We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on January 1, 2015.
Prayer: Lord, help us to lift up the downtrodden this year and all the years of our lives. Amen. Reading: Psalm 147 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: We have come to the beginning of another new year. Each year, as January 1 rolls around, many look ahead and make resolutions and goals for the coming year. It's a great time to take stock in what you want you do in the next 365 days. In our passage from Psalms today, we are reminded that "the Lord lifts up the downtrodden." As I read that, I thought that this new year would be a great time to commit oneself to helping others. That help may come through volunteer work with a charity, supporting a homeless shelter, or committing to praying for those who are less fortunate. What will you do this year to help lift up the downtrodden? --Chad Hershberger
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We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on December 29, 2015.
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: Dear Lord, thank you for the way you guide and protect your children and for all the promises you keep. May we hear your voice and follow where you lead. Amen
Reading: Matthew 2:13-23 (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 passage tells of three ways that the early life of Jesus fulfilled what was said through the prophets. The life of baby Jesus was dangerous, and without the careful listening of Joseph, things may not have turned out the way we know them to. Joseph listened to the Lord’s direction on where to lead his family, and the Lord made sure to lead them where they would be protected during dangerous times. The way that the life of Jesus brings the Bible full-circle, and connects the old with the new, brings a whole other level of awe to the birth of Jesus. Having just celebrated Christmas, it is nice to now read this passage as a reminder of the adversity Jesus faced, even in the first few years of his life. Now I don’t mean that being a Christian will amount to a perfect life. But when we take moments of quiet to listen to the Lord’s direction, we will hear where he is guiding us (and spoiler alert, that will not always be the easy path). Ultimately, we faith in Jesus, the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven will too be fulfilled (part of it is even here already- just look around)! --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: When we are open to your spirit, O God, we find reservoirs of strength and power to love and to serve. Help us to not rely on our own devices, but to wait and trust in you. Amen (from the Moravian Daily Texts - Sunday, December 29, 2019)
Reading: Hebrews 2: 10-18 (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 love the verse, "I will put my trust in him." (Hebrews 2: 12a) Trust is a word I try to remind myself of often. Very often. Trust. TRUST. TRUST!!! It has worked for me often over the years. Truth be told, it has been modeled for me even more often. What are you concerned about these days? Pray the prayer above. Find a reservoir of strength and power. Love and serve. Remember you don't have to rely on your own devices. Wait and trust (Trust. TRUST!!!). Amen -- Ruth Gates 'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the place
every person was caught in the holiday race; The stockings weren't hung; they'd not even been found, and the cards were not sent, and nowhere around were the cookies that should have been all baked and ready; nor the ornaments made, nor the dinner plans steady. And I with a sigh and Mama with a yawn wondered how we would finish before Christmas dawn. There we sat, not so nice, on the living room couch; one tired and sad, and the other a grouch. Perhaps we were snoozing; I don't really know, but something or someone had startled us so that we sprang to our feet to see what was the matter while our hearts raced ahead of their usual patter. When what to our wondering eyes should appear but a village alive 'neath a night starry clear. "Come this way," a voice seemed to lead us along through a close, winding street towards the sound of a song. There were people all over, crushed shoulder to shoulder, so to stay with our guide we pushed on a bit bolder until we were standing in front of a door that was open, revealing a bare, earthen floor and a rude, little room set with a straw and a trough and a trio of doves cooing down from a loft. "More water!" another voice hurried on by; then a shout, "He is here!" and a woman's sharp cry. And the song was replaced by a baby's first squall, and a poor woman's tears from her nest in the stall. "He is beautiful!" now a man softly exclaimed, and his voice starting humming the song once again. And taking his shawl, then the baby was clothed in the prayers of his father and the love of all those who had gathered to marvel at this long-waited birth of a child and a promise and a hope for the earth. "Yeshua is his name," soft the voice of his mother; "God will save" was the murmur from one to another; And the crowd backed away, and the babe fell asleep, and the man looked to heaven and started to weep. "Forgive me for doubting" he pled to the sky, "all the words of the prophets from days long gone by that you'd never abandon your creatures below." And again came his song in a voice rich and low: a simple refrain as his lullaby swelled, "I love you, my child, my Emmanuel." And then the dream vanished as quickly it came; and we wakened to find most our things much the same. Still the presents and parties and jobs to be done, still the days over full and the work under fun. But yet, in another way, subtle and true this frantic-paced waiting is changed and made new; Priorities shifted, and new questions raised: Just what does it mean when the Lord of all Days Comes to live 'mongst his people and take as his own their sins to be healed, and their hearts as his throne? While the motive behind all our busy-ness is to do just what is right; still the holiday's His. All our gifts and our getting can never compare to the gift of the child and the life that is there. So I think of the song; may it fit to my voice! May there be no temptation, no darkness, no choice that would keep my own life from attesting it well: "I love you, my child, my Emmanuel." By Pastor David Nevergall Prayer: Heavenly Father, open our ears to all creation praising you as we celebrate the birth of your son, Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen
