Guiding Principles for Staff 2020 1

Curriculum Contents

Curriculum Contents ...... 2 Introduction ...... 3 Week at a Glance...... 4 GROW Time ...... 7 GROW Schedule and Planning Sheets ...... 10 CMLPS Worship ...... 17 Worship Planning Outline ...... 21 Day 1: Abraham and Sarah ...... 22 Day 2: Joseph ...... 22 Day 3: David ...... 22 Day 4: Mary ...... 22 Day 5: Paul, Timothy, Lydia, and You! ...... 22 Pre-School GROW ...... 22 Off-Site Camp with Crafts ...... 22

All I really needed to know and how to live and what to do and how to be I learned at Camp Mount Luther. Wisdom was not in a series of rooms with school books but there in the woods of Pennsylvania. These are the things I learned:

 Use the buddy system  Take a shower everyday  Don’t throw stones  Stay on the paths  Don’t hit people  Run in the field only  Store time is fun  Live a balanced life- study the Bible some, and make some crafts some, and sing some after every meal  Go to the pool every afternoon  Make new friends but keep the old  Be aware of nature: remember the snakes, tadpoles in the pond, wild cucumbers, groundhogs, and deer  Sleep out once a week to appreciate your bed  Mail makes you happy  CAMP IS FUN!!!

Everything for a good summer and a good life is there at camp. Take what you learn from camp and try to apply it to your regular life.

--By Dennis Crissman with respect to Robert Fulghum

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Introduction

Dear Staff: The following materials been developed for your work in outdoor ministries, especially to prepare for GROW Time. Use this as a reference book. During staff training, treat it like one of your campers this summer. Keep it with you at all times and know where it is! This can be an object lesson during training to remember CAMPERS FIRST!!!! When making decisions this summer, you should always put the needs of your campers over the needs of yourself. Get to know them. Learn their name early on. Treat them as a child of God!

As we orient you to available materials and resources, Prayer Partners- On the first day of pay attention. Watch what we do, where we go, and training, you are being given a prayer listen to what is being said. It’s important, even if partner. This is someone on the staff you’ve been part of Mount Luther a thousand times, who you will pray for and with during to keep watch. We’re always improving our program the summer (and beyond)! Share your and we’ve changed things for this summer. You worries and concerns for the summer never know when something will be a bit different! with your prayer partner. Pray for him/her frequently. Each week as we To help with faith growth each summer, we use a gather and begin our week together themed curriculum. You should possess a basic with a circle prayer, you can pray for understanding of the Biblical texts and the materials your prayer partner and his/her presented here so that you can adequately teach our worries, concerns, and joys! You can campers. The materials in this packet are condensed write your prayer partner’s name here: and taken from various resources, including From Generation to Generation Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2019 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. By looking over this material, you undoubtedly will have questions. Please ask! Once you have a general understanding of our Bible passages, you can think of other activities, devotions, songs, and games which may relate to each day’s theme. We will review this material during our staff training, discussing how to apply it to your work. The theme verse for this summer is as follows:

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” --Psalm 100:5

Life can be unpredictable and challenging. As a result, we can become consumed with fear, trying to control the things happening around us—or we can trust that something or someone greater than our circumstances is caring and benevolent and able to get us through what life brings.

The stories we hear as children help us navigate day-to-day situations, helping us live out a response and build an understanding of how the world works. For example, Cinderella offers hope when family dynamics change, and the Three Little Pigs encourage us to work together to overcome a bully. The narratives of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures are stories of our ancestors in the faith that help us see God’s hand at work in all the things that happen in our lives. Their significance isn’t only for people and places of the past but also for us today, showing us a loving God who is always active in creation and our purpose as God’s agents of love and hope when others are filled with fear.

With this curriculum, From Generation to Generation, campers and their leaders will explore the stories of familiar Bible characters and their responses to God’s call and promised faithfulness in the midst of life’s unpredictability and challenges. The promises of God, first made to Abraham and Sarah, include a place to live, a purpose to live out, and a posterity to carry on God’s promises to all future generations.

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 Abraham and Sarah were called to step out in faith with a destination unknown, but a promise to assure them of God’s grace and blessing.  Joseph stepped beyond anger to embrace God’s gifts and use them to bless more people than expected. His story emphasizes that what others might mean for harm, God can use to bring promised blessing.  David’s story reminds us that God has a propensity for choosing the least expected person to do the most difficult job. God does not call the qualified but instead qualifies the called. Each one of us can be God’s agent of blessing.  In that same manner, the story of Mary the mother of Jesus shows us that God goes beyond cultural conventions and our understanding to keep the promises made to Abraham and Sarah and their offspring. Mary’s courageous trust is an example of a life narrative to follow.  The stories of Paul, Timothy, and Lydia extend the promises beyond the descendants of Abraham and Sarah to all the world, including us. We are invited to experience God’s promised blessing, love, and grace and also to share it with those in our world today.

Simon Sinek, a contemporary author, talks about a “circle of safety” that people need in order to develop healthy community relationships. In an organization, that translates to increased engagement with its mission and its continuation into the future. In the faith community, this circle of safety allows individuals to move beyond their own needs to lives that serve others, confident that they themselves are not going to be forgotten in their own times of need.

In John 13, when Jesus washes his disciples’ feet, he sets aside the expected hierarchy and practice of that time and place. Rather than being served by them, he takes care of his followers, a self-denying action made more poignant in the events that follow. As extraordinary as it seems, Jesus’s act of humble service is simply consistent with God’s actions toward God’s people throughout time. God repeatedly puts the needs of the people ahead of God’s expectations and demands. God’s benevolence and patience forms a people called to live with a purpose that draws the world closer to what God intends.

God’s steadfast love, which endures across the generations, provides a circle of safety for those who follow God. Freed from fear, we step out, trusting that missteps will not destroy us, that God’s guidance will take us where God has called us to go, creating relationships based on care and compassion.

Week at a Glance

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GROW Time

Adapted from material by Betsy Debertin, Metigoshe Ministries, from her classroom students, ELCA Curriculums and the books The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown and 4Mat Level 1 from About Learning.

GROW Time is held every day with your cabin group and with the whole camp; this is when we study the Bible and learn more about God. GROW Time is not an academic endeavor in an outdoor setting. It is an intentional and relational wrestling with the written account of humanity’s quest for God. Finding God is one of church camp’s goals. Scripture serves as a door through which we seek. Through the study of scripture, as well as through the natural setting of camp, people seek to experience God. Mount Luther is in the “business” of making disciples for Christ, by forming the faith of those who come to this place set apart by God. Therefore, we Gather and Reflect On the Word each day. Reading and responding to God’s Word is the backbone of all that we do at Mount Luther. Giving campers opportunities to verbalize their faith and to see how their faith plays into all they do is the most important venture of camp.

CONCEPT: Each day will have a singular concept that you want the campers to learn about and walk away with knowledge of how it affects their lives. Reinforce the daily theme/concept all day long in all you do!

LEARNING STYLES: To understand the flow of a typical day of GROW Time, you need to understand that there are a variety of gifts and abilities each of us are given (Read Corinthian 12: 4-11). Because of that, we each have a different way to learn and there are steps to the natural learning cycle. You should be creative and use your imagination when planning for these four different types, which honor and engage the gifts of our campers. The sequence of the activities is critical to how we naturally learn, too.

Type 1 learners are primarily interested in personal meaning. They are imaginative learners. They are like MONICA, who likes Type 1 (NF/Hook) Activities to talk with her friends about what is going on in her life. For type 1 learners, a teacher must create a reason to learn. They  Ropes course activity must gain personal value from instruction. They enjoy small  Silly game designed to create group discussions to listen and share. They demonstrate concern laughter or self-revelation for people. They are interested in people and culture. They are (get-to-know you game) idea people, who need to be personally involved.  “Have you ever?” or “Would you rather?” or “If you could... When picking activities, you want to link the camper’s life what would you do?” experiences to the concept. The learner must be motivated to  Human continuum want to learn. You are entrusted with the responsibility of  Campers tell their story (silly engaging campers in such a way that they stay tuned to find out or serious) what the lesson is all about. To do this, they must have  Journaling—write a letter meaningful answers to questions like, “Why do I need to know  Game Shows this?” and “What does this have to do with my life?” They ask  Word association “why” or “why not” questions. The point of the initial activity is  Affirmation anything’s to help campers discover the stake they have in the lesson,  Word Cluster Quiz understand why they should give you their time to learn  Initiative Activities (here’s what I already know) something new, and recognize you value their participation.  Preview before the session (a

menu or an invitation) to hook The human brain can only hold 5-9 pieces of insignificant participants. information at a time. When people are asked to remember something that is perceived as useless, they will not!

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Type 2 learners are primarily interested in the facts. They are like CRAIG, who wants to know facts and details. They are Type 2 (SJ/Book) Activities: analytic learners. For type 2 learners, a teacher must impart Type two learner activities do NOT information. Type 2 learners are the keepers of the truth. They need to be BORING! require accuracy and orderliness. They are comforted by rules and form reality from them. They excel in traditional learning  Present the historical context environments because the lecture and reading modes suit them. of Bible stories They are excellent at details and sequential thinking. They will  OPEN the Bible and read the re-examine the facts if situations perplex them. They need story together by taking turns continuity and certainty and are uncomfortable with subjective  Read the story two ways— judgments. They enjoy traditional classrooms and need to know readers theater, act it out, what experts think. Type 2 learners ask “what” questions. freeze frame, verse-by-verse cartoon, modernize it, Oprah When picking activities for Type 2 learners, remember that interviews with each character, children will be coming face-to-face with information they many storytelling, visualization, have never encountered before. Unless you take time to set up pause part way through the the lesson, motivate the children, and help them focus on how story and let campers “predict” this connects to their lives you’ll lose their interest. To enhance the ending the Bible story, make it interactive. No one likes to sit and be  Reading comprehension lectured! As the children participate, they are using their EARS, questions EYES, and sometimes FINGERS to absorb the information you are  Timelines, Games presenting. Campers may be auditory, visual, or active learners  Mindmaps, outlines, venn so vary your type of teaching. Make sure you take some time to diagrams, analogies see if the kids are getting it. Check for their understanding by  Lectures and Handouts having them retell or dramatize the Bible story, play a game or  What Not to Do sing a song about the important facts or ask them questions  Station Hikes/Fun Fairs; about the material. It is very important to check for their  Bring a random object (a hat understanding. Have kids use their Bibles. Remember all to recap ideas) campers do not have the same translation of the Bible and could  Use interesting props Puppets, poster, flannel be confused if theirs is different.  figures, and pop-up figures

When asking a question, allow 30 seconds for the Holy Spirit to  Pick a new seat work.  Throw candy for right answers.

Type 3 learners are primarily interested in how things work. Type 3 (NT/Look) Activities They are common sense learners. They are like JAMES, who is  Make a model interested in how a new idea works. For type 3 learners, a  Imagine if you only had . . . teacher must let them try it. Almost before one can blink an eye, how would you? these learners are engaged in action. They want what they learn  Relate the concept of the Bible to be useful and applicable. They hate being told answers before story to the real world they have had time to explore possible solutions. They seek  Crossword puzzles results. They excel in problem solving. They do not stand on  Nature hike ceremony. They experiment and tinker with things. They need to  How would you solve the know how things work. They need sensory experiences. Their problem? (ark design, 5 loaves favorite question is “how does it work?” and 2 fishes for 5,000)  Interviews When picking activities for Type 3 learners, provide a variety of  Create a representation of a opportunities to practice the information they’ve just acquired. story or concept using In this step, the teacher functions as a coach, setting up the materials around you (twigs, plays and then standing back and letting the kids do the stones, leaves) activities. This is the time for kids to try out the new  Object lessons  Human Worksheet information, see how it works, make safe choices and explore.  Tinkering, hands-on 8

Type 4 learners are primarily interested in self-discovery and Type 4 (SP/Took) Activities are dynamic learners; a teacher must let them add value to it  Act out a scenario/skits and use it in their life. They have a strong need to experience  Draw a picture, write a song or freedom in their learning and have a tendency to transform poem to show what has been whatever it is they attempt. They are flexible, adaptable, risk- learned takers at ease with all types of people. They often reach conclu-  Color a picture sions in the absence of logical justification. They show openness  Cabin group mural with new ideas and have a high ability to sense new directions.  Rewrite something (a familiar Their favorite question is “what can this become?” prayer, a Bible verse) in your own words When picking Type 4 activities, encourage campers to show what  Faith stories they’ve learned in a personal, meaningful way. Staff should step  Follow-up letters to self back and assume the role of the encourager. First, allow  Plan a worship or an event for campers to make a plan about how they will show what they’ve another cabin or the camp learned. Second, have them implement their plans after they  Praying out loud leave the session. They may do that at camp or at home.  Singing  Role play Have patience and understanding and let Step 4 belong to the  Slide Shows camper. If the camper shows learning in a personal way, then  Drama the child is far more likely to put that learning into action.  Music

Here are the “human worksheet” statements we used to review the four types:

 I bought my last car because the salesperson was really nice.  I bought my last car because it had an excellent finance package and great gas mileage.  I bought my last car because I spent half an hour under the hood, and each hose was securely attached.  I bought my last car because it is a sweet midnight blue with a cool-looking dashboard.

 Therapist  Scientist  Engineer  Actor

 When I was a kid, I most liked slumber parties, playing with my friends, and camp.  When I was a kid, I got angry that that my brother got more allowance than me. I didn’t like when the rules weren’t fair.  When I was a kid, I most liked Lego bricks and erector sets.  When I was a kid, I was equally good at entertaining myself by playing imaginary and entertaining others with my antics.

 The bummer about me is that sometimes I can be manipulative and hold high expectations of others.  The bummer about me is I have a compulsion to be complete; sometimes I obstruct progress with my need for more information.  The bummer about me is that when I get an idea, I test it immediately without regard for the consequences or the needs of others involved.  The bummer about me is that sometimes I become overcommitted and fragmented. I sometimes lack the discipline to finish one task before beginning another.

I love when we get to put our desks in circles and talk! I love my teacher, he gives such organized notes. I can’t wait for school tomorrow, we get to blow something up in chemistry. Do you like my report cover, I used three fonts and seven pieces of clip art? 9

GROW Schedule and Planning Sheets

How will we use these learning styles? We do activities for each of the four learning styles, in sequence, but will spread them out over the day. The idea behind this is to get the campers to see that God and God’s Word should permeate all that they do in their daily lives. Note: Wednesday we will do an All-Camp GROW Time and do all four activities in a more traditional Bible study style, closing in prayer. This might be the preferred method of doing GROW Time at off-site camps, too.

First Light: here, a staff team will present the theme of the day by doing  HOOK: A Type 1 Activity that the entire group does, such as a game, activity, or small project that hooks them on the theme.  BOOK: A Type 2 Activity where you should read the Bible verse or retell it in your own words as a short story or even act it out.

Stop and GROW: Your cabin group can take a few minutes to stop what you are doing and look at the Bible text for the day using the ELCA Book of Faith Devotional Questions. Reread the text and then ask a few (or all) of these questions:  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?  QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me?  QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text?

Lunch and Learn: Following lunch, a staff team will be assigned to provide an activity that allows us to dig a little deeper into the text. LOOK: This should be an activity that campers can interact with one another and each cabin group can spend time talking about what they did and reflect on what God is doing in the scripture and what God is saying to us today. It could even happen during our meal, if done right.

Dinner Devotions: For our dinner devotions, a staff team will present our final all-camp look at the text through creative means. TOOK: Read a poem, do a cheer or something that will help campers and staff take what they learned along with them this day and send us off, reminded of God’s grace! End with prayer. On Friday, our sending will take the place of dinner devotions.

Worship: Your evening worship service should reflect what the group talked about during the day and be a summation of the day’s concepts and theme. It should be a way to praise God for what God has been saying through the Word and “put a bow” on the gifts God gave your group that day. See the CMLPS Worship section for more guidance.

FAITH5TM (www.faith5.org): Faith Acts in the Home is a simple, easy-to-implement faith practice, perfect for incorporating into your bedtime routine for five to fifteen minutes a night. When done over time, the FAITH5TM carries the power to enrich communication, deepen understanding, aid sleep, and promote mental, physical, and spiritual health. Gather together on a bed, on the floor, or at a table. You may wish to light a candle to begin. The five steps are:  SHARE your highs (roses) and lows (thorns). You could even add “buds” to this and have them tell of an act of kindness they witnessed or initiated. Roses need not be grand, buds need not be earth shattering, and thorns need not be scandalous!  READ a Bible verse or story  TALK about how the Bible reading might relate to your highs and lows  PRAY for one another’s highs (joys) and lows (concerns). Can close with the Lord’s Prayer.  BLESS one another

To help you plan for GROW Time, here are some planning sheets that will help you to use the 4Mat learning system and tie all these elements together. The first sheet is suggested FAITH5 verses.

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Faith Five Suggested Scriptures:

Week 1  Sunday: Psalm 4: 8  Monday: Romans 12: 15a  Tuesday: Deuteronomy 12: 12  Wednesday: Psalm 16: 9  Thursday: Psalm 118: 24  Friday: Romans 12: 12

Week 2  Sunday: Psalm 139: 7-8  Monday: Romans 12: 15b  Tuesday: Galatians 6:2  Wednesday: Ephesians 4:32  Thursday: Philippians 2:4  Friday: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Week 3  Sunday: 2 Timothy 3: 16-17  Monday: Hebrews 4: 12  Tuesday: Isaiah 40: 8

Week 4  Sunday: Deuteronomy 6: 6-7  Monday: Joshua 1: 8  Tuesday: Psalm 63: 5-7  Wednesday: Psalm 119: 14-18  Thursday: Proverbs 6: 20  Friday: Proverbs 12: 15

Week 5  Sunday: Psalm 46:1  Monday: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18  Tuesday: 1 Peter 5: 7  Wednesday: Philippians 4:8  Thursday: Luke 11:9  Friday: James 5: 13

Week 6  Sunday: Numbers 6: 24-26  Monday: Genesis 12:2  Tuesday: Psalm 121: 7-8  Wednesday: Psalm 67: 1-2  Thursday: 2 Corinthians 13:13  Friday: 2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17

Week 8  Sunday: Psalm 119: 105  Monday: Matthew 4: 3-4  Tuesday: Luke 8:11

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GROW Time: Day 1 Supplies I Need:

Biblical Text: ______Concept: ______

4. TOOK 1. HOOK

3. LOOK 2. BOOK 12

GROW Time: Day 2 Supplies I Need:

Biblical Text: ______Concept: ______

4. TOOK 1. HOOK

3. LOOK 2. BOOK 13

GROW Time: Day 3 Supplies I Need:

Biblical Text: ______Concept: ______

4. TOOK 1. HOOK

3. LOOK 2. BOOK 14

GROW Time: Day 4 Supplies I Need:

Biblical Text: ______Concept: ______

4. TOOK 1. HOOK

3. LOOK 2. BOOK 15

GROW Time: Day 5 Supplies I Need:

Biblical Text: ______Concept: ______

4. TOOK 1. HOOK

3. LOOK 2. BOOK 16

CMLPS Worship

God is at the heart of worship. At its best, worship is to be a time in the camping day where we “We gather for worship experience God's Word at work within ALL OF US. because God has called The specific message of God’s work of us by the Holy Spirit and forgiveness and love in Jesus Christ is Christ has promised to available to everyone. We are all accepted by God and affirmed. be among us whenever two or three are Worship is not a spectator sport! It should be gathered in his name. participatory as each member brings gifts needed by the whole body. When we worship, we volunteer to have God And Jesus is in our midst change us. as we worship.” --Susan

Camp worship is an extension of congregational worship. Briehl Liturgy and ritual are also always a part of worship. Whether at an evening campfire or a Sunday morning service at your home congregation, liturgy and ritual are central. For example, singing a camp rouser at the beginning of every campfire is no less liturgical or ritualistic than singing the kyrie ("Lord, have mercy") on Sunday morning. Encourage campers to take what they’ve learned at camp back to their congregation. Display the continuity between the two worship experiences. An “old” familiar hymn, prayer, response, or refrain used in worship at camp helps build continuity between the experiences of faith at home and camp.

