Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us not to live only for some distant day when the in between will be no more, but help us to step into the mystery of that sacred space here and now – knowing that it will be a place of genuine change and true transformation. Amen
(Adapted from The Blue Book Devotional Guide by Jim Branch) Reading: Romans 12:1-8 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: In verse 2 Paul says, “do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” He speaks of a transformation to a life lived in a way that welcomes God’s will into every moment. I believe that is why the Bible I am reading from titles the section “A Living Sacrifice.” You want to sacrifice your will, for God’s. Your wants, for God’s, and trust that it is good. Perhaps this could be phrased as keeping an open mind? Then Paul immediately moves into speaking about the body of Christ, as it is comprised of individuals. Each individual brings unique talents, just as each part of your body serves a unique purpose – eyes for looking, ears for hearing, and so on… With the COVID-19 pandemic sending home workers and students all around the world, we have found ourselves in a brand-new situation. A situation such as this calls for a renewed an open mind – open to God’s call, will, and presence, and renewed to consider how we can best transform to continue serving and loving our neighbors. And a situation that has really brought to light each and every person’s purpose in the body of Christ. We are all essential workers in God’s Kingdom. Hold hope! The body of Christ is still alive and well in each and every one of us as we transform – living, worshipping, fellowshipping, working, learning, and serving in new ways. God’s mercy is new, and there to renew us every day, and every moment! --Anne Harshbarger
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Prayer: Grant us peace, Lord, when we are confused or concerned. Send us out with your Holy Spirit. Help us forgive on the way. Thank you for peace. Amen
Reading: John 20: 19-23 (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: Twice Jesus says the word Peace in the reading for today. First when he seemingly appears out of nowhere. Surprise. Imagine the disciples’ confusion. Then after showing then his hands and his side. Reality check. Imagine their concern seeing his wounds which reminded them of his death. What are we supposed to do now? Peace. Peace. That about describes the rabbit hole I can find myself going down at times. It often starts with a confusion about something that happened or is going on and then a concern about what is next or what am I supposed to do now. I could be right there with the disciples at the end of a long day holed up and hoping to be safe. What is needed is a double dose of peace. Peace twice. We are going to get it as Christ appears to us in surprising ways. We are going to get it when we have to face reality that is unsettling. Peace. God is with us always. Peace. It may be rough at times but God gives us the Holy Spirit and sends us out to love and forgive. --Ruth Gates Prayer: God of all goodness and creation. Thank you for creating us and giving us many gifts. Helps us use our gifts to strengthen the church and to help others. May we show and share your love in all that we do. Amen
Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3-13 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: In this Bible text Paul is talking about the spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit. These are given to us to help build up the church. Paul has one list here in Corinthians and another list in Romans 12:6-8. They are not identical lists. They are each just a portion of the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit to build each other up. I would imagine that the list in each Epistle is specific to what was going on at the time in that place. I like how the gifts are specific for different places and times, just like how the gifts are different for specific people. It is in sharing of our gifts together that we create a strong and loving church that can reach out to all people. Ask yourself what are my spiritual gifts and how am I using them for the kingdom of God? --Charlene Rineer We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on May 12, 2016.
Prayer: Dear God, may I always remember to sing praise to You while I have my being. Amen. Reading: Psalm 104: 24-34, 35b (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 about four years old, I joined our church’s junior choir. We sang choral arrangements that are now stuck in my long-term memory as surely as my first address and phone number. I can still sing the melodies and, in many cases, recall what the front cover of the music looked like. One afternoon, my mom told me it was about nap time and told me to go lay down for a bit. I laid on my bed, but wasn’t sleepy. So I started humming the tune of a piece that we had practiced at choir rehearsal over the weekend. Pretty soon, as I laid on my bed looking toward the window, I was singing all the words. “Everywhere I go the Lord is near me…..” I looked up to find my mom standing in the doorway smiling at me. I don’t remember exactly what she said, but it was clear that she had lovingly given up on me taking any kind of a nap. “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.” Music sticks with us. Kids who come to camp go home singing the songs that they’ve learned from meal-time, campfire, and anywhere in between. And so, some of camp’s greatest hits are sung on the way home in the car on Friday evening, for better or for worse. If parents are lucky, they might hear a few rounds of “Awesome God” in between loud choruses of the Banana Song, or Shark Attack. But more than a few times, some of those simple songs of faith are the best reminders of God’s love. May we all sing to the Lord our whole lives long. –Sarah Hershberger Prayer: Loving God, help us to hear you through all the noise in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Reading: Acts 2: 1-21 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I took French in high school and Spanish in college. During the Pandemic of 2020, my kids started learning languages from a computer app. My daughter started to learn French. My son started to learn Spanish. Hearing them use both languages reminded me of how much I’ve forgotten of these languages since I had instruction in them. So it is with our spiritual life. We need to “exercise” our spiritual life. We need to read the Bible, go to worship, pray, and serve others. By reading and learning and listening, we can grow in our faith with God. Every time this lesson is read on Pentecost Sunday, I’m reminded of the time I was the lector at church this day. I had to learn how to pronounce all those locations in our story today. I worked hard to get them right. I practiced. And, I did it. Practice your faith. Learn the names. Study the scripture. See what God is saying to you. --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 July 15, 2016.
