Prayer: Dear God, your Word is for our instruction. May we be steadfast in keeping it in our hearts so that may be encouraged and hopeful in our lives. Amen
Reading: Romans 15: 4-13 (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: From the Bible I by my desk, to the one on my nightstand, the travel size Bible packed in my suitcase, the family Bibles kept safely, the Bibles my family received at Camp Mount Luther one summer that seem to have multiplied and turn up everywhere, and the one I have downloaded on my tablet so I can read the text and write GROW Time First Light devotions while while riding the bus to work, I think I am never more than an arm length or room away from the Word of God. Romans 15:4 explains, For whatever was written in the former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. The rest of our text for today continues with more encouragement and notice the word hope turns up three more times! Seems like it's a good idea to have a Bible handy at all times. If you don't happen to have one within arm's reach at this moment, you can click the link above to read Romans 15: 4-13 again and again...steadfastly. --Ruth Gates
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Prayer: Amazing God, help us to believe in a peace even if it seems highly unlikely and hard to imagine. With your spirit of wisdom and understanding, may we live without hurting or destroying. Amen
Reading: Isaiah 11: 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: There is a famous painting* I have seen in a museum or book somewhere of a wolf laying down with a lamb (highly unlikely) and a baby with its hand over a snake hole (hard to imagine). It simply does not make sense yet the scene is peaceful. This is what the prophet Isaiah describes with the coming of the Lord who is clothed in righteousness and faithfulness. There will no longer be hurting or destruction for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. How would you paint that? What would it look if there were peace in your part of the world? Peace in families, between neighbors, among co-workers and in the midst of strangers on the street. Believe it can be. --Ruth Gates *I Googled "art Isaiah 11" and many images came up. The Peaceable Kingdom by Edward Hicks is the painting I was thinking of. Take a look at it and some of the others. Imagine a kingdom of peace. Prayer: Get our attention, Lord, however it takes. Then with the way prepared for you, enter our hearts. Amen
Reading: Matthew 3: 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: Godspell came on the scene, or at least to my quiet little town and very traditional church, during those hippie days of the 70's. I was rather young but old enough to know this was something totally different from anything I had known to be "churchy". Looking back, I really have to hand it to the elders for welcoming the traveling show to perform in our very formal sanctuary, dress colorfully, play that rock and roll music, sing with abandon and (gasp!) dance. I am not sure what kind of an impact it had on others but this little girl was blown away with the whole thing. And while that nasally, off key blatting sound of the ram's horn which opens the show is almost painful, there is nothing like it for us to then hear a single voice singing, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." Just seven words sung pure, clear, repeating, others voices joining, getting faster, adding keyboard, electric guitar and drums and...oh, yeah, everyone was listening by then. Godspell got our attention. That is for sure. So did John the Baptist in his own out of the ordinary way. What will get your attention today? How will you prepare the way of the Lord? Will you be blown away with His message of Love? --Ruth Gates Prayer: May we give you the first fruits of our labor, Lord, and see the joy in giving back to you. Amen.