ENJOY PLANNING WORSHIP! Yes, life at camp is very busy. But in worship you have the chance to give expression to what the whole creation yearns to do—praise God from whom all blessings flow. Why not revel in the opportunity and discover the depths of your soul in the process? Be creative and let your imagination run wild! Give kids new worship experiences like field worship, using popular story books, or making up new worship songs. Some weeks, you will have campers who will be good at planning their own worships. This is not only helpful, but also encouraged.

Schedule Notes: Worship is held each day so we can sing, pray to, and praise God! Sunday and Thursday night worship will be done as a whole camp and planned by the chaplain and program staff. You will plan small group worship for your cabin group for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday and can ask for the help of your chaplain. Use small group worship on Friday before supper as cabin closure for the week.

1. Make a plan. Use the CMLPS outline and even name what you do in worship to teach your campers the elements. These components do not always have to be in that order. They can be adjusted to meet your group’s needs and the specific ways in which they might hear that Christ is with them on that day. For instance, we may praise earlier in the service even combining it with the call. The message might be spread out in little doses during the service. 2. Pick a place. Vary locations from day to day. The place can influence the mood. 3. Create the space. Have campers help set-up the worship place. 4. Bring the Word. Scripture is at the heart of every Christian worship service and for that reason should also serve as the focus of camping worship. 5. Praise the Lord! Grace is central to worship. God first loves us, gifts us, and calls us. In response to this amazing grace, we express our love of God, gratitude for God’s gifts, and attentiveness to God’s call. 17

peace, salvation, and unity in the church and CALL TO WORSHIP: The Holy Spirit calls in the world, to give thanks, and to ask God’s us together as the people of God. In the call help. At this point in the service, a creed to worship, we call upon the Lord as we could also be used. Also quite time for gather the faithful. The Call to Worship sets contemplation and listening could be the mood and invokes God’s presence. We observed here. This might be short with can gather with a simple invocation, a song, a younger attention spans, but silence is confession. People don’t know they’re at wonderful in any quantity! Examples: worship until they are gathered and notified  Spoken Litany or Lord’s Prayer by a leader who says, “Now we’re going to  “Seek Ye First” sung litany worship!” There are interesting and inspiring  “I Believe, I Do Believe” ways to do that and we give suggestions  “Peace in our Time” Prayers below. As we gather, we also pray that we  “O Lord, Hear My Prayer” with prayers would worship in God alone, which is called an invocation. Examples:  Presider simply says “In the Name of the PRAISE: Praise time can be the reading of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.” psalms, singing songs, chants, statements,  Use a litany where you say a line and the drumming, clapping, strumming guitars, congregation responds, using the same stomping feet, passing the peace, or doing line each time. other forms to show your praise to God such  Sing one of the following: “I Will Call as dance, games, activities or an offering. Upon the Lord”, “Hey Everybody!”  Any upbeat song, like “Shine, Jesus, (Worship Edition), “In the Name of the Shine,” or “Allelu” Father”, “All Gather Round”, or “Here in  Offering- gifts of oneself, too this Place”  Prayers could also be used here as a means of praise.

MESSAGE: During the message, God speaks to us through scripture. We hear SENDING: The sending is the benediction about God’s hope and love through the Word. which sends us into mission with God’s God comes to us in the living Word. This blessing. It reminds us that we go out section includes the statement of the theme knowing God goes with us. We go as God’s of the service, the reading of scripture, and people, being a servant. People need to hear telling stories or giving a homily where we that worship is ended. Give them the blessing teach and/or preach (proclaim the gospel). of God, and charge them to live in the truth Examples: and righteousness, to love their neighbors  Bible Reading or CMLPS Psalm reading and enjoy God’s presence in all things. You  Sermon, Story, Skit can do a simple “Go in Peace” dismissal or  Discussion or Personal Reflection other verbal sending, or you might sing of the  Song (like Psalm 150) following as a sending song:  “Go With God”  “May the Lord Bless & Keep You” LITANY: A litany is a prayer (spoken or  “Go Now in Peace” sung) of thanksgiving & forgiveness, asking  Amazing Grace with 2 syllables God’s help. You can also say prayer petitions  “Let Us Talents & Tongues…” for the Lord to have mercy and provide

Always include time for prayer in worship. Prayer is a time to talk with God. It’s speaking and listening. Don't worry about the language of your prayer-better an uncomfortable word spoken from the heart, than an eloquent prayer spoken with rigidity. In your daily worship, try to pray using your own words or the words of other worshipers. We thank God FIRST at the beginning of each meal. We raise intercessions to God during worship, GROW Time, and First Light. Here are some ideas to stimulate prayer: 18

Alphabet Prayers: Give thanks to God by encouraging everyone to add alphabetical thanks when it is their turn. (God, we give thanks today for Aunts, Brothers, Clothing, Dreams…). This style of praying can also be done for people by name (Andy, the Bensons, Connie, the Darbys), or other similar topics.

Acronym Prayers: This is a type of prayer where the letters of the word each represent another word.  ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication  PRAY: Praise, Repent, Another, Yourself  TRIP: Thanksgiving (for gifts given, opportunities, circumstances), Regrets (things that are not going well), Intercessions for others, Purpose (what God desires from us?) or Plan of Action. The TRIP method can be also be used to study a Bible verse- ask questions like What in this verse makes me thankful? Regretful? For what does this text lead me to pray? What action does this text encourage me to take today?

Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers are an ancient form of praying that can effectively be used at camp. They begin with a leader offering a bid or opening statement like: “Let us give thanks to God for all the gifts we have been given today. We name them at this time.” Then, campers are invited to offer brief prayers of thanksgiving. It is helpful to let a few campers know beforehand, so that some are familiar with this.

Circle Prayer: Hold hands in a circle. The prayer begins and ends with the leader. The leader opens the prayer and then tightly squeezes the hand of the person next to him/her indicating that he/she is finished praying. That person can choose to pray or else lightly squeeze the hand of his/her neighbor. This continues until everyone has had an opportunity to pray, at which time the leader will end the prayer.

Hand Prayers: Have the campers trace their hand on a piece of paper. On the thumb, write “praise and worship” (Psalm 147:1). On the pointer finger, examine your life, writing “confess our sins” (I John 1: 8-9). Knowing the promises of God that in Jesus Christ we are forgiven, this makes us thankful. On the tallest finger, write “thanking God” (Philippians 4:6, Psalm 136: 1). The weakest of our fingers reminds us of our need to pray for those who are in need. Write “needs of others” on the ring finger, (I Timothy 2: 1-4). Finally, the pinky is the least of our fingers yet the most essential for having a strong grip. Write “our needs” on the pinky finger, (I John 3:22). Another option would be to put a nail mark in the center of the hand’s palm. Write “in Jesus’ name.” This will help the campers remember that we can all call upon God in prayer because of Jesus’ death for our sins. So we pray “in Jesus’ name.”

Popcorn Prayer: This metaphor for prayer is that of the random popping of popcorn. Anyone is encouraged to jump in with a brief prayer of thanksgiving or request. Again, a leader can open this time of prayer and after a healthy silence, close prayer time. A word or phrase is all that is encouraged to keep this prayer style moving. It is a good introduction to group prayer. A theme of what people are thankful for could be used throughout this prayer.

Prayer Tree: Ahead of time, prepare small sheets of paper, folded in half, with a hole and string through the hole. Campers will write their prayers inside the sheet and then hang the prayer on a tree branch that you have secured in a bucket, vase, or other device. The tree will then be a reminder of their prayers to God. Please assure campers you will not read their prayers.

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Praying On The Go: Often, Jesus sought solitude to pray to God. Quiet, uninterrupted alone time is a precious commodity. Hopefully, you will find ways to create quiet time to pray. You will have a lot more time when you will be on the go—walking to one place or another. You can use that time for prayer. When you see something lovely—a flower, an animal, a rock, a camper—just name it and thank God either silently or out loud. “That is a beautiful wild violet—thanks, God.” “Tami just helped Aaron get that fish off the hook, God is good.” There will be times on the go which are a bit frightening, or confusing. Think or voice, “I need help, God.” And it will always be helpful if you can share God’s grace with each other. Give each other God’s grace, in prayer, on the go.

Prayer Cube: Make a large cube/dice out of card stock or cardboard. Draw, paint, or paste prayer prompts on each side of the cube. Have campers “roll” the cube and pray for something concerning that particular prompt.

Praying the Headlines: Gather newspaper articles. During prayer time, read the headlines, especially those headlines for which there are people we should pray for. This could be done with the congregation singing a contemplative song in between readings of the headlines.

Rainbow Prayers: Keeping in mind the five areas of the hand prayer taught above, another way to reinforce those five aspects of prayer is to help your campers make a prayer chain. They should write a word or phrase on a strip of colored paper (2-3 inches wide by 6 inches long).  Write down the Bible reference used for praise and worship on a white strip of paper.  Because Jesus shed his blood on the cross to forgive our sins, write down a list of recent sins to confess to God on a red strip of paper.  Because of God’s son, Jesus, there is assurance that God hears and answers prayer. To remember God’s son/sun, campers should write what they are thankful for on yellow strips.  On green paper, write names of people that need their prayers, as green is a symbol of life.  Finally, in praying for themselves, encourage them to write down their needs on blue paper, as a reminder of their baptism and that they belong to Christ who loves them. These strips of paper can be pasted into loops, forming a “prayer chain” to be kept near their bed as a reminder to pray each night. New links can be easily added. As needs change and prayers are answered, those links can be removed.

Repeat (or Echo) Prayer: An easy way to do prayers, especially with younger children, is to have them repeat the prayer after you.

Scripture Prayer: One of the ancient styles of prayer within Christianity is to pray the scriptures. Repeat a scripture passage over and over until it takes root in your heart. Praying the scriptures back to God is like praying the very heart of God. This builds confidence in our prayer life and often times stretches us beyond our normal thoughts and prayers. You might also do this style with hymn texts.

Whisper Prayer: Everyone simultaneously whispers their prayer into their cupped hands. Someone ends the prayer out loud and the group releases their hands/prayers into the air. 20

Worship Planning Outline

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 C

Call to Worship

M

Message

L

Litany

P

Praise

S

Sending

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Day 1: Abraham and Sarah

Bible Text: Genesis 12:1-9 (The Call of Abraham)

Concept: God’s promises are forever, even when everything in life feels uncertain and scary.

Objectives: What will campers…  KNOW: That we can trust God who is with us, no matter where we go or what is happening.  FEEL: A sense of trust and belonging in their new camp family.  DO: Give thanks for God’s constant love and be able to step out in faith.

Song Ideas: Father Abraham, Mother Sarah, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (ELW 807), Be Thou My Vision (ELW 793 or WOV 776), Great Is Thy Faithfulness (ELW 733)

Main Text (NRSV): Genesis 12: 1-9 Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’ So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord. And Abram journeyed on by stages towards the Negeb.

Biblical Interpretation The first eleven chapters of Genesis show God’s creative and life-giving work throughout the whole world. The creation poem in Genesis 1 repeatedly asserts that as God surveyed the emerging creation day by day, it was declared “good.” God’s grace infused all that God did. Yet very quickly, human involvement sidetracked God’s intent, and that which was good was also impaired by sin. The narrative of Noah and the flood describes God’s “reset” of creation. The reality of brokenness, however, was not overcome, so God took a different approach. In Genesis 12, the biblical story of the world’s origins (“genesis”) narrows to focus on a single family. Through Abram and Sarai and their descendants, God committed to an ever-growing circle of blessing.

Three promises are made in this first narrative of Abram and Sarai: land (vv. 1, 7), many descendants in the form of a great nation (v. 2), and enough blessing to share (v. 2). God’s promises are made not only to them but also to their descendants from generation to generation. The only thing asked of the couple is to step out in faith. As they do that, they see themselves in a new way. God recognizes those emerging identities by giving them new names: Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 17).

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Why did God choose Abraham and Sarah? Abraham came from a family that not only worshiped idols but according to tradition actually sold them. Midrashic teaching (a history or tradition told from one generation to the next but not part of the Bible’s written record) says that one day Abraham’s father, Terah, left him in charge of the shop. Abraham did not believe in idols, so he smashed all but the largest one. Before his father came back, he put the hammer in the hands of the remaining idol. Blaming the largest idol for the destruction, Abraham faced his father’s anger. When he blamed the large idol, Terah shouted, “Quit lying. You know idols cannot walk, talk, or move.” Abraham’s response was, “If they can’t protect themselves, why pray to them to protect yourself?” Perhaps the rabbis included this story in the teachings to explain why God chose Abraham and called him and Sarah to a world-shaping mission. The story in Genesis does not explain why, but we do know that Abraham trusted God, and with Sarah, left their home in Ur of the Chaldeans (modern-day Iraq) and journeyed to Canaan.

Why are the three promises (land, descendants, and blessing) significant? One recalls the curse when Adam and Eve are sent out of the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:14-24). They lose their home in a place of abundant blessing. Childbirth will be filled with pain, and the land will bring forth limited resources only with great human toil. Now God is promising a new land to be possessed, progeny to a couple known to be barren, and blessings that come from beyond their own effort or merit. This is clearly a reset: Abraham and Sarah respond to God’s call with trust demonstrated in their obedience, which leads to God’s restoration of creation’s potential. This would begin in Canaan—at Bethel, Ai, and in the Negeb, all locations in the area of Israel today. Their journey into the life of promise was in process all their days.

Promises made to Abraham and Sarah were reiterated to their descendants. First Isaac (Genesis 26:2-3), then Jacob (Genesis 28:4) and his sons carried the promises of land, family, and blessing to their world. These promises set a context of place, ongoing agency, and purpose that was lived out, over and over, by each succeeding generation. The actions of “hoping” and “waiting” are woven together in these promises. This is emphasized in God’s declaration that the land will be given to Abraham and Sarah’s descendants. While they may not yet possess the land, it will come to their offspring. God essentially is saying to us all, “The best is yet to come.” God’s promise of steadfast love and faithfulness creates a circle of safety now, for succeeding generations, and for all time.

Abraham and Sarah’s story goes beyond this passage. In stepping out in trust, they make mistakes and even dare to negotiate with God. None of this negates the promises God has made to them and to their descendants. God repeats the promises in Genesis 15, 17, and 22:17-18, just in case they fear their mistakes will bring an end to God’s love. In God’s great reset of creation, steadfast love and faithfulness shape God’s intentional interaction with fallible humans.

Additional Texts Genesis 18:1-15 (Abraham is reminded of the promised heir and Sarah laughs) Genesis 18:16-33 (Abraham bargains with God because he trusts God’s lovingkindness) Genesis 21:1-7 (The promise of an heir is fulfilled in Isaac’s birth) Isaiah 41:8-10 (Trust God in all circumstances) Luke 12:22-34 (Do not be anxious about the future) Galatians 3:6-9 (The promise is to all who rely on faith like Abraham)

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Day 1 Games and Activities

Gather (Preschool) experience trust in God’s love. Before young Explain that God’s love doesn’t have a children can trust, they need to feel safe, beginning or ending either. God’s love is with secure, and loved. To keep young campers us all the time. Show children how to make a focused and to get their attention when it little circle with their thumb and pointer strays, teach them this action poem finger. Look through your spyglass (circle expressing God’s love for them. created by your fingers) and teach campers this call and response as they look through Head, shoulders, knees, and toes (touch each their spyglasses. Repeat it for each camper. one as named) Spin around and touch your nose. (twirl once Leader: I spy ______(child’s name). and touch nose) All: God loves ______(child’s name). Lean to the left, lean to the right (do this) Shout “God loves me!” with all your might. (cup hands around mouth) A Mystery Trip (Preschool) GOD LOVES ME! Ask campers to talk about things they like to take with them when they go on a trip. Explain that you’re going to lead them on a Word (Preschool) mystery trip, but you have to pack for your Explain that the people in the Bible story trip. Unpack your backpack (see suggested today took a mystery trip, too, and their items on the materials list above) and give leader was God. They traveled for many years each camper one thing to hold. Work together and made many stops. They got thirsty, just to identify each item and let campers repack like we did. They trusted God to go with the backpack. Stand and all hold on to the them. Read the story of Abraham’s call traveling rope. Make your “little finger circle” (Genesis 12:1-9) from a Bible storybook, spyglasses with the other hand. Lead campers such as the Spark Story Bible (Minneapolis: around the grounds. Stop and lower the Augsburg Fortress, 2009). When you read, traveling rope to the ground. Have everyone use the names Abraham and Sarah if your jump over the “river.” Have everyone hold version has the names Abram and Sarai. the rope again and continue, stopping to look through spyglasses at flowers, insects, clouds, rocks, and other interesting things Tasty Retelling (Preschool) you see along the way. When you’ve reached Invite campers to join you in this tasty your story spot, sit inside the rope circle retelling. Explain that you will use food to again and pour a cup of water for each one. retell the story and that they may eat it at the Traveling can make us thirsty! Collect the end. Ask them to copy your words and empty cups. Talk about how it feels to travel actions. Give each camper a paper plate and when campers trust their leader (you), but two little graham cracker bears. Say: don’t know where they’re going.  This is Abraham. Hold him high. (hold up one cracker) Leader: Who always goes with us? (hold  This is Sarah. Hold her high. (hold up the palms up) other cracker) All: God always goes with us. (look up and  Sarah and Abraham were married. (hold raise hands high, hug self) them both high and touch them together)  God told them to take a long trip. Move Sarah and Abraham together around on Transition Times (Preschool) your plate. Keep moving them until I say This week at camp, children will hear stories stop. (let this continue for about 5 about how people long, long ago experienced seconds) God’s love and about how people continue to  Stop! 24

 Abraham and Sarah rested under a big is sitting inside the circle, talk about how they oak tree. (give each child a pretzel stick felt while doing the obstacle course. for the tree and have Abraham and Sarah  What was hard? Easy? rest beside it) Explain that Sarah and Abraham had hard  Then God told Sarah and Abraham it was days and easy days while they traveled. And time to travel again. Move Sarah and we have hard and easy days too. Then say Abraham together around on your plate. the call and response together. Keep moving them until I say stop. (let this continue for about 5 seconds) Leader: Who always goes with us? (hold  Stop! palms up)  At a hilly stop, Abraham and Sarah built All: God always goes with us. (look up and an altar to say thank you to God. An altar raise hands high, hug self) is like a big table. They used big stones to build the altar. Later they built a second altar made out of wood. Let’s help Sarah Travel. Rest. (Preschool) and Abraham build an altar. (give each Explain that traveling is hard work. Abraham child a small handful of mini- and Sarah walked every day. But they needed marshmallows and admire the altars they to stop and rest along the way and to sleep at build) night. Campers will play a game called  Then God told Sarah and Abraham to “Travel. Rest.” Whenever they hear you call travel again. The End. out “Travel!” they will copy the way you are moving. Whenever you say “Rest!” they will Then say the call and response together: lie down and pretend to sleep. For fun, encourage snoring. Possible ways to travel Leader: God always went with Sarah and include stomping, giant steps, on tiptoe, Abraham. hopping, jumping, and moving sideways. End Leader: Who always goes with us? (hold the game on “Rest!” and then say the call and palms up) response. All: God always goes with us. (look up and raise hands high, hug self) Leader: Who always goes with us? (hold Leader: Thank you, God, for always going palms up) with us. Now we thank you for these tasty All: God always goes with us. (look up and treats too. You may eat your treats! raise hands high, hug self)

