Prayer: Savior who reigns within and about us, lead us into new directions for the sake of your kingdom. May we dedicate the coming year to proclaiming your glory while loving and serving your people. We are so blessed! Thank you, Jesus! Amen (from the Moravian Daily Text, December 31, 2020)
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: How is it that it is on the last day of the year our text is “In the beginning was the Word…”? Well, now that you mention it, on this last day of 2020 we are all extremely hopeful for a new beginning and it certainly can’t come soon enough. The midnight countdown to 2021 has been long anticipated and will be much celebrated. The year 2020 has become synonymous with global pandemic, social injustice and political polarization. Let us be done with it! However, we won’t be. Yet, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and the Word was God. Sounds cryptic. Words evoking more questions than they answer. Certainly not satisfying the long list of this, that and the other thing we think we need to go on - vaccine, racial equity, unity instead of division. Instead all we get is a word – the Word. ALL? The Word is ALL there is! That is the point. What got us through the fear of the unknown in the face of disease, suffering and death? Love in the form of compassion and care for others. What got us to see injustice? When we looked with love in the face of every hurting human and saw a child of God; saw the face of God. What got us to the point we could unite? When with love we respected each other’s choice and, given results, we agreed to move forward in unity. The Word is Love and in the beginning THAT is all we need. --Ruth Gates
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Prayer: Loving God we thank you for your gift of grace that you sent to earth on Christmas day. We thank you for the Holy Spirit that guides us through our days. Helps us to us our blessings to bring you glory. AMEN
Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14 (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: Christmas, for many, is known as the gift giving Holiday. For us it is more than that. Don’t get me wrong, I love to give gifts. It brings me joy to see people enjoying what I have given them. I especially like to give people things I have made, even if it is simply chocolate pretzel treats. I also like to wrap or package things nicely, so the presents seem extra special. God’s gift to us is grace, love, and forgiveness. We celebrate getting that gift every Christmas in the birth of Christ. That is one special gift with extraordinary wrappings. That is one gift that is wonderful to share so we can see other people enjoy God’s love too. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Praise the Lord! Through even difficult times, we grow to good use and purpose. Your word is true; your love is forever. 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: Winter is here. Snow, sleet, ice, cold. But the snow and ice melt. Winds blow both harshly and gently. The sun re-appears and the waters flow. Winter is a season which passes as life continues and things grow. We planted a young fir tree in our north facing front yard. It flourished and has a near perfect shape. Now almost 10’ tall, the borough is moving it to our town hall and decorating it with white lights for the Christmas season. God prevails. He cares. All grows to good use and purpose. Praise the Lord! --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Creator, shepherd, and mothering God, bring us together. Gather your children so that we might praise you with happiness and thanksgiving. 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: This has been a really tough year. Coronavirus, the contentious elections, too many cases of injustice and prejudice, hurt and divisions, (fill in the blank). The sense of being lost and scattered in this passage is easy to relate to. The holidays did not look or feel like those of the past. How many jokes did you used to hear complaining about the traditional Christmas parties and unavoidable visits with relatives? But in 2020, friends could not gather. No office parties. Families had to make do with a Zoom screen or a phone call. But once again, God assures things will get better. And absence really does make the heart grow fonder. I think for many people, this year has been a lesson in reassessing what matters most in our lives. Family. Friendships. Hugs. Time. I have heard of grand parties being planned, road trips to reconnect with far-flung loved ones, reunions to make up for postponed celebrations. Here is to 2021! I look forward to a new year with the hope of revitalized relationships, community healing, and a little more of God’s will being lived on earth as it is in heaven. --Heather LeBlanc December 25, 2020: Careful Hands
