Prayer: Dear God, send out your command to the earth. May your word run swiftly. Praise the Lord! Amen
Reading: Psalm 147: 12-20 (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: Words, words, words. They spread like wildfire, especially in these times of news 24/7 and social media overload. Just think of all the information you received in the past year. Mind-boggling. Was it all true? Some yes; a lot not. Was it all right? Same answer. Was it all pure. Same again. Too many words; not enough worthwhile. What words are true, right and pure? The Word of the Lord. He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. Psalm 147: 15. May that be our hope and prayer in the year ahead and may our words be, Praise the Lord! --Ruth Gates
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Prayer: Help me to build bridges and repair relationships in the coming year, God. Guide me and be with me as I do this important work. Amen.
Reading: Ephesians 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: As we close out this year, many people will set New Year’s resolutions. They will look at their lives and try to find an area for improvement. When they do, they will set a goal for what they might do to make a better life for themselves or their loved ones. Our text today is the beginning of Paul’s letter to the Church at Ephesus. When I read the beginning of this letter, I thought about how letter writing is an old fashioned art these days. Not too many people sit down with a piece of paper and a pen and send a note to someone they care about. Today our lives are filled with e-mails, blogs, and social media posts. As you begin a new year, think about letter writing. Maybe you won’t sit down and write to someone you love, but do think about the words that you should speak to someone. Maybe there is a friend you haven’t spoken to in years. Get in touch. Maybe you have a family member that has strayed from your family. Reach out. Make the new year one that you repair relationships and rebuild broken bridges. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Dear God, gather, lead and comfort us. In your love you we can dance and be merry. Amen
Reading: Jeremiah 31: 7-14 (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: Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. Jeremiah 31: 13 Recently at a Chinese restaurant, my fortune cookie read, "While you're carrying a grudge, others are out dancing." Not kidding. That was my fortune cookie fortune. Not a good fortune at all. Very unsettling to say the least. Fortunately (no pun intended), I don't put much confidence in fortune cookies. Still, the message - While you're carrying a grudge, others are out dancing. - still stung. I must admit there is some truth to that about me and even the person I was with looked at me in an, "If the shoe fits, wear it." sort of way. So today's scripture reading is encouraging to me to say the least as it speaks of young women dancing and men being merry. That's more like it! Tell me what will bring this about? If I go by my cookie, not holding grudges would be a good start. It is true. Forgiveness goes a long way in making it easier to dance and be merry. There is more, of course. The prophet Jeremiah is telling about the LORD gathering, leading and comforting His people. Ah, yes, then there is dancing, joy and gladness! And I am certain when we are gathered, led and comforted in the love of the LORD, grudges will go away, too. Let's dance! --Ruth Gates Prayer: Thanks be to God for gifting us over and over again.
Reading: John 1:1-18 (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: Sometimes I skip the “click to read text” when I consider these devotional writings. How about you? If you just did, I encourage you, go back, click and read it before reading on. This is my very favorite Christmas text. Maybe you want to go back and read it again. J Every time I read it or hear it, I experience something new. It is just an awesome scripture. The Christmas stories in Luke and Matthew are beautiful. John’s reflection on those events and Jesus’ life is deep and wonderful. It is also so simple at times. One part of the reading that made my spirit flutter one Christmas morning is this: From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Not just grace, but grace on top of grace. How can that be? God’s gift, topped! Just like a layer cake. Sweetness on top of sweetness smeared with sweetness. Grace upon grace. And so it is. God’s grace, free gifts, just keep coming and coming. Just when you think God can’t be any more gracious…more grace. Merry Christmas! --Jim Bricker An extra devotional reading for your Christmas season today!
Prayer: Lord, help me to treasure your Son in my heart. Reading: Luke 2:41-52 (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: Merry Christmas!! ‘Tis the second Day of Christmas. I hope yesterday was an exciting, joyful day for you. I hope that today is a treasure for you. Seldom do we get to read Luke’s accounts of Jesus’ childhood. We do today. I’m always struck by Joseph and Mary’s angst when they couldn’t find their son. Imagine wondering around a city for three days trying to find your child! It’s understandable that when they found him their response was one of admonishment. That Jesus would wonder off and not tell them. But, all in a youth’s growing up, right? Luke’s insight about Mary’s relationship to Jesus is wonderful. She treasured all these things about Jesus in her heart. Treasured in her heart. It’s an intuitive thing, don’t you think? Treasuring things in your heart. Respect, honor, appreciation, thanksgiving, admire—some of those responses are good, too. But treasuring something in our hearts—that’s different. ‘Tis the second Day of Christmas. How do you treasure Jesus in your heart today? --Jim Bricker Prayer: God of Love, Thank you! Thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus. Thank you for the good news of his birth. Thank you for the way he challenged us and loved us and changed everything. Thank you for his birth in Bethlehem, for Mary and Joseph who loved him, for the angels who sang your glory, and the shepherds who went with haste to meet you. Thank you for Jesus! Amen.