Obstacle Course (Preschool) Oops! (Preschool) Set up the obstacle course in this order. Have everyone sit in a large circle with legs 1. Three hula hoops in a line (to hop in and crossed. To encourage this, say, “Criss, cross, out of) applesauce.” Once all are seated, explain 2. Two cones (to run completely around each that Sarah and Abraham walked across a hot, one) hot wilderness when they traveled. Note that 3. Three hula hoops in a line (to hop in and they got sweaty because it was so warm. out of) Say: “Sarah and Abraham may have wiped 4. 8' [2.4 meter] 2x4 board (to walk on like their sweaty faces with a cloth like this scarf. a balance beam) (Demonstrate wiping off your face.) 5. Three large rocks or blocks (to jump over, Sometimes people drop things when they then shout “God loves me!”) travel.” (Drop the scarf.) Explain that 6. Large circle made with the traveling rope campers will try to return the scarf when a (where campers sit when they are done) traveler drops it. To play the game, child 1 Demonstrate how to complete the obstacle (the traveler) holds the scarf and walks course before you lead children through it. If around the outside of the circle. After walking you have assistants, have them help you lead a bit, child 1 says, “Oops!” and drops the campers through the course. After everyone scarf into child 2’s lap. Child 2 chases child 1 25

around the circle, trying to catch them. Child Word (Pioneers and Juniors) 1 tries to run around the circle once and sit in Now that your group knows each other a little child 2’s empty space without being tagged better and has started building some trust, it by child 2. Demonstrate how to play the is time to get to know the people in the Bible. game before beginning. Child 2 becomes the Be sure to cultivate an open and affirming next traveler. Be sure all children have a turn environment. Encourage questions and to drop the scarf and to chase. wonderments. Ask questions and wonder aloud yourself, to model this way of engaging with scripture. You may not know the Impressions (Pioneers and Juniors) answers to the questions some of your “Impressions” has no winners or losers; it is campers have, and there may not even be just a way to get everyone moving, laughing, answers. That is okay! What is most and feeling relaxed. Let campers know that important is to create a safe space for the they will be doing their best silent entire community to wonder about God. impressions of a variety of random things, for Begin with a little midrash. (Midrash refers to example: fish jumping in the lake, dogs both ancient Jewish writings and the modern- drinking water, rockets blasting into space, day practice of interpreting or expanding their favorite food, flying cars, or dinosaurs upon a Bible text, adding details to fill out the eating birthday cake. Give the group 10 story.) Before you read the story, introduce seconds to figure out what they are going to the biblical characters to your campers, and do (count down to add a level of excitement), wonder aloud about each. Tell campers that then ask everyone to do their impression we know Abram and Sarai as Abraham and simultaneously. Upper elementary campers Sarah because God changed their names may prefer to have a winner for each round of when they stepped out in faith and followed impressions. If you choose to add this level of him. Work with your group to create more competition, make sure each person wins at complete, relatable personas. Today’s least once. characters are seventy-five-year-old Abraham and his wife, Sarah, and their nephew Lot.

Would You Rather…? Camp Edition Example: Abraham is seventy-five years old, (Pioneers and Juniors) and God asks him to pack up his wife, Learn more about each other by playing a nephew, and all their animals and camp version of “Would You Rather . . . ?” possessions, and move to an unknown place. Divide your space in half and have everyone Abraham always has a smile on his face and stand in the center, then ask campers to is eager for adventure. He welcomes choose their preference between two things. everyone into the group and loves to talk to They should stand on one side of the line if new people. they prefer the first option and on the opposite side of the line if they prefer the Read Genesis 12:1-3 aloud from the NRSV or second option. You can use these ideas to get a children’s Bible—or paraphrase it as needed started, but feel free to customize the game for understanding. Then, get up and “move,” for your setting and campers. Juniors would just like Abraham and his family did. Move likely enjoy a chance to come up with the through the camp property (outside or inside) options for the game. Encourage them to during the reading of verses 4-9. Stop at the lead! Would you rather . . . same places along the way that Abraham,  Eat pancakes for breakfast or cereal and Sarah, Lot, and their gang of travelers toast? stopped, and build altars out of found objects  Walk in the woods or go swimming? before moving to the next stop. When you  Play large-group running games or read in are done reading the story, go back to your your cabin? original spot and talk through some questions  Canoe or kayak? together. Remember to encourage campers to ask their own questions, too.

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Basic Questions (Pioneers and Juniors) “What about Us?” Questions (Pioneers Gauge your campers’ understanding of the and Juniors) story by asking these questions. Invite campers to think about this story inside  Who was your favorite character in the the context of their own lives and families. story? Why?  Who in your family tree might be like  If you could choose to be a character in Abraham and Sarah? the story, who would you choose to be?  Did anyone in your family come to this Why? country from somewhere else, leaving  Who asked Abraham and Sarah to leave everything familiar behind? everything familiar to go to a new place?  What do you know about people who (God.) immigrate today? What are some of the  What did God promise Abraham and reasons they are moving? Do you think Sarah? (To make them “a great nation”; God could be calling them? Why or why to make their names great; to bless them not? and all the families on earth.)  Abraham and Sarah trusted God  What was your favorite part of the story? completely. Who do you trust? What do  What questions do you have about the they do that makes you trust them? Who story? don’t you trust? What do they do that makes you not trust them?  Ultimately, Abraham and Sarah had a “I Wonder . . .” Prompts (Pioneers and huge family and their family showed the Juniors) world who God is. Who in your family Invite campers to wonder about the story shows you who God is? with you and encourage them to ask their  How do you hear God calling you? (This own wondering questions. If your Bible has a might be hard for kids to articulate. Help map, locate Haran (northwest of Ur, which is them realize that when they feel near the Persian Gulf) and the land of Canaan compelled to do the right thing even when (bordering the Mediterranean Sea) for it is tough—or feel the desire to love and campers to get a sense of the distance of care for others, these are calls from God.) Abraham and Sarah’s journey.  I wonder what it was like for Abraham and Sarah to move to an unknown place when Trust Obstacle Course (Pioneers and they were old . . . Juniors)  I wonder what it would be like to move Abraham and Sarah trusted God and God’s without motorized transportation to a new “crazy” ideas and went blindly into the place . . . wilderness to a new place. Surely, they  I wonder what it felt like to leave encountered obstacles along the way, but everything familiar behind . . . worked together to get through them. Use  I wonder why Abraham trusted God and found objects (rocks, sticks, pinecones, and actually did what God asked of him . . . so forth) to create an obstacle course.  I wonder how Sarah felt when her Arrange the group into pairs. Give each pair a husband, Abraham, announced that they blindfold and have the sighted person guide would be moving to an unknown place . . . the blindfolded person through the obstacle  I wonder what it is like to walk across the course, then have the campers switch roles. desert . . . Debrief the activity. What was it like to trust  I wonder why God chose a man and a someone else completely? What was it like to woman who were old to be the start of be the trusted one? Is it easy or difficult to God’s family . . . trust God’s promises? Why? Who might help you?

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Scavenger Hunt (Juniors) whatever the current year is). The first rock When Abraham and Sarah journeyed into the represents the year 1970 (fifty years ago). unknown, they had to depend on each other People born in 1970 are definitely in a and on God. Send small groups of three to different generation from people who are four campers on a scavenger hunt for things campers in 2020, but the two generations unique to your camp. Consider having them know and care about one another. Subtract find particular buildings or people (for fifty years for each object in the row of forty example, cook, camp nurse). Teams will have to identify the year represented. For example, to communicate with each other and work the second rock or coin would be 1920. If it together to complete the scavenger hunt, and helps, for every five or six rocks, write the they will get to know the camp a little better. year on a scrap of paper next to the rock. The If you are working with lower elementary last object stands for the year 20 ce, or campers, make sure a leader goes with each approximately twenty years after Jesus was group of campers to keep them safe. Debrief born. Comment that people alive in 1970 the activity. What was it like to look for knew people who were alive in 1920 and something? If you asked for help when you people alive in 1920 knew people who had needed it, how did that improve your been alive in 1870. Each object represents a experience—or not? How does knowing a little person who knew someone in the previous more about the camp help you trust your generation and a person in the next group and leaders? generation. This means that we are only forty generations (or life stories) away from Jesus and the people who lived in his time. Wrap Up (Pioneers and Juniors) Sometimes for kids, going to camp—either Junior High or Middle School Adaptation: Ask overnight camp or day camp—is filled with about other events in history and see if apprehension. It might feel a little bit like campers can find where those events would they are stepping out in faith and trust and be in the object line. For example, Martin going on a journey to an unknown place. Luther’s 1517 writings are only about ten Invite campers to share their stories about objects from them today. Sometimes coming to camp, being extra sensitive to kids generations have trouble understanding one who may be feeling apprehensive. How did another. Ask why that might be. (Different they hear about camp? Did someone invite world circumstances, changes in technology, them to come? Are they with a friend or did new family expectations.) How would they come alone? Share your own stories campers explain their generation’s experience about going to camp for the first time, to people from 1970 and 1920? How about moving away from home, or any other from 1870? (Topics could include why cell experience that was brand new for you. Be phones are or aren’t important, social media, honest about how you felt and remind the school violence, church life, school campers (and yourself) that God was with expectations.) you every step of the way, just like God was with Abraham and Sarah on their adventure. Senior High Adaptation: Offer the idea that forty people represent forty very different life stories and experiences. Forty Life Stories (Intermediate and  Whose story would they want to hear and Senior High) why? (Possibilities might include George Recall the conversation about generations Washington, Sacagawea, Martin Luther, from the previous night. Then explain that in Queen Elizabeth I, Peter the apostle, Mary this activity you will be visualizing the concept Magdalene.) of generations. Take forty rocks or pennies  What is it like to try to imagine time in and ask campers to put them in a straight this way? (Possible responses include row. Each rock will represent a particular year feeling closer to historical people, that from 1970 back to the year 20 ce. The time feels shorter, that generations are campers will represent the year 2020 (or easier to understand.) 28

Pack It Up, Move It Out (Intermediate and the tower of Babel, God is going to make and Senior High) the divine reputation known by making Before reading the Bible story, help campers promises (and keeping them!) to one family, pronounce a few words from the story. Invite who is expected to use this blessing to bless campers to repeat the following words after others. Give campers time to find Genesis you. 12:1-9 in their Bible. Ask for a volunteer to read the passage. Ask for one or two people A-brum (Abram) to summarize the passage. SEHR-eye (Sarai)  What does the Lord ask Abram and Sarai ER (Ur) to do? (Leave their home, leave their HAR-ahn (Haran) family, go to a new place.) KAY-nuhn (Canaan)  Why does the Lord ask Abram and Sarai SHECK-um (Shechem) to go? (To use them as the start of a great MORE-eh (Moreh) nation, to be a source of blessing for all AYE (Ai) the families of the earth.) NEHG-ehv (Negeb) (Note: a b in Hebrew makes a v sound.) Three Promises (Intermediate and Ask who has a Bible with a map of Israel. Senior High) Encourage sharing if necessary. A map for God’s promise to Abram and Sarai has three Abram’s travels may be either found in parts. They are promised (1) land, (2) many Genesis or with other maps in the back of the descendants, and (3) enough blessings to Bible. Ask campers to find Ur, Haran, Egypt, share. Canaan, and Bethel. Use the distance  Why is land important? (They can have markers of the maps to estimate the distance animals and grow crops; they can bargain between Ur and Haran and Haran and with others; they have a place to call Canaan. home.)  Why are descendants important? Ur to Haran = about 600 miles [966 km] (Descendants are people who can carry Haran to Canaan = about 500 miles [805 km] forward ideas that are important, Haran to Bethel = about 420 miles [676 km] traditions, and dreams of previous Bethel to Egypt = about 225 miles [362 km] generations.)  What does it mean to have enough Encourage campers to think about what it blessings to share? (In a place where life would have been like to make that trip in a and work can be hard, having enough to large group, traveling on foot with camels and be generous with others would make donkeys. Prompt them to think about what Abram and Sarai [and their descendants] they know about deserts. (Hot during the stand apart. When others want to know day, cool at night, lack of water, dusty.) the source of their blessings, they could  What would be the potential dangers of give God all the credit.) such a trip?  Did God keep these promises? (Yes.)  What would motivate anyone to make such a trek? In scripture, the people of Israel did enter the  Would a promise be enough? How big a land of Canaan as their homeland, a promised promise? place of community. Many people on Earth— including all Christians, Jews, and Muslims— consider themselves children of Abraham. God’s Promise to Abram and Sarai (Intermediate and Senior High) Today’s story includes a portion of the long How Far Does a Blessing Go? story of Abram and Sarai. Their journey of (Intermediate and Senior High) faith is the first extended narrative in Encourage campers to look at the passage Genesis. After the garden of Eden, the flood, again and then list everyone who makes the 29

journey toward the Negeb. “The persons Abram and Sarai, we don’t know whom God is whom they had acquired in Haran” (Genesis planning to bless through us, just like other 12:5) is how this passage identifies the people may not know how God uses them to enslaved people who belonged to Abram and bless us. Sarai. At this time, as in other points in history, Abram and Sarai enslaved people to work for them. Enslavement likely involved Sharing Stories (Intermediate and Senior racial or economic inequity, meaning enslaved High) people were likely either from a different tribe Trusting God’s promises, Abram and Sarai left or were people who had suffered hardship in everything they knew and went to new their own community and didn’t have their places. They did make mistakes, but God’s own land or flocks. faithfulness to them remained steady.  If God is making the promises of land, Genesis 17 records that God changed their descendants, and blessing to Abram and names to Abraham and Sarah. These new Sarai, how do those promises affect the names were signs of how these two people people who are traveling with them, both had been changed by God’s kept promises. Lot and the enslaved people? (A positive They believed God’s words and received land, interpretation would be that improved a child (Isaac), and new identities as God’s circumstances for Abram and Sarai mean people. As people of faith we remember and that they can take better care of the tell stories of God keeping promises of God’s people in their charge. They may also love and faithfulness. Ask: come to a greater understanding of their  Who is an important person in your life own blessing and be more generous [and who lives with trust in God’s love and freeing] to those who are enslaved or in faithfulness? Encourage campers to share their service.) Allow campers space to a story about a relative, teacher, or consider possible downsides for the mentor. enslaved people as well, if they wish. Invite campers to think for a few minutes about the “cool kids” in their school or youth Blessed to Be a Blessing (Intermediate) group. Using scrap paper (or in notebooks or  What makes them admirable? How do journals), ask campers to make two lists. The others try to imitate them? first list is of tangible blessings that God has  What often happens if a popular kid given them. These are things that can be makes fun of another person? How do touched and seen. The second list is of other people then treat that person? intangible blessings that God has given them.  What often happens if a popular kid shows These cannot be touched or seen, like talents, kindness or support to others? How is that skills, or habits. Ask campers to reflect on imitated? how they can use their tangible gifts to bless While we understand slavery differently others. How about their intangible gifts? today, this story shows us that God’s promises affect everyone. While Abram and Sarai travel with people who aren’t named, Making Promises (Senior High) the blessings God gave to Abram and Sarai Promises and reputations are very critical also affected them and their unnamed high school currency. No one wants a descendants. While being enslaved is never a reputation as a person who cannot keep a blessing, God cared about the welfare of all promise. the travelers. God’s blessings are for the  Ask campers to reflect on when someone famous people, the names in the news, the has broken a promise to them. Is it kids who everyone knows. God’s blessings are possible to trust that person again? How? also equally for the people in the back row,  Ask campers to think about if they’ve ever the people who struggle, the people who are broken a promise. (They do not have to suffering, and the people who do work behind indicate “yes” or “no.”) Invite them to the scenes. Just like those who traveled with reflect on what it means to know you 30

haven’t always done what you promised campers can’t move their hands or grab to do. somewhere else.) The goal is to flip the tarp  How do people who break promises affect while balancing a ball on the top. If the ball our ability to trust God? If people (who we rolls off, begin again. Debriefing questions: can see) don’t always keep their word,  How did it feel if you had to try multiple how do we trust God (whom we can’t times? see)? What proof do we have of God’s  How did it feel when you all succeeded? trustworthy reputation? (Generations of  What changed in the group’s approach to promises kept.) the goal as the game progressed?  Our own behavior, as children of God, also reflects on God and what people may think about God. How might we respond Faith Walk to that knowledge? Try this guided trust walk in a field on a trail—or choose another safe place. The walk can also be used as a transition from one Name Lineup space or activity to the next. Blindfold all the This is a silent game that helps the group campers and have them hold hands or link learn each other’s names. Without speaking, arms. Then you or another counselor lead the campers must line up from shortest name to entire group by voice commands wherever longest name based on the number of letters you decide to go. (You can give directions, or in their first name. You may choose to add to simply talk, or tell a story.) Difficulty of the challenge by having them complete this terrain and time can be adjusted based on the on a balance beam or against some other campers’ abilities and comfort levels. When line, or by including additional rounds (lining the walk has been completed, have everyone up by birthdate; height; eye, shirt, or shoe take off their blindfolds and gather to debrief. color). Debriefing questions:  What helped you get through the walk  How difficult was it to remember safely? everyone’s names?  Did having the group and your counselor  What was it like to get people to there make a difference? understand what you were trying to communicate?  What was it like to try to understand what River Crossing other people were trying to communicate? This is an easier, mobile version of the low  Which was harder? ropes element “Bog.” Lay two ropes (or put down the tape) parallel to each other, 20 to 30 feet apart. Tell the group that these lines Tarp Flip are the banks of a raging river, and everyone This activity can be done in one of two (or needs to get across together. The carpet both!) ways, but the end goal is for the tarp squares are logs and rocks that campers to be completely flipped from one side to the place to assist everyone in getting across. The other while either the group or the ball stays current is strong enough that once placed in on top of the tarp without touching the the river, each square must be held down at surrounding ground. Option 1: First, all all times (campers can’t let go of them) or campers must stand on the tarp together. else they will be “swept away.” Campers must Then without getting off, they must flip the all successfully make it across the river for entire tarp so that the bottom side becomes the challenge to be complete. Debrief: the top. The campers must remain on the  How did you help other campers cross the tarp without touching the ground. If anyone river? How did other campers help you? falls off, begin the challenge again  Did helping each other make it easier or (processing can be done as you go or at the harder to cross the river? end). Option 2: All campers must hold on to  How did it feel to trust others to help you? the tarp around its perimeter without letting  How did it feel to have others trust you to go. (Wrists may be adjusted for comfort, but help them? 31

Traffic Jam  What was difficult about being around the On a clear floor space, map out a grid of edges? What did the group do together to squares. Usually 4′ x 4′ [1.2 m x 1.2 m] is make that easier? sufficient for younger elementary campers,  What obstacles might our group face but feel free to make it a size that fits your during this week at camp? How did this group best. Each square needs to be large activity help prepare us for those enough for one camper to stand on at a time. obstacles? The objective is for the entire group to successfully cross the area from entrance to exit; however, they do not know the path they are supposed to be taking. Campers decide together where they want to start and which next step they want to try. Every time they step on an incorrect space (you as the leader tell them), the entire group must return to the beginning to start again. Eventually (by remembering the correct steps they’ve already identified), they will find the way through the invisible path! Ahead of time, you or another leader decide the route. It can weave through the squares as much as you desire, but it should begin at one end, finish at the far end, and each correct step should touch the previous step, whether vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Debriefing questions:  What helped you get through the walk to the end?  How did the group and your counselor help?  How did it feel having to trust your counselor? Your group?  How does it feel to know that we can trust God to be with us and lead us?

