Prayer: Gracious Giving God we bless your holy name. Thank you for sending a shepherd to watch out for us and to protect us from all sorts of evil. Help us to lean on you more then we lean on ourselves. Help us listen to your calling and follow where you lead us. Amen.
Reading: John 10:1-10 (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: I think that Shepherds have a hard very under appreciated job. Tending for a bunch of animals that just mill around and do whatever they please and go where-ever they want would not be that easy. Just when you think you have them under control another one or two acts out and try to stray. Can you imagine how hard it would be to keep order and keep every sheep safe. Now switch that to humans and Jesus being our shepherd. Wow, how hard is that. Humans have their own minds and like to do their own things. Jesus trying to keep us all protected is no easy task. Hopefully we listen to him as he calls our name. Jesus is the Shepherd who laid down his life for his flock and for that we rejoice. --Charlene Rineer
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Prayer: Shepherding God, you are the guardian of our souls. Heal our hearts. Keep us safe in your care. Amen
Reading: I Peter 2: 19-25 (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 last verse of our text today speaks of sheep (us) straying and the shepherd (Jesus) being guardian of our souls. However, no one is straying very far these days and the best guard we have right now are face masks. Physically speaking, that is. Stay safe. Be well. But of course I Peter 2: 25 is speaking spiritually. We go astray in our hearts and minds. Sin creeps in and causes harm. Stay close to the shepherd. Be guarded in your soul. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, Our Shepherd. We praise you for your everlasting goodness and mercy. May we lean into your guidance through dark valleys and green pastures. Thank you for always abiding with us, and may we find peace and comfort in your presence now and 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: I read this well-known Psalm through different lenses today…I read it through the lens of the Easter season and the pandemic. I hope as you read this, you are encouraged to abide in the promises artfully woven into this Psalm. The opening phrase, “the Lord is MY shepherd” is a declaration of surrender. The writer declares that they want their life to follow the Lord’s will. To walk with the Lord, our shepherd, is such a blessing because we find out in verse 3 that the Lord will guide us along the right paths! Following Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus ascends to the Father so that the advocate (the Holy spirit) can be with us to guide us. As we walk with and abide in the presence of our Lord, our Savior, and our advocate, we can find comfort and peace even in the darkest days (verse 4). Our Lord is our host, and as I have experienced when welcomed in many other homes, hosts provide lovingly for our needs and bless us with abundance beyond our needs (verse 5). And finally, we will experience goodness and mercy as we dwell in the house of the Lord forever (verse 6). Not only when we pass on to join our Lord in our heavenly home, but also now- forever is now! To dwell means to abide in. Abide in the Lord’s presence, guidance, provisions, and abundance, now and always! To abide in has taken on a greater meaning for me lately. I joined an ELCA Young Adults small group called “Abide,” and we have been discussing how we can Abide in God’s presence, and how God abides with us in our grief and in creation. This group assembled across time zones to connect young adults during the pandemic, and it has been a huge blessing. I want to encourage you to abide in the Lord, however that may look for you. --Anne Harshbarger We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on March 14, 2013.