Prayer: Heavenly Father, who came to us as a baby one night in Bethlehem, may we welcome you and share your love with careful hands. Amen Reading: Luke 2: 1-40 (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 Little Carol Mary had a baby One night, in Bethlehem – Three wise men went to see her, Taking gifts with them. They made a special journey, Star led, from distant lands. But first to visit Mary Were the men with careful hands. God sent three quiet shepherds Before He sent the kings, For they are used to handling Little newborn things. By Helen Morgan --submitted by Alice Yeakel Reading: Matthew 1: 18-25
As you celebrate this holiest of nights, I share with you the poem my dad wrote when I was a child. To me, it is a Christmas classic and I am very proud to share it here. To you and yours, Merry Christmas. –Chad Hershberger ‘Twas the night before Christmas When all through the stable, Not a creature was stirring Although they were able. The stars were all hung In the sky with great care, In the hope that the Christ Child Soon would be there. The shepherds were nestled All snug in their beds, While visions of salvation Danced in their heads. And Mary in her kerchief And Joseph in his cap, Settled down in the stable For a long winter’s nap. When out on the hill There arose such a clatter, Shepherds sprang to their feet To see what was the matter. Angels they heard Singing on high, For the birth of a savior Surely was nigh. As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly When they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky, So too did the news of this birth spread afar And there came three wisemen guided by a star. As the earth continued its turning around Down to our world, God came with a bound. He was dressed in swaddling clothes From his feet to his head, With only a manger to call his bed. Yet His eyes how they twinkled, His dimples how merry, His cheeks were like roses His nose like a cherry. A wink of His eye and a twist of His head, Gave the wisemen to know they had nothing to dread. For Emmanuel came to dwell with us below, God in the flesh as you all know. A bundle of love God brought to us all, Correcting at last Adam and Eve’s fall. This baby whose side would be pierced with a spear To assure us from death we have nothing to fear. From Bethlehem and a baby’s lullaby To Calvary’s Hill and a blackened sky, This child’s birth did prophecy fulfill And brought to mankind peace and goodwill. So at Christmas Eve, we look from the virgin’s womb To Easter morning and an empty tomb. And because of this fact with joy and delight, Christians say, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.” --Charles L. Hershberger Closing: Pray this Prayer For Christmas Eve: Come, Lord Jesus, be our friend Stay with us until the end Meet us in our times of strife And when good describes our life Greet us in our neighbor’s face Make us look past color, race Come to us in wine and bread In the Word, our spirits fed As we hear your baby cries We remember dying sighs Hanging on the cross in pain For our sins, to be our gain On this Christmas Eve we sing Happy Birthday to our King! Prayer: Abba, how grateful I am for your gift of love, life, and salvation. Amen.
Reading: Galatians 4:4-7 (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: Today is the birthday of my niece and nephew. They came into this world a miracle of love and God’s blessing, indeed. There are nearly two decades between my children’s birthdays and these two kiddos, so spending time with them is doubly fun for me. As godmother, I love sharing the story of Jesus’s amazing birth with them, teaching them about the first Christmas birthday presents given by the wise men, telling them how so many people celebrated His coming as we talk about how excited we all were to greet them. And I can’t help but think how wondrous is God’s love, to bestow His only son as the ultimate gift to humanity. How great it is to remember the joy and promise to be found in every child born, full of God’s light and purpose. --Heather LeBlanc Prayer: Loving God lets us sing out our praises to you. May we praise you in our words and in our actions. Let our whole life point to you. 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: I do not know about you, but I am all about listening to and singing Christmas carols and other Christmas songs. I have a bushel basket full of Christmas CDs. I realize in a lot of churches we save the carols for Christmas Eve and the Christmas Season, so Advent is more about preparing to celebrate Christ’s birth. That does not stop me from listening to them from Thanksgiving through January. I listen to them at work, in my car, and at home. I know the radio stations even start playing them earlier, but they usually stop right after Christmas day. This Psalm was all about praising the Lord, and I believe carols are a great way to praise the Lord. So, I say bring on the Christmas Music, and listen to it all year long if you want to. As it says in the Psalm; “Praise the LORD, because he alone is great. He is more wonderful than heaven and earth. God has given his people a king. He should be praise by all who belong to him.” --Charlene Rineer We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on December 22, 2014.