Reading: Psalm 148 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: This devotion will post Christmas Eve 2019 and very fittingly Psalm 148 is all about praise. It reminds me of the angels appearing to the shepherds praising God and singing. Then the shepherds went to find the baby born and left praising God. I imagine Mary and Joseph had words of praise despite the circumstances. Even the heavens were praising as a particular star shown brighter at the birth of Jesus. This Christmas Eve listen for praise and not just in the festive celebrations and services of the day. The bright chirp of cardinals in the winter, the sound of the wind in the bare branches of the trees reminding us of having faith in what we cannot see. Even the silence of a snowy Christmas Eve is like a quiet prayer of praise. Merry Christmas Praise to you and yours and to our awesome God! -- Ruth Gates We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on December 27, 2016. Prayer: Lord, thank you for (fill in the blank and continue). Amen Reading: Isaiah 63: 7-9 (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 will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord...according to the abundance of his steadfast love." Isaiah 63: 7 The end of December is a time of reflection as we reminisce about the past year. I must admit, there are some challenges each year. Yet, in the midst of each challenge, there were more gracious deeds than reasons to be discouraged. Not only at the end of the year, but at the end of each day, we can recount the gracious deeds of the Lord. Where did you see God this past year? Where did you see God today? Recount and know His love abounds. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, may we follow where you lead us, and may we then lead others as we share the gifts of peace like a river, love like an ocean, and joy like a fountain that you graciously give us. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 48:17-19 (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: The closest river to my house is the Juniata River, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, and it is about twenty minutes down the road from where I live. So I must admit that I do not spend a lot of peaceful time with a river, perhaps if it was in my backyard. But I do think there is something very peaceful about large bodies of water – anything the size of a creek or larger (puddles don’t count). For me I believe it has something to do with our connection to water, spiritually and physically. Water was created on the second day in the Genesis 1 creation account, through water we are baptized as a child of God, and water continues to remind us of our baptism. To think about this biologically, the average adult human is made of about 60% water and water is vital to provide habitat for and sustain the life of practically all of God’s critters! So it is no wonder that we find water as a way to connect to the peace and presence of our Creator, making rivers (or creeks or ponds) great place to sit and reflect on God’s word. This passage is showing us that we can still learn from Israel’s mistakes, and we can follow where the Lord is leading us – leading us to love the Lord our God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is as simple as that. We’ll continue to make mistakes too, but repentance and forgiveness ae so powerful – Thank God for that great grace! The greatest commandments will bring peace like a river to our soul and amongst our neighbors – make peace on earth the ultimate goal this advent season! --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: Almighty God we thank you for the messengers in our lives that bring us news of you and your love. May we be comforted with your peace in our times of indecision. Help us be messengers of your love and peace to the world. Amen
Reading: Matthew 1: 18-25 (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: Angels are messengers from God. When Joseph was facing the dilemma of Mary’s pregnancy the Angel of the Lord was crucial for him. I am not sure if Joseph would have gotten there on his own. I am sure there are many times in our lives that messengers from God come to us that help us with our times of difficult decisions. We might not see them as angels, but somehow God gets the message to us through friends, family, scripture, conscience, and/or maybe even dreams. As you look back through your life can you see places where you entertained angels without even knowing it?? Were there times in your life where friends and families helped you follow a path that God had for you? You might have even been an angel to help someone else out. God shows up in all sorts of places. Keep your eyes and ears open you can experience God wherever you are. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for calling us to be your children and for the opportunity to belong to your family. May we fill our life with acts love and faith. Amen.