Reading: Luke 1: 1-20; 2: 1-20 (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: It wasn’t really an out of bounds kind of question. “How can I be sure of this?” Any of us in Zechariah’s shoes would have probably asked the exact same thing in the face of something so unbelievable. “Are you sure?! Because……woah. This is big.” And Gabriel makes him stop and listen. Literally. “I am Gabriel,” he says. (I imagine rolling thunder in the background here.) “I stand in the presence of God and I have been sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.” (lightning, too.) “And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” (silence. the pin-dropping kind.) And before old Zach can say another word….bam. Mouth closed. It’s like a gigantic months-long message to just shut up and listen. Listen to what God is doing. Listen to how God can do amazing things. Stop talking and just listen. Just. Listen. Today is Christmas day. And for the entire month that led up to this day, there has been a lot of noise around us. But today, it seems as if just about everything gets quiet. Businesses shut down for the day, restaurants are closed, only a few gas stations remain open for the sake of travelers who need to get home. But the streets are quieter. And the pace slows down. And families stay in their pajamas together and enjoy the time spent. It is as if the world is willing to listen just a little bit on this special day. Jesus brings us a lot of moments where we might think “how can this be?” But on this day, when we celebrate his birth, maybe the best thing to do is to follow Zechariah’s lead and simply listen. Listen for the spirit of God today. Listen for the message of indescribable love that continues to change the world. Listen for how much God loves you. —Sarah Hershberger M any years have come and gone since Angels loudly sang E mannuel was here on earth and church bells loudly rang R ising up were shepherds who heard the heavenly noise R esting in their fields that night were shepherd men and boys Y oung children everywhere tell of the birth that night C oming down from heaven, God was here to make things right H igh above the town was a star which was shining bright R eady to lead the wisemen there as they followed the star’s light I n our own special ways, we celebrate this birth each year S alvation was why this child came down- that message is so clear T o free us from our sinful ways and make us clean again M ay we not forget that message as we wish peace to our fellow human A nd so as you celebrate this year, the birth of Christ, our Lord S ay little prayer of thankfulness to God above, adored. -Poem by Chad Hershberger Prayer: Be our light, Lord Jesus, this night and always. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 (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: Can you imagine the darkness on the night of the Baby Jesus’ birth? I imagine it was a starlit night, if only for one bright star over Bethlehem. The shepherds didn’t have flashlights (or smartphones with a flashlight) but probably were huddled around fires for warm and light. And then, there was light. As quickly as it appeared when God first created it, the light was shining in the darkness. The glow of a new baby, this one the savior of the world, lit up the stable. Angels singing glory to God in the fields above the shepherds showed them they had nothing to fear. Even though we think of it as night, it truly was the dawn of a new day. For a child was born. For us. We usually call him Jesus, but he has many names. He also has authority. And he seeks peace for all. May that peace find you this Christmas and all throughout the year. Merry Christmas! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Help me to sing your praises, O Lord.
Reading: Psalm 96 (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: King David, I think, would have enjoyed Christmas services. We sing Christmas hymns with the greatest gusto. And for the psalmist, the whole world rejoices: heavens, earth, sea, field, forests—be glad, rejoice, roar, exult, sing for joy. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord; for he is coming, We gather for Christmas worship, The Nativity of Our Lord, tomorrow night, and the next few Sundays. Sing, sing, sing! Join all of creation in praising the God who chooses to live among us. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Dear God, help us to remember to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Amen
Reading: Colossians 3: 12-17 (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 am not a big clothing person. What makes matters worse is I am not a big shopper either. So there are days when I stare into my closet with no idea what to put on except the same old same old outfits. Try this on; try that on. A long time ago I came across a little quote: Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important. It is taped inside my closet. It helps. Colossians 3: 12 reminds us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Maybe I will tape that in my closet, too. Still would not help me with wardrobe woes but it certainly would make a difference in my expression. Just reading those words brings a loving and calming spirit which surely is reflected in my face, not to mention my actions and words. I think I will try that on! --Ruth Gates Prayer: Thanks for giving me your attention, God.