Prayer: We join the angel chorus is rejoicing for your birth, Lord. Your arrival is our joy. Amen. Reading: Isaiah 61: 10- 62: 3 (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, for the first Sunday of Christmas, reminds us to rejoice in the Lord. To me, that means for this time of year to show joy at the birth of Christ. How do you do that? In what ways this week will you show joy that Jesus comes to us in a manger as a baby? Perhaps it will be through your singing, or in service to another, or in giving gifts. Whatever it may be, this is the week to show joy. Joy to the World! --Chad Hershberger A Is for ANGELS, shining and bright,
Telling of Jesus that first Christmas night. (Luke 2:13) B Is for BETHLEHEM, crowded and old, Birthplace of Jesus, by prophets foretold. (Micah 5:2) C is for CATTLE - their manger His bed There in a stable where he laid His head. (Luke 2:7) D Is for DAVID and his ancient throne, Promised forever to Jesus alone. (Luke 1:32) E is for EAST, where men saw the star, And rode away quickly to follow it far. (Matt. 2:1, 2) F is for FRANKINCENSE, with myrrh and fine gold, Brought by the Wise Men, as Matthew has told. (Matt. 2:11) G Is for GOD, who from heaven above Sent down to mankind the Son of His love. (John 3:16) H is for HEROD, whose murderous schemes Were told to the wise men and Joseph in dreams. (Matt. 2:12, 13) I is for INFANT, taken by night Down into Egypt, from the wicked ki11g 's sight. (Matt. 2:13) J is for JOSEPH, noble and just, Obeying God's orders with absolute trust. (Matt. 1:24) K is for KING. A true King was He, Coming to rule in great majesty. (Zech. 9:9) L Is for LOVE Jesus brought down to earth That night in a stable in lowly birth. (I John 4:9) M is for MARY, His mother, so brave Counting God faithful and mighty to save. (Luke 1:47) N Is for NIGHT, when the Savior was born For nations of earth and people forlorn. (Luke 2:8) 0 is for OMEGA, meaning "the last;" He's eternal: present, future, and past. (Rev. 22:13) P is for PROPHETS, who foretold Jesus' story · In visions of Bethlehem, Calvary, and glory. (Num. 24:17) Q is for QUICKLY, as shepherds who heard Hastened to act on that heavenly word. (Luke 2:16) R is for REJOICE. The sorrow of sin Is banished forever when Jesus comes in. (Luke I:14) S is for SAVIOR. To be this He came; The angel of God assigned Him His name. (Matt. I:21) T Is for TIDINGS related to all, Telling of Him who was born in a stall. (Luke 2:10) U is for US, to whom Jesus was given To show us the way and take us to heaven. (Luke 2:11) V is for VIRGIN, foretold by the sage, God's revelation on prophecy's page. (Isaiah 7:14) W Is for WONDERFUL. That's the Lord's name; With wonderful words and works He came. (Isaiah 9:6) X Is for CHRIST, when in Greek it's read. He's our Savior and Lord, the angel said. (Luke 2:11) Y is for "YES" to all of God's ways, Like Mary, whose ''yes" filled her spirit with praise. (Luke 1:38) Z is for ZEAL that burned in God's Son, From His childhood years 'till His life's work was done. (John 2:17) -Adapted from various sources. Prayer: Dear God, we have heard the Nativity Story many times. Remind us of the words that calm our fears. Amen
Reading: Luke 1: 26-38 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: How can you condense this reading into a short GROW Time devotion? Over the centuries the story of Jesus’ birth has been retold and celebrated in countless songs, stories, works of art, traditions and symbols (a star, candles, evergreen trees). How many times over the years have you read, heard or told the Nativity story? I have a recording of the Nativity in German. Without even knowing the language, just by the inflection of the pastor’s voice, you can envision the story as spoken. If there are two thoughts that resonate through the years, and perhaps particularly this year, they are the angel Gabriel reassuring Mary with “Be not afraid.” and the angels telling the shepherds to “Fear not.” “That, Charlie Brown, is what Christmas is all about!” --Alice Yeakel We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on December 17, 2014.