Today, we look at a Day 5 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.” Prayer: Dear God, thank you for adopting us into your family. Help us to find out and share this good news! Amen Reading: Ephesians 2: 11-22 (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: So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. --Ephesians 2: 19. It happens every week at Camp. Campers arrive at the beginning. Some are returning campers and some are new. Some might know each other already, some don't. By the end of the week everyone knows everybody. They have gone from strangers to members of a camp family. From being aliens in a land away from home to citizens of all campers who call Camp Mount Luther a home away from home. How does this happen? I could tell you or you could go and find out. That is how we are in Christ. That feeling of being strange and out of place turns into sainthood with others in the household of God. How does this happen? Paul can tell us. If you feel discouraged or wonder if God really cares or whether the Christian life is worth the effort, read Ephesians. Go and find out! --Ruth Gates Prayer: Jesus, you came to earth as a human to show us a living example of your will on earth. You know me intimately. You only ask what you know I can do. Let me trust you; let me trust myself. Amen.
Reading: John 17:1-11 (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: Evangelism. The word makes some of us quake with unease. Who am I to go out and make believers of others? I’m not a priest. I’ve never gone to seminary. I’m just…well, me. Jesus is the Son of God. He is God. But with this prayer, He reminds me that evangelism is not some huge, scary responsibility. It’s simply the open love of God. Showing God’s love to others. Living His love in my daily talk and walk. Jesus reminds me that He provides the people; I don’t have to seek them out. He’s given me the words; I don’t have to think up grand speeches. It’s not up to me to make believers; only to share my beliefs. Pray. Praise. Trust. Love. I’m never alone. God is always with me. I am His, and I just have to be…well, me. Wow. That’s not so hard, after all. --Heather LeBlanc Prayer: Faithful God, hard times come. We should not be surprised. Surprise us with your strength and support. May we share it with others. Amen
Reading: I Peter 4: 12-14, 5: 6-11 (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: Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (I Peter 4: 12) Raise you hand if you read any further than that first verse in our text today. Good for you, whoever you are. Truth be told, I was tempted to stop right then and there. However, our reading from I Peter today is about suffering as a Christian and tending the flock of God; not specifically about the present global pandemic. So, keep going and know hardships are not unusual. Then or now or (gulp) in the days ahead. Trust yourself and your community to God who created you and remains faithful. God is with us to support us and strengthen us always. Yes, we may be surprised at what we are going through today but let’s not be surprised by how God tends the flock and how the sheep are taking care of each other, too. Love God. Love others. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Gracious God we call out to you. We ask that you comfort us and give us peace. We praise your holy name and we thank you for your love. We know you are with us and that there is hope. Amen
Reading: Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 (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: As I write this devotion, we are still in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic and in a shelter at home order. I have been blessed that I still get to go to work every day and receive a paycheck. Praise be to God! I also do not have the struggle of helping school a child or children at home. Thank God! I also have been blessed with good health and my family is healthy. Blessed be the Lord! At this time, God is listening to our prayers of lament and praise. I have found that the Psalms are a great place to go to cry out to God and to praise God. We can also write our own. Just today I heard a great one on Facebook, and I would like to share the link with you as an inspiration and prayer. Praise Song for the Pandemic by Christine Valters Paintner https://vimeo.com/404108104 --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise you for your goodness and grace. We trust in you and your perfect timing. May we continue to join together in prayer and fellowship through new ways, to grow closer to each other and to you in a time when we need it most, and always. Amen.