Reading: Exodus 23.11-21 (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: Giving to the church has always been important to me. And, providing our children the chance to earn an allowance has been the talk in our home recently. Interestingly enough, the two thoughts came together recently. Let me explain. As I was putting money in our church envelope one Sunday, I thought back to the days when I was a youngster in my home congregation. I'm guessing I was probably in second or third grade when I decided I wanted offering envelopes. I watched my parents place theirs in the offering plate each week and I decided that I wanted to do the same. I was earning an allowance at home (I think about 40 cents a week or something like that) and heard that when you earn money, it's important to give back to God. So, my parents talked to the church secretary (I believe) and I got my own offering envelopes. I remember that each time I received my allowance, I would put back some of it in my offering envelope. I probably put 10 cents in but it was the beginning steps of my faithful giving to the church. Since I've been an adult, I've kept the same practice of giving a generous portion of my income to God. In fact, when I got my first job, a friend of mine said that if you give to God first, you won't want for money. That's been just my experience. And now to allowance. We've been talking about starting some kind of allowance system for our children. They often want something material and we think it is wise to teach them the value of hard work and earning funding to buy the things you want. We'd like to "pay them" for doing chores around the house, starting them now earning an income. As we are discussing our options, I've thought about my allowance and how a portion of it was given to the church. I wonder if my children will want to replicate what I did as a child and continue to do as an adult. How important will it be to them to give back to God? A few weeks ago, our supply pastor gave the kids all a quarter during the children sermon. He told the kids to do with the quarter what they wished. He also explained that they should put God first over money. He was back with us today and recalled doing that, asking the kids what they did with their quarter. Unfortunately, my daughter didn't remember what she did with hers. My guess is that it ended up in our change container. She's young, but I guess we have some work to do. I want to teach my children the importance of giving to God first. I hope when they receive an allowance, they will make it a priority as I have done. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: Let us be glad in the Lord. Giving thanks and praise to God. May we live in peace and love each other. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 122 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: It is no wonder I became a Faith Formation Coordinator. I was almost always glad to go to church. I was eager to help with whatever I could, especially when it came to children and youth. Faith and church life was always very important to me from childhood, teen-age years, and college. After college my career was still not set and faith/church was still an important part of my life. It was also important for me help others and spread God’s love. Going to seminary to get a masters in lay ministry was a calling I could not run away from. Being glad when I gather with the Lord’s people in church or at camp builds me up and I hope I help build others up as well. May we all be glad to come to the house of the Lord. May it a place that brings you peace. May it be a place where the good for everyone is shown and felt. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Help me, Lord, to live every day as your saved creature.
Reading: Romans 13:11-14 (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: A few weeks before the national election, my neighbor and I had a conversation which was somewhat disturbing to me. We are on opposite sides politically. That’s o.k. That conversation didn’t bother me. What bothered me was his comment, “I think we are in the end times anyhow, so it doesn’t really matter who wins. I don’t think our children have much of a future.” I was stunned. The depressed resignation made me sad. St. Paul followed end-time thoughts quite differently. “Live honorably.” Live always as those who are in Jesus Christ. Live in the light. Live! Martin Luther’s often quoted idea is appropriate here. “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” In Jesus Christ we live this life. I don’t give much thought to the end times. I just keep living as if time is endless. Even if civilization as we know it ends tomorrow, we still live faithfully today. That just makes a lot of sense to me. It means that each and every day is full of good things. We live each day honorably. God will take care of the last day. --Jim Bricker Prayer: We come to you, Lord. Teach us your ways. May we walk in your paths. Amen
Reading: Isaiah 2: 1-5 (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: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. Isaiah 2: 3 Just come. Come to church. Come to worship. Come to be with people. Not because a church building is extra special. Not because a certain worship style is the best. Not because people are always good or perfectly right. Go up to the mountain of the Lord. Sometimes it is an uphill battle to set aside the time, get out of bed and pull the family together. Go to the house of the God of Jacob because our own houses have too many distractions and things to do. Seems these days many are wondering when, where and how will we ever learn to kind, fair and safe. Just come. Together we will learn God's ways and walk in His paths. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Gracious and Giving God we thank you for all you have given us. Help us to wait patiently as we watch for your coming. Let us be prepared and ready at any hour. AMEN
Reading: Matthew 24: 36-44 (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: Advent is coming. That means, for a lot of us, it is time to start preparing for Christmas. These verses have us watching and waiting for the coming of the Lord. We need to be awake and ready at any time. As we get ready for Christmas are we trying to do too much? A lot of times we ask each other if we are ready for Christmas. Usually we say we are not and we have lists of things to do. The real item that needs to be ready is our heart. Are our hearts ready and open for the coming of the Lord? Do you need to slow down and do less to be less stressed and be more in the spirit? As Christmas approaches I hope I can truly say I am ready for the coming of the Lord and not be stressed with all the non-essential details. --Charlene Rineer Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on October 3, 2013.