Prayer: Be with us, God, and help us grow in our faith and relationship with you. Amen. Reading: Acts 2: 42-47 (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: Do you ever play the lottery? What if you were to win the 25-million-dollar lottery prize? Would your life change? When I ask myself these questions, my answer probably would be that I don't think my life would change much if I played the lottery and won the big prize. I often have said that I think in that case, I'd still keep my job. I would probably take a long vacation, but I would come back to work. I would probably save a lot of the money, give some to charity, maybe buy something extravagant, but I don't think I would want my life to change too drastically because of my newfound fortune. Can you imagine how the lives changed of those who learned about Jesus Christ shortly after his resurrection? When the disciples began preaching in the early days of the Church, many people's lives changed as they began to follow the Risen Lord. How has your life changed as a Child of God? What do you do regularly to strengthen that relationship? I'm sure it is even better than winning the lottery! --Chad Hershberger Today, we look at a Day 4 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: Creator and sustaining God, help me to find the joy in my trials, to grow my faith when tested, and to do your will, always. Amen. Reading: James 1:1-6 (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 worldwide reaction to the pandemic COVID-19 virus has presented all of us with trials unimagined. A year ago, the idea of weeks out of work, cancelled classes, runs on toilet paper, and the closing of our church doors to worship was the stuff of science fiction novels and action thrillers. Isolation, fear, quarantines, and death may test our faith beyond what we think we can endure. But look at the opportunities these times have afforded us. I’ve seen support and gratitude voiced for those who steadfastly answer their vocations to others – health workers, police and firemen, grocery clerks, restaurant workers, clergy, and more. For others, the unexpected time at home with children and pets and partners has provided cherished memories too rarely possible to make in the usual bustle of the workweek. Schools and social media have united to create curriculum adventures; I’ve enjoyed online museum tours and art exhibitions, listened to streamed concerts and tuned into science and nature shows usually unavailable to my cable-free household. One of the most exciting developments that I have enjoyed is the newfound accessibility to worship Facebook broadcasts and emailed newsletters has made real. Church meeting the people where they are, in a virtual-literal way. I know times are tough, and they are scary. Some days it is harder than others to see the good in this crisis. But I think that is why letters like James’ are included in the Bible. I do have faith in God’s limitless mercy, the abundance of His gifts. I also have faith in humankind. We will get through this challenge, and we will be stronger and better for what we learn as we endure, together. --Heather LeBlanc Prayer: God of forgiveness and new life we thank you for all you have done for us. Help us spread the news of Christ’s resurrection. Thank you for the remembrance of Christ in the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the wine. As our hearts are on fire for you may we share that joy. AMEN
Reading: Luke 24:13-35 (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: Several, several years back I attended a youth conference that revolved around the story of the Road to Emmaus. If my memory serves me correctly it was titled Hearts on Fire and we had a theme song with the same title. We were charged with going and telling others the news of Jesus’s resurrection. We were told not to be timid and to share with everyone. I wanted to share the lyrics of that song with you, but I cannot locate it. I did find another one that said something similar. Here are some lyrics for the Song Hearts on Fire by Danny Daniels. “Hearts on fire to see Your kingdom. Hearts on fire to kneel and pray. Hearts of love to tell Your story. Hearts on fire to sing Your praise” I hope your eyes are open and your heart is on fire to spread the message of God. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Your love for us lasts forever, Lord. May we embrace it and share it. Amen
Reading: I Peter 1: 17-23 (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: As you shop, do you check the shelf life or “use by” date stamped on a product? Some are extended into the next year…maybe 12 months or more. Perhaps you wonder, “How can this be?” We have a 64 year old refrigerator in our basement. About a year ago, in an emergency, we plugged it in and it still worked! Again, "How can this be?” All through our lives there are things that are perishable. There are also things that are precious that will last forever. This is true of God’s love for us. It is our most precious possession and will not perish. God's love does not have a shelf life. It is ours forever. However, while it may last forever on the shelf, don't leave it there. Embrace it. Share it. -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Lord, we give you are thanks and praise. We love you. Thank you for your endless grace and mercy. We praise you for your goodness, and may all we do, be done to bring you glory. In your holy name we pray, Amen.
Reading: Psalm 116: 1-4, 12-19 (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: As I reflected on today’s passage, I focused on questions 1 and 3 from the Stop and GROW questions listed above. “I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy” (verse 1) When I read question 3 (what memories does this stir in me?), I thought about this verse. How God hears my cries for mercy. It reminds me of the times I run to him in prayer, and feverishly write my prayerful thoughts in my journal as I try to process a particularly stressful or troubling event. And later when I look back at my prayers and see his provision in my life, I know he heard my voice. “I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.” (verse 17) When I read question 1 (what confuses me?), I thought about sacrificing thank offerings. This is something that was done in the Old Testament to temporarily blot out your sins, and now under the New Covenant we don’t need to, because Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. I was confused about how I should view this now in the light of Jesus. And I think thanks and praises are how this can take on a new meaning. Perhaps it might go like this: I will offer my thanks and praise to the Lord, I will call upon and worship the Lord in all that I do. --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: Dear God, in these uncertain times may we know with certainty your love through Jesus Christ. Amen