Minefield Use four cones to mark off a space about 20′ long x 10′ wide [6 m long x 3 m wide] and fill it with different obstacles to create the minefield. Campers, blindfolded, will have to traverse the playing area one by one, while the rest of the campers stand around the perimeter and direct the person safely around the obstacles to the other side. Switch and move obstacles around between turns. Debriefing questions:  What helped you get through the walk successfully?  What was difficult about walking through? What did the group do to make it easier?

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Day 1 Worship Ideas

Invocation Scripture Drama The following invocation activity, called the For this reading, invite two campers to act as Trinity Cheer, is similar to Simon Says. First, the speakers of the text. One character will have a leader divide campers into three equal be the voice of the Narrator, and one groups. Then, assign one name of the Trinity character will be the voice of God. Print out to each group (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and and provide the following script to both instruct campers to follow the signals of the readers. It may help to pronounce some of leader. Campers shout the assigned name the more difficult names and places for when they are pointed at and the phrase “The campers before the readings begin. Three in One!” when the leader points up at the sky. Narrator: A reading from the book of Genesis, beginning in the twelfth chapter. “Now the Leader: We are gathered here today in the LORD said to Abram, name of the . . . Group 1: Father! God: “‘Go from your country and your kindred Group 2: Son! and your father’s house to the land that I will Group 3: Holy Spirit! show you. I will make of you a great nation, All: The Three in One! and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who Confession and Forgiveness curses you I will curse; and in you all the The following words of confession and families of the earth shall be blessed.’ forgiveness involve imagination and instruction. Select a leader to say the Narrator: “So Abram went, as the LORD had following words. told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Leader: We come to worship knowing that we Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his have done some things we shouldn’t have brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that done. We all have times when we hurt they had gathered, and the persons whom people’s feelings, when we hurt God’s they had acquired in Haran; and they set creation, and when we do things we aren’t forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they proud of. We will take this moment now to had come to the land of Canaan, Abram reflect and confess those things to God. Take passed through the land to the place at out your imaginary pencil (leader holds up Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time imaginary pencil) and write some of those the Canaanites were in the land. Then the things on your hand (leader mimes writing on LORD appeared to Abram, and said, hand). Let’s all take a few moments to do that. (Pause for about 30 seconds.) These God: ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’ things written on our hands are not the things that define who we are. God promises to love Narrator: “So he built there an altar to the us yesterday, today, and tomorrow. So now LORD, who had appeared to him. From there take your imaginary eraser (leader holds up he moved on to the hill country on the east of imaginary eraser) and erase those sins away. Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on Because God promises that our sins are the west and Ai on the east; and there he forgiven in Jesus Christ—they are totally built an altar to the LORD and invoked the erased. Our sins are completely forgiven in name of the LORD. And Abram journeyed on Jesus’s name. I invite you to respond with the by stages toward the Negeb.” Here ends the word Amen. All God’s children say: Amen! reading.

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Message The following message comes in the form of a Main Character: I will . . . when I’m done! skit, “You Are My Beloved.” Provide a copy to [Runs away with child’s toy.] each participant. Roles to be filled by campers: Main Character, Parent, Sibling, Sibling: [Starts to cry.] Voice of God. Props: a blanket, a child’s toy. You will need the following backdrop: a place Parent: [Walks into room, comes to stand in for the Voice of God to speak and be heard front of Main Character.] That was not a nice but remain mostly hidden. thing to do. That is not your toy. If you wanted to play with it, you could have asked You Are My Beloved your sibling nicely for permission. But taking that toy was not good. Scene 1 Main Character: [Nods in understanding, then [Parent is looking at Main Character who is walks back over to Sibling. Hands over child’s pretending to be a sleepy baby on top of the toy.] I’m sorry. That was not kind of me. Here blanket.] is your toy back. Can you forgive me?

Parent: Hello, little baby! This is the Voice of God: [Hidden a bit, but also partially beginning of your life! I wonder what you will visible.] You are my beloved! I love you when be like when you grow up. I wonder where you do things that are good, and I love you you will go, and who you will be. even when you do things that aren’t good. I loved you yesterday. I love you today. And I Main Character: [Sleeps peacefully on baby will love you tomorrow too. blanket.] Main Character: [Looks around, confused, Voice of God: [Totally hidden.] You are my trying to find who said that. Sees Parent and beloved! I will go with you everywhere and be Sibling but does not see Voice of God. Main with you always. I loved you yesterday. I love Character gives up. Sibling invites Main you today. And I will love you tomorrow too. Character to play, and they share the child’s toy.] Main Character: [Looks around, confused, to find who said that. Sees Parent but does not Scene 3 see Voice of God. Peacefully goes back to sleep.] Main Character first mimes running, then slows down, then walks stooped over, as if Scene 2 with a cane. Main Character puts the blanket over their own shoulders like a shawl to keep Main Character grows up a little bit: first an elderly body warm. crawling, then walking, then running and playing. After a little while, Sibling enters the Main Character: What a life I’ve had! I’ve scene. Sibling has a toy and plays alone. been so many places . . . done so many things. I’ve done pretty well, but I’ve also Sibling: [Talking to self.] I have this new toy, made some pretty bad mistakes. I wonder and I love it! It is the most favorite toy I have what that means for my life. I hope that ever had! This is the best! [Plays with toy.] there’s a place for me to rest my old, tired bones. Main Character: [Walks over, taps shoulder, takes toy away from Sibling.] I want to play Voice of God: [Steps out to be fully visible.] with this! Beloved!

Sibling: But that’s mine. Can you please give Main Character: [Surprised, but happy.] God? it back? Is that you? That was your voice? 34

Voice of God: Yes, Beloved! I’ve always been blessing, to which campers respond with here. I’ve always loved you. [Voice of God another phrase, in this case, an “Amen.” You walks over, puts an arm around Main may choose to teach this orally only, or you Character’s shoulders.] I loved you yesterday. may project the words on a screen. Repeat I love you today. And I will love you the call and response multiple times, tomorrow too. Let’s go home. escalating in volume, to build up energy before the sending song. Main Character and Voice of God walk away together arm in arm. Leader: God loves you: yesterday, today, and tomorrow! End Skit and Recap Campers: Amen, amen, amen!

Leader: And that’s our skit! So, what do you think was the main point of the story? (Wait Traveling Prayer (Preschool) to receive two or three answers, thanking the When you begin the prayer, everyone will campers after they speak.) Here’s what I march around in a circle. Each time you stop think: it’s about the promise of God’s the prayer, campers will all turn around and enduring, steadfast love for you. For every march in the other direction. Have campers part of your life, God promises to be there practice marching in place before beginning. with you. That is the promise that God made Lift knees high. to Abraham and Sarah, and it’s the promise that God makes to you too. God is always Dear God, faithful and will always be there with you, Thank you for showing Abraham and Sarah every step of your life, from today to the way to go. (stop) tomorrow, from generation to generation. Thank you for sending loving people to show us the way to go. (stop) Thank you for traveling with us, wherever we Prayer go. (stop) The following prayer is one that can be read Amen. (stop) aloud by the assembly in unison. Project the words on a screen for all to see or hand out paper copies for all to follow along. Select a Closing Blessing leader to open the prayer. Sit in a circle and say together:

Leader: Let’s spend some time thanking and God be in my head. (touch forehead) praising our God through prayer. Won’t you God be in my heart. (cross hands over chest) pray with me? (Pause for a few moments of God be on my left. (touch left shoulder) silence.) God be on my right. (touch right shoulder)

All: Dear God, sometimes we don’t know where life is going. Sometimes we don’t know Pray Together (Pioneers and Juniors) how to deal with what is going on right now, Prayer binds us through the generations. Pray today, in our lives. Whenever we get scared Psalm 100:5, the theme verse for the week, about today, help us to know that you are as a rhythmic echo prayer with your campers present. Whenever we get scared of the at least once each day. Doing this will help future, help us to remember that you go with this important verse lodge deep into their us, no matter where we go. In Jesus’s name. bones where it will stay forever and rise to Amen. consciousness when they need to remember they are not alone in this life!

Benediction For the Lord is good; (group echoes) The following benediction is a call and his steadfast love (group echoes) response. A leader speaks one phrase of endures forever, (group echoes) 35

and his faithfulness (group echoes) Leader: God’s history began long before our to all generations. (group echoes) time. Psalm 100, verse 5, Amen. (group echoes) All: God holds the future long after us. Leader: God’s promises are for all people, now and forever. Closing Ritual (Pioneers and Juniors) All: God’s promises are for all people, now Gather your campers in a tight circle and pray and forever. this prayer aloud.

God, Help us trust you and your promises, Prayer (Intermediate and Senior High) even when everything is new and unfamiliar. Help us trust each other, Dear God, and ask questions when we need help. You keep promises from generation to generation. You connect all people through Then, make the sign of the cross on the hand both time and space, beyond our or forehead of each camper in turn and say: understanding. You kept your promises of land, descendants, and blessings to Abraham Trust in God. God is with you always. Amen. and Sarah. Help us to see how you keep your promises of love and faithfulness to us and to all people. Amen. Litany (Intermediate and Senior High) Leader: God is bigger than what we know. All: God is bigger than our imaginations.

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Day 2: Joseph

Bible Text: Genesis 45:1-15; 50:19-20

Concept: God’s promises are promises forever. Even when people hurt or confuse us, or we are afraid, sad, or lonely, God’s promises are the real deal, and we can rely on God.

Objectives: What will campers…  Know: That God sticks by us all the time.  Feel: Empathy for their camp family.  Do: Celebrate with camp friends who stick together.

Song Ideas: We All Are One in Mission (ELW 576); Come, All You People (ELW 819); Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love (ELW 708)

Main Text (NRSV): Genesis 45:1-15; 50:19-20 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Send everyone away from me.’ So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?’ But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come closer to me.’ And they came closer. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, “Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.” And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honoured in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.’ Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him. But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.

Biblical Interpretation The promises made to Abraham and Sarah had faithfully and uneventfully passed to their son, Isaac. Isaac and his wife, Rebekah, had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. The normal custom of that time and place was that the blessing of the father was given to the oldest son; however, in this case it was passed to Jacob, who had manipulated the situation. Jacob, who was later called Israel after wrestling with God, had twelve sons with four wives. The eleventh son, Joseph, became the object of Jacob’s delight and the scorn of the other brothers.

In Genesis 37, Joseph’s brothers have had enough of their brother’s privilege and take the opportunity to get rid of him and sell him into slavery. Joseph ends up in Egypt, where God blesses 37

him, but his fortune again reverses, and he ends up in prison (Genesis 39–40). Twice betrayed he sits there, forgotten, until his circumstances turn a third time and Joseph becomes a main advisor to Pharaoh (Genesis 41). A cycle of seven years of abundance and an equal period of famine bring Joseph’s brothers to Egypt to try and buy food (Genesis 42). There they meet Joseph but do not recognize him. Faced with the choice of bitterness or grace, Joseph realizes that God has been faithful in all the circumstances Joseph has faced and has empowered him to live by responding with grace.

Just as God had the first word in creation (Genesis 1:3), the story of Joseph teaches us that betrayal by friends and family and the resultant suffering are not the last word—that, too, belongs to God. The last word is one of promise, and a central theme of our faith is that God keeps promises from generation to generation. In Joseph’s assurance to his brothers in Genesis 45:4-8, a broken relationship is restored as Joseph gives up his personal power and embraces the promise of God from a greater perspective—God’s.

The final verses of Genesis 50 (and the book of Genesis) encapsulate the narrative of Joseph. Fearing Joseph’s revenge after their father’s death, the brothers once again plan how they will handle this new relationship with the brother they had abandoned. They start with a request supposedly from the previous generation—their father, Jacob. They add their own demonstration of contrition, hoping that Joseph will be lenient in his dealings with them. Rather than responding in kind (out of his own fear) or with a sense of retribution, Joseph recognizes the faithfulness and steadfast love of God at work: Joseph points out that what his brothers had intended for an evil purpose God had used for good (v. 20). God keeps God’s promises from generation to generation.

Additional Texts Psalm 27 (God will always be there) Psalm 118:1-9 (Encouragement to trust God, not rulers) Jeremiah 17:5-8 (Don’t trust in mere humans) Luke 22 (Jesus experiences betrayal) Hebrews 6:10-20 (God’s promises are trustworthy)

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Day 2 Games and Activities

Gather (Preschool)  To assemble the puppet, tape a craft stick Explain that God’s love doesn’t have a firmly to the back of one of the plates. beginning or ending either. God’s love is with This will be the handle for the puppet. us all the time. Show children how to make a  Use tape loops to attach the second plate, little circle with their thumb and pointer so the backs of the plates are back to finger. Look through your spyglass (little back. Staple them together if needed for finger circle) and teach campers this call and reinforcement. response as they look through their  Write the children’s names on the spyglasses. puppets.

Leader: I spy ______(child’s name). Point out that we all have happy and sad All: God loves ______(child’s name). times. You will name something that could happen and campers will hold up their happy Repeat this for each camper. or sad side to show how they might feel.

 It’s your birthday. “Happy Times, Sad Times” Puppet  Your best friend moved away. (Preschool)  You got a new puppy. Sit in a circle. Ask campers to show you their  You fell down and needed a Band-Aid for happiest face, then their saddest face. Have your knee. children stand up. Ask them to use their  You found out you are having pizza for whole bodies to show “happy” and “sad.” dinner. Then invite them to sit down. Explain that  Your grandma is in the hospital. they’re going to make a two-sided puppet  You’re going swimming at a water park. that looks like themselves with a happy side  You’re going to the zoo. and a sad side. Pass hand mirrors around the circle and ask campers to study their own faces, focusing on hair, freckles, eyelashes, Word (Preschool) eyebrows, and other distinctive Explain to campers that someone in the Bible characteristics. story today had happy and sad times, just  Ask if any of them look the same. Why like they do. The children will help you tell the not? story by holding up the happy or sad side of  Who made them unique? their puppets when you give the signal.  Point out that God made each of them, Practice the signal and response before and no one else is just like they are. reading the story. A thumbs-up means the happy side. A thumbs-down means the sad Directions for Making the Puppet side. Read the story of Joseph and his  Initially give campers one paper plate and brothers from a Bible storybook. (Use a two wiggly eyes. Demonstrate where to version that includes today’s Bible text, place the wiggly eyes and how to use a Genesis 45:1-15 and 50:19-20.) As you read, marker to draw a smile on the eating side pause to give thumbs-up and thumbs-down of the plate. You may help by drawing a cues and allow time for them to react. Collect smile shape in pencil for them to trace in the puppets. marker.  Invite them to add hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, or other details. God Is Stuck on Me (Preschool)  Repeat this process for the “sad” side with Explain that God stuck by Joseph during a second plate. happy times and sad times. God sticks by us too. For each child, draw a large heart outline

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with the word “GOD” written inside the shape marshmallow into something sticky. on a sticky note. Demonstrate how to knead a marshmallow  Ask campers if they recognize the word. between your thumbs and fingers. Have the  Spell “God” together. children copy your actions. What happens? (The marshmallow turns into a sticky mess.) As you attach a sticky note to each camper’s Point out that this sticky marshmallow can shirt, say, “God sticks by ______(child’s remind us that God always sticks by us. name).” Then lead everyone in this response. Give campers graham cracker halves and a few gummy bears. Have them create a snack Leader: Who always sticks by us? (hold palms by smearing the sticky marshmallow onto the up) cracker and sticking on the bears. Say a table All: God always sticks by us. (look up and prayer before eating. When done, wash all raise hands high, hug self) the sticky fingers.

Magnet Experiments (Preschool) Sticky People (Preschool) Hold up a magnet and ask campers if they God wonderfully made our bodies. We have know what it is. Explain that it’s a magnet. all kinds of moving parts. Practice identifying Magnets look like stones, but they don’t act and moving each part before campers play like stones. Ask children to watch carefully. the game: shoulders, knees, ankles, wrists,  Dump out the paper clips in a pile in front fingers, hips. Explain that campers are going of you and move the magnet toward to play a game that moves their whole them. What happens? (The paper clips bodies. stick to the magnet.)  Hold up a jingle bell. The magnet will stick 1. Form pairs. to this too. Explain that magnets stick to 2. When you call out instructions, camper any kind of material that is made with iron pairs touch or “stick” those parts or steel. together: wrist to wrist, toe to toe, elbow Now campers can be the scientists and to elbow, and so on. predict what the magnet will stick to. Hold up 3. When you call out, “People to people,” a variety of items, one at a time, and let everyone runs to find a new partner. campers shout out “Sticky” or “Not sticky.” 4. For a greater challenge, call out two Try a coin, nail, crayon, marker, little different body parts, such as shoulder to flashlight, marble, big metal washer, small wrist. canned good, soda can, and other items you have on hand. Tell campers that sometimes we feel sad and all alone. But, like Joseph, we God Glimpses (Pioneers and Juniors) can trust God to always stick by us, like a Kids in elementary school often have a hard very strong magnet. Say the call and time seeing evidence of God in their everyday response together. lives. One way to help them begin to see God is to assure them that God is present in all Leader: Who always sticks by us? (hold palms things that are life-giving, loving, and up) beautiful. Look around your environment and All: God always sticks by us. (look up and name a few places you see God: in the warm raise hands high, hug self) sun; in a kind smile; in the beautiful flowers, lakes, and trees; in new friendships. Once you have given a few examples, invite your A Very Sticky Snack (Preschool) campers to add to the list. Upper elementary Have campers wash their hands. Give each campers may enjoy running around with a camper a large marshmallow to hold. Ask camera taking pictures of “God glimpses.” how it feels. Have them gently rub it against their cheek. (It feels soft and squishy.) Explain that they’re going to turn their 40

Happy Endings (Pioneers and Juniors) Read Genesis 45:1-15; 50:19-20 dramatically Joseph’s brothers were speechless and to help the campers understand better what surprised by God when they encountered is happening. Paraphrase it or read from a Joseph many years after their shenanigans Bible storybook for the younger campers but selling him as a slave. They never imagined be sure to maintain the dramatic flair. After he would be alive, much less in charge of food the reading, ask campers to act it out with for an entire country. Create a list of events only facial expressions, body language, and that are sad or difficult but ultimately have sound effects based on these short summary happy, surprising endings. (Examples follow: statements. A lost pet is found; a bully at school  Joseph yells loudly and sends everyone apologizes; you are sick at home during a out of the room except his brothers. party at school and your friend stops by to  Joseph asks his brothers to move in close bring some of the party to you.) Ask for to him so they can discover who he is. volunteers to pantomime the action silently  Joseph tells his brothers to relax and not for the rest of the group to guess. Upper be afraid. Even though they behaved like elementary campers may enjoy coming up scoundrels years before when they sold with the list themselves. him into slavery, God used it for good.  Joseph invites his brothers to go back home to get their dad, their wives and Word (Pioneers and Juniors) kids, all their farm animals and all their As you study the Bible to get to know more personal stuff and bring it all to Egypt. about God through the stories, be sure to Joseph wants to be certain his family is cultivate an open and affirming environment. fed and safe. Encourage questions and wonderments. Ask  Joseph and his brothers hug each other questions and wonder aloud yourself, to and cry. model this way of engaging with scripture. When you are done with the story, talk You may not know the answers to the through some questions together. Remember questions some of your campers have, and to encourage kids to ask their own questions, there may not even be answers. That is okay! too. Asking questions helps the story stick, What is most important is to create a safe and imagining what the story means for us space for the entire community to wonder today helps to bring relevance. about God. Set up this Bible study with a quick review of Joseph’s story.  Today’s Bible story from Genesis, the first Basic Questions (Pioneers and Juniors) book of the Old Testament, is about what Gauge your campers’ understanding of the happened after Joseph’s brothers sold him story by asking these questions. to be a slave in Egypt. There was a famine  Who was your favorite character in the (food shortage) in Israel, but Egypt, story? Why? where Joseph lived and worked, had  If you could choose to be a character in plenty of food. So, Joseph’s brothers the story, who would you choose to be? traveled to Egypt—but they had no idea Why? that Joseph still lived there. By that time,  Why did Joseph’s brothers show up in he had an important job working for Egypt? Pharaoh.  What did Joseph do when he recognized  Joseph’s brothers were really hungry. Ask his brothers? a few campers if they would like to share  What was your favorite part of the story? about a time that they have been really  What questions do you have? hungry.  Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.  Joseph’s brothers became nervous and anxious when they realized that Joseph knew who they were. 41