Prayer: Help us, Lord, not to keep the news of your son’s birth a secret. Let us go tell it on the mountain and everywhere. Amen. Reading: Romans 16: 25-27 (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: Shortly after Thanksgiving, my daughter and I went and bought a few Christmas gifts for her to give to her mom and brother. She is excited to give these gifts to her family and almost daily, this almost-five-year-old comes up to me and whispers in my ear, "I didn't tell mom about the presents." She has been keeping this secret for over two weeks now, and I bet she'll make it the last 10 days until she can reveal what she picked out to put under the tree for them. Advent, in addition to being a season of hope, is also a season of secrets. We buy gifts for loved ones and keep it quiet until Christmas Day. And, in this appointed text for today, we are reminded that the arrival of Jesus is a secret. There was a period of darkness in history. And then, on a quiet night in Bethlehem, the mystery of God's plan was revealed as a little baby was born. He was the one that would save the world. Just as God gave us hints through the prophets, you may give hints about the gifts you give this year. And all will be revealed on Christmas Day. As you keep secrets this season, take time to remember the secret that God revealed in a manger so long ago. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: O LORD, your steadfast love is forever and your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. May we rest in that and stand firmly as we declare your praise. Amen
Reading: Psalm 89: 1-4, 19-26 (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: Firm as the heavens? I had to think about that. I don’t think of the heavens as firm. I look up and see endless sky, sun, clouds, stars and planets – which are solid, sure, but with millions of light years of vast empty space between them. Am I missing something here? Perhaps I am being too literal. The promise is simply, God’s love is steadfast and forever. Therefore, all that is God’s is firm, including the heavens. I imagine when the multitude of the heavenly host appeared along with the angel praising God, the shepherds weren’t asking, “Hey, what are you all standing on up there?” Maybe because the angel had already told them, “Do not be afraid.” They just went with it. Eyes and ears open ready for a message of love that is firm. The point is, as firm as we know the ground is that we stand on, the heavens are firm in the sense they are part of God’s creation and love for us. The heavens are real and we can believe that…firmly. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Gracious and Giving God we thank you for the peace you bring us. Thank You for sending Your Son to earth to save us. Thank you for the generations of faithful people who have led the way. May we continue to live in faith and spread your word to further your kingdom. Amen.
Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 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: As I read this text I had to stop and figure out why it is here in the Advent season. It just does not seem to fit. As it starts with peace in David’s kingdom, I thought it would talk more about the peace that God gives us. When it started talking about building a temple for God and how David was stopped, I was a little confused. Then it went on to talk about David’s kingdom lasting forever. Then I remembered that Jesus is in the lineage of David. The throne of David last’s forever as Jesus is in his family. The Kingdom of God is what is lasting. Then I went back and thought a little bit about the fact that David wanted to build the temple, but how he was stopped. God does not dwell in a temple but in the people. It is like how through this pandemic even though church’s doors were closed that did not mean that the church was closed. The faithful people were and are still doing the work of God out in the world. God’s kingdom is still bringing peace to all. May you find some peace in God at this time, and may you remember that God’s kingdom is forever. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Joyous and giving God, I give you thanks this day for your spilling all over gladness and goodness. You make my heart sing even when things are tough and rough. You have shown deep compassion and you don’t stop loving. Guide me this day and be with all those that I love and care about,… Help me also to love those that I might label as “enemies.” Teach me to see each as yours and loved by you. Yet, also reprove the wicked and turn back evil. Show us ways today to preserve your all your works and your beautiful Creation. In Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 (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 laugh too much or smile too much. There I said it. Maybe I take this passage too much to heart. There have been a few interpersonal moments where communication hinges on me taking the conversation seriously. I am a goofball and I know it. I know that you cannot sing into the face of someone that is experiencing a hardship or deep sadness. You must just be there with them and