Discussion: Discuss with others or meditate on this quote by Ed Cole, "The torment of the temptation of sin is nothing compared to the torment of the consequences of sin." Reading: Psalm 103 (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: God gives us mercy galore. Think about that. Read it again: God gives us mercy galore! Doesn’t that really boggle your mind. How do you react to that statement? David wrote many songs praising God. You can read them in the Book of Psalms, including the chapter that our verse comes from today. Psalm 103 reminds us that God is exalted above the heavens and God's glory is on the earth. God shows compassion for those that fear God and knows how we are made. We have eternal life through our belief in Jesus Christ, the son. As for those who do not believe, their days are like grass. They wither away and will be no more. God's kingdom, however, is forever. We will live on. Verse 10 is another reminder of the great blessing we receive from God that God’s mercy is huge! God does not deal with us according to our sins. God does not repay us according to our iniquities. God just loves us and shows us grace and mercy! So, what do we do with this good news? How do we react to the statement, “God gives us mercy galore.” Hopefully, it will cause you to find ways today and every day to praise God and share with others that God’s mercy is great. There are many ways that you might do that, including using your God-given talents to praise God. You may not be a song writer like David, but you can praise our Lord in your own way each day. And we should, for we have been truly blessed. After all, God gives us mercy galore! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Guide our feet in the way of peace. Amen
Reading: Luke 1: 68-79 (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: Guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1: 79c Every week in Junior Choir, for a warm-up, we sang a song called, Give Us Peace - Give us peace. Give us peace. Lord, up above, give us peace. My children learned it as Dona Nobis Pacem. English or Latin...same tune except what I learned also had a verse - In this world of trouble and strife, we all seek a far better life. Hear our prayer, constantly. Give us peace. Lord, up above, give us peace. Growing up in the Vietnam Era, my childhood idea of peace was the peace sign popular then (and still now) and the end of the war (there have been a couple since). Yet every week we sang of the Lord giving us peace; not symbols, protesters or peace treaties. In this world of trouble and strife, we do seek a better life. We pray constantly for peace. The message in our text today is to ask the Lord to guide our feet in the way of peace. In other words, peace is something we need to point ourselves and move toward. It comes from the Lord who gives it and guides us and our feet as we seek a far better life. The song we sing constantly becomes a constant prayer. Dona nobis pacem. Give us peace. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, we joyfully give you thanks for all the blessings in our lives. Amen
Reading: Colossians 1: 11-20 (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: Something was different this Fall. Stores held back and there was less red and green in the midst of the orange and black the last week of October. It was a nice change. I know someone who then couldn't wait any longer and immediately switched from pumpkin spice everything to merrily sipping eggnog while listening to Christmas music. And I am hearing stores announcing they will be closed Thanksgiving Day so families and friends can be together. Seems the holidays always overlap a bit. Colossians 1: 11, 12 talks of joyfully giving thanks to the Father. With that in mind and with Merry Christmas starting in the midst of Happy Thanksgiving, let's make the most of it and be Merrily Thankful. Different indeed. --Ruth Gates Prayer: The Lord is our Shepherd and let us follow him. Let us heed his voice and answer when he calls. Thank you for your protection and guidance. Amen.
Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6 (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: In these verses Jeremiah is talking about the exiles and them being brought back together with good shepherds. The prophet also fore-shadows the coming of Christ who is known as the Good Shepherd. I have never had to tend to sheep, but I have had to tend to children. As I shepherd them I hope to keep them safe and out of harm’s way. If they need to be fed I can feed them. I can lead them in activities that train them ways to live a Godly life. I hope all children Prayer: King of kings we praise you and worship you. Please remember us when you come into your kingdom. Amen.