Reading: Romans 1:1-7 (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: This passage begins with Paul’s traditional introduction, so that those hearing his letter know that it is from an Apostle of Jesus Christ. This particular introduction also gives a quick summary of the story of God’s Holy son, Jesus Christ! Which is who the season of Advent is all about! My favorite part is verses four and five where it says, “Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And YOU also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” This is a great way to remember that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, not by our works. I know a lot of students who would benefit from hearing that at the end of the semester. It is something we should all be reminded of in today’s “busy” culture. I just finished a book called “Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely” by Holley Gerth and this was something that stuck with me: You do not have to do everything to be worthy (I am also speaking to myself here), you belong and you are loved just the way you are. If you find yourself overwhelmed by how busy you are, ask yourself “am I doing this out of fear or out of love?” And if the answer is fear, take a step back and reconsider adding it to your To-Do list. All that you do, do out of love. You are loved and you belong to Jesus Christ, as a Child of God! --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: Help us, God. May our joy be in your face shining on us and saving us. Help us to share that joy with others. Amen
Reading: Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19 (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: (O God) let your face shine, that we may be saved. Psalm 80: 3, 7, 19 Psalm 80 is a prayer for help. It has 3 stanzas with a refrain between each stanza (80: 3, 7, 19). Give ear, rescue and restore is the prayer. "Let your face shine" is a request for blessing and a way God's power is shown. When have you seen someone's face and felt overwhelming joy? How is experiencing God's love like that? (from the margin notes in my Lutheran Study Bible) Now, that we have thought about that. How can your face shine? How will others experience God's love through you? May we share overwhelming joy by shining with God's saving grace. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Immanuel, you are with us. Amen
Reading: Isaiah 7: 10-16 (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: On one hand, stores and radio stations have been all about Christmas since soon after Halloween. Meanwhile, Christmas is less than 10 days away and one has to read our text very closely to get hints of the story. There are just snippets - young woman with child...a son...Immanuel. Around those bits there are words of a sign...test...weary...land and two kings...dread...and another king. Certainly not Christmas as obvious as the decorations and songs everywhere you turn. Maybe all we need to notice is that one word - Immanuel. All we need to know is that one name - Immanuel. What do all those other words mean - woman...sign...child...weary...son...land...kings? That is a lot to figure out. Immanuel - which means God is with us. That is the word - the name - that matters most. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for being the ultimate example of compassion, and may we show a fraction of that compassion to everyone around us, so that they may see you and your grace. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 15:29-37 (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 passage, Jesus generously and miraculously feeds a crowd of 4,000 people! Now that is an extreme act of compassion. While at Camp Mount Luther this summer, we talked about how compassion transforms community. It brings unity through humble service and common concern for each other. But there are so many small ways that we can serve others and show compassion in our communities! We don’t have to feed 4,000 people. Advent and Christmastime is a season where you see a lot of compassion in action, but there are ways to show compassion in your community all year long. During the season of Advent we are reminded of Jesus’ humble beginnings as a baby, born in a stable in Bethlehem. Jesus came as a humble baby to serve and save the world. Through small acts of service and compassion, you can let others know of the compassion that Jesus has shown you, by showing compassion to them! I love connecting to songs, and this passage reminded me of Dream Small by Josh Wilson – I encourage you to listen to the song and look at the lyrics as well. I thought this song was sweet the first time I heard it, and I was reminded of it after reading this passage because it says, “A tiny rock can make a giant fall. Yeah, five loaves and two fish’s could feed them all. So dream small.” (And yes, I know this is the version from Matthew with seven loaves, but close enough!) --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: Dear God, we have been prepared to share your love with others. Thank you for that love which first came from you. Amen
