Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the gift of light through your son, Christ Jesus. And forgive us when we choose to walk in the darkness. May we walk in the light, as children of light and spread that light to others. Amen
Reading: John 12:20-36 (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 we inch closer to Easter Sunday, today we read a passage from John chapter 12 where Jesus predicts his death. True to his teaching style, Jesus speaks of his death with (slightly confusing) words like: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” What stuck out to me the most in this passage was when Jesus speaks about a kernel of wheat, and if it dies it will produce many seeds (v. 23). This reminded me of the Camp Mount Luther statement: Sharing Christ. Planting Seeds. Jesus died so that we may have eternal life, and so that as children of God and light, we can share that light and plant seeds of faith! Planting seeds is a sign of hope and new life! This spring especially has been great for that! My Mom has been very excited about how many of her Daffodils are already blooming, and these sure are hardy flowers! They go through a lot in early spring- wind, rain, sleet, and sun- but still find ways to bloom. --Anne Harshbarger
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Here is some devotional time to do with your child during this Holy Week
Prayer: God of all times, as we walk with Jesus as he walks toward to cross of Good Friday, be present with us in all of the twists and turns of this Holy Week story. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen. Reading: Matthew 21: 12-13 (Click to read text) Questions To Answer:
Reflection: Jesus and His disciples go to Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus is frustrated with how people are treating this worship space. He turns over tables and declares, “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves.” Even Jesus lets his emotions get the best of him! I’m sure we all do that at times, too. Making sure we have ways to deal with these times that doesn’t hurt someone is best. Today, figure out ways that you can deal better with being frustrated. --Chad Hershberger Activity: Your House of Prayer (from Messy Church) Need: Paper, pencils, tape. Create your own “house of prayer” by writing down reminders to pray. It can be specific prayers or just to pray in general, but write your thoughts on the paper and tape them up around the house. Mirrors, the refrigerator, the television, and doors are all good reminder places we will see frequently. Food Idea: Donuts! There is a cute saying that goes, “Donut forget to pray!” Yes, it’s a cute saying but it also has a great message (plus your kids will love the sweet treat!) Prayer: Dear God, open our eyes to things we have missed before. Open our hearts to learn more. May we be something others see to help them know your love and believe. 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: Whoa! What? There was a plot to kill Lazarus, too? The man who was dead already once but raised by Jesus? I did not know this! Most of our reading today from John 12 is the story of Mary Anointing Jesus (v. 1-8) and I'll admit I kind of skimmed through it. Then I realized I was to continue on through v. 11. So, I kept reading and came upon a bit of information I don't really recall: The Plot to Kill Lazarus!? I admit I read those last few verses again just to be sure. I will also admit I then looked at the margin notes in my Bible because, when uncertain, always try to learn more. Here is what I read, "This brief passage about the plot to kill Lazarus is found only in this Gospel. It links the plot to the one that began to be hatched against Jesus after he raised Lazarus from the dead (11: 45-57). So, of course, I then backtracked into John 11 and reread the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and this time especially noticed the chief priests and Pharisees just beginning their plan to put Jesus to death starting with finding him and arresting him. On to John 12, fast forward over the story of Mary and the jar of costly perfume again, and we see the the plotting to kill net widening to Lazarus. And why? Because a great crowd of the Jews learned Jesus was around and they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. (v. 9) Those crowds were deserting the chief priests and Pharisees and believing in Jesus instead. So they realized they not only needed to get rid of Jesus but also Lazarus. And now I have gone on much longer in a GROW Time devotion than usual. What can we take away from this Whoa! What? reflection? Keep your eyes open for new bits of God's word you may not have noticed before. Always try to learn more. I learned to be a Lazarus - a person Jesus has given new life to and a way Jesus is seen in the world. We each may not draw crowds or become the target of a plot to be stopped. We only hope to love and lead others to believe. -- Ruth Gates 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 21: 1-11 (Click to read text) or Spark Bible, p. 454 Questions To Answer:
Reflection: What is the best parade you have ever seen? When I ponder that question, I don't think I can come up with one answer but several parades do stand out in my mind. As a child, I saw the Hagerstown, Maryland, Mummer's Parade, which is a long parade with spectacular floats. At Disney World, I've seen the Light Parade, which is very nice. The Penn State Homecoming Parade for me is also a grand old parade with lots of floats and musical acts. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was also a parade of sorts. Crowds gathered and spread cloaks and palm branches on the roadway. Instead of riding in a float, waving to the crowd, Jesus rode a donkey. "Hosanna to the Son of David," they cried. "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." Today, have a parade at home and celebrate Jesus coming into Jerusalem. --Chad Hershberger Activity: Palms and Races (from Messy Church) Need: Green construction paper, pencil, scissors, glue, Popsicle sticks. Have each person in your family trace their hand four or five times on the green paper. Using the scissors, cut out the hands. Apply glue to the sticks and arrange the hands (thumbs together) on either side of the stick so they resemble a palm leaf. Once the leaves are finished, set up a start and finish line and divide into teams. Since the palms were laid so Jesus’s feet would not touch the ground, lay the palms, from your team, end to end and try to be the first one across without actually touching the ground. Once you step on a palm, lay another in front. Then, once you step on that one, reach back for the other and, again, place it in front. Keep this going all the way across the finish line! Food Idea: (from Messy Church) Since Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem, take the opportunity to try some different foods from that region. Ideas include baklava, hummus, or Israeli salad. Today, we look at a Day 4 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: Help us to stay with you, God, and know that you are with us when things are uncertain. Amen. Reading: Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (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 good friend of mine is pregnant. Pregnant in the midst of the coronavirus and oh, did I mention she is a doctor. Pregnancy is an uncertain time but add to it the uncertainty and medical scariness right now and I feel for her. Mary was very likely a young, unmarried teenager when an angel told her she would have a baby, God’s son, and name him Jesus. I’m sure she had some of those same uncertain feelings. Then, having to travel to Bethlehem, not finding a hotel, strange visitors coming right after the birth; I’m sure she had some emotional outbursts! But, nothing is impossible with God. God is with us, even in seemingly impossible situations. God was with Mary, and God will be with us now. Hold fast to God’s promises in these times! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Gracious and giving God we thank you for loved ones near and far. We thank you for faithful disciples, a donkey owner, and crowds who praised you so long ago. May we continue to shout hosanna as we worship and honor you. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 21:1-11 (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: We continue our Lenten journey to the cross. This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday. Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Crowds are shouting their hosannas, waving palm branches and lining the road with their cloaks and more palm branches. It was the time of the Passover so Jerusalem is extra crowded. I envision an orderly mob scene. One of the movies I watch at this time of year is Jesus Christ Superstar. I believe the music makes the story even more powerful. The song Hosanna shows the crowds surrounding Jesus. We also see Caiaphis, the high priest, and the Pharisees. You can see the conflict building. The people are wanting a King who will fight and die for them. If you get a chance to watch this musical I highly recommend it. If not the whole musical at least go watch the clip of this song. https://youtu.be/14rSHAnFW3E --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you have raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at your right hand. May we follow his lead as humble servants, and love our neighbors and enemies when they need it most, and always. We praise you and love you. 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: As we are nearing the end of the Lent season, this passage reminds us of how great the extent of Jesus’ sacrifice was. He is equal with God, yet he humbled himself to our human likeness. Not only did he humble himself by taking on human likeness, he was obedient to God unto death on the cross! Humble is a big buzz word for me when I describe what it feels like I have been knocked down from a pedestal. And maybe you feel the same way, and you remember being humbled by a rejection of some sort- like you didn’t get offered a job you thought was perfect, you weren’t admitted into the school you wanted, or you didn’t make the team you worked so hard for. What I recall most is when I hurt my knee during my sophomore year of college, suddenly I couldn’t participate in all the things I put my identity in – like playing field hockey and running. I was crushed. But later after reflection, I felt humbled. I felt more appreciative for the hard work that it was going to take to get to where I wanted to be. We are not immune to hard times. But we are called to walked humbly with our God through it all. God’s only Son humbled himself to serve us, to show his great love for us. I was once told that great leaders are humble, and won’t ask others to do something that they wouldn’t do themselves! A humble leader recognizes the hard work and jumps down off their pedestal to plunge toilets next to their staff! Jesus went above and beyond. --Anne Harshbarger |
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