Reading: Acts 2: 14a, 36-41 (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: Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified. Acts 2: 36 Oh, to be told something with certainty. To know something with certainty. When the widespread concerns of the spread of COVID-19 began and life began to change, the common word used was unprecedented. We were told we were living in unprecedented times. And we became annoyed with that word. Now the common word is uncertain. Everything is uncertain. From exactly how this pandemic started to exactly how it will end and everything in between. Uncertain. We have quickly become annoyed with that word, too. Today's text however, thank goodness, speaks of certainty. I type that in bold font for added assurance. Know with certainty that God made (Jesus) both Lord and Messiah. Yes, there will always be unknowns in life. Come to think of it, every day is a new day - unprecedented and uncertain. Let us hold on to what we know is certain. Jesus is our Lord and Messiah. Repent, know you are loved, be forgiven and receive the Holy Spirit with certainty. -- Ruth Gates Today, we look at a Day 4 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen. (The Serenity Prayer) Reading: James 1:1-6 (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 verse I have heard many times before. This verse seems to take on new meanings as the seasons of life change. I looked to this verse frequently in college during challenging seasons of schoolwork and physical therapy, and I look to it again now. I was excited to see it included as a part of this year’s summer curriculum at Mount Luther. I think it could especially stir up some great conversation among senior high campers and family campers. A big theme of the book of James is the outward demonstration of inner faith. Not salvation by works, but salvation by faith and a faith that bears fruit. I read a few commentary notes on the book when writing this, and really loved how it described James, the half-brother of Jesus. It said that the book of James has 54 commands in only 108 verses, naming him “James the Challenger”, and how this makes his book like the New Testament version of Proverbs. In chapter one it paints a of picture of trials as things that may have positive effects…at the end of persevering through them. The other things that struck me was the title of this section of commentary notes: ‘Trials: not “if” but “when”!’ And that is something we all heard a little over a month ago as the pandemic was hitting the United States, it was no longer a matter of “if” but “when.” And that really scared me. Trials can be really scary, but I hope this passage was encouraging to you as it was for me. May we persevere with faith, looking to God’s word, the Holy Spirit, and relationships with one another to lift us up! --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: Jesus, friend and Savior, guide me with the gift of your Holy Spirit. Open my heart to what my eyes can’t see. Unleash my faith and trust in God’s eternal love. 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: I love stories that rely on a hero confronting his doubt, surviving and succeeding after a reliance on pure, blind faith. I think of the scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, in which Jones has to take that treacherous step into seeming emptiness, trusting that something will save him – remember the wonder of the materialization of the camouflaged bridge with a shift in the camera angle? Luke’s doubt must be overcome in order to use The Force. And how lame would A Field of Dreams have been if Ray had been promised in concrete terms who would come, if he built it? These heroes embody the kind of belief I wish I had. They rise above the average person who would more likely sit stymied, waiting to see some evidence before risking everything. Poor old Thomas, who gets such a bad rap in this passage. The story too often ends with verse 29 and Jesus’ scolding. Yet who doesn’t think it just a little unfair that the other disciples got to see the hands and side of the Savior from the start and received the Holy Spirit directly from His breath. Is it a wonder that when told of something so amazing, Thomas couldn’t believe it? A shame, yes, but a usual reaction. Most of us are afraid to put our trust in the perception of another, to let our guard down without knowing firsthand that what they think they saw was real. Sometimes, it is really hard to believe even a wonderful thing without proof. Yet that is exactly what the author of this book demands – to “come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah” based on the Word of the gospels. To have blind faith. --Heather LeBlanc Prayer: Jesus, you are our living hope. We praise you for giving us the joy and hope of our heavenly inheritance with you. May we radiate your love to others, so that they too may know you as a Savior and an ever- present hope. Amen.
Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9 (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 passage really made me smile. I think the header for this section in my Bible is very appropriate: “Praise to God for a Living Hope.” It includes so many words and phrases that inspire hope in me, and I hope they do in you as well. A few of the words/phrases that warmed my spirit were: Living Hope, Inexpressible and Glorious Joy, Inheritance is Kept in Heaven for YOU, Genuineness of YOUR Faith, & Salvation of YOUR Souls These are all such powerful truths, foundational for our faith, and also the focal point of the Easter season. This Easter season in particular has most likely been challenging for us all. To be separated from family, church family, and friends during a time of Holy celebration is quite unusual. But hold tight to those relationships – text, call, and write to others, check-in and show your concern and love for them. Hold tight to Jesus Christ, our living hope, and see the glorious joy in his gift of salvation. And hold tight to these verses from today’s passage (v. 6 and 7) “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes though even refined by fire- may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Also, here is a link to the song I listened to while writing this: https://youtu.be/u-1fwZtKJSM --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: Gracious God at this time in the world we all need to turn to you. Please give us peace and patience. Help us love one another. Give those who are working hard the strength they need. Give those who are sick the care they seek. Give those at home the comfort they long for. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 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: This time of COVID 19 is a strange one for us. The Psalmist turned to God to help him and knew that God would be with him the whole time. I believe this Psalm is a great one for us to read daily during this time. God is with us and comforts us. God is all we need. God cares for us. We can pray to the Lord and know that God listens. I hope during this time, especially if you are struggling, you reach out to God and to others around you who can help. Remember we are in this together and God can guide us through. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Dear God, we have the words to tell the story of Jesus and your love. Open our eyes to witness your work in this world. Amen.