try to be an anchor of hope and a flower in the rain. This is the nature of rejoicing always, it is a positivity that is not fake or contrived, but a realistic perspective that sees the full arch into the Reign of Christ. It knows that there is no confusion about the gardener and the stone rolled away if the memory of the thorns and nails is too hard to forget. This runs deeper than a platitude. You cannot just say a sickeningly sweet proverb to someone in pain and walk away. Joy is more honest than temporary happiness. Joy knows the ultimate truths that are inconvenient and incontrovertible. You can’t take the top off of joy because the bottom of hell has a massive escape hatch. --Andrew Fitch Prayer: Dear God, we are your children with a message to share right where we are. Thank you for your love. Amen
Reading: John 1: 6-8, 19-28 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Having already written something about John last week (Remember how I ended it with: So, to get through another month of 2020, pretend you are John the Baptizer. Masked and socially distanced, share the Good News. I think I shall now go have a cup of tea with honey.), here I am a week later reading and writing about John again. While last week the emphasis was on John’s unusual clothes and eating habits (locusts and wild honey) and Good News, this week it seems the big question is, “Who are you?” Vaguely verses 6-8, while naming him John, then go into a bit about how he is a witness to testify to the light but is not the light because the true light was still coming. It’s no wonder, by verse 19 everyone – priests, Levites, Pharisees – are asking, “Who are you?” Does John give a clear answer? Of course not. Well, not clear to them at least. Just the message of the Lord which he clearly says is not him but who still coming. Then it all wraps up with where John was – in Bethany across the Jordan River. Who are you? What is your message? Where are you as you are sharing it? We are all children of God. We can all share the Good News of Jesus. Right where we are. I happen to be in Fairport, NY on the Erie Canal. I think I shall have another cup of tea with honey. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Teacher, Lord, and friend, you guide me in your ways with patience and love. Through the noise and distractions, your word remains true, at the center of everything. Help me to see it, to know it, to love and to live it. Amen.
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (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: Amid wallet-sized school pictures, recipes for protein bowls and the perfect chocolate chip cookie, magnetized contact info on our library and takeout places, is centered my framed Bible quote of 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21. This calligraphied and decorated verse was my creative production in a Women’s Retreat at Camp Mount Luther years ago. That weekend, I spent a happy afternoon in the company of several “mothers” from my church as well as my own mom. They shared stories and wisdom; we all shared laughter. At the end of the day, Pastor Sarah Hershberger gathered our creations and self-addressed envelopes and we bid each other goodbye. About a year later, I received this pretty little missive in the mail from Sarah. It was a powerful symbol of God’s Word being also my word, to myself, and it has resided prominently on the billboard that is my refrigerator. I read it daily, sometimes several times a day. I may not pray without ceasing, but that verse anchors me to a creator who seeded wisdom in everything and everyone He’s placed in my path. He trusts me to hold fast to that which is good. I trust Him to help me sort it all out. And I know when I get it wrong, he guides me back to the lesson so I can learn and try again. --Heather LeBlanc Prayer: Dear God, like the bridegroom you promise to see us through sickness and health, for better or worse, for all time. May we remember to celebrate good times with you and rely on you with faith during the bad. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 126 (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: First released in 1930 as part of a musical celebrating the Armistice, “Happy Days Are Here Again” next became the reprise of FDR and the slow but steady improvements of our nation rising out of the Great Depression. The tune resurges in popularity with each era of widespread worry for the future. Likewise, this psalm offers a reliable go-to whenever troubles threaten to overcome your hope. When times are dark and it seems as though much has been lost, it is tempting to despair. But with free choice, mankind must face the ups and downs resulting from humanity’s actions. Through it all, however, God is there. His love sustains us through the sad and bad, and He shares our joy when again we laugh. Most importantly, in Advent it is easy to remember how He restored our fortunes when He gave His son into the world to restore us to Him, despite our sin and transgressions. So, smile and let your heart be glad! --Heather LeBlanc We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on July 22, 2013.