Reading: Acts 1:6-14 (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: Timing can be frustrating, especially for those lacking ample patience. I am guilty of that, for sure. In this passage, the disciples are wondering when Jesus will restore the Kingdom. This is an extremely valid question! Aren’t we all curious about this?! But Jesus reassures them that they do not need to know the time, only our Heavenly father knows, and His timing is perfect. Timing is a human concept, perhaps created to mark process, and it is something that feels different for everyone in different seasons and storms of life. But what comes at the end of the passage is what we can do in all times and seasons – the disciples all joined together constantly in prayer. Normally for me, time seems to fly when I am busy. Either busy with activities, friends, and schoolwork, or at camp busy playing games, worshipping, singing, and planning for the next programs. Right now, with many of those things restricted to protect us all from COVID-19, many of us are at home without work, working from home, or only going to work without the opportunity to gather together outside of our homes. And I don’t know about you, but time oddly seems to be flying for me in this pause. No matter what this time feels like for you, know that God’s timing is perfect, and that He has plans for Jesus to come back and restore His kingdom. Now is when we are called to join together (across the miles) in new ways. Through a phone chain, a text message, a letter, or a video call. We can still all join together in prayer, to prayerfully abide in God’s timing. --Anne Harshbarger Today, we look at a Day 5 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: God, we praise you for your constant presence and guidance. May we continue to share your Word with others to create disciples of all nations, as we follow in the footsteps of your Son’s disciples. Be in our hearts and minds, now and always. Amen Reading: Matthew 28:16-20 (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: Today’s reflection is on a passage that is from the summer 2020 curriculum, From Generation to Generation, and it is the Great Commission! In this passage, Jesus sends out his disciples to make disciples of all nations (all races, all ethnicities, all ages, all genders, etc.) and promises that he will be with them always. This upholds through generations, including now- we are called to be disciples and to make disciples in whatever way possible (perhaps even in a Zoom meeting). This call to go out and make disciples makes me think of the off-site day-camp program we do as a part of our summer ministry at Camp Mount Luther. We take the stories we tell, the songs we sing, and the games we play to churches and communities through the synod and beyond. Just as Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit travels with us, off camp property and into congregations. The camp experience is never “boxed-in” at Mount Luther Lane, it lives in all of us right alongside the Holy Spirit. I love how off-site camp makes that experience accessible to so many campers, giving them that safe space to connect with God and other campers, and to plant seeds of faith that will grow with them. Faith and a love of Camp Mount Luther is something that is often passed down through generations… So go with God and plant seeds of discipleship! Also, here is a great article about off-site day-camps I read recently: https://sacredplaygrounds.com/2020/04/the-importance-of-being-day-camp/?fbclid=IwAR1oPGIT3sqtozK6gPNQGre3LGrXRttYg6s5CJCmbWWoUS07x6xWUvYWN8k --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 May 19, 2014.
Prayer: Abide with us. Stay with us. Make us your children. Amen. Reading: John 14: 15-21 (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: Love God. Follow Jesus. Feel the Spirit. Abide. You are not an orphan. God’s a loving parent forever, even if not seen. So love God. Love one another. Feel God’s love. As I looked at this passage, these are the words that came to mind to summarize what Jesus was saying in this text. The words that really strike me are “abide” and “orphan.” What do these words mean to you? How will you abide today? Isn’t it good to know that you are never alone? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Dear God, may we always be ready to give the reason for the hope we have in you. Help us be gentle and reverent in our walk of faith with others. Amen
Reading: I Peter 3: 13-22 (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 junior and senior high school homeroom I sat between my cousin, Mark (same last name and M comes before R), and Gary, whose last name came after ours. Thus we were for morning announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance for the next 6 years. The summer after 7th grade, Mark’s and my church youth group decided to go on an overnight hiking trip. We invited Gary to come along. None of us had backpack camping experience; not even our leader. It was bad for everyone especially Gary who somehow got stuck carrying the water jug. Our reading today encourages us to be prepared to give the reason for the hope that we have and it reminds us to do it with gentleness and reverence. I doubt making a friend carry a five gallon water jug on a backpacking campout would be considered gentle. Nor would I say our thoughts on that arduous overnight trip would be considered reverent. Yet, despite how harsh and irreverent that weekend was, Gary decided to join our youth group. He started coming to church, was confirmed and later raised his family in the church. Who knew that hike would become first steps in faith for our friend? Gentleness and reverence. Everyone needs hope and we should be ready to share ours. I would walk miles with my friend as we journey in faith. And this time I would help carry the water. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, we have been tested and tried. We feel burdened but trust you will bring us out to a spacious place. Thank you for blessing us with your steadfast love. Amen
Reading: Psalm 66: 8-20 (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: Verses 10 through 12 well describe the past few months. We have been tested. For those in the field of medicine it has been chaotic and demanding. For those of us quarantined it has been monotonous. Yet we continue to do the Lord’s work in our own humble way. A neighbor makes facial masks, puts them in a plastic bag, and pins them to a washline on her front porch for anyone to take. Five ladies wearing masks, gloves, shower caps meet every weekday noon at church to pack bag lunches for school children. Another young lady, a furloughed professional singer, stands on her porch and sings songs of hope for her neighbors. Yes, we have been tested. And we have been blest as God’s Love remains steadfast with us. --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear Father, you created us in your image. Let us try to remember we are brothers and sisters, all, children of God. Amen.