Reading: Luke 23:33-43 (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: As I read this text I was confused why it was being used at this time of the year, then I realized it was Christ the King Sunday this week. Being called King of the Jews and being asked to be remembered in His kingdom are why it was chosen. I like to use the song “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” with the children on this Sunday. For those who do not know this song here are the basic lyrics: King of kings and Lord of lords; Glory, hallelujah; Jesus, Prince of Peace; Glory, hallelujah and then back to the King of kings lines. Jesus is King of all, and is who all rulers should follow. I like that it is a peaceful kingdom. If we truly follow what Jesus calls us to do then we should be able to live in peace. Of course the real kingdom is in Heaven and it is there that we will really live in peace. --Charlene Rineer Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on November 11, 2013.
Meditation: Meditate on or discuss with others this quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." Reading: Isaiah 2: 1-5 (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: So many have fought for this country since the days of the Revolutionary War. Men and women have died to preserve the rights we enjoy in the United States. But those rights did not come without a price. Isaiah speaks of a time when there will be peace throughout the world and goodwill toward all. We still have a long way to go to have total peace and tranquility. On this day we honor veterans, let us thank those who have served our country. Say a little prayer for peace this day, and remember, we are all soldiers in God's army and need to continue fighting for God's causes! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: All critters and creation have a place in the choir. PRAISE THE LORD! Amen
Reading: Psalm 98 (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 a Sunday School song, "All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir" which goes through many animals, big and small, and how they sing praises. Kids love to sing and act it out like...animals. It's definitely a lively and loud song. Psalm 98 could be the song, "All God's Creation (has) Got a Place in the Choir" as it tells of the seas, rivers and mountains praising the Lord. If Sunday School critters get a bit loud, well, imagine seas roaring, floods clapping their hands and hills singing!? It would be like this: PRAISE THE LORD! --Ruth Gates Prayer: Work with us Lord, to guide us to meaningful vocations. Amen.
Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13 (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: The first job I had after college was as a high school business teacher in a vocational program. The students operated the school store and prepared for careers in business. The classroom was an open concept with a good portion of the class time spent developing confidence in their chosen specialty, whether it be as a restaurant manager or managing a bike shop. This method of teaching afforded my students a lot of flexibility in their class time as they focused on individualized curriculum. But without my constant direct supervision not all students could keep themselves on task. Ever-present was the temptation to catch up on the latest gossip with a friend or to linger longer than needed assembling the display case (fortunately there were no Snapchat or Instagram distractions in those days!). And sometimes students would just stare blankly out the windows. Staying on task and using our talents to their fullest requires constant attention and diligence. It's far easier to divert our focus to simpler pursuits of carefree idleness. We set goals and then find other diversions on our To-Do list that are quicker to check off. Paul warns us against idleness while extolling the merits of hard work in exchange for reward. Staying busy (and not being a busybody) and contributing to the greater good is not only a worthwhile pursuit but is considered God's Work. May you have purposeful work to do this day! --Andy Gates Prayer: Lord God, guide us to live today with the rejoicing and hope of the new heavens and new earth you will create for us. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 65: 17-25 (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: Recently my wife, Ruth, and I spent a few days visiting long-time friends who operate a bed & breakfast on a secluded mountainside. When we arrived, everything had been prepared for our visit. The cottage was festive with fall decorations, our names were on a welcoming sign hanging across the door, the pool was heated to offset the October chill and the kitchen was well-stocked to share meals with friends. Even the piano was in perfect tuning for me to play. It was as if our every need had been anticipated by our friends and hosts. Like this autumn get-away, will be the Kingdom of God... and so much the better (and without the 6-hour drive home). God will hear our prayers and answer even before we say "Amen." Misfortune and discomfort will be unknown and everyone will enjoy long, bountiful lives. Food will be plentiful and there will be peace among all creatures. Blessed are they who await the Kingdom of God...and toil not in vain but to live in this way today. --Andy Gates Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for giving us the words and wisdom we need for each day and in every situation. Amen
Reading: Luke 21: 5-19 (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: Much of the text today is doom and gloom yet it ends with the promise that not a hair on our heads will perish and that by endurance our souls will be saved. Well, that's encouraging at least. But what is going to get us through the doom and gloom part? Words and wisdom. In front of a microphone, I tend to freeze. In a spontaneous interview, I choke. While I can memorize speaking lines and song lyrics, talking off the cuff is not a strength for me. Since I am better with the written word, I am more comfortable with a prepared speech or at least notes to guide me. Yet, there have been times when I have simply needed to share from the heart right at the moment or make a point clearly on the spot. There have been times when I open my mouth and pray the right words comes out the wisest way. And it happens. The only explanation for this must be that when help comes from God, the help is with love. If our words are merciful and coming from thoughts of grace, surely our hairs will be spared and our souls will be saved. --Ruth Gates Prayer: We know you are with us, Lord, and are grateful for your presence. Amen.
