Better yet, pray to work (or unwork) towards such an excellent purpose for life! --Andrew Fitch Prayer: Dear God, may our days begin and end with praise even as the middle may be rough. Amen
Reading: Psalm 31: 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: Starting at verse 9 of Psalm 31 we are thrown right into hard times which fortunately turn around to trust and goodness by verse 16. Go back to the beginning and see the Psalm starts with prayer. Sounds like a typical day to me. So perhaps we can use a Psalm to frame our days. Start with prayer. Seek the Lord who is a rock and refuge and will faithfully guide you. Then as the day rolls along and things don't go according to plan or worse come back around at the end of the day and remember to trust God's goodness. Oh, there are days when the middle is just fine, of course. Thanks and praise for that, too. How was your day? -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, make an instrument of your love for others by serving. Amen.
Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 (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: This was one of the scripture readings for my installation at Executive Director of Camp Mount Luther. The pastor who preached at my service picked this and talked that day during his sermon about how as leaders, we need to serve God by serving the people we encounter during our jobs, particularly mine as director of the camp. It was a good reminder to me that I shouldn’t ask anyone to do anything that I’m not willing to do as the leader! Servant leadership was modeled by Jesus while he walked on this earth. As we approach Holy Week, we will see Jesus emptying out himself as the ultimate servant. As you approach the cross in the coming weeks, may Jesus be your example to serve others in all your walks of life. --Chad Hershberger We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on March 24, 2015.
Prayer: Dear God, instruct our tongues to speak your Word and words that instruct the weary. Amen Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-9a (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 Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. Isaiah 50: 4a Oh, do I ever need this verse; especially the first part of it: a well-instructed tongue. Saying the right thing at the right time and not saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Imagine. No more open mouth and insert foot. That would be good for all of us, surely. Let's look at the rest of the verse: to know the word that sustains the weary. Now there is truly a gift. Are you weary? I certainly am at times but the right words can go a long way in strengthening the body, lifting the spirit and encouraging the heart. The weariness is overcome and we carry on. What kind of word sustains the weary? An offer of help to someone struggling alone. A greeting to a tired cashier. An expression of care to a person who is hurting. What is the Word that instructs the weary? The Word that says God loves us and we are to love others. That is the Word to say to all. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Gracious God we praise you and adore you. As we get closer to the cross and the glorious day of Easter, we offer our thanks for the gift of forgiveness and salvation. Help us always sing our praises to you and not turn our backs on you. Amen
Reading: Luke 19:28-39 (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: Palm Sunday is a day of celebration that leads to many days of sorrow. How quickly the people of Jerusalem turned from their rejoicing and exalting to cries of crucify. The triumphal entrance is quickly forgotten since Jesus was not the savior they were looking for. Lucky for us we have years of faithful followers to lead us, and we know the outcome of Jesus’ sacrifice. Let us continually shout our hosannas to Jesus and thank God for all our gifts. Hopefully stones will not have to shout out since we are shouting out loudly every day. “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory to the highest heaven!” --Charlene Rineer Today, we look at a Day 4 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “Transformed Community: God’s Agent of C.H.A.N.G.E.”
Prayer: Help us to see your justice, God, and show kindness and mercy to others. Amen. Reading: Matthew 20:1-16 (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: How does God’s justice differ from the world’s justice? Just look through the headlines in a newspaper or online news source and you will probably see a different picture of justice than God’s. God’s idea of justice and mercy is often different from what we as humans think. This summer, as we talk about how justice transforms community, we will look at God’s justice. And, we’ll talk with our campers about injustices they may see and what they can do to help. As you look at headlines or see the world around you, how is God calling you to react with justice in each situation? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Lord, you have done great things for us. Though we sometimes sow with tears, we will reap with joy. Amen
Reading: Psalm 126 (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: Sometimes it takes looking back at all the great things that have happened for us to realize there will be great things ahead even if today is not so great. When the Lord brought his people Zion, it was as if they were dreaming. There was laughter! After many tears through difficult times, they returned with songs of joy. The Psalms remind us to remember the great things God has done. Be filled with joy. Trust and pray. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, may we look for the new things you are doing in our lives. Amen
Reading: Isaiah 43: 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: Just as Isaiah reminded the people to look for the new things God was doing, we can do that today. Just as they remembered how God delivered their ancestors out of Egypt and destroyed Pharoah's army, we remember the times we saw God's hand in our lives. How about today? What new thing did God do today? Where did you see his love? How did you love God and love others? And how will you again tomorrow? Old things, new things. Keep watching. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, when things do not always go as planned or someone does something unexpected, we remember our love for you and our love for each other is most important. Amen
Reading: John 12: 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: When loved ones gather for a special holiday mom will plan a great feast: polish the silverware, use the best china, the linen tablecloth. One year about a week before Christmas there was a minor disruption (an illness in the family). However the 3 children really wanted to do a Christmas play about the 3 wisemen. So mom took the yards of material threaded with gold, which she had purchased for new placemats and napkins, and sewed costumes. Her “to do’’ list still had one item on the list: bake cookies and dinner menu. Oops! And that’s when all the invited relatives came to the rescue. Everyone brought their favorite covered dish and a good time was had by all! Dinners do not always go as planned. Resources may be used in unexpected ways. Most importantly we share our love in all ways. -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Of all that we have, thank you God, for your love which is forever yet cannot be seen. Amen
Reading: Philippians 3: 4b-14 (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: Let’s face it. Most of us have too much “stuff”. We’ve collected it over the years and much of it has sentimental value. The trend today is to get rid of clutter. But how do you define “clutter”? What is valuable? What can we do without? One thing is sure. God’s love is not clutter. You won’t find His love on a shelf in the closet or in a file folder in a drawer. God’s love is in our hearts. Thank you, God, for entering our hearts and invisibly surrounding us with your goodness. The hymn Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise sums it up. Hid from our eyes is what is most important - God's love which cannot be seen. -- Alice Yeakel |
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