Reading: Acts 2: 14a, 22-32 (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: Peter had a story to tell and tell it he did. In our text today he covers the good news about Jesus Christ, including his death and resurrection. He includes quotes of David from the Psalms to back up his story. But it's not just going back to old scriptures (Old Testament) for proof. The text today ends with Peter simply saying, This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. (v. 32) Here we are the day after Easter. We have just heard the story told using old scriptures, too. We know the stories but what have we witnessed? If you were going to tell the good news about Jesus Christ, what would you say? What have you witnessed? You have a story to tell, too. -- Ruth Gates Here is some devotional time to do with your child during this Holy Week
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for keeping your promise that Jesus would rise from the dead. Easter is all about the good news: Jesus is alive! Hallelujah! Help us to be messengers of this amazing news to others. Amen! Reading: Luke 24: 1-6 (Click to read text) or Spark Bible, p. 482 Questions To Answer:
Reflection: The Bible says that early on the first day of the week, the women went to the tomb to finish preparing Jesus’ body for burial. When the women got to the tomb, they discovered that the tomb was empty! The large boulder that covered the entrance to the tomb had been rolled away and Jesus was gone. An angel appeared to the women and told them they need not be afraid. Jesus had risen! The women went back to the other disciples to tell them all they had seen. --From Messy Church Activity: Secret Message (from Messy Church) Need: Paper, white crayons, watercolor. Use the white crayon to draw and write secret pictures and messages that have to do with Easter Sunday. Hand the paper to another member of your family and have them paint the paper with watercolor to reveal the secrets underneath! Ideas include the words “He is risen,” a hill with three crosses, an empty tomb, etc. Food Idea: (from Messy Church) Enjoy the evening with whatever traditional meal your family makes for Easter dinner. If you don’t have a tradition, put the eggs you just colored to good use and make some egg salad! Prayer: May we live in the good of this day, Lord, even when we are apart from those with whom we normally celebrate this festal day. Help us remember as we gather virtually in some way with our church family that today with you, we are the Body of Christ, risen and conquering king. 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: I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Easter 2015. My wife got up early for her sunrise service. I got the kids ready for church. We were going to worship with my pastor father and mother. We took our usual Easter pictures in front of the house, loaded the car, and off we went. About half way there, my son threw up. All over his Easter duds. He was just two-years-old at the time and so I cleaned him up, calmed him down and we turned around. Because it was close to the time between my wife’s services, I called her to tell her what had happened. I drove to her one congregation and dropped off our daughter so she could go to church on Easter Sunday. The boy and I went home. Sitting in our living room, holding Aaron and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, I was disappointed. Never before had I missed Easter services. Even when I had to work on a Sunday, I managed to find a way to be in church. But not that year. I was home with a sick kiddo. And so five years later, I will be worshipping at home again for Easter. The coronavirus has made us all shelter-in-place and churches are shut down. But, we will celebrate the resurrection through the computer, and with our families, and in new ways we will shout, “He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!” No matter where we are, we are the church together. Pastors have been getting creative with new ways to proclaim our faith and new ways to connect with the faithful. In many ways, I see this as an exciting time for the church as we live into something new. Sounds like of like resurrection, huh? Living into something new, bringing life out of death. Let’s all be joyful this day as we celebrate the victory over death and proclaim new life. From your porch, your Zoom worship, a livestream, or a Facebook Live, we can sing with all believers, “Jesus Christ is Risen Today! Alleluia! --Chad Hershberger P.S. Back in 2015, I remembered that Grace Lutheran Church in State College, an hour away from me, had Sunday night worship. So, my daughter and I drove there for that service and I was able to get to church on that Easter Sunday. They celebrated a more contemporary service at that time which wasn’t what I was used to doing, but I was thankful I got to be in church that day! Here is some devotional time to do with your child during this Holy Week