Reading: Acts 17:22-31 (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: What has at home living done to your relationships? Over these six weeks, it seems like I’ve talked more with friends, found new ways to “see” far-flung family, renewed friendship with my husband, and enjoyed playing board games with my kids weekly! I’m lucky: I give thanks daily for living next door to my parents and household close. But all this time together – sometimes feeling like we are stepping on each other’s toes, and occasionally literally treading upon one another – has at times resulted in a burst of temper or annoyance. And we have to be careful discussing certain topics, as differing views in such close quarters seems too easily to approach intolerance. Sadly, I’ve witnessed similar situations between friends online, when respect is lost and opinions are thrown like knives. Look how Paul approaches the people of Athens. He doesn’t belittle their gods or their beliefs; he finds common ground. He talks of our unity as the children of God and sees in them fellow believers even if the names or expressions are different. It’s a rarer moment of tolerance and calm for Paul, but this is how I want to act more often. I’m certainly going to try. --Heather LeBlanc Today, we look at a Day 5 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: Give us faith like the woman we read about today, God, and help us to walk in your ways. Amen. Reading: Matthew 15: 21-28 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: This summer, as we look at “From Generation to Generation,” we will see how the Biblical characters we study are not at all like us. They were giants—people like Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, David, Mary, and Paul. But just as they were different from us, we have lots of similarities, namely that we are all faithful people. In our story today, we see a woman who has that faith, too. She is unrelenting. And Jesus recognizes that. We, too, are part of God’s story. May God say to us, “Great is your faith!” --Chad Hershberger Prayer: God, we thank you for including us all in your house with many many rooms! We look forward to the day we can join you in that heavenly home. Until then, we look to your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ as the way, the truth, and the life. Amen.
Reading: John 14:1-14 (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: After Jesus has risen from the tomb, he briefly joins his disciples to comfort them and assure them that they know the way to the Heavenly Father. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! And at the start of chapter 14, Jesus tells the disciples in verse 2 that his Father’s house has many rooms, where he is going to prepare a place for us! That verse stirs up a lot of imaginative imagery for me. When I was a kid, one of my favorite shows to watch was Extreme Makeover Home Edition. On the show, the crew would choose a loving family that needed a new home and build them a house beyond their wildest dreams. One of favorite parts of the show was when they would interview the kids of the family to ask them about their passions and interests, and then they would decorate their room by bringing their passions to life. It usually included exciting things like treehouses and castles to sleep in! This is what I think about when I read that Jesus is going to our Heavenly father’s house to prepare many rooms for all of us. I think my room would have a ceiling that has stars painted all over it, and my bed would be like a hammock in the forest, where I could overnight camp, live and worship with God! What do you think your room will look like? --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: We come to you, Christ, our living stone. Build us into a spiritual house of your love. We proclaim your mighty acts. Thank you for your mercy. Amen
Reading: I Peter 2: 2-10 (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: It’s one thing to think of God as our rock as we did yesterday and that illustration from Psalms (31) is certainly one to hold onto and stand upon. Today we are thinking of Christ as a living stone. And not only Christ! We are to be living stones, too. So, I am thinking about the sturdiness of a stone. There is a strength inherent in a stone. Now imagine that sturdiness and strength of stones put together – built into a spiritual house. That is us with Christ as our cornerstone. How wonderful to be God’s people having received his mercy. Stone by stone built together, let’s proclaim the mighty acts of God. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Enduring God, rocks remind us your love lasts forever. We stand on the solid rock of life with you. We hold firmly to our faith which will not crumble. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16 (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: In our travels we have seen many impressive rock formations: along Maine’s rugged coast, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon. There is a field of rocks nearby known as the Ringing Rocks. If you walk across them and hit them (gently) with a hammer you can play a tune. On the windowsill above my kitchen sink I have two rocks. They obviously are not very big. But they are heart-shaped! How did they get that way? Large or small. Hold a rock in your hand. It doesn’t bend, break, or crumble. So it is with God’s love…solid, firm, enduring. His love is always present to help us endure. --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Glorious God help us see your shining face as we go through times of trouble. Thanks for all you have given us and help us stay faithful. May we look to you to give us strength and comfort and peace. Amen.
Reading: Acts 7: 55-60 (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: Stephen was a martyr for his faith. He continued to preach to people even at the end. He stayed faithful to God. He also asked God to forgive those who stoned him. That is huge faith. Even if those who were around turned a deaf ear to what he said I can imagine that his actions and words still made an effect on them. There are some days I feel like what I say and do makes no effect on the people around me. I feel like what I say falls on deaf ears. (I work with a lot of middle school students). I still work on though because I hope that showing to be faithful plants seeds of faith in others that will sprout to something in time that helps others be faithful too. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Lord, we know that Christians around the world experience persecution. We pray for Christians everywhere. Amen.
‘ Reading: Acts 16:1-15 (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: The good news of Jesus never would have survived without the first followers’ relentless travel schedule around the globe, and their encouragement of new followers. Paul, Timothy, and Lydia’s stories are recorded in the New Testament book of Acts. How can you share your faith with others? --LOM Curriculum |
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