Prayer: Dear God, thank you for creation and animals like birds, dogs, and cats and thank you that we have all of these at camp. Amen.
Reading: Genesis 1: 1-31 (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: Camp has creation like trees, grass, bushes, and wildlife. Red birds, green birds, blue birds too God created Everything even you! At camp you learn about God and His creation The things you can learn oh just so amazing! In psalms, stories, and songs too you can learn about God and all he does for you! On holidays, weekends, and weekdays too God will Never stop doing all He can for you! --Claire 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 May 25, 2017.
Prayer: As we celebrate your ascension this day, Jesus, help us to remember your promises and the fulfillment of those promises in our lives. Amen. Reading: Acts 1: 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: In the front of my childhood church is a painting of Jesus ascending to heaven. The ceiling of the chancel is painted with clouds. Every week worshipping there, it was a reminder of this important day in the church year. It’s Ascension Day! Forty days after Easter, we remember when Jesus ascended to the Father. In today’s scripture reading, we actually see three smaller stories which I think all tie today. We are reminded of how Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit after he had ascended; we see the actual ascension; then we see Matthias becoming the twelfth disciple. A learned man of the scriptures said to me time and time again, “God said it. I believe it. That settles it.” I think this story today reminds me of his words. God promised us the Holy Spirit and Jesus said he would go to the Father. It happened. And, we see the Holy Spirit at work in the picking of the newest disciple. I think of this story often because when I was trying to make an important work decision early in my career, I read the story of Matthias and it helped me with that decision. God was guiding me, too. Take some time today to think about God’s promises and how those promises come true in your life. And, remember that while it is often shoved aside for more glamorous events like birth and resurrection, the ascension is indeed a very important day each year. –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 May 4, 2016.
Prayer: Alpha and Omega, you are with us from beginning to end. Come, Lord Jesus. May your grace be with your people. Amen. Reading: Revelation 22: 12-14, 16-17, 20-21 (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: I know I have said this before but Revelation is a baffling book of the Bible and our verses today seem to just hop, skip and jump through the 22nd chapter. What am I ever going to do with that? Well, I guess it would help to read them. See, I already had reservations going into the writing, rolled my eyes at the thought of keeping track of which verses to focus on and pretty much gave up before even starting. How many times do we do that with anything in life? Well, upon reading the verses, I hear a common theme for our devotion today: "I am coming soon." (v. 12 and 20) to which our response is "Amen. Come Lord Jesus." That is not so hard to grasp. And here is something else I noticed. Revelation 22: 21 is the very last verse of the Bible! From Genesis 1: 1, "In the beginning God created..." to Revelation 22: 21, "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen." we have hopped, skipped and jumped through much of the Bible. As with anything in life, God is with us from beginning to end. Let's hop, skip and jump right in. --Ruth Gates Prayer: May we be faithful to you, O Lord, and share your good news.
Reading: Acts 16: 16-34 (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 the powerful and wonderful Lutheran message of grace. It’s not unique to my denomination; but we Lutherans are known for it, I think! So often, other messages that Christian sects are preaching are told more loudly and heard more often by those who do not believe. And I fear that their message is what those folks judge the rest of us in Christendom. And so, I feel like we need to be more bold in stating our beliefs. There’s an old joke that says Lutherans are the “frozen chosen,” that we don’t often talk about our faith. But in our story today, it is apparent to me that we should. Paul and Silas do and were sent to jail for it. But, they were faithful. And, God was faithful and got them out. Speak boldly about what you believe. Share the good news of Jesus Christ. Speak of grace, love, and hope. If you are faithful, God will be faithful. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Help us to be a better body for you, Christ. Amen.