“I Wonder . . .” Prompts (Pioneers and change. Have them take off their glasses or Juniors) turn them upside down; put their shoes on Invite campers to wonder about the story the wrong feet; or, if you have supplies, add with you and encourage them to ask their an accessory. Give as many people a turn as own wondering questions. possible and play as long as time allows.  I wonder what it was like to be sold into Upper elementary campers can make more slavery by your brothers . . . subtle changes like parting their hair on the  I wonder what it would feel like to be one opposite side, removing an earring, or tucking of the most important people in a a shirt in. After the game, talk about the country... most surprising changes people made. Which  I wonder what it felt like to look up from ones were the hardest to figure out? The your work and see your long-lost family... easiest? How do you think Joseph and his  I wonder when Joseph felt God’s presence brothers felt when they learned the truth the least... about each other? How did they recognize  I wonder when Joseph felt God’s presence God’s presence in this story? the most…  I wonder if God works for good today in families that are experiencing conflict… Shoe Life Stories (Juniors) 1. Sit in a circle and put your feet in the middle. “What about Us?” Questions (Pioneers 2. Talk about your shoes and notice how and Juniors) they are all unique and different, like each Invite campers to think about this story inside one of you is unique and different with the context of their own lives and families. unique perspectives and life experiences.  Who in your family might be like Joseph? 3. Imagine the stories your shoes would tell  Who in your family might be like his if they could talk. brothers? 4. Talk about how all people have a special  How have challenging things that have story, their LIFE story. happened in your family (divorce, job loss, 5. Discuss the importance of all LIFE stories death, illness) shaped who your family is and how important it is to show empathy now? Do you see God working through to each other’s story, because we have no these tough situations? idea what someone is going through at  Imagine that our country is in a famine any given time. and we are starving. Would you go to 6. Share a story about a time in your life another country to find food? Would you that was difficult, where you found God in stay there? Who would you want to keep the struggle, and who helped you see with you for as long as the famine lasts? things from a new perspective. 7. Invite campers to share their stories about times in their own lives that were difficult, Surprise, You Changed! (Pioneers) and with the group, suggest places where Joseph changed so much between the time God showed up for them if they can’t his brothers sold him into slavery and the envision that themselves. time they went to Egypt looking for food that Lower elementary campers may be most they did not recognize him. Choose a comfortable focused on the shoe portion of volunteer to stand in front of the rest of the the activity and may find it difficult to share group, and the rest of the group will study stories about challenging times, unless you everything about them for 30 seconds. Then have built an incredible level of trust with the volunteer will go out of sight of the group them. and change one thing about their appearance. After 1 minute, the volunteer will return to the group and the group will have to figure Wrap Up (Pioneers and Juniors) out what is different. You may need to help God’s grace infuses the story of Joseph and some kids think about things that they could his brothers. God was present through the 42

whole story and made something awful into Senior High Adaptation something beautiful. Forgiveness and new Reframing is taking a thought or situation and perspectives are not possible without God’s looking at it in a new way. We do this all the abundant grace. Sing “Amazing Grace.” Or time when we are hurt or confused by you could play a recording or music video of a something that happens around us. We may song that captures God’s presence and grace try to shift the blame to someone else or to in the midst of challenging times. (Examples ourselves, or we may try to put a more are “Rescuer” and “My Lighthouse” by Rend positive spin on something that really stinks. Collective.) Encourage your campers to be Point out that reframing is essentially aware of God’s presence in their daily lives. emotional or internal composting or recycling. Invite them to take time to notice God’s We are using older or rotten materials to presence with them throughout the day at grow something new. Invite campers to times that make sense for them, such as consider these questions. around a campfire or just before going to  What’s a situation you’ve reframed for sleep. yourself?  How can reframing be harmful? (Sometimes our reframing isn’t honest. Composting and Recycling We may blame someone else for (Intermediates and Senior High) something that was really our mistake. Or Ask campers if they’ve ever heard of we may take on blame or duties that composting. If any campers are from a home aren’t actually ours to own.) with a compost bin or pile, ask them about their family’s practices. (Be aware that compost habits may vary depending on Who Is in Charge? (Intermediates and region.) Campers from urban areas may know Senior High) about food scrap collecting programs or Ask campers to find Psalm 118 in their Bibles composting in community gardens but not as and ask for a volunteer to read verses 1-9. a home practice. Explain that composting This psalm talks about how faithful God has takes living materials (food waste, lawn been and how God has always kept God’s clippings, plant material, eggshells, some promises. The psalm writer, also called the types of paper or cardboard) and then psalmist, talks about how God hears cries of combines them. The material decomposes all distress and in response, answers, bringing together, making a nutrient-rich mix that can the person to safety. Psalm 118 in particular be used to help new gardens and plants grow. highlights how people cannot do the things Composting takes what would have been that God can do. The psalmist writes that we trash and helps create new life out of the should not put our confidence in “mortals” decay. Ask campers to think about recycling. (meaning things that die). All of us have  If they live in an area where recycling is people who make rules in our lives: bosses, available, ask what they are able to elected officials, professors. Ask the campers recycle (Possible answers include paper, the following: plastics, tin, aluminum, glass, cardboard,  Who makes rules in your life? (Possible and cloth.) answers include parents, grandparents,  Ask campers what happens to materials guardians, teachers, senators and that are recycled. (They are used to make representatives, police officers, friends.) new things.) In the best situations, we trust rule makers,  Why is recycling important? (It takes trash like the people mentioned, to be fair and just, that would just take up space and reuses and to apply the rules in the same way to all it to make new things.) people. Unfortunately, some people struggle Like composting, recycling takes something to apply rules fairly. When rules are applied that would have been negative and creates unfairly or inconsistently, we have injustice. something new, useful, and positive. Injustice hurts people. This psalm reminds us that people make mistakes and that mistakes cause injustice. God does not make mistakes 43

and also works to heal injustices. This is why  Joseph successfully interprets Pharaoh’s our ultimate trust belongs to God. dreams and is let out of prison; Genesis 41:17-36. (upper pitch)  Joseph is put in charge of Pharaoh’s Highs and Lows (Intermediates and accounts and helps Egypt through a food Senior High) crisis; Genesis 41:37-49, 53-57. (upper Show campers how to make their voices go pitch) up higher in pitch and then down lower in  Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to look pitch. Pretend your voice is a roller coaster: for food and do not recognize Joseph; demonstrate going up a hill and then down Genesis 42:1-8. (upper or lower pitch) with your voice. Encourage them to respond  Joseph plays a trick on them to see if they with vocalizations as you read the summary have changed and they have, now of events of the life of Joseph found in the showing care for their brother Benjamin; book of Genesis (chapters 30, 37–44). Let Genesis 42:14—44:34. (upper pitch) campers know they should use the upper Joseph’s life had a lot of ups and downs, just pitch with events that seem positive in like our own lives. Part of what the Bible does nature. They can pair the lower pitch with is help us understand how generations of events that seem negative. people have trusted God to keep God’s  Joseph is born to Rachel, who had wanted promises, even when things were not going a baby for a long time; Genesis 30:22-24. well. (upper pitch)  Joseph is loved by his father, Jacob; Genesis 37:3. (upper pitch) God, the Great Composter  Jacob gives Joseph a fancy robe, like a (Intermediates and Senior High) coat; Genesis 37:3. (upper pitch) Ask campers to find Genesis 45:1-15 and  Joseph’s brothers hate him and cannot 50:19-20 in their Bibles. These sections talk to him kindly; Genesis 37:4, 11. outline Joseph’s reunion with his brothers, (lower pitch) after he tested them. Ask for volunteers to  Joseph has powerful dreams about the read. Joseph and his brothers have a very future that are confusing; Genesis 37:5- emotional reunion. His brothers are truly 11. (upper or lower pitch) shocked to see him and unsure about how he  Joseph’s brothers attack him and throw will treat them. Joseph, on the other hand, him into a pit; Genesis 37:12-24. (lower believes that God has made good come out of pitch) the situation. His trust in God means that  Joseph’s brothers sell him to some traders even though things have become rocky, headed to Egypt. They lead their father, Joseph knows that God is working to bring Jacob, to believe that Joseph has been healing and new life. Just like with killed by a wild animal; Genesis 37:28-33. composting or recycling, God uses the (lower pitch) “waste” of human bad decisions to make new  Joseph ends up working for the captain of things grow. Pharaoh’s guard and is very successful;  What are some of the unjust or unfair Genesis 39:1-6. (upper pitch) things that happened to Joseph?  The captain’s wife tries to trap Joseph and (Campers will need to recall “highs and then lies about him; Genesis 39:7-18. lows” above. Joseph got thrown into a pit, (lower pitch) was sold, was attacked and lied about,  Joseph ends up in jail; Genesis 39:19-20. and went to jail.) (lower pitch)  How do we know that God didn’t intend  The jailer treats Joseph fairly; Genesis for any of those things to happen? (This 39:21-23. (upper pitch) invites campers to speculate about the  Eventually, Pharaoh hears that Joseph nature of God, so don’t be surprised if interprets dreams; Genesis 41:9-14. campers are silent. You may nudge them (upper or lower pitch) to consider that God made a beautiful creation, gave people talents, keeps 44

promises, and shows grace—so it’s Joseph. Second, remind campers that reasonable to conclude that God does not Joseph’s brothers were sorry, but not intend for people to suffer or struggle. everyone who hurts others is. God never Difficult things happen in our world, just expects us to stay in a situation where we are like in Joseph’s life because of the choices hurt in our body or our spirit. Invite campers that people make. In fact, the choices of to reflect silently on a situation that originally people we don’t even know can still affect seemed negative but has come to be healed us, and likewise, our own choices affect or have a positive outcome. Invite sharing others.) while noting that it is not required.  How did God work to bring hope and new life out of the bad things that happened to Joseph? (Campers will need to recall Moonball “highs and lows” above. He was able to This is a structured version of the classic foresee a famine coming to Egypt and “keep it in the air” game. The objective is for plan for food storage. He was in a position the group to keep the ball in the air, either as to help his family.) long as possible or while traveling across a Joseph was able to forgive his brothers given space. General rules: the ball cannot be because he had seen God bring good out of held, only hit back into the air, and no one his situation. He also had spent a long time can touch the ball twice in a row. Debriefing thinking about his family and letting go of questions: hurt and resentment. Forgiveness is part of  Did this challenge ever get frustrating? what God does inside us to help new things  Did you ever feel like quitting or giving grow in broken places where we have pain, up? What kept you from doing so? grief, and frustration.

Dinosaur Egg Naming the Helpers (Junior High or The group must transport the ball (dinosaur Middle School) egg) from one location to the bucket Ask campers to think of a time when they (incubator) without dropping the egg. A were scared or sad. Ask campers who helped carrier (board or lid) must be used; the group them during that time. Encourage campers cannot touch the egg with their hands. The to acknowledge those helpers by saying, egg must begin on the ground, so campers “Thank you, God, for ______.” All they will need to come up with ways to get the egg have to do is say a name; no further details on the carrier, move it to the new location, are necessary. All the people they named are and place it in the bucket. If the egg falls, the people God used to help bring good out of a challenge starts over. For extra difficulty, rough time or difficult situation. Someday, have a hole in the carrier large enough for the campers may be the people God will use to ball to fall through. Debriefing questions: help someone else experience good when  What did you find challenging about this things seem bad, or that may have already activity? occurred.  How did the group use different strategies to get the task done successfully?

Good and Bad—It’s Complicated (Senior High) Hula Hoop Lower Invite campers to recall the earlier This activity seems simple, but in reality, it conversation about reframing. Joseph can be tricky. To start, have one person hold reframed his situation, acknowledging that his a hula hoop at shoulder height. Then have the brothers had tried to hurt him, but that God others gather around the outside of the hula used the circumstances in a positive way. hoop and everyone places one index finger Help campers appreciate that just because under the hoop to support it (no grabbing on God did bring healing out of the situation to the hoop; have them position their hand doesn’t mean that God wanted it to happen to palm downward and hold their index finger 45

out). Without removing their fingers from the see the finder or the object. The rest of the hoop, they must successfully lower the hula group, the motioners, will be able to see the hoop to the ground. Everyone’s small amount playing field, the finder, and the object, but of pressure on the lightweight hoop usually cannot speak. They must use hand motions to causes it to rise swiftly and move all around. signal to the speaker the directions needed to Debriefing questions: help the finder locate the object. Rotate  How did it feel if you had to try multiple campers into another position each round so times? that campers get multiple experiences. If an  How did it feel when you all succeeded? extra challenge is needed, limit the directions  What changed in the group’s approach to the speaker can use: start with them being the goal as the game progressed? only able to direct the finder “forward” and to “turn,” then slowly through the rounds add words like “left,” “right,” “stop,” “up,” “down,” Eric’s Game and so on. Debriefing questions: Campers will rotate between three roles in  How did it feel being the person finding this activity—finder, speaker, and motioner. the object? The goal of the activity is for one camper, the  How did it feel being the speaker? finder, who is blindfolded, to successfully find  How did it feel being in the motioning the object. One other camper, the speaker, group? will be allowed to speak to the finder to give  What changed in the group’s approach to directions, but the speaker will have their the goal as the game progressed? back to the playing field and will be unable to

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Day 2 Worship Ideas

Invocation reflection. When you see me raise my hands, The following invocation is called Head, Heart, please say out loud, with everyone around and Neighbor. The leader first explains the you, the following phrase: “Jesus, forgive invocation, then invites campers and staff to me.” Let’s practice that once. (Raise hands as follow along with their words. campers respond, “Jesus, forgive me.”) Okay, let’s begin. Leader: For today’s invocation, we will be making the sign of the cross upon ourselves Leader: God, I know that you hear and as the invocation is spoken. The sign of the forgive me. In this moment, I lay before you… cross goes like this: forehead, heart, shoulder, shoulder. (Leader demonstrates by Leader: The times when I have been mean to touching one hand first to head, second to others. (Pause about 15 seconds. Then raise heart, third to left shoulder, fourth to the hands.) Jesus, forgive me. right shoulder.) Please join me. Leader: The times when I have cared more Leader: We come to worship in the name of about myself than others around me. (Pause the Father (touch forehead) about 15 seconds. Then raise hands.) Jesus, And in the name of the Son (touch heart) forgive me. And in the name of the Holy Spirit (touch shoulder to shoulder). Leader: The times when I have ignored your teachings. (Pause about 15 seconds. Then And we worship with our heads (touch raise hands.) Jesus, forgive me. forehead) And with our hearts (touch heart) Leader: The times when I have not been And with those around us (touch shoulder to compassionate or caring (Pause about 15 shoulder). Amen! seconds. Then raise hands.) Jesus, forgive me.

Confession and Forgiveness (Insert additional petitions here.) The following words of confession and forgiveness involve instruction and Leader: Children of God, hear this good news! participation. You may also include your own God promises to hear all our confessions— petitions of confession and reflection in these spoken out loud and spoken silently in the prayers. Select a leader to say the following thoughts of our hearts. Just as God promises words. to forgive the generations before us, God also forgives all of our sins today. Amen! Leader: We come to worship knowing that sometimes we are hurt by others, but also that sometimes we hurt others too. God Psalm 118:1-9 (NRSV) wants us to treat others with kindness, Read the psalm in the “Hallelujah-Amen” generosity, and compassion—just as God has style. A leader reads the psalm while the treated us. But sometimes we do the assembly responds with enthusiastic actions opposite. Sometimes, we need forgiveness for or words after each verse as a way for them our sins. We now have a time to confess the to interact with the reading. Before beginning ways that we have not been kind and the psalm, select a leader to introduce several generous with others, knowing that God hears hand motions or other signals (such as raising us and forgives us. a hand over the head, waving a hand, jumping up, or kicking out a leg) as cues for Leader: At this time, I will make a series of specific reactions from the campers. statements, and invite you into a time of 47

Leader: Our psalm today is Psalm 118. When for each frozen action scene. The message this psalm is being read, I need your help begins with most campers closing their eyes doing some actions and saying some words. while the Narrator begins the story. During When you see me raise my hand over my this time, the actors take their places, then head, then you shout as loudly as you can: freeze in action. Then the Narrator instructs “Amen!” When you see me kick my leg out, campers to open their eyes and to view a you say as loudly as you can, “Hallelujah!” If scene frozen in time before them. This you see me jump up and down, you say, pattern continues for several cycles until the “Praise Jesus!” If you see me turn in a circle, story is complete. you say, “Yes, yes!” And if I do a combination of signals, then you say all the responses. Joseph’s Story Let’s practice it together. (Raise hand over head = “Amen!” Kick leg out = “Hallelujah!” Narrator: Our message today comes from the Jump up and down = “Praise Jesus!” Turn in a story of Joseph. I will be guiding you through circle = “Yes, yes!”) Okay, here we go! a stop-action play of our story. Please open and close your eyes when I tell you to, so Leader: A reading from Psalm 118:1-9. that you can see the scene of the story as it’s O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his set out before you. Now, let’s begin. steadfast love endures forever! Everyone, please close your eyes. (Pause for (Raise hand over head.) about 10 seconds while the characters take Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures their places.) forever.” (Kick leg out.) Narrator: This is the story of Joseph. Joseph Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast had a lot of brothers, but didn’t always get love endures forever.” along with them, because they were jealous (Jump up and down). of him. Open your eyes. [Actors: a Joseph Let those who fear the LORD say, “His character stands tall and proud with a big steadfast love endures forever.” smile; other people in the skit, Joseph’s (Turn in a circle.) brothers, glare at him and look unhappy.] Out of my distress, I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me in a broad Narrator: Close your eyes. One day, the place. brothers saw a chance to get rid of Joseph. (Turn in a circle.) They sold him to some people passing by, With the LORD on my side I do not fear. What and they thought that they would never see can mortals do to me? him again. Open your eyes. [Actors: Joseph is (Raise hand over head.) being led away as a prisoner, looking sad. The LORD is on my side to help me; I shall The brothers are smiling, giving high fives, look in triumph on those who hate me. counting money.] (Kick leg out.) It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to Narrator: Close your eyes. After being sold put confidence in mortals. into slavery, Joseph spent some time in (Turn in a circle.) prison. He felt betrayed by his family and by It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to people he thought he should be able to trust. put confidence in princes. It was a terrible time for Joseph. Open your (Jump up and down.) eyes. [Actors: Joseph is sad and alone, sitting Here ends the first reading. on the ground. The brothers are far away, sitting together, looking happy.]