Reading: Matthew 11: 2-11 (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: John the Baptist had the job of preparing the people for Jesus and his ministry. Our church makes soup once a month. The woman in charge calls and asks if I will come and help "prep" the vegetables. Peel, slice, chop and saute. It's prep time in the church kitchen. How much of our lives do we spend preparing something? Do we sometimes prepare someone? As teachers in a classroom or Sunday School or as parents and grandparents, we are preparing our children for the lives they will lead. Like John the Baptist, it's prep time as we share God's love. -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: God of all goodness and patience we thank you for all you have given us. Please forgive us for those times when we have not been patient. In our times of grumbling help us see your purpose. May we be compassionate and merciful to all. AMEN
Reading: James 5: 7-10 (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: Patience is not one of my strong suits. In fact, I would say that I am not a patient person at all. I struggle with things not getting done when I think they need to get done by. I also struggle with people not doing what I ask of them in a timely fashion. I have been known to grumble and complain when things do not happen in my time frame. I have been getting better, but I still need a lot of help with patience. These verses help me remember to be merciful and compassionate. These verses show me how much more of a blessing it is when we all live together without judgement. Trusting that all is in the Lord’s hands is helpful when it comes to being patient. I still need practice with patience, but when I lift things up in pray to God it can help. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Lord, we look to you for help. May we also see you in the helpers in our lives and be helpful to others, too. Amen Reading: Psalm 146: 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: With the movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood starring Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers in theaters now, it seems many are remembering lessons learned from the show Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. One that comes to mind as I read our text for today is when Mr. Rogers told the story, "When I was a boy and I would hear something scary, my mother would tell us, 'Always look for the people who are helping. You'll always find somebody who is trying to help.'" So true. When it seems scary things are happening all around, I look to see those who are helping. I think how I could be helpful in any and all situations. And as our Psalm says, Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob (v. 5a). God is our help and our hope and we are His hands and feet in the world. It is the season of Advent when we wait for Jesus. A helpless baby born who grew to help us all. Praise for God's help! As we wait in this sometimes dark and scary world, look for the helpers and be helpful, too. -- Ruth Gates We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on December 6, 2016.
Prayer: Loving God, you are the source of our joy and peace. We believe because of your gift of Jesus Christ and your gift of faith through the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah! Amen (from the Moravian Daily Text, December 4, 2016) Reading: Isaiah 35: 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: I like verse 10 of Isaiah 35 as it is in the New International Version: (The redeemed will walk there, and) the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them. To be overtaken by joy! Think of your most joyful moments or times in life. Maybe you didn't burst into singing (as I just might), but perhaps you did feel gladness like a crown on your head. That is how the prophet Isaiah describes the redeemed in Christ - overtaken by gladness and joy. Just reading that line makes my mouth begin to turn upwards into a smile. Let that feeling grow. We are redeemed in Christ. Rejoice greatly and shout for joy! --Ruth Gates Prayer: May our humility show we are part of a bigger team, O God. Amen.