Reading: John 17: 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: I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we often focus on two different “churches.” Church as the institution which we try to preserve through buildings and tradition; and Church as the Body of Christ. In this passage, Jesus is talking about the Body of Christ. He reminds us that just as God is in Him, and He is in the Father, we, too, are also part of the body. I think if we focused more on being the Body of Christ and less on the institutions and traditions, we could be more of what God might be calling us to be. --Chad Hershberger Today, we look at a Day 5 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “Transformed Community: God’s Agent of C.H.A.N.G.E.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you break boundaries and love all regardless of what lines we judge that you have crossed. Teach us to live a life that is unbound and accountable to your rule of love and forgiveness. Turn us away from distractions and sin to a life of fullness with you! Amen. Reading: Luke 7:36-50 (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: Even though it convicts me, I love the phrase, “Haters gotta be hatin’.” It reminds me of the critical principles that collide in this sacred story. One is that being critical of others often violates the image/law that Jesus cautions us with—“You speak of the splinter in someone’s eye but ignore the log in your own!” It is so easy to judge others shortcomings and faults, but we do not want the same treatment. The second of Jesus’s rules to consider is found in this text, “The one who is forgiven little loves little.” It is a brilliant saying because it traps us in our own false sense of need for serious action and active response. Another way to look at it is, how much have you been forgiven? Is it really a small amount? If it isn’t a small thing (which it most surely isn’t), then why is your response of love to others so small? Forgivers gotta be forgivin’! --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 April 28, 2016.
Prayer: Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Father's glory. Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire. Flow river flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy. Send forth your Word, Lord, and let there be light. Amen. Reading: Psalm 67 (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: May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, so that your way may be known upon the earth, your saving power among all nations. Psalm 67: 1 The Benediction at the end of worship sometimes contains the phrase, "(The Lord) make his face to shine upon you." What does that mean and what difference does it make? Maybe you recognize the song I used for the prayer above. The chorus pretty much explains it. When God's love shines on us, the land is filled with His glory. Our hearts are fired up, grace and mercy flood like a flowing river and the light of the Word is in our world. No wonder I like to sing this as the final hymn on a Sunday morning. In this dark world, the light of God's face shining on us certainly makes a difference. When the Pastor proclaims this in Benediction, let's go forth singing in our hearts, "Shine, Jesus, shine!" --Ruth Gates We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on April 27, 2016.
Prayer: Let your light shine. Amen. Reading: Revelation 21: 10, 22 - 22:5 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Our text today speaks of a city that has no need of sun or moon to shine on it for the glory of God is its light. How would that change things? My first thought is that in God's light there would be no shadows. The sun and moon shine from a place in the sky so objects cast shadows - longer or shorter by the time of day; brighter or darker by phase of the moon each month; more or less direct by the season of the year. God's light shines from within and from everywhere. There would be no shadows. No dark places. In God's light we can serve him without fear of shadows or darkness. That is quite empowering and very encouraging. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Help hearts to be open to hear your Word, God. May we be your voice in this world. Amen.
Reading: Acts 16: 9-15 (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: You never know what may happen because of what you do. Sure, you may think of negative instances when that has been the case. But your kind words can also be remembered for years to come, too. In our story today, we read about Lydia. She hears the words that Paul preaches. Her heart was opened by God and she changed direction. She became a follower. And it was because of what Paul said. Be open to sharing with others. Invite them to come to church. Tell them your faith stories. Relate where you see God. You never know what may happen! --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 25, 2016.
Prayer: May we trust in you to take us where we need to be, Heavenly Father. Amen. Reading: John 14:23-29 (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: Put yourself in the shoes of a disciple who hears Jesus speak these words. Jesus is telling them about something that is going to happen. In literature, that’s called foreshadowing. I bet the disciples were a little bit confused and unsure about what Jesus was saying. We have the advantage of knowing the rest of the story and know how the Spirit comes down and dwells with us. We know that Jesus goes the Father and life is good. But at the time, those disciples probably were wondering what the heck Jesus was telling them. Sometimes, we may be unsure of the future. We may not understand what signs we are seeing that will lead us where we need to be. But God knows. And we can trust God’s foreshadowing! --Chad Hershberger Today, we look at a Day 5 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “Transformed Community: God’s Agent of C.H.A.N.G.E.”
Prayer: Loving God, there is nothing to compare to you. You are our hope and our joy. This day we dedicate to you that in big and small ways we may love and serve you and be a blessing to all those that come into our circle. In your will, we pray to be. Amen. Reading: Micah 7:18-20 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: This text makes me think of “There’s Only One Holy One” by Caedmon’s Call. Here is the chorus: There's only One who never fails To beckon the morning light There's only One who set loose the gales And ties the trees down tight When all around my soul gives way He is all my hope and stay There's only One, only One Holy One Songwriters: Mary J. Blige / Rodney Saulsberry / Trevor Smith There's Only One (Holy One) lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd. If you have a moment, look it up or think about a song or hymn that you love that makes you think about the singular supremacy of our Savior! --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 December 29, 2016.