Reading: 1 Samuel 2: 18-22, 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: Do you ever wonder, given the expanse of the universe, why God would notice you? After all, there is a lot out there to get the creator’s attention. “Why pay attention to me,” you ask? Me, too. But here in today’s reading we see that “the Lord took note of Hannah.” Every year she brought new clothes to her son, Samuel who worked in the temple for Eli. No mean gift. Cloth was expensive in those days. Eli noticed. Elkanah noticed. Samuel noticed. AND GOD NOTICED. A marvelous God we have. Who takes notice of each of us. A God to whom we can share our deepest longings as Hannah did. A God who takes notice. And I can’t help but be reminded, just a few days before Christmas that God chooses to live among us. Why not just hang out somewhere in the vastness of space? It would probably be quieter there! Well, God probably does hang out there. But, God, Immanuel, lives among us, too. And takes notice! --Jim Bricker Reading: Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that binds us, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Stop and GROW: After reading the prayer, 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 prayer? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this prayer or is my favorite part? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this prayer stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this prayer? Reflection: Grace and mercy. Those are the words that delight me. One of Lutheran’s traditional confessions contains the words; we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. But Jesus came and comes. With grace and mercy. Through His life, teaching, death and resurrection Jesus frees us from the sin that binds us. Stir us up, O Lord, to look for you in every moment of our lives. Even the ugliest of ugly moments. Come, Lord Jesus, with your grace and mercy. --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Dear God, we have heard the Christmas story so many times in so many different Sunday School Christmas Pageant pageant scripts. Still, the message is the same. Each time we watch the children portray their roles, follow their lines and hear their songs, may the story of Love coming to us be new and true in our hearts. Amen
Reading: Luke 1: 46b-55 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Our scripture text today is The Magnificat: Mary's words as she reflects upon carrying God's own Son into the world. My favorite version may be from Holden Evening Prayer. Yet, in my church we usually use that service during Lent. So I especially like hearing The Magnificat during Advent and, of course, it always comes up in the Sunday School Christmas Pageant. But it is a rather long speech (or song) for the 5th grade Mary to memorize. So, it gets shortened. From the script this year: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations wil call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name. Watch! The children will show us what happened so long ago. Listen! We hear the story again. Join in! Sing the songs, perhaps Mary's own, over and over. Yet may the Love that came down at Christmas be new and true in our hearts always. --Ruth Gates Prayer: As we gaze upon the manger, God, let us know forget the cross and empty tomb. Amen.
Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10 (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: Often during the Advent and Christmas seasons, I think about Christ coming to us as a little baby. Babies are cute, innocence, and bring smiles to our faces. But I try to not forget about the events of Holy Week. That same cute, innocent, smiling baby will be hung on a cross to die for me. This passage reminds me of that. I like the hymn, “What Child is This.” In that familiar carol, we are reminded that “nails, spears shall pierce him through, the cross he bore for me, for you.” In these days as you prepare for Christ’s coming as a baby, don’t forget the rest of the story: the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the first communion, Good Friday, and the resurrection. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Dear God, we trust in your presence and purpose from ancient days. There is comfort in knowing an origin from old is what still is with us today and will be always. We thank you in this small part of a very big story. Amen
Reading: Micah 5: 2-5a (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 am a big fan of J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. I could explain but that would take a long time. So for today's devotion I will share this. It is encouraging to know God's people and purposes have been in motion since ancient of days. But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from old, from ancient days. Micah 5: 2 When Frodo wishes the ring had ever come to him, Gandalf reminds him of the series of events and characters (from ancient days) that brought the ring to him. Frodo we meant to have the ring..."and that is an encouraging thought." God's promises go back further than we can imagine, are still true today and will hold us in all the days to come. And that is an encouraging thought! --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on September 15, 2013.