Message Narrator: Close your eyes. The king of the Give the following message in the form of a land where Joseph was prisoner had terrible, dramatized slide show or stop-action movie. troubling nightmares! He didn’t know what You will need a camper to serve as the they meant. He wanted them to stop. Open Narrator and five to seven campers to pose your eyes. [Actors: a king with a confused 48

and upset look on his face is sitting and beyond his betrayal and pain. And these thinking. Joseph is still in jail. The brothers promises of God gave Joseph enough love to are unseen.] in turn share God’s love with those who had hurt him. Thanks be to God! Here ends our Narrator: Close your eyes. One day, the king story. hears that Joseph can interpret dreams. He calls for Joseph to come and interpret his dreams. Joseph listens to the king’s dreams Prayer and tells the king that he needs to prepare for Today’s prayer can be read aloud by the a long famine in the land. Joseph tells him to assembly in unison. Project the words on a store food and prepare for food shortages. screen for all to see, or hand out paper copies Open your eyes. [Actors: Joseph and the king of the words for all to follow along. Select a are having a conversation. Joseph holds his leader to open the prayer. stomach as if he is hungry. The king looks surprised and is listening closely.] Leader: Let’s spend some time thanking and praising our God through prayer. (Pause for a Narrator: Close your eyes. Just as Joseph few moments of silence.) asked, the king stores up food. And, as a reward for his wisdom, the king puts Joseph All: Loving God, you stay with us in this life in charge of giving that food out during the no matter who betrays us. Help us remember famine. As time passes, people everywhere you are with us no matter where we go. Help grow hungry from the famine—even Joseph’s us be compassionate and kind to others, as brothers back home. Because of this, Joseph you have been to us. Amen. ends up face to face with the brothers who betrayed him and now are looking for food. It’s a big surprise for everyone. Open your Benediction eyes. [Actors: The brothers are on their knees Leader: There were many times in Joseph’s before Joseph with looks of surprise and fear story where things were anything but on their faces. Joseph looks angry, sad, or peaceful. But throughout his life God was confused, with his arms crossed over his always with him. We can take comfort that chest.] God is also with us always. As we go, we go with God. So, now, go in peace to love and Narrator: Close your eyes. Joseph forgives his serve the Lord. And all God’s children say: brothers. They are surprised and happy that he does not throw them in jail. They feel bad All: Amen! for what they did to him. And they are thankful that he is alive. Open your eyes. Closing Prayer Narrator: [Read Genesis 45:1-15 again from Explain that they’re going to say a pinkie the Bible.] prayer to remind them that we are stuck together with God’s love. You may refer back Narrator: Joseph’s brothers acted in a way to the sticky note on their shirts. Show kids that brothers should never do. They sold him how to hook pinkies with each other. Make into slavery and forgot all about him and his sure everyone is hooked to at least one other pain. But God was faithful to Joseph, and person. Then lead campers in praying: even to Joseph’s brothers—even though they had done bad things. Joseph had the chance Loving God, to hurt his brothers for what they had done, Thank you for moms and dads, but he responded with grace and mercy. In brothers and sisters, this story, we see all the ways that God was grandmas and grandpas, with Joseph, even though Joseph had been and friends everywhere. betrayed by others. God gave Joseph the Thank you promise of hope, goodness, and new life for keeping us stuck together 49

with our families, with our camp For the LORD is good; (Campers friends, repeat) and with you! Amen. God’s steadfast love (repeat) Endures forever (repeat) Closing Blessing And God’s faithfulness (repeat) Sit in a circle inside the traveling rope circle To all generations! (repeat) and say the blessing together, followed by the Psalm 100 (repeat) call and response. Verse 5 (repeat)

God be in my head. (touch forehead) God be in my heart. (cross hands over Closing Prayer (Intermediates and chest) Senior High) God be on my left. (touch left Ask for a volunteer to read this prayer. shoulder) God be on my right. (touch right Dear God, shoulder) Thank you for the story of Joseph. It helps us to know that no matter what Say the call and response together. people do, you keep your promises. Your Holy Spirit works to bring Leader: Who always sticks by us? goodness and healing to all people and (hold palms up) to all creation. Give us the strength All: God always sticks by us. (look up and courage to be part of this good and raise hands high, hug self) work and to always trust in you. Amen.

Gather (Intermediates and Senior High) Check in with campers and ask them how Closing Ritual (Pioneers and Juniors) their week is going so far. Ask for a volunteer Link arms together in a tight circle and pray to lead the opening litany. this prayer aloud.

Leader: God is bigger than what we know. Thank you, God, for families, even when we All: God is bigger than our imaginations. don’t get along. Leader: God’s history began long before our Help us look at situations through your eyes, time. and practice forgiveness with our family and All: God holds the future long after us. friends. Amen. Leader: God’s promises are for all people, now and forever. Make the sign of the cross on the hand or All: God’s promises are for all people, now forehead of each camper in turn and say: and forever. You are loved by God—awesome stuff, not- so-awesome stuff, all of you. Send (Intermediates and Senior High) God loves all of you, always. Today’s story had a lot of ups and downs. The group had to think about the ways that people can be unkind, but how God’s love is steady and strong. This is a good time for the Psalm 100:5 chant. Invite a camper to lead it.

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Day 3: David

Bible Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Concept: God sometimes surprises us, and it is awesome!

Objectives: What will campers…  Know: That God loves us and can do surprising things, even at a young age.  Feel: Like they can share God’s love now with the gifts and talents they have.  Do: Surprise one another with God’s love and practice seeing people on the inside, and not just basing impressions on outward appearances.

Song Ideas: Earth and All Stars! (ELW 731), Gather Us In (ELW 532 or WOV 718), I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me (WOV 673), Shine, Jesus, Shine (ELW 671 or WOV 651), Blest Are They (ELW 728)

Main Text (NRSV): 1 Samuel 16:1-13 The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.’ Samuel said, ‘How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.’ And the Lord said, ‘Take a heifer with you, and say, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.” Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.’ Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, ‘Do you come peaceably?’ He said, ‘Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.’ And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’ Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, ‘Neither has the Lord chosen this one.’ Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, ‘Neither has the Lord chosen this one.’ Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen any of these.’ Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.’ He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.’ Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

Biblical Interpretation One of the many powerful aspects of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures is that they don’t sanitize the stories of God’s interaction with human beings. The Bible is a collection of accounts about broken, imperfect people and a patient, compassionate God. In the midst of human systems and traditions, God promises steadfast love from generation to generation to bless all people. The story of David, son of Jesse, is a prime example of God’s grace.

In the backstory, the people of Israel saw the leaders of the nations around them and wanted a king like others had (1 Samuel 8). Even though Israel’s prophets discouraged this, the people 51

continued their demands. God eventually agreed, perhaps thinking “this isn’t going to end well.” Samuel, the prophet at the time, anointed Saul as the first king. Saul proved to be less-than- hoped-for, and Samuel realized that Saul’s leadership was not what God wanted. The next step was to find the person God wanted as king. This time, Samuel was about to be surprised.

Once it was obvious that Saul was not a faithful leader, Samuel was given instructions from God to anoint a new king, and he set out to Bethlehem to see Jesse, the father of eight sons. Fearing Saul’s reprisal, Samuel disguised his mission as an opportunity to sacrifice a heifer. One by one, Jesse’s sons parade before the prophet as potential candidates for king. Samuel thinks Eliab looks like a leader, but the Lord says, “Not this one.” People may look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks for something in the person’s heart (1 Samuel 16:7). None of the other sons present meet the Lord’s criteria for the next king. The prophet asks Jesse if all his sons are there. This is to verify that Samuel had gone to the right family, that he heard God’s direction correctly. Jesse discloses that his youngest son is tending the flock. When David is summoned, God approves, and Samuel anoints David.

Once again God acts in ways we humans don’t expect, ways that go against human understandings of power and authority. Normally in Israelite practice the oldest son would receive the greatest honor, but like Abel was chosen over Cain (Genesis 4:4-5), Jacob over Esau (Genesis 25:29-34; Genesis 27), and Joseph over his older brothers (Genesis 37:3), God considers suitability over seniority in determining the agent of God’s purpose and promise.

The story of David continues with the unexpected. As a young man, he faces an enemy that seems impossible to overcome, and yet he trusts God’s promises and defeats Goliath (1 Samuel 17). In this victory, David meets King Saul and becomes friends with Saul’s son, Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1- 4). As David serves Saul, his military victories become known. When the people show favor for David, Saul becomes jealous (vv. 6-9). Eventually Saul threatens to end David’s life, sending David into hiding (1 Samuel 19). On one occasion, David had the opportunity to take Saul’s life and take his place, but David did the unexpected and let Saul live (1 Samuel 24). Trusting God’s promises for future generations, David eventually became king and brought the people together. The book of Psalms contains many songs of David’s trust in God to keep God’s promise of steadfast love and faithfulness.

Additional Texts 1 Samuel 24:9-22 (David spares Saul’s life) Psalm 23 (A psalm of David; note that the Lord anoints the psalmist) Psalm 31 (A psalm of David; David repeatedly praises God for God’s faithfulness) Matthew 4:18-22 (Jesus calls ordinary people) Matthew 5:1-11 (The Beatitudes) Luke 6:20-38 (The Beatitudes)

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Day 3 Games and Activities

“The King or Queen Says” Game Surprise Pop-Up Puppet and Story (Preschool) Review (Preschool) Place a fancy crown on your head. Explain Campers will make a little sheep pop-up that when people are ruled by a good king puppet to remind them of God’s big surprise— and queen, they want to follow their choosing David, a shepherd boy, to be king. commands. The subjects know that the good king and queen want to help all the people. Preparation  Campers will take turns wearing the crown For each camper, cut out a pair of 1″ x 2″ and giving fun commands for everyone to mirror-image sheep outlines from white card follow. stock, and use a utility knife to make a ¾″ slit  You begin the game by giving a couple of in the bottom of a 5-ounce paper cup. commands and inviting children to follow them. Directions for Puppet  Then place the crown on a camper’s head 1. Remind campers that David, the child God and have that child give the next chose to be king, was a shepherd. command.  Let campers tell about what a  After everyone follows the command, the shepherd’s job is. Shepherds take care camper places the crown on another of sheep by leading them to fresh camper’s head and the game continues grass to eat and clear water to drink, until everyone has been a ruler at least protecting them from wild animals, once. and finding a safe place for them to  Keep all of your actions inside the sleep at night. traveling rope circle.  Wonder aloud about why a shepherd Some action ideas: give everyone a high five, might make a good king. (Shepherds clap your hands three times, jump, march in protect sheep and make sure they place, stick out your tongue, pat your tummy, have enough food and water. A good spin around two times, hop like a frog, fly like king protects the people in his a bird. kingdom and makes sure they have enough food and water too.) 2. Let kids use markers to color both sides of Word (Preschool) a craft stick. Ask campers the following: 3. Glue two sheep shapes back to back on  Who wears a crown? (King, queen, the top end of the craft stick. princess, prince.) 4. Demonstrate how to place the bottom end  What makes someone a good ruler? of the craft stick inside the cup, insert it (Strong, smart, kind, makes good through the slit, and pull it out of the decisions for all.) bottom of the cup until the sheep is  How old do you have to be to become a hidden. king or queen? (Accept responses.) Explain that in the Bible story, God chose a Story Review surprising person to be king. Read the story After everyone has finished their puppet, of how David is chosen (1 Samuel 16:1-13) explain that they will use the puppet to play a from a Bible storybook. Encourage them to game. They will hide their sheep inside their listen to understand why God’s choice of a cups. When you say “Surprise!” campers will king was surprising. move the sheep out of their cups and say, “Baa!” Repeat this several times, waiting at different time intervals to call out “Surprise!” Then, explain that they’re going to use their puppets to review three parts of the story. After each one, campers will pop out their 53

sheep puppet and call “Surprise!” in a loud,  As you add a drop or two of red food strong voice. coloring to one cup, have campers call out  God looked at seven strong, grown-up the name of the color. Repeat this for blue brothers, but didn’t choose any of them to and yellow in separate cups. be king. (Cue campers to shout,  Admire the red, blue, and yellow. But “Surprise!”) point out that you still need green, purple,  God chose a shepherd to be a king. (Cue and orange. Wonder aloud what you can campers to shout, “Surprise!”) do to get those colors when you only have  God chose someone who was a boy to be red, blue, and yellow. a king. (Cue campers to shout,  Demonstrate how to create green by “Surprise!”) mixing yellow and blue, orange by mixing Say today’s call and response together. yellow and red, and purple by mixing blue and red. Leader: Who surprises us with love and joy? (hold palms up) All: God surprises us with love and joy! (look Water Anointing (Preschool) up and raise hands high, hug self) Remind campers that when Samuel poured oil on David’s head, this showed everyone that God chose David to be king. Instead of Movement Break (Preschool) pouring oil on each camper’s head, campers Before beginning the next activity, take a will use an eyedropper to place a drop of movement break. Have campers stand and water on each other’s heads. Fill a clear cup perform this action poem a couple of times. about one-third full of water. Demonstrate Vary the speed by saying it faster and slower. how to squeeze the bulb at the top of the Try it with whispered words too. eyedropper, stick the bottom of the dropper in the water, and release the bulb. What Head, shoulders, knees, and toes (touch each happens? (Water is sucked up into the one as named) dropper.) Begin by dropping a single drop of Spin around and touch your nose. (twirl once water on one camper’s head while saying and touch nose) “God loves (camper’s name.)” Go around the Lean to the left, lean to the right (do this) circle, helping each child anoint the child Shout “God loves me!” with all your might. sitting on their left, making sure all have a (cup hands around mouth) turn. Then say today’s call and response GOD LOVES ME! together.

Leader: Who surprises us with love and joy? Color Surprises (Preschool) (hold palms up) Point out that God’s world is filled with All: God surprises us with love and joy! (look beautiful surprises. One of these involves up and raise hands high, hug self) colors. Invite campers to tell about rainbows, sunsets, flowers, and other colorful things they have seen. Then have children make a Sheep Roundup (Preschool) little circle with their thumb and pointer Find a large grassy area to play this game finger. Ask them to look through their before you play the “Thirsty Sheep” game. spyglass (little finger circle) to find objects Wonder aloud again why God chose a young with the colors you name. Begin with: “I spy shepherd to be king. (Shepherds protect and with my little eye something that is blue.” feed sheep; A good king keeps the people in Have campers look through their spyglasses his kingdom safe and makes sure they have and call out all the blue things they see. enough food too.) Explain that one of David’s Explain that even the beautiful colors God jobs was to gather sheep into a sheep pen for created are surprising! Next, fill six clear the night. The fence around the pen was plastic cups about one-third full of water. made of sharp, thorny branches. The prickly fence made it difficult for wild animals and 54

thieves to enter. Note that the shepherd slept  Then pour them all a cup of water to drink right in front of the gate to the pen. No sheep themselves. Ask the campers who made could leave the pen and no wild animal or the delicious water for sheep and people. thief could enter the pen without the (God did.) shepherd knowing. Now campers can all practice being good shepherds!  Hold up several cotton balls and explain Zookeeper Ball Toss (Pioneer and Junior) that the cotton balls are little pretend David was a shepherd who took care of sheep sheep. every day. Toss a ball around the circle.  Hold up the hula hoop and tell campers Whoever catches it will be invited to share that this is the sheep pen. Their job as what animal they would enjoy taking care of shepherds is to round up all the sheep for every day. Assume it is possible to take care the night by finding them and putting of any animal—from pangolins to whales to them inside the hula hoop pen. geckos to the more traditional horses, cats,  Spread cotton balls all around the grassy and dogs. Upper elementary campers may area and set the hula hoop in the middle. enjoy a greater challenge. Once everyone has  Then say, “Good shepherds, it’s bedtime had a chance to share one animal they would for your sheep. Round up your sheep and enjoy taking care of, add more balls to the lead them safely into the pen for the circle so you are tossing three or four at a night.” Have campers work to pick up all time. Each time a camper catches a ball, they the cotton balls and put the cotton balls name an animal they want to care for. With inside the hula hoop. so many balls flying around and animals  Thank the campers for being good being named, it will sound a little like a zoo! shepherds.

Word (Pioneer and Junior) Thirsty Sheep As you study the Bible to get to know more Play this game in a large, grassy area. Create about God through the stories, be sure to a circle from a rope or hula hoop and place an cultivate an open and affirming environment. empty bucket in the middle. Fill two buckets Encourage questions and wonderments. Ask about ⅘ full of water. Set them side by side questions and wonder aloud yourself, to about 8 feet way from the empty bucket. model this way of engaging with scripture. Review again why God chose a shepherd to You may not know the answers to the be king. (Shepherds protect sheep and make questions some of your campers have, and sure they have enough food and water. A there may not even be answers. That is okay! good king keeps the people in his kingdom What is most important is to create a safe safe and makes sure they have enough food space for the entire community to wonder and water too.) One of David’s jobs was to about God and voice their questions. Set up lead sheep to fresh water to drink. this Bible study with a quick review of why  Pretend together that you have led all of David is important to the biblical narrative. the sheep inside the rope circle “pen.” But  Tell campers that this story is from the the bucket is empty. They have no water Old Testament book of 1 Samuel, chapter to drink. 16 about David being anointed king when  Gather campers near the filled buckets he was just a kid. and sit down together. Have two campers  David is part of Jesus’s family tree, one of at a time scoop water out of one of the Jesus’s great, great, great, great buckets and dump it into the empty ancestors. bucket in the middle of the rope circle.  David had seven brothers. Eliab, Encourage them to work quickly because Abinadab, Shammah were the three oldest the sheep are thirsty. and named in today’s story. Their father’s  After a bit, thank campers for their hard name was Jesse. work and for being good shepherds.  David was the youngest and maybe the weakest of all the brothers in the family. 55

He was the one in the family who took  Where was David for most of the story? care of the sheep. (Tending the family’s sheep, maybe on  God saw something in David that was the hillsides of Bethlehem.) kingly, and so he directed the prophet  What was your favorite part of the story? Samuel to anoint David king of the  What questions do you have? Israelites.  Define the word anointed, because most kids will have no idea that it means to “I Wonder . . .” Prompts (Pioneer and have oil poured on your head as part of a Junior) ceremony conferring religious or royal Invite campers to wonder about the story status. with you and encourage them to ask their Then read 1 Samuel 16:1-13 aloud from a own wondering questions. children’s Bible or paraphrase the text for  I wonder what it was like to be the today using plain language. If you read it brothers who were not chosen to be from an NRSV Bible, define a few words king... ahead of time  I wonder what it would feel like as a kid to  Sanctify is to make holy. be named the next king . . .  Sacrifice in this context means bringing an  I wonder what God saw in David that animal to offer to God. made him the next choice for king . . .  A heifer is a young female cow.  I wonder what gifts and talents each of you have to share with others . . . Next, read the story as several conversations.  David was from Bethlehem and Jesus was  Between God and the prophet Samuel born in Bethlehem. I wonder if there is a (verses 1-3). connection . . .  Between Samuel and the elders of  I wonder if God chooses kids to do God’s Bethlehem (verses 4-5). work today . . .  Between Samuel and God (verses 6-10).  Between Samuel and David’s father, Jesse (verse 11). “What about Us?” Questions (Pioneer  Between Samuel and God (verses 12-13). and Junior) Invite campers to think about this story inside When you are done with the story, talk the context of their own lives and families. through some questions together. Remember  What makes a good leader? to encourage campers to ask their own  What qualities aren’t the best for someone questions, too. Asking questions helps the in a leadership role? story stick, and imagining what the story  Who has been an unexpected leader in means for us today helps to bring relevance. your circle of friends and family?  If you were chosen to be the king or queen of your school or camp, what would Basic Questions (Pioneer and Junior) you do? Gauge your campers’ understanding of the Work with the group to create a modern-day story by asking these questions. version of the story of David that happens  Who was your favorite character in the within the camp setting. God’s prophet is story? Why? coming to your camp to choose the next king  If you could choose to be a character in or queen of the camp—and the choice is the story, who would you choose to be? surprising. Draw straws or names from a hat Why? to determine who will play the role of David.  Why did God send Samuel to Bethlehem? (To anoint David as the new king who would one day replace King Saul.) Dressed Like a King or Queen (Pioneers)  How many boys are in Jesse’s family? God knew what made up David’s personality (Eight.) and knew those traits would make him a good king. Brainstorm ideas about what makes a 56

good king or queen, then ask campers to Wrap Up (Pioneer and Junior) pantomime the unique parts of themselves Share this story about Alia with campers: Alia that would make them a good king or queen loves drawing rainbows because they make while the other campers guess what they are her very happy. When she was seven years acting out. Once everyone has had a chance old, she started spreading kindness by to pantomime, split your campers into two leaving rainbow-painted rocks outside. People groups. Give each group a roll of toilet paper enjoyed the rainbow rocks and so Alia was and ask them to choose one person to be king inspired to start the Rainbow Rock Project, an or queen, and then give groups 4-5 minutes effort to make five hundred rocks to raise to create a royal outfit for the chosen one out money ($1 per rock) for a shelter for of the toilet paper. Upper elementary homeless people in Alia’s community. She campers may want to do this activity in pairs, met her goal in two days—and her project and vote for a costume “winner.” Debrief the continues to evolve, helping more and more activity. Did the addition of a “royal outfit” people. Spend a few minutes talking about change the way the king or queen thinks Alia, her love of rainbows, and what she was about themselves and who they are on the able to do for others as a result of it. Invite inside? Why or why not? campers to think about what they love and how they might use that to make a difference for someone. Pictionary (Juniors)  Ask everyone to think about one thing they are really good at. It can be Mad Libs (Intermediate and Sr. High) anything: playing video games, a sport, In this word game the leader asks for words playing a musical instrument, reading, from the group, which are then used in a being a friend, baking cookies, anything. story or poem, usually to a silly effect. Ask for  Give everyone a piece of paper and a a volunteer to keep track of the words. marker (or draw in the sand or dirt if you are able to do that!). Each person in turn, 1. noun: draws a picture of what they are good at 2. noun: doing and the group tries to guess. 3. pronoun:  Together, discuss how that skill can be 4. verb: used to share God’s love with others. It 5. verb ending in s: might not be obvious at first! 6. verb: Lower elementary campers might benefit 7. adjective: from having a list of options to draw instead 8. noun: of coming up with one themselves. 9. pronoun: 10. verb ending in s: 11. adjective: 12. pronoun: If You Need a Reminder: The Parts of 13. verb ending in s: Speech 14. noun: A noun is a person, place, or thing (rock, 15. verb ending in s: sister, park). 16. adjective: A proper noun is a formal name (California, 17. noun: Baseball Hall of Fame, Disney World). 18. verb: A pronoun stands in for a noun (I, he, they, 19. noun: it). 20. noun: A verb is an action word (run, sit, stay). 21. noun: An adjective describes a noun (quiet, slimy, 22. pronoun: gapping). 23. noun: An adverb describes a verb (swiftly, 24. noun: intermittently, secretly). 25. verb:

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After campers complete the word list, ask for written by the writer of this Bible study, Julia a volunteer to read the “story” (based on Seymour, who is a pastor in Montana. Psalm 23:1-4). The list keeper can supply the appropriate words in the correct place. It may The Lord is my mechanic, I’m satisfied by his turn out humorously or it may not; either way work. is okay. She keeps me tuned and running smoothly. He leads me to open roads, The __[1]__ is my __[2]__, __[3]__ shall not She grants me peace in heavy traffic. __[4]__. God’s mercy and grace toward me reflect well He __[5]__ me __[6]__ in __[7]__ __[8]__; on her reputation. __[9]__ __[10]__ me beside __[11]__ Even when I need serious maintenance, I waters; know the cost has been covered; __[12]__ __[13]__ my __[14]__. for you are with me; He __[15]__ me in __[16]__ paths for his your torque wrench and your lift platform— __[17]__’s sake. they comfort me. Even though I __[18]__ through the You bang out my dents and mend my __[19]__ of __[20]__, scratches I fear no __[21]__; for __[22]__ are with In front of those who treat me with disdain. me; You keep my fluids filled, your __[23]__ and your __[24]__—they My belts are tightened. __[25]__ me. Certainly, safety and stability will pursue me on all of my expeditions, Ask the campers what they think of their And I shall ride in the chariot of the Lord “story.” forever. Pastor Seymour writes about something she cannot do for herself, moving Middle School or Junior High Adaptation the ancient psalm into a contemporary The Mad Lib was created by removing words setting. Encourage the campers to consider from Psalm 23. A familiar Bible passage can how they might rewrite the psalm for their become new and strange if we change the own setting. Distribute paper and pens and words. Pass out the index cards with the invite them to write down their thoughts, words or phrases of Psalm 23 to the campers. reflecting on roles in their lives that they Encourage them to put the psalm in order, cannot take on themselves (coach, teacher, working together. When they’re done, ask for parent, guide). Invite those who wish to do so a volunteer to read the psalm from the Bible. to share their reflections.  If the Bible translation that is read out loud is different from the translation on the cards, ask campers if they noticed any Shepherd King (Intermediate and Sr. differences. High)  Ask campers to reflect on where they may Psalm 23 is said to have been written by King have heard this psalm before. Which David. David wasn’t always a king. In fact, image in the psalm makes the strongest when he was young, he was probably the last picture in their mind? person anyone thought would become king. At the time, King Saul was the first king in Senior High Adaptation Israel. Remember Abraham and Sarah? Now The Mad Lib was created by removing words their great-great-great-great-great- (a whole from Psalm 23, sometimes called “The Lord is bunch more times) grandchildren live in the my shepherd.” The psalm writer, or psalmist, land that God had promised! And those same writes about how God does the things that he great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren (the psalmist) cannot do for himself. Sheep wanted a king to lead them, just like the cannot care for themselves. Ask for a other nations around them had. That might volunteer to read Psalm 23 from their Bible. not have been such a wonderful idea, but God Then ask for a volunteer to read this version did call Saul to be the first king. Saul started out well and then unfortunately, things went 58

bad. So God asked the prophet Samuel to Abraham and Sarah were not royalty. Joseph anoint a new king. Help campers locate a list had many older brothers, as did David. In of the books of the Old Testament at the front fact, David was so unimportant that his family of their Bibles to do a quick survey of Bible didn’t call him in until Samuel asked if there history from Abraham and Sarah to David. were any others. Yet all of these people were Even with a lot of ups and downs and ins and considered important and valuable to God, outs, God kept God’s promises. who kept promises to them and used them to  Remind campers that the first stories of help others. the week are recorded in the book of  What does God’s work with these people, Genesis. Genesis ends with the who were otherwise nobodies to the descendants of Abraham and Sarah living people around them, tell you about God? in Egypt. (Affirm thoughtful answers. Guide  The book of Exodus tells the story of God discussion in the direction of how God can leading those descendants out of slavery and does use and call all kinds of people.) in Egypt and toward the promised land, This is a good place to incorporate aspects of Canaan. (If their Bibles include maps, the campers’ own stories into the nature of invite campers to turn to one that shows God’s work in the world. Pose some the land of Canaan or the route of the observations like the following: “A God who exodus, suggesting they think about the uses all kinds of people probably can use a people of God wandering in the desert for soccer player from Milwaukee or a stamp forty years.) collector from Atlanta,” inserting campers’  The book of Joshua is about the people hobbies and home locations. coming into and claiming the promised land.  Judges is about the generations of people Gifts from God (Intermediate) who remembered God and then forgot to David’s anointing was a surprise to everyone, trust God, and then got it right again, and except God. The Bible described how David then messed up again (in other words, looked, but it also notes that God knew real people). David’s heart. God cares about our hearts  Ruth is King David’s great-grandmother. too, as well as our bodies. Our whole self is a Invite campers to turn to 1 Samuel 16:1-13. gift from God and all our skills and talents are Ask for a volunteer to read. Ask one or two useful to God’s work in the world. Invite campers to summarize the reading. Then campers to take turns completing this invite campers to respond to these questions. sentence: “I would be a good leader because  Why is Samuel afraid? After campers have I ______.” offered their ideas, explain that anointing Give the campers time to think. They can say a new king while the old king was still anything that is true about them. (For alive was dangerous. Samuel is worried example, I am good listener. I run quickly. I that King Saul may kill him. The bit about have lots of friends. I am good at video the cow (vv. 2-5) is a cover story for why games.) Have the whole group respond to Samuel is traveling to an unexpected the camper, “Yes, you would be a good location. leader. God has given you many gifts.”  How do you think Jesse’s older sons felt as each of them wasn’t chosen for anointing? (Affirm thoughtful responses.) Post It (Senior High)  How do you think the brothers felt when David’s anointing was a surprise to him and they saw David anointed? (Affirm to his family. It probably shocked his friends thoughtful responses.) as well. In our day, such news would be  Imagine David’s reaction to being shared on social media with different anointed as the next king, after being hashtags or phrases. Social media and online called in from watching the sheep. Use spaces have a strong potential to build up or three words to describe his possible to tear down friends and communities. People feelings or thoughts. are often trying to portray themselves in the 59

very best way. God, however, sees all of our own surprises of God’s work, call, and lives and cares about all of it. What are some mission. Invite campers to respond to these ways to look at social media or use it to think questions. about and showcase God’s surprising love and  Tell about one person or situation that faithfulness? What are the risks and benefits surprised you today. in revealing one’s true self? Invite campers to  What’s a new skill or strength that you’ve share their positive and negative experiences learned about yourself on this trip? with social media.  How have you learned to see God’s presence differently through your experience today (or on this trip)? The Eighth Commandment Note that not all surprises are positive. That’s (Intermediates) totally normal. Remind campers that negative Ask campers to find the Eighth experiences can still teach us good things to Commandment. Ask for a volunteer to read know, and hard times may be composted or the commandment aloud and summarize it. recycled into deeper learning later. Ask for one or two campers to put the commandment into their own words. Then invite someone to read Martin Luther’s Blob Moonball (Pioneers) explanation. This activity is similar to “Moonball” (Day 2),  What does it mean not to tell lies about a but with this challenge, the group holds hands person? (Possible answers include telling in a circle. The goal is to either keep the ball the truth about them, not speculating up in the air as long as possible or transport it about them, not assuming we know why from one spot to another without breaking they do the things they do.) the circle.  What are betrayal and slander? (Possible Debriefing questions: answers include breaking a confidence,  How did it feel to already know the telling lies about someone, participating in activity but then have an extra challenge bullying or harassment.) added?  What does it mean to defend, speak well  What were you able to remember about of, and interpret actions in a good light? playing “Moonball” yesterday that helped (Possible answers include standing up for you in the activity today? someone, using kind words about a  How did the group work together as person, trying to be gracious and compared to yesterday? generous about their actions or habits.) When God chose David to be king, it surprised his family and Samuel. They Shoes (Pioneer and Juniors) probably did not think they had lied about This activity needs to be done indoors (or by David, but they also hadn’t tried to see him the pool or lake area) for safety. Everyone is through God’s eyes. We are called to try to paired with a partner (preferably someone see one another and ourselves through God’s they don’t know well). Tell them to study love and grace. By keeping the Eighth their partner for a few moments, but don’t tell Commandment, we become more aware of them why. Then, have everyone mix back God’s surprising and powerful inclusion and into the group, circle up, take off their shoes, love. and throw them into the middle. Each camper then has to find the shoes of their partner without speaking and return the shoes to Surprises (Intermediates and Senior them. Debriefing questions: High)  Were you expecting the challenge you David’s anointing as king surprised his family. were given? They certainly hadn’t expected him to be a  Was this activity difficult? Why/why not? potential leader. God’s plans and ways of  What are things you noticed about your using people continue to surprise us, even partner that you hadn’t before? today. Travel and service often bring their 60

Puzzle Scramble (Juniors) until all the pairs are united. Then ask all All but one of the campers is blindfolded and campers to take off their blindfolds. given one or two pieces of a puzzle. A single Debriefing questions: camper is left with their vision, but also has  What made this activity challenging? their back to the rest of the group. The  How did you know you had found the person who can see has a picture of the correct match? puzzle (must be of the pieces fitted together,  How did it feel when you knew you had not just the image on the top of the puzzle found your partner’s hands? box) and must communicate enough  What surprised you about this activity? information to the rest of the group to allow them to put the puzzle together. Repeat the challenge a few times to allow for multiple Numbers (Senior High) experiences and roles. Debriefing questions: The goal of this game is for the group to  For the camper who could see, what was count as high as they can together. The it like having to explain to the group how challenge is that while they must count in to complete the puzzle? numerical order, if anyone says the same  What was it like trying to describe your number simultaneously, the whole group puzzle piece? must start over. Note that a person can’t say  How did it feel having the help of the rest more than one number in a row; they can’t of the group? point to people to assign numbers or arrange themselves in a circle or shape that allows them to coordinate who says what. Start with Hands (Intermediates and Senior High) a goal of getting to ten, then see how much Choose a level space free of obstacles and further you can get depending on time have the campers pair up with a partner they constraints and group enthusiasm levels. do not know as well (staff should assign), and Debriefing questions: take off any rings or bracelets around their  What was frustrating about this challenge? hands or wrists. Each pair spends a few  How was this different from most of the minutes observing and touching each other’s other challenges you’ve done so far? hands (visual and tactile information  Do you think the group would have been gathering). Then blindfold each camper, mix able to do this challenge at the beginning them together, and tell them that, without of the week? Why or why not? speaking, they must find their partner’s  How did the growth that our group has hands. Once they think they’ve found their seen affect the outcome of this activity? partner, have them step to the side together

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Day 3 Worship Ideas

Invocation place your item at the foot of the cross. We The following invocation involves mixing leave our sins at the cross as a reminder that water and colors. Prepare the worship space God promises to forgive us, always, of all of by placing three tall, clear, empty water our sins. I invite you now to a time of glasses on a table in front of the worship confession and forgiveness. space. In one of the glasses, place several drops of yellow food coloring. In another, (Cue musicians to play a quiet song during place several drops of blue food coloring. this time of reflection, or have a time of Leave the third glass with no food coloring. silence. Take about 3–5 minutes for this Before worship begins, set a large pitcher full activity. Make sure to model your own action of water near the glasses, but do not fill them as a leader by setting your item before the yet. cross.)

Leader: Welcome to worship in the name of Leader: Hear this good news: Jesus promises the Father (pour water into the first glass with that you can leave your sins at the cross yellow food coloring until it is half full) and in because he has forgiven you all of your sins. the name of the Son (pour water into the You don’t have carry them with you anymore; second glass with blue food coloring until it is Jesus Christ will carry them for you. May his half full) and in the name of the Holy Spirit peace be yours. Amen. (pour the two glasses together into the third glass, creating green water). Three in One! Scripture Readings Introduce each scripture reading with the Confession and Forgiveness words “A reading from _____ (name the The following activity for confession and book, chapter, and verse).” End each forgiveness involves objects and reflection scripture reading with the words “Here ends time. Before today’s worship, instruct the reading.” campers to choose a small piece of nonliving nature to carry with them (a rock, a pinecone, First Reading: Psalm 23 (English Standard a small stick). Prepare the worship space with Version) a cross or several crosses placed around the Assemble a group of five voices to read the space for easy access during the service. You psalm below. Assign each person a voice, as may also wish to prepare musicians to lead a well as a different location around the worship song of quiet reflection during the appointed space. Readers may be hidden or visible. Print time. all the words for each reader.

Leader: You have been carrying a piece of Voice 1: A reading from Psalm 23. creation with you today. Maybe you have been wondering why. Today in worship, this Voice 2: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not piece of creation is meant to represent all the want. sins that turn us away from God: all the things that pull our focus away from the God Voice 3: “He makes me lie down in who loves us, who treasures us, who wants green pastures. the fullness of our hearts and minds. We are going to take a moment now, while the music Voice 4: “He leads me beside still waters. plays, to silently confess those things we have done that we know we shouldn’t have Voice 5: “He restores my soul. done, then pray about them as we hold this piece of nature. After some time, when you Voice 1: “He leads me in paths of are ready, you are invited to come up and righteousness for his name's sake. 62

Voice 2: “Even though I walk through the fastest, the most flexible: the very best valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no players! evil, [Players all do their best to act like the Voice 3: “for you are with me; your rod and biggest, tallest, most flexible, and strongest.] your staff, they comfort me. Captain 1: Yes! We’re number one! We’re Voice 4: “You prepare a table before me in number one! the presence of my enemies; Captain 2: [To Captain 1. Yeah! I love Voice 5: “you anoint my head with oil; my dodgeball too! I’m the captain of team cup overflows. number two, and I’m also excited to play today. But listen to this: I want to pick the Voice 1: “Surely goodness and mercy shall best players of them all. It doesn’t matter to follow me all the days of my life, me what they look like, or how strong they are—as long as they are the very best ones Voice 2: “and I shall dwell in the house of the for the job. That’s who I want on my team. Lord forever.” Captain 2: [To Captain 1.] Let’s get started Voice 3: Here ends the reading. then!

Second Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 [Players all line up in a row. Each one acts Select a camper or staff member to read the really impressive and ready. Captains 1 and 2 passage from their Bible. You may want to walk up and down the line. Players jump up help the reader with pronouncing difficult and down, wave, and act really excited and names and places before they begin. happy when approached.]

Captain 1: I want that one! [Points at the Message tallest player.] That player is the tallest, The following message comes in the form of a which means they have the longest arms. one-scene skit, “The Dodgeball Ruler.” Print That player will be the best for my team! the script below and provide a copy to each [Tallest player joins them, giving a high five.] actor. Invite staff or campers to fill the following roles: Team 1 Captain (Captain 1), Captain 2: That a good choice to make—but, Team 2 Captain (Captain 2), The Dodgeball it’s not the same choice I would make. You Ruler, and one to three dodgeball players can go ahead and pick again. (Players). You will need a ball for a prop. You will need this backdrop: a place where the Captain 1: Oh, okay. I want . . . that one! dodgeball skit may be acted out. [Points to another player.] That player is the fastest of anyone I have ever seen play The Dodgeball Ruler dodgeball! That player will be the best for my team! [Fastest player joins them, giving both A group of people—Captain 1, Captain 2, Captain 1 and the tallest player a high five.] Ruler, and Players—have gathered for a game of dodgeball. Captains 1 and 2 are facing Captain 2: All right. Keep going then. each other and talking. Ruler and Players are stretching in funny ways. Captain 1: Really? If you’re sure! Okay, how about . . . all of you! Everybody—wait, except Captain 1: [To Captain 2.] I love dodgeball so you. [Points to the Ruler.] Everybody else but much! I am so excited to play today! As the you, come on over here. [All the other players captain of team number one, I am going to join Captain 1’s team, giving high fives and pick the best players possible. Let’s see . . . smiling.] They’ve got to be the biggest, the tallest, the 63

Ruler: [Waits patiently.] Benediction Captain 2: Actually, that’s perfect! That’s just Leader: May God bless every turn your life who I wanted. Come on over here, you! takes. May you always know that God is right [Points to Ruler.] behind you, right beside you, right before you, every step of the way. And may you Ruler: [Runs over, gives Captain 2 a double always remember that there is no place you high five.] Thanks, Captain! can go where God will not go with you! And all God’s children say: Captain 1: [Surprised.] What? That player? All: Amen! Captain 2: Absolutely! I want this last one, right here! [Puts hand on Ruler’s shoulder.] This player may not look like the fastest, or Closing Blessing (Preschool) the strongest, or the most flexible—but they Sit in a circle and say the blessing together. are the best dodgeball player I know! They are smart and good with strategy. They’re the God be in my head. (touch forehead) true Ruler of Dodgeball! Even though they God be in my heart. (cross hands over chest) don’t look like it to you, I know their true God be on my left. (touch left shoulder) worth. With the Ruler, our team can’t lose! God be on my right. (touch right shoulder)

Ruler: [Cheerfully.] Thanks, Captain. Let’s show them what we’ve got! Prayer Dear God, Captain 1: [Playfully.] Bring it on! You called David because you knew that he could lead Israel through difficult times and Recap and End Scene remain faithful to you. You called and anointed him, but you also gave him the gifts Ruler: [Turns to face the audience.] Just like he needed at the right time. Help us to in this story for today, we might not look like understand all the gifts you have given us much. We might not look like the one who and to be open to using them when the Spirit would be best for God’s work. But God looks moves us. Amen. into each and every one of our hearts and minds. God knows who we are, and God brings us to places and roles where we Closing Ritual (Pioneer and Junior) belong. Sometimes it can be a surprise to see Stand in a circle and look each other in the what God has in store for you! It sure was for eyes as you pray aloud. David in our story today. Know that no matter what surprising turns happen in your life, God Thank you, God, for knowing who we are on promises to be with you, wherever you go. the inside. Thank you for loving kids and using them in your work in the world. Prayer Help us use ourselves to love others every The following prayer is spoken aloud by a day. Amen. leader while campers silently reflect. Dip your fingers in oil and make the sign of the cross on the hand or forehead of each Leader: Please pray with me. (Pause for silent camper in turn and say: reflection.) Faithful God, this life has so many twists and turns. Thank you that no matter You are loved by God just the way you are. how many surprising turns life takes, you will Amen. be beside us every step of the way. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.