Prayer: Praise the Lord! Praise him for his universal glory! Amen Reading: Psalm 148 (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: Verses 3-6 of Psalm 148 speak of the whole universe praising God. Sun, moon, stars, highest heavens and waters above the heavens. Reminds me of the last verse of one of our favorite camps songs, Psalm 150, "Praise the Lord with ALL creation!" (emphasis added along with large arm motions). Verse 6 ends with, "He fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed." We recently mourned the loss of John Glenn, the first man to orbit the earth. I am sure the Psalmist never thought that would happen! The bounds of the heavens were fixed and could not be passed. But man did. To the moon after that and maybe someday to Mars. A footnote in my Bible has an alternate translation of cannot be passed. *Or he set a law that cannot pass away. God commanded creation, established it forever and that law cannot pass away. Praise the Lord! --Ruth Gates We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on April 20, 2016.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for giving water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. May we thirst for it alone. Amen Reading: Revelation 21: 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: What do you look for when you are thirsty and where do you look? Fancy beverages can quench a thirst in a fun way. Perhaps that is why there are coffeehouse just about everywhere. Yet simple, plain water may be the most refreshing and easiest to find, at least for those with a pure water supply. What did Jesus receive on the cross when he said, "I thirst."? Vinegar on a sponge. How awful! But this is what God says in our reading today: To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. (Rev. 21: 6) How wonderful! Let's thirst for what really gives life and let's look for it from God. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Gracious God we thank you for your gift of grace. We know we do not deserve it, and that we did nothing to earn it. We are grateful. Help us tell others about your wonderful love. Amen.
Reading: Acts 11:1-18 (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: As I read the text for today I can see a little bit of some “Christians”. These Christians are ones who faith is restrictive to the select people of their choosing. That makes me sad. Can they not see that God’s love is for all? Do they need to have a vision from God for them to understand? I am grateful for the vision that Paul had, and his ability to tell others about spreading God’s love to others. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Jesus, you told us to love one another so that others would know that we love you. Help us to do that each and every day. Amen.
Reading: John 13: 31-35 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Jesus gives us a new commandment in this story. He tells us that we should do one thing. It seems so simple; but, yet, it is so difficult, isn’t it? Love one another. I think of a childhood song I used to sing. It was probably in Sunday School where I learned these words: “Love one another, love one another, love one another, Jesus said.” May you sign that song in your heart and do as Jesus told us to do. And may that love shine brightly, bringing others to see Jesus in you. --Chad Hershberger Today, we look at a Day 5 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “Transformed Community: God’s Agent of C.H.A.N.G.E.”
Prayer: Dear Lord, you are the source of all that is good in my life. Guide me and help me each day to recognize your many blessings and to cherish them. To you I give all the glory! Amen. Reading: Psalm 103:1-14 (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: There is an old Atari video game called “Pitfall” that I thought of as I was reading the text today. Save me from the pit. Nothing good happens in the pit. When you fall into the pit you die. That entire video game surrounded jumping over pits and other obstacles within the time limit. In order for “Pitfall Harry,” which is your character in the game to survive, you have to successfully navigate past all the pits, logs, holes, alligators, scorpions, etc. Staying alive means jumping and moving at just the right time. No, this isn’t what the Psalmist had in mind, but this is what many people think of in terms of a good disciple’s life—avoiding the traps of living. The good news is that God did not construct a life full of traps that we have to avoid to move on to the next phase towards higher godliness. We don’t discover how to “beat the game” in order to get to heaven. God does indeed deliver us and help us. We give God praise and thanksgiving because God is always working for us. God doesn’t make traps. God turns our missteps in the right direction. God helps us to see the silly game that we are trying to survive and a better way to live. --Andrew Fitch Prayer: Dear God, thank you for guiding me through hard times. 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: Shepherds take care of the sheep. Like God takes care of us. He gives us shelter when we need it. Everlasting love, Protection, Hope and Everything I might need. Remember this when you are in Dark or scary times that God is with you. --Claire Hershberger Prayer: Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgivng and honor and power and might be to you, God, forever and ever! Amen! (Revelation 7: 12)