Prayer: God, we pray today for those who encourage others and for those who need encouragement. Help us to be encouragers and remind people of your love. Amen. Reading: Luke 1: 39-45 (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: Have you ever had to speak an encouraging word to a friend or family member? How did you feel when you did it? How do you think they felt? Elizabeth was a woman who seems to be very caring and compassionate. She probably is one of those people who rarely thinks of herself. Elizabeth was an encourager to Mary. She stood by her and told her that "everything is going to be okay." We need to be more like Elizabeth, encouraging others and helping them feel comfort. Being an encourager is an important job! --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Reading: Stir up the will of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the preaching of John, that, rejoicing in your salvation, we may bring forth the fruits of repentance; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Stop and GROW: After reading the prayer, 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 prayer? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this prayer or is my favorite part? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this prayer stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this prayer? Reflection: You brood of vipers. Those are John the Baptizer’s we pray that we may hear. They come from this Sunday’s gospel reading on which Pastor Horn reflected in these devotions on Monday. What do you think about being called a snake? More importantly, how open are you to hearing God’s judgment and being called to repentance? And what are the fruits of repentance, anyhow? One commentary suggests these: merciful justice, radical generosity and vocational integrity. Not too bad, huh? Let’s take this Sunday’s prayer of the day this way. We are reminded that we fall short of doing God’s work. But we are thankful that we can be refocused on what is God’s work. And though that work is perhaps intimidating and overwhelming, let’s give it a go. Pastor Bovendam, Trinity Lutheran Church, McAlisterville, has taught me a wonderful response to the intercessions. I share it with you in closing these devotions. When you speak, O Lord, help me to listen. Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Help us to see your coming, Jesus. Be near us. Amen.
Reading: Philippians 4:1-13 (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 Lord is near. One sentence in our text for today sums up the whole Advent season. And, since we as Christians are “Advent people” it sums up our lives in the world. Wherever we go and whatever we do, the Lord is near. How does that make you feel? Frightened? Scared? Excited? Joyous? I think we could have two reactions. We either may feel that it might be helpful for us to clean up our acts because our Savior is coming. Or, we may feel excitement because of our joy in seeing our Lord. For centuries, there was waiting for Jesus to arrive. God’s people knew he was coming but not sure when he’d get here. For us, we await his second coming when he will appear to us once again. But, for me, I also know that I see Jesus in the words and actions of people every day. He is truly among us, even today. That makes me smile and rejoice. The Lord is near indeed. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on December 19, 2013.
Prayer: This day may my praise be worthy to you, O God. Amen. Reading: Isaiah 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: I’m a big fan of Christmas music. I own a whole collection of holiday albums which I listen to from Thanksgiving to Epiphany. There is such beauty in those carols. As we begin to sing Christmas hymns in church each December, I am always amazed at how long many of these carols have been in existence. Many were written in the 13th, 14th, or 15th centuries. They have been handed down for generations. Why did these hymns survive the test of time? I think it is because they were written to the Glory of God. They were written to praise God and spread the news of the birth of Jesus. Songs which are not written for God often fall by the wayside. But those written to honor God survive for a long time. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Prayer: Dear God of all, thank you for loving us. Each and every one of us. Help us in our loneliness and gather us together and to you. Amen.
Reading: Zephaniah 3: 14-20 (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: I recently read an article by Mark Noon, Bloomsbury University professor, titled, "How Charlie Brown became a Christmas Tradition." This year happens be the 50th Anniversary of the first airing of this Christmas season favorite. While A Charlie Brown Christmas certainty makes a statement about the commercialization of Christmas, more significant is how the show touches viewers personally. As the article explains - Early in the program, Charlie Brown looks for just one Christmas card to help him shake the yuletide blues. When he finds his mailboxes empty, he remarks, "I almost wish there wasn't a holiday season. I know nobody likes me. Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?" Charlie Brown's real dilemma is being rejected and misunderstood. So we watch the show every year from our childhood through adulthood. We listen as Linus proclaims verses of Good News from the Gospel of Luke and we smile at the moment when the title character overcomes despair as he hears, "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!" Thousands of years before this 50th anniversary of a cartoon about a lonely child, the prophet Zephaniah also proclaimed good news with a promise that the LORD will gather the outcast. (Zeph. 3: 19) These words ring true for half centuries to centuries. God gathers us in our loneliness to each other and to Him. "Merry Christmas, one and all!" (Cue: Hark the Herald Angels Sing!) --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: Lord God, teach us how to live to our neighbors and to you. Amen