Prayer: Dear God, we are ready to share your love with our friends and family. We are ready to cheer for Jesus every day. Hosanna to Jesus! Amen! Reading: Matthew 27: 62-66 (Click to read text) Reflection: Imagine the day after Jesus' death. His followers were upset. Jesus said He would rise from the dead, but at that point in time, His followers were not thinking of that. Jesus’ enemies remembered His talk of resurrection. They were afraid His disciples would steal the body and say the Lord had risen. They were afraid that news of a resurrection would be a greater deception than Jesus calling himself a King. Pilate went to great lengths to make sure the tomb was secure. His concern actually helped the disciples spread the resurrection news. Had the Romans not provided the extra security, they later could have said the disciples stole the body. But, a sealed tomb with a Roman guard watching it would make that claim sound silly. In our time, we have lots of security measures. Cameras, metal detectors and guards are designed to provide secure places. In biblical times, they did not have these methods. They only had human guards watching the tomb. And those guards would end up being eyewitnesses to the resurrection. Imagine their story after that blessed Sunday morning. What do you tell others about the resurrection? --Chad Hershberger Activity: Moment of Silence (from Messy Church) Take a moment out of your day as an individual or as a family and just be silent. Use this time to reflect on what happened to Jesus and the miracle that is to come. You can also use this time to pray if you’d like. Food Idea: Easter Resurrection Cookies Here is a recipe that was printed in Crossings book magazine. Making these cookies together as a family is a great way to experience the Easter message. Read the whole recipe before beginning and try to make these on the Saturday night before Easter. Start by preheating the oven to 300 degrees. INGREDIENTS 1 cup whole pecans, 3 egg whites, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp. vinegar, 1 pinch of salt. Also you will need a mixing bowl, zipper baggie, cookie sheet, Bible, wooden spoon, waxed paper, and tape. Place pecans in the zipper baggie and let children beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19: 1-3. Let the child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19: 28-30. Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10: 10-11. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23: 27. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34: 8 and John 3: 16. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 11-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1: 18 and John 3: 1-3. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27: 65-66. Put cookie sheet in the oven. Close the door and turn the over OFF! Give each child a piece of tape and seal the over door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27: 65-66. GO TO BED! Explain to the children that they may feel sad to lave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16: 20 and 22. On Resurrection morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bit. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection Day, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28: 1-9. HE HAS RISEN! HALLELUJAH! We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on May 18, 2013. Today, we look at a Day 4 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.” Prayer: Write your favorite Bible verse on a piece of paper. Pray that verse today and then hang it somewhere where you are reminded of God's love for you. Reading: Proverbs 3: 5-6 (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? Additional Questions:
Reflection: I'm a fan of former President Gerald Ford. A few years ago, I began studying and reading more about the Watergate era. I had not had much education in that time period and was curious. The more I read and understood that scandal, the more I came to appreciate Ford. He did what he felt he needed to do when he assumed the presidency: he pardoned Richard Nixon. That was a tough and unpopular decision, but as we look back now, we know it was the right thing to do. This Bible verse was Ford's favorite. In fact, from a young age throughout this life, he prayed this verse every night. I've visited Ford's presidential museum in Michigan and this verse is display prominently in a few places in the museum. When we have something that we particularly don't want to do, it is easy to say that we are not going to do it. It is easier for us as humans not to take it head on but rather ignore it and try to "take the easy way out." Ford did not go the easy route. He did what he thought was best, even though it probably cost him