Reading: Romans 12: 3-6a (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 time-to-time I say about a certain individual, “Perhaps he thinks more highly of himself than he ought.” And, of course, just making that judgment brings into question my own humility. Just by making the judgment, perhaps I think more highly of myself than I ought. And so it goes. Our society prompts us to promote ourselves as high as we can. Football, basketball, volleyball, band—you name it. WE ARE NUMBER ONE Hold up your foam hand, index finger high Terrible towels. Rally towels. Have you seen the T-shirt? “We don’t play to come in second.” I’m not knocking team spirit or excitement of our teams’ winning—perhaps even national championships. That is what competition is all about. Here’s what I’m thinking. How much does the corporate experience, in this case school spirit, influence our estimation of ourselves as individuals? Sports and bands in some ways level out individualism. There may be franchise players and first chair piccolos, but ultimately it takes the contributions of every player to make the organization successful. “Think with sober judgment,” says St. Paul. Think,” What contributions do I make to this effort? What offerings of others bring us all success?” Finally, it not about me, but it is about us—even when we are successful. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Promised Messiah, you came to teach us love and give us life. May we prepare the way for you to come to us and be ready to live our lives with love. 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: Prepare ye the way of the Lord! No one knew. The Old Testament prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah. But no one really knew that on a particular night a baby would be born who was the prophesied Messiah. Today we prepare...for what? November 1st I went shopping at my favorite grocery store. As I entered, bright orange pumpkins lined the front of the store. When I came out about an hour later, they were replaced by green Christmas trees with red bows. What are we preparing for? In the coming weeks we decorate with holly and ivy, pine and spruce. We bake cookies. Some may inflate a Santa Claus on the front lawn. Let us also be ready to give love and joy and kindness. That is the way of the Lord. So prepare ye the way of the Lord! -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for blessing and keeping us, and always showing us grace. May your light shine through us, and may we extend that grace to everyone we meet. Amen.
Reading: Romans 15:4-14 (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: When I read this passage from Romans, it reminded me of a benediction. Especially verse 13 where it says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The benediction at the end of the service is like a hug and a pep-talk as you leave the building to be the living and breathing church body to the world. It is one of my favorite parts of the church service, and I always enjoy when I am in a Lutheran church service and here the familiar words: “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.” I have placed one of my favorite songs at the end of my field worship playlist as a benediction because it also feels like that hug and pep-talk given at the end of a church service. It is appropriately titled Benediction, and is by Josh Garrels. I was at a loss of how to describe him as a musician and surprisingly Wikipedia hit the nail on the head: “his music combines traditional folk music with other musical elements and the nontraditional exploration of Christian themes.” This song opens with, “May all of your days shine brightly. And your nights blessed with peace” and I recommend you take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpUqBoj2wzk --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: O God, defend the poor, deliver the needy and crush the oppressor. May your glory fill the earth. Amen and Amen
Reading: Psalm 72: 1-7, 18-19 (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: Ask anyone in my family and they will tell you I do not deal well with competitive sports. Lop-sided scores make me feel bad for the losing team. Close scores have me so on the edge of my seat I sometimes have to leave. Everyone tries to explain there will always be winners and losers. I get that. I also get very attached to what I think the players may be feeling. In the end I hope the wins are affirming and the losses not devastating. But in the case of our Psalm 72, I am all for defending the poor, delivering the needy and crushing the oppressor. (v. 4) That I will cheer for always. Sometimes it seems the situation is lop-sided; sometimes it's close and hard to tell if justice will come out on top. But life is not a game. All will sing verses 18-19: Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: God of Peace we thank you for calming our spirits. May we strive to live peaceful lives and not stir up troubles. In our times of conflict may we be on the side of justice and righteousness to make this world a better place. Help us be bearers of your truth and love to all. 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: The image of a peaceful kingdom is one that amazes me. There is so much strife in the world and not much peace. Nations are at war against each other. Brothers and sisters fight over family inheritances. Political parties do not compromise. People look down on each other according to race and/or sexuality. The animal kingdom has an only the strong will survive and pack mentality. Then we get to the scripture for today. When we read about the wolf and lamb lying together, and the leopard with a kid we get a glimpse of what the world could be like if everyone and everything lived in harmony. A child with a snake is not an image that strikes a sense of peace, but in these verses it happens. We know with God all can live together in peace. The coming of Jesus that is prophesized in these verses can bring everyone together in faithfulness and righteousness. If we look at Jesus’s ministry, we see that the love of God is for all. As we work our way towards Christmas may we remember the hope, PEACE, joy, and love that surrounds this season of Advent. --Charlene Rineer |
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