Reading: Luke 3:7-18 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I just love John the Baptist’s reproach of the crowds in our reading! As a pastor, sometimes I want to say those same lines to individuals or church council when discussions turn towards an earthly focus of money, church building, Christian education curriculum, collecting visitors, or any other well-meaning church related subject that keeps us from being focused on Jesus. “You brood of vipers!” And the crowd is so shaken that they ask a question. “What then should we do?” And John’s reply is one of kind action. He says, you know all that stuff that you have that you save for yourself? Yea, that stuff, give it away. Do you really need two coats or all this extra food that is probably past its expiration date? Oh and tax collectors and soldiers be fair and happy with your job and wages. Don’t use your position of power for personal gain but for the good of all people. It basically comes down to think of the well being of others as well as, if not before, yourself. Even in Jesus and John’s day, this was counter cultural, just as it is in ours. We live in a “take care of yourself first” and a “first come, first serve, too bad for all the rest” society. But as Christians we are called to more. We give of our excess, and yes we have excess. We give to the holiday charities that do toy and food and clothing drives. We give to social service agencies locally and in the church to further the mission that John puts us on and Jesus affirms, that we are to love and serve our neighbors. How are you doing that as we get closer to Christmas? --Peter Horn, Camp Mount Luther Board Member Reading: Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming give all the people of the world knowledge of your salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Stop and GROW: After reading the prayer, 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 prayer? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this prayer or is my favorite part? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this prayer stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this prayer? Reflection: The prayer of the day for this Sunday begins with “Stir up,” just like last week. Last week we prayed to stir up God’s power. This week we pray to stir up our hearts that Jesus might come to all people that they would know about God’s salvation. What an interesting idea. That Jews, Moslems, Hindus, Buddhists, Agnostics, Atheists would know about God’s salvation. Not only interesting, but also complicated. What is my responsibility in this? Am I to understand that Christianity is the only way to salvation? Am I to proclaim that Allah brings salvation? Is the agnostic incapable of understanding God’s salvation? Finally, it’s not up to me. It is God in the flesh who convicts the world of the Lord’s salvation. I’ve given up trying to figure how that works in the midst of the world’s faiths. My heart has been stirred to accept that this is all up to God who lives among all people of the world. How God does it and through whom and by what faith…I don’t know. This may be a bit of a crass rewrite of the prayer of the day for this week, but here goes. Come, Lord Jesus. Do your thing. Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff Prayer: Lord God, teach us to keep our promises to our neighbors and to you. 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: There is a pride and a sense of fullness when we keep our promises. Even my five-year-old physically swells with pride when she does something that she promised and she receives praise. It’s a physical and emotional completeness when we keep a promise. So Mary, when she finds out that God has made his promise of salvation complete in her pregnancy with Jesus, can’t help but display that completion with song. Mary sings the Magnificat, the words from our reading today. “Praise God!” she says and goes on to describe all the things that her child will do. This is a dawning for the people of God, giving light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. It will guide our feet into the way of peace. Jesus is coming. We know the story but we will hear it again of Jesus coming into the world to be the world’s salvation. May we keep our promises as God kept the promise God made to David and to Abraham. May we keep Jesus in our minds as we look towards Christmas. --Peter Horn, Camp Mount Luther Board Member Prayer: Dear God, it is true. We find what we are looking for and there is plenty of bad to be seen. May we remember to look for the good. If we look, we will see your presence. Amen
Reading: Malachi 3: 1-4 (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 last verse of Malachi 2, the prophet tells the people, "You have wearied the LORD." "How?" they ask. The answer: "By saying, 'All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD. Where is the God of justice?'" The world then and the world today sound much the same. So are the people. Evil seems to win; where is justice? Yes, that is what people see. Or is that what people are looking for? Well, Malachi 3 starts right out with the word See. And what we are supposed to see? What we are supposed to look for? "See I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me and the LORD whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple." We find what we are looking for. This season of Advent, let us look for the LORD's coming and find Him. --Ruth Gates, Camp Mount Luther Family Camper Prayer: May your love envelop us all year long, dear Lord. May the spirit we feel this time of year continue throughout our lives. Amen.
Reading: Philippians 1:1-11 (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: During the Advent and Christmas seasons, I often hear folks say, “Why can’t it be Christmas all year long.” They get caught up in the great feelings of joy, love, peace, and hope that accompany this season. People tend to be nicer and life’s mood tends to be happier during this time each year. In our lesson for today, Paul writes to the Philippians that his prayer is that their love overflows more and more. He writes in the context that as they learn more about and grow closer to God, they will become pure and blameless because of their good fruit. When I read those lines, I thought about how people could and should take these feelings they have in this season and let that love, joy, hope, and peace help them to create a life that is better. Our lives are truly better because of Christ coming to live with us. My prayer is that the love you feel during this time of year continue into the new year and beyond. And the peace that passes all understanding, keep you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. –Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director |
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