re-election. Just like Ford, some friends of mine also were facing a tough task. They weren't sure how to react to it. They both decided that they wanted to act in the way that God wanted them to. They read scripture, talked to friends, and tried to weigh their options. In the end, they went through with the task and everything worked out wonderfully. The interesting thing about this situation is the one friend told me that he had a string straight up to God, trusting in God, depending on God's guidance in the matter. I thought that was a great visual. We should all have strings up to God. We should be like God's puppets. If we have a string to God and put our entire trust in God, the string will be straight and narrow and we will be led on the right path. Everything will turn out okay. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your human insight. What words to live by! --Chad Hershberger Here is some devotional time to do with your child during this Holy Week Prayer: Loving God, it’s hard to think about all the things that Jesus went through during Holy Week. Help us to understand how much Jesus sacrificed. We are caterpillars in cocoons waiting to be butterflies. Fill us with new life. Amen! Reading: Luke 23: 44-46 (Click to read text) or Spark Bible, p. 476 Reflection: Good Friday is, by far, the most somber and arduous day of the Holy Week. On this day, our savior Jesus Christ was wrongfully accused in illegal trials and sentenced to death via crucifixion. He was nailed to a wooden cross and suffered for many hours before His death. Friday evening, Jesus is taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. --From Messy Church Activity: Cross Art (from Messy Church) Need: Paper, painter’s tape, paint, paint brushes. Place the painter’s tape, in the shape of the cross, at the center of the piece of paper. Then, pick out your favorite colors to paint with. Paint the entire piece of paper (including over the top of the tape) and wait for it to dry. When it has dried, carefully pull the painter’s tape off to reveal a beautiful white cross among your artwork. Food Idea: (from Messy Church) Make a rectangle pan of Rice Krispy Treats and empty it onto a cutting board. Cut the rectangle into a large cross and have fun decorating it with sprinkles and frosting before enjoying the delicious treat! Prayer: Father in Heaven, without pain how can I know pleasure? Without sorrow, joy is meaningless. Help me to feel your comfort in times of trial and to discover the gifts in every hardship. Amen.
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: Today is commonly called “Good Friday,” but the reading takes us through Jesus’ arrest, flogging, betrayals by Judas and Peter, mocking by the Romans and the crowds, crucifixion and stabbing, death and burial. It is a passage of cruel and heart wrenching imagery, seeming to hold nothing “good” in all the treachery and pain. Yet…
But the true excellence in this narrative is, of course, in what followed. For without His death in fulfillment of the scriptures, His resurrection could not have happened. As horrible and unimaginable as was this Friday, so unimaginably wonderful is our salvation. Every moment of that Friday was for The Good, our good God. --Heather LeBlanc Here is some devotional time to do with your child during this Holy Week
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for saving room for us by your side! We want to be there because we love you. Help us stick close to you. Amen! Reading: Matthew 26 (Click to read text) or Spark Bible, p. 462 Questions To Answer:
Reflection: It was time to celebrate the Passover and Jesus gathered his disciples into the Upper Room to eat together. It was there that Jesus foretold of Judas giving him up to the authorities. It was there that Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to the men who had followed Him the last few years. He told them that it was His body, broken for them. Then, he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them telling them that it was His blood shed for them and for all people for the forgiveness of sins. It was a new promise between the Lord and His chosen people. They sang a song and went to a garden to pray. By the end of the night, Jesus would be arrested. --Chad Hershberger Activity: Cup Decorating (from Messy Church) Need: Paper cup, stickers, markers, glitter, etc. Decorate your paper cup any way you’d like so you can use it with your “last supper” meal. Food Idea: Remember the Last Supper together. Share bread and grape juice to remember Jesus’ body and blood. Add other Passover-style foods, such as hummus, olives, or lamb chops. Share some things you’ve learned about Jesus. Prayer: Glory be to God, - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Creator, Redeemer, and Advocate. Let us love one another as Jesus commanded us to. AMEN.