Prayer: Fill me with your Spirt and let my cup overflow with love. Amen. Reading: Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11 (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: Is your life filled with the Holy Spirit? Are you walking in God's ways? Many of us may easily succumb to earthly pleasures. But we should want to be filled with the Holy Spirit and let the Spirit lead our life. If we let the Spirit fill us, our lives will change drastically. We will look at life from a different perspective. We will act differently in various situations. And, I think we will be more at peace with ourselves and others. I’ve seen changes in people who have asked God to fill them with the Spirit. And, the peace that now reigns in their life is incredible. Their cup has been filled and it is overflowing. And their lives are so much better than before. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: Lord, we exalt your name and praise you for your righteousness. May we find comfort in your presence and share that with others who may be brokenhearted during the Advent and Christmas season. Amen
Reading: Psalm 34:2-7, 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: Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt the Lord’s name together! (v. 3) There are many ways to glorify the Lord – with actions, with words, with music, with service, and the list goes on! But what my mind immediately goes to is to glorify the Lord with song. To sing out to the Lord is my favorite way to glorify and worship our great God. Some of my favorite memories of worship and song are from Camp Mount Luther and Grove City College. I have spent a lot of time reminiscing on these times this year as I deeply miss the comfort that used to come from singing out in faith with a body of believers. My favorite memory of worshipping at Grove City College was the annual outdoor worship that was held the night after everyone moved in for the start of the school year. The student body would fill the quad in the late evening, and we would sing hymns together as the sun set. The memory that comes to mind from Camp Mount Luther is the last time I gathered to worship there before the word “quarantine” entered my vocabulary. It was the weekend of Valentine’s Day and I was gathered with other young adults for the annual Happening retreat. We sang and danced to many favorite “God-songs”, like Days of Elijah. I am not recounting these memories to reflect in sadness, but to challenge you to continue to exalt the name of the Lord in new ways and in new places. After all, it is the season of Advent – a time of joy and rejoicing! I also challenge you to hold tight to the promise – The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (v. 18) --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: God of all things new, may we wait and watch with hope for what is ahead. Be with us as we prepare and share the Good News. Amen
Reading: Mark 1: 1-8 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Raise your hand if you would like 2020 to be over already. Okay, all hands down now. I am writing this devotion during Thanksgiving weekend. On my last day of work before the long holiday weekend, I took down the calendar because the next time I would be there November would be over. I caught myself realizing, just before I tossed it into the recycle bin, “Oh, wait. We have another month to go. December. Right. Turn the page and put the calendar back up.” 2020 is not over yet. However, starting sooner than 2021 is the season of Advent - the beginning of a new year in the church when we wait and prepare for the birth of Christ. That was the message of John the Baptizer. Truly at this point in 2020, after all the months of wearing a mask and keeping social distance, we are looking and acting much like him. If eating locusts and wild honey would protect ourselves and each other from COVID-19, we would be doing that, too. We are waiting for a lot to be a lot different. What to do in the meantime? Prepare. Listen for the message. Something new is coming. Christ who is powerful. Baptism by the Holy Spirit. This is Good News! Share it. So, to get through another month of 2020, pretend you are John the Baptizer. Masked and socially distanced, share the Good News. I think I shall now go have a cup of tea with honey. --Ruth Gates Prayer: You are with us in our waiting, God. Help us to see the good in waiting. Amen.
Reading: 2 Peter 3: 8-15a (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 are now in the season of Advent. We are waiting. We are waiting for Baby Jesus to come. We are waiting for the second coming. We are looking for Jesus in our every day lives. We are waiting. It’s hard to wait. It’s hard to have patience. But this season teaches us that good things come to those who wait. And frankly, often the anticipation is even greater than the event itself. Wait with me. Jesus will be here. --Chad Hershberger We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on December 4, 2014.
Prayer: As we speak our prayer to you, O God, help us to listen to what you have to say to us. Amen. Reading: Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13 (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 Psalmist prays: Let me hear what God the Lord will speak.” When I read that I immediately recalled the congregational response to Sunday intercessions at my home church: When you speak, O God, help us to listen. As we speak in prayer, we ask that we will hear God speaking. In prayer, we speak trusting that God is listening. In prayer, we need also to expect that God answers. So, the response that Pastor Bovendam wrote for is really helpful: "As we speak our prayer to you, O God, help us to listen to what you have to say to us." Hear some of what God has to say to the Psalmist and us: For he will speak peace to his people. Surely his salvation is at hand. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; Righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Are you glad to hear God speak those words and bestow those gifts? What other graces does God speak? Do we hear God speak those gifts? It is good that we are helped to hear and receive those gifts. Let’s use the prayer response as our mantra for today that we may hear all that God speaks. When you speak, O God, Help us to listen. --Jim Bricker |
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