Reading: Luke 22: 14-24 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: A friend of mine recently posted online a passage about Holy Communion and was pondering that each time we take the sacrament, we should be ready to come before God and enjoy the meal and the promises that God has given to us and fulfilled. It got me to thinking about communion and one of the most meaningful distribution that I have ever been part of. When I was a counselor at Mount Luther, it was our tradition (and remains to this day) that the staff celebrate Holy Communion together one a week. One particular week, we were getting ready for communion and our camp pastor that week was looking for a vessel to put the wine into for distribution. This was before camp was gifted a nice communion set. So, he found what we could—a big plastic “Days of Thunder” cup. The movie had just come out that summer and a local fast food place had given out big cups with scenes from the movie. So, we used that cup to partake of Christ’s blood. As I remember, there were many laughs as we sipped from that cup. Some may think that is irreverent, but I felt great community with my fellow believers that night. We truly were enjoying being together in God’s presence. It was a communion service I’ve not forgotten! The next time you go receive the elements, go with a sense of joy that God is truly present. Smile as you receive them and think of all the other believers, both on earth and at heaven, that are sharing the meal with you. And maybe you’ll think of that big plastic movie cup, and how the divine can truly be present in everyday things! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Praise the Lord! Give glory to God for all he has made. Let our lives be an example of God’s love to all. May God protect us and guide us through all our days. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 149 (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 have been known to break out in song when I am doing various things. During a mission trip this past year I think some of the youth really picked up on that. They were not always willing to sing along. Also during confirmation classes, I will just sing a song out of the blue that relates to what we are learning. Once again not everyone is eager to sing with me. Singing songs to and about God are up lifting for me. Music can be a great witness to others about God. I enjoy music whether I am making it or listening to it. May songs praising God be a part of your daily life. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: God of all we thank you for those who have come before us and who in their wisdom have helped shape us into the believers who we are. Let their legacy live through us so we can be faithful examples for others. Amen.
Reading: Ephesians 1:11-23 (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: This Sunday we celebrate all Saints Sunday. I am very grateful for those saints who have come before me and the lessons they have taught me. It has been many years since my Grandmother has passed away but I still remember her fondly as a person of great faith. She was one of those quiet, peaceful souls who lived her faith everyday by being kind to all. Her Bible sat on the end table in the living room and she did daily devotions. She marked verses in her Bible that meant a great deal to her. She was a wonderful example to me of how a person of faith lives. There are many saints in our lives that have made an impact on how we live our lives of faith. I hope you take some time to remember them today, and thank God for the influence they have had in your life. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Lord, help me to sing, Alleluia! Alleluia!
Reading: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 (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: If you started to read the text for today and quit after the first 3 verses, please go back and read the rest of the text. We really need the interpretation of the dream. It is about God’s faithfulness for “the Holy Ones of the Most High.” They are the ones who “possess the kingdom forever—forever and ever.” On this All Saint’s Day, who are those saints you remember? Who are those loved ones made holy by our God? Who are those who are gone for now who brought you up in the faith? Who are those whose laughter and wisdom you cherish? Who are those who are held in God’s loving embrace and for whom you give thanks? For all the saints who from their labors rest. Alleluia! Alleluia! --Jim Bricker |
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