Reading: Revelation 7: 9-18 (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: When I was young I asked what the word Amen means and was told it means Let it be. This was very interesting to me as my experience and understanding of the phrase Let it be came from hearing the Beatles song of that title, my childhood being the late 60's and early 70's. We always end prayers with Amen. What if we began with Amen, too? Before even starting in on our praise, petitions and thanks, simply say Let it be.. And then, when all is said and done, repeat Let it be. From beginning to end all our words (and songs) are to God - blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor and power - forever and ever. Let it be...Let it be. Bookend prayers with Amen. -- Ruth Gates We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on April 12, 2016.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to hear your voice. Amen. Reading: Acts 9:36-43 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: This is an interesting story, isn’t it? We hear the story about Tabitha/Dorcas and how Peter came and brought her back to life. After I read this story, I have so many questions about it. How was Peter given the power to bring her back to life? Who all witnessed this miracle? What did people say about Peter following the incident? So many questions! But the big question for me is this: Who was this “certain Simon, a tanner.” I want to know about him. Peter stayed in Joppa with him. Was he someone important? Did everyone there know who he was? He is just identified in scripture as “a certain Simon, a tanner.” I don’t think this is just a random fact that was thrown into this story. There has to be a reason he is mentioned. I haven’t had time to research this more fully, but this story reminds me that often as we try to grow in our faith and read the Bible more, we may end up having more questions than answers. Questions are good. Asking them is not a sign of weakness. If we trust in God and listen for God’s voice, we will be shown the answers! -Chad Hershberger Prayer: Help me to hear your voice, Good Shepherd. Amen.
Reading: John 10: 22-30 (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 first started reading this verse, I wondered why it was the gospel reading for this coming Sunday. But then, I knew. It must be Good Shepherd Sunday this week! Once a year in the Easter Season, we are reminded that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Reading this passage also made me think of the camp song, “I Just Wanna Be a Sheep.” The chorus reminds us “I just wanna be a sheep (baa). I just wanna be a sheep (baa). Pray the Lord, my soul to keep. I just wanna be a sheep (baa).” If we truly want to be sheep, then we need to listen for Jesus’ voice. Be open to where Jesus may be telling you to serve his church and the world. Keep your ears open. Jesus wants you to hear him! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Help us practice forgiveness, God, and transform our communities.
Reading: Mark 2:1-12 (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: How will you carry forgiveness in your heart today? That’s a question we will ask our summer campers this year as we study “Transformed Community: God’s Agent of C.H.A.N.G.E.” There is no acronym associated with C.H.A.N.G.E. Our curriculum writers were playing off the Marvel superheroes and “Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.” But several times in our curriculum, we are given the opportunity to come up with words that start with C, H, A, N, G, E. On this day that we study forgiveness, can you come up with words that start with C, H, A, N, G, and E that relate to forgiveness? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Our hearts sing to you, God. Our voices join in praise. Amen
Reading: Revelation 5: 11-14 (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: Imagine all heaven and earth singing the same song of praise to God. That is what is being described here in Revelation 5. Myriads and myriads of thousands and thousands. Can you imagine? And then the four living creatures (not sure exactly who they are...would have to study Revelation a bit more to know) said, "Amen!" and then there was worship. At church, I will think of the organ prelude as that time of singing praise to God. All in the sanctuary hearing the same music which even the angels may be sharing. Then an "Amen!" in my heart as the pastor begins the Call to Worship. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Healing God we thank you for all the times you have brought us through times of struggle and sickness. Help those who are struggling now with sicknesses. Be with the people who are caring for them. Guide the doctors and nurses who tend to the infirmed. We also pray that you give them comfort and peace. AMEN.
Reading: Psalm 30 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: There are many times in our lives where we struggle and need to call on God. We are sorrowful and we have a hard time seeing what good can come from what we are going through. When people are dealing with cancer is one of the many that comes to mind. I have seen it firsthand when I was a student chaplain at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Texas. There is a ton of suffering as they are going through treatments. There is much joy when they are in remission. The psalmist has had a similar situation. The words that are there are wonderful to use in such a time. Job is another such place where there is much sorrow and struggles that ends in God’s blessing where a person should rejoice. May we remember to praise God and rejoice when we are brought through our times of trouble. --Charlene Rineer |
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