Reading: John 13: 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: Today is Maundy Thursday. The day of the last supper, the day Judas betrays Jesus, and the day were Jesus commands us to love one another. He goes one step further and says; “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” That is a whole lot of love. Jesus has just finished washing the disciples’ feet, eating a meal with them, broke bread and supped wine, and told of a betrayal. Now he commands them to love one another so the world can know that they are his disciples. At this time Jesus is preparing them for a time when he will not be with them. Of course, the disciples are slow on the up take, but they eventually caught on. I hope we are a little quicker. Of course, we know the whole story so it should be easier for us. God loves all his creation, and we should love one another. The communion table is open to all, and we are to care for each other by washing each other’s feet. – tending to everyone in whatever they need. Please, love one another as Jesus has commanded us to. --Charlene Rineer Here is some devotional time to do with your child during this Holy Week
Prayer: Forgiving God, there are times in our lives when we turn away from you and do not love others as Jesus teaches us to love. We ask for your forgiveness. Give us the courage to follow the teaching of Jesus to love one another. We thank you for your mercy. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen. Reading: Luke 22: 3-6 (Click to read text) or Spark Bible, p. 468 Questions To Answer:
Reflection: Today we look at the story of one of Jesus’s disciples, Judas, who goes to the religious leaders of the time who are disturbed by the teachings of Jesus and want to silence him by arresting him. Judas asks the religious leaders what they would give him if he helps them follow through with their plan to arrest Jesus. The men count out thirty silver coins and hand them to Judas. From that point on, Judas is looking for a time when he can help the leaders arrest Jesus. --From Messy Church Activity: Collecting Silver (from Messy Church) Need: Thirty pieces of silver. Collect thirty pieces of silver and decide which organization you’d like to donate to. The silver can include nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars, or any other coins of the same color. Food Idea: (from Messy Church) Silver dollar pancakes. Mix together your favorite pancake batter and drop small amounts of batter onto the skillet. Cook thoroughly and enjoy! Prayer: Jesus, how can you forgive me for all my sins? Even though I do not deserve it, you promise to receive me as I am. You excuse my mistakes; you pardon me for the pain I inflict on others. Help me to accept that love and to make amends daily. 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: If you, like me, consider the Book of Faith questions after reading these passages, you may understand why I get stuck on the first question. I have always struggled with this version of the Last Supper from John. I find myself feeling sorry for Judas. Jesus seems to select him, handing him the oil-dipped bread after telling John it would identify his betrayer. Satan enters into him. And after Judas leaves, Jesus proclaims His glorification. We know that Judas’ act of infamy sets into motion Jesus’ self-sacrifice for our sins. Judas will die at his own hands before the crucifixion. He is an instrument to the destruction of the son of Man in human form, yet a necessary tool for crafting our salvation. It is a confusing and troubling text. I try to focus on Jesus’ unreserved compassion. When I read how Jesus was troubled in spirit, I wonder if some of his dismay was for Judas. He knew what was being asked of his friend; He must have felt hurt knowing his friend would turn on Him, but He would have understood also what the guilt would do to Judas. And why did He tell John? Could it have been He hoped John would have compassion for Judas? John remains silent after Jesus, to John alone, identifies Judas. John doesn’t protest or try to stop Iscariot. Jesus’ words to Iscariot direct him to do quickly what you are going to do; Jesus seems to advise Judas to get it over with, knowing the deed must be done in order to fulfill God’s plan for humanity’s deliverance. We are promised a final judgment, a time when all might turn to Jesus and God, receive forgiveness for the most egregious of sins, and be admitted into the kingdom. Will Judas Iscariot be given that chance? I choose to believe that he might. The compassion of God as Father, Son and Spirit is limitless, and His glory shall have no end. --Heather LeBlanc Here is some devotional time to do with your child during this Holy Week
Prayer: Merciful God, during this time of uncertainty, we remember how Jesus told his disciples to stay alert and to pray for strength. Give us strength and courage this day. Thank you that you are with us in our anxiety and will never leave us alone. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen. Reading: Luke 21: 29-31, 36 (Click to read text) Reflection: On this day, we look at the story when Jesus and His disciples come across a fig tree as they walked through the streets of Jerusalem. Jesus used the fig tree to give a lesson about staying persistent when it seems that everything is falling apart. The leaves on the fig tree are beginning to sprout and Jesus tells his followers that it is a sign that the seasons are changing. Jesus then instructs them that when things are changing, they are to stay alert and pray for strength. Our world has changed through the Covid-19 pandemic but we can hear the voice of Jesus telling us to stay alert and to pray for strength. --From Messy Church Activity: Pay Attention and Pray (from Messy Church) Need: Pencils, paper. Take a moment to reflect on what may be causing you anxiety today. Draw a picture or write it down on your paper. As a family, take turns sharing what it is you are feeling. Then as a family pray for strength during this time of uncertainty. Reach out to your friends via social media or a phone call and let them know that you are also praying for them. Food Idea: (from Messy Church) Spaghetti! Heat up some spaghetti sauce on the stove and boil the water for noodles. As you wait for the noodles to boil, talk about how we never know the precise moment that the noodles will begin to boil but we know that through the heat, they eventually will boil. Just as we are patient for the noodles to boil, when we pray, we must also practice patience. We can rely on the faithfulness of Jesus to be with us always as we wait for things to fall into place in our lives. Then, mix your spaghetti sauce and noodles together and enjoy your spaghetti! |
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