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Day 4: Mary

Bible Text: Luke 1:26-38, 46-55

Concept: Even when God’s task for us is beyond our understanding, we can trust God’s promises and give thanks to God.

Objectives: What will campers…  Know: That even though the angel’s message from God was hard for Mary to understand and she had questions, she sang about God’s love and we can sing about it too. And, for older campers, know that vocations are opportunities to show God’s love in the world.  Feel: How God’s love can make us happy even when we are asking questions to gain understanding.  Do: Celebrate and give thanks for God’s love and promises with music, gratefulness to helpers in this life.

Song Ideas: “My Life Flows On in Endless Song” (WOV 781), “Lord, Be Glorified” (ELW 744), The Magnificat from Holden Evening Prayer, Canticle of the Turning, This Little Light of Mine

Main Text (NRSV): Luke 1: 26-38, 46-55 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

And Mary said, he has scattered the proud in the thoughts ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, of their hearts. and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, He has brought down the powerful from their for he has looked with favor on the lowliness thrones, of his servant. and lifted up the lowly; Surely, from now on all generations will call he has filled the hungry with good things, me blessed; and sent the rich away empty. for the Mighty One has done great things for He has helped his servant Israel, me, in remembrance of his mercy, and holy is his name. according to the promise he made to our His mercy is for those who fear him ancestors, from generation to generation. to Abraham and to his descendants He has shown strength with his arm; forever.’

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Biblical Interpretation God’s choice of Mary as the one to give birth to the Savior echoes God’s choice of Abraham and Sarah and of David—status or merit don’t grant God’s favor, instead it is quite the opposite. Abraham’s family had been merchants of idols; David was the youngest in his family; and in Luke 1, today’s focus, we learn that Mary was engaged but not yet married, (marriage being a cultural expectation for beginning a family). In her culture, pregnancy outside of wedlock was grounds for stoning to death. Once again, God chooses an unlikely person to be an agent of God’s blessing, a blessing given not because it is deserved but rather because God has promised. Recall that the blessing to Abraham, Sarah, and their descendants focuses on place, progeny, and purpose.

Gabriel, an angel found in all three Abrahamic faiths, delivers God’s message of blessing. The name Gabriel translates “God is my strength.” Through a messenger who represents strength, the God who keeps promises from generation to generation sends a message of hope and commission to a young woman who also is part of the promise. In Judaism, Gabriel appears to Daniel, explaining an end-time vision Daniel had (Daniel 8:15-26). In Islam, he brings revelation to several prophets, including Muhammad. Islam teaches that Gabriel revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad.

Prior to his visit to Mary, Gabriel announces to the priest Zechariah the coming birth of a child to him and his wife, Elizabeth (Luke 1:1-20). These elderly parents will have a son they are to name John (who will become John the Baptist). Zechariah’s response to Gabriel is one of disbelief. The task announced by the angel has gone beyond his understanding and his trust in God’s promises. Mary’s response, asking questions that clarify instead of denying what is asked of her, reflects her desire to understand what seems beyond understanding (Luke 1:34). Her faith in God’s promises, however, is expressed as she welcomes the divinely appointed task and purpose (v. 38). Even though she does not completely understand what God is doing, she trusts God and she responds in faith. No doubt Mary knew the stories of deliverance at God’s hand that had been passed from one generation to the next.

Mary’s song, the Magnificat, celebrates God’s promises to the generations (Luke 1:46-55). She sings when the message of Gabriel is confirmed in the presence of her older but very pregnant cousin, Elizabeth. The scriptures record two other songs of praise from the mouths of faithful women. Miriam, the sister of Moses, sings of God’s deliverance when the Israelites have passed through the Red Sea and the pursuing Egyptian army has been destroyed (Exodus 15:21). The second is the song of Hannah after she has left her longed-for son, Samuel, with Eli at the house of the Lord (1 Samuel 2:1-10). All three women’s songs carry the order-disrupting nature of God, lifting up the blessing of the poor and marginalized and the reversal of fortune for those who formerly held power over them.

Notice how Mary’s song lifts up God’s faithfulness through the generations (vv. 50, 55). The ongoing nature of God’s story of blessing is also evident in verse 48 where she realizes her place in the narrative will also be remembered. God’s steadfast love and faithfulness is evident in her life. Like her ancestors in the faith, Mary trusts God’s promises and willingly walks into an unknown future.

Additional Texts Proverbs 3:5-6 (Trust in God, not your understanding) Isaiah 43:1-3a (God’s promise to be with us always) Luke 24:45-53 (Jesus gives insight to the disciples) 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 (We live by faith, not sight; our understanding grows) James 1:1-6 (God gives wisdom to those who ask) 1 John 4:14-16 (We rely on God’s love)

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Day 4 Games and Activities

Word (Preschool) Airy Love and Feather Kisses (Preschool) Hold up the large, soft feather. Ask campers Preparation: For each camper, insert a what it is and where it comes from. (Feathers drinking straw about 2″ [5 cm] into an empty come from birds.) If you are outdoors, listen plastic treat bag. Gather the opening of the for birds calling and singing. Look for birds bag around the straw and tape it to form an flying or hopping. Invite campers to pretend airtight seal. Ask the following questions: that your feather is a special feather—that it  Who made our amazing bodies? (God.) came from an angel’s wing. Ask campers  How did we use our bodies to play our what an angel’s job is. Angels deliver kazoos? (We used our breath; we used messages from God. In today’s Bible story, an the air we breathe.) angel is going to deliver a very surprising  Can we see God’s love? (Accept message to a very special person. In a Bible responses. No, we cannot see God’s love storybook, read the story about an angel directly. We can experience God’s love in visiting Mary and Mary’s song of praise to God the caring people around us and through (Luke 1:26-38, 46-55). nature.) Explain that God’s love is all around us, just like the air we breathe. Have everyone take a Angel Whispers (Preschool) deep breath and hold it. What happens? We Ask campers about who received the angel’s cannot hold our breaths forever because our message (Mary) and who Mary was (Jesus’s bodies need air to live. Explain that you’re mom). Then invite campers to listen carefully. going to do an air experiment together. Give You’re going to whisper messages that the campers the straw in the plastic bags you angel told Mary and they’re going to whisper have prepared. them back to you. Whisper these messages:  Have them look at the bag and describe God is with you. what is inside of it. (Nothing. It’s empty.) Don’t be afraid.  Ask them to blow into the straw. What You’re going to have a son. happens to the bag? (It changes. There’s You will name your son Jesus. something inside of it.) Jesus will be important.  What’s inside the bag? (Air.) Point out Your son will be God’s son. that God’s love is like air. It’s all around After whispering all the messages, review us, but we cannot see it. how Mary reacted after the angel told her all God sent an angel to tell Mary about God’s of these important messages from God. (She love. After the angel left, Mary couldn’t see sang a song.) Go around the circle, lightly God’s love, but she felt it all around her. touching each camper on the cheek with the  Who does God send to tell us about God’s angel’s feather as you say, “God is with you!” love? (Family members, camp leaders, Then say today’s call and response together. teachers, pastors, friends, community Leader: Who always gives us love? (hold helpers, and so on.) palms up)  We can’t see God’s love either, but we can All: God always gives us love. (look up and feel it through the loving people God raise hands high, hug self) sends. Give each child a feather. Have them brush their feather lightly on the top of each other’s Silly Bubble Band (Preschool) hands and say, “This is a feather kiss of God’s Play some favorite children’s Christian music love.” Then have campers hold their feathers while the kids blow bubbles all around the in their open palm, take a deep breath, and group. Invite campers to chase the bubbles blow. What happens? Invite campers to find you blow. Remind campers that we can give their feathers and take them home to remind thanks for God’s love by singing, dancing, and children of the Bible story today. Or you may playing instruments. let the feather(s) fly away in the wind. 67

Message Ball (Preschool) statement. Then talk about what an angel Stand in a big circle. Ask campers if they might look like, and use rocks, sticks, sand, remember what an angel’s job is. (To deliver water, pinecones, and other things from your messages from God.) Today everyone is outdoor environment to create a group image going to be a messenger in a game. You will of an angel. If you are inside, use found be the first messenger. Explain that you will objects or craft supplies to create one. When call out “God loves ______(child’s you have finished the image, ask your name)”and throw the ball up high in the air. campers to describe the sound of an angel. The child named will catch the ball and return What does it sound like when it moves? When it to you. Repeat this for all campers. Let it speaks? campers be messengers by calling out each other’s names within messages. Try different messages such as: “Jesus loves you, ______Human Knot (Pioneers and Juniors) (child’s name)”; “______(child’s name), Nothing is impossible with God. Mary learned shares God’s love”; or “God’s love sticks to that in a miraculous way. Practice working ______(child’s name).” together to get out of a seemingly impossible To add complexity, add a second ball situation. Ask campers to stand in a circle and call out two names at a time. and hold hands with two people who are not standing right next to them. Once everyone is holding hands, the goal is to work together to Hokey Pokey Dance (Preschool) get untangled and end up in a circle—without Ask campers to name the ways they gave letting go of hands. It seems impossible, but thanks to God today. They sang and played when everyone works together and talks instruments. Dancing is another way to give together about what to do next, it is always thanks to God. Stand in a circle and join possible. Lower elementary campers may hands. Ask everyone to release hands and need suggestions for how to move their take two giant steps backward. Together sing bodies so they can successfully untangle the these words to the tune of “Hokey Pokey”: knot and get into a circle.

You put your little hand in, You take your little hand out, Word (Pioneers and Juniors) You put your little hand in, As you study the Bible to get to know more And you shake it all about. about God through the stories, be sure to You do the hokey pokey cultivate an open and affirming environment. And you turn yourself around, Encourage questions and wonderments. Ask Then you shout, “Thank you, God!” questions and wonder aloud yourself, to model this way of engaging with scripture. Add these verses: little foot, whole arm, You may not know the answers to the head, tongue, hip, elbow, nose, whole self. questions some of your campers have, and Then say today’s call and response together. there may not even be answers. That is okay! What is most important is to create a safe Leader: Who always gives us love? (hold space for the entire community to wonder palms up) about God and voice their questions. Mary is All: God always gives us love. (look up and very likely a young teenager when she has an raise hands high, hug self) unbelievable experience of God. An angel appears and tells her something astonishing: she will have a baby and will name him Jesus. Angel Art (Pioneers and Juniors) The angel goes on to emphasize just how Angels appear at critical times throughout the important this child is by telling Mary this Bible. Point out to campers that their first baby will be God’s son, and part of God’s message is almost always, “Do not be afraid.” family as described in the stories of Abraham Talk with your group about why an angel and Sarah, King David, and Joseph. To might open a conversation with that process all this information, Mary asks the 68

angel questions, then goes to visit her cousin seemed puzzled, because the angel’s Elizabeth to talk it through. Read Luke 1:26- news seemed completely improbable and 55 (which includes Mary’s visit with Elizabeth) impossible.) from a children’s Bible or the NRSV, or  What was your favorite part of the story? paraphrase the story in your own words for  What questions do you have? campers. Next, invite campers to ima gine they are Mary at thirteen or fourteen years old, then read or tell the story again, in “I Wonder . . .” Prompts (Pioneers and chunks, stopping to check in with your Juniors) “Marys” at key points along the way. Invite campers to wonder about the story  Luke 1:26-29. An angel just showed up with you and encourage them to ask their and said hello. What are you thinking? own wondering questions. Feeling?  I wonder if angels appear to people  Luke 1:30-33. The angel tells you not to today… be frightened, and that you will have an  I wonder what it was like to be visited by important baby (God’s son, in fact), and an angel… that you will name him Jesus. How do you  I wonder what God saw in a teenage girl feel knowing that your baby is part of that made her the right person to be something much bigger that God is doing Jesus’s mom… in the world? What is going through your  I wonder if God still asks teenagers to do head? something as important as what Mary  Luke 1:34-38. The angel tells you exactly did… how this is going to happen, then reminds you that nothing is impossible with God. What are you thinking? Feeling? “What about Us?” Questions (Pioneers  Luke 1:39-43. Some time after the angel’s and Juniors) visit, you go to see your cousin Elizabeth. Invite campers to think about this story in the Elizabeth is super excited about your context of their own lives and families. news. What are you thinking? Feeling?  Who would you run to with questions  Luke 1:46-55. You create a song about about really important, shocking trusting God after your experience with news? the angel. What do you do after creating  Describe a situation that felt the song? impossible, but somehow you got When you are done with the story, talk through it. through some questions together. Remember  Assuming angels exist, do you think to encourage campers to ask their own you have ever met one? questions, too. Asking questions helps the  What do you know about your family story stick, and imagining what the story history? What would you like to know? means for us today helps to bring relevance.

So Many Questions! (Pioneer) Basic Questions (Pioneers and Juniors) Mary asked questions and wondered about Gauge campers’ understanding of the story what the angel told her. Make a list of by asking these questions. questions your group has about God, angels,  Who was your favorite character in the and anything in their lives. Write them down story? Why? or capture them with a video camera. Remind  If you could choose to be a character in campers that God can handle any and all of the story, who would you choose to be? our questions. Upper elementary campers Why? might have more complex questions and  What did the angel tell Mary? questions about their lives that are difficult.  How did Mary react to the news? What Be sure to get support as needed for campers questions did she have? (Affirm various with tough stuff going on at home. answers, emphasizing that at first Mary 69

Impossible Scenarios (Juniors) Relationship Map (Intermediate and Review the Bible stories for the week to this Senior High) point to identify who the helpers were in The point of a relationship map is to show situations that might have seemed how many different people we are connected impossible. The angel and Elizabeth helped to in our regular life. Distribute paper and Mary, Abraham’s family supported each other pencils and invite campers to write their in the move across the country, Pharaoh name in the center of the paper and then helped Joseph, and the prophet Samuel write the names of their family, friends, helped David. No matter what, God is with us church community, teachers, neighbors, and provides the support we need. Give employers, and coworkers around their name. scenarios to the group that require help from No relationship is too small to be significant someone else to solve, and ask them to and noted. Allow 3–4 minutes for the writing. identify who they would go to for help with Give a time warning before you tell people to each one, and how they would solve the stop completely. Invite campers to share their problem. Use these scenarios or come up with map (but this is not required). Naturally your own that are specific to the needs and introverted people may appear to have a situations of your campers. smaller map, but those relationships are  There is a stray dog wandering through important. your camp.  A good friend asks you to hurt someone Intermediate Adaptation on the playground at school. Have the campers pair up and speak to one  Your friend is moving across the country another about two or three people on their and you want to throw them a great party map, including at least one nonrelative. Give before they leave. 6 minutes or so for these conversations.  You win an award that your best friend Invite the campers back into the circle and was expecting to win. then ask them to share one of the significant  Your teacher asks you to sing a solo in the people from their partner’s list with their concert, and you are afraid. partner’s permission. With each scenario, emphasize that they are surrounded by people who can help them Senior High Adaptation figure out what to do. For lower elementary Ask campers to reflect on their relationship campers, the scenarios may need to be map. Looking at the map, have them do the simpler. following.  Draw a circle around the people to whom they would tell a secret. Wrap Up (Pioneers and Juniors)  Put a star next to the people they’ve God knew that Mary was awesome, and just known for at least three years. the right person to bring Jesus into the world  Underline the people whom they could ask and be his mom. Each of your campers is to pray for them. awesome and has an amazing God-given gift  Draw a square around the people who to share with the world. Take a few minutes might fade from their life if they went to celebrate the awesomeness of your group. through a hard time. Ask each camper to think for a few minutes Invite campers to respond to the question, about what is awesome about each of their who stands out and why? fellow campers. Once they have thought for a few minutes, it is time for AWESOMENESS stories! You take the lead and share what you Word (Intermediate and Senior High) think is awesome about each of your Reflect on the Bible stories covered so far this campers, then invite them to do the same for week (Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, David). each other. If you have a group of singers, Invite campers to share some stories that close your time by singing, “This Little Light stand out in their minds. Let campers know of Mine.” that today’s story is from the New Testament portion of the Bible. 70

 How is the New Testament different from descended from King David and from Joseph the Old Testament? (The New Testament and from Abraham and Sarah. The love that tells the story of Jesus and the people who God shows the world through Jesus, by way first followed him. The Old Testament of Mary’s help, is part of God keeping includes the sacred writings and stories of promises from generation to generation. God people who trusted God before the story is still actively keeping that promise. of Jesus and hoped for his coming.)  In what ways are God’s promises to Abraham and Sarah still being kept today? (Possible answers include the growth of The Mother of Our Lord (Intermediate the church around the world and sharing and Senior High) material blessings with people in need.) Ask campers to find Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 in  How are you, like Mary, asked to be a part their Bibles. Ask for two volunteers to read of how God keeps those promises? (This the passages (vv. 26-38 and 46-55) and for question may just be something for two others to summarize them. Work campers to think about.) together to make a relationship map for Mary. If needed, review Luke 1 and 2 for ideas (Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah) and encourage Our Vocations: Showing God’s Love reasonable speculation, such as probable (Intermediate and Senior High) siblings, other extended family, friends, In accepting her vocations as a faithful Jewish neighbors. Then identify aspects of her woman and the mother of Christ, Mary vocational life. (Daughter, fiancée, cousin, showed God’s love for the world. Invite citizen of Nazareth, Jewish woman, neighbor.) campers to find 1 John 4:14-16 in their Invite campers to consider that when Mary Bibles. Ask a volunteer to read it and then ask tells Gabriel, “Let it be with me according to one or two people in the group to summarize [God’s will],” her willingness to trust God the reading in their own words. People who would affect all of her relationships. In Mary’s show love are alive in God and God is alive in time, a young woman who became pregnant them. To “show love” means more than just before she was married could be put to death, being nice or sharing what we have. It goes usually by the man who intended to marry deeper. It’s related to actually being alive and her. Mary is taking a big risk by trusting God. being life-giving. The word vocation is Mary’s song, called the Magnificat (vv. 46- sometimes used to describe the kind of work 55), is both very well-known and very a person does, usually for money. (For important. Invite campers to read the song example: “What’s her vocation?” “She’s a silently a few times. Then ask them to share plumber.”) Vocations are like the relationship the line that stands out to them as the most maps. By being who God made us to be, we surprising. have many vocations. One person can be a  Why is it surprising? child, a parent, a grandparent, a neighbor, a  How does Mary’s song connect to other mentor, an employee, an employer, and a stories from earlier in the week? (It citizen of a town, state, and country. We describes how God has been faithful to demonstrate our trust in Jesus and that God’s God’s people from generation to promises are forever by showing love in all generation. God has kept God’s promises our vocations. It does no good to show love to Abraham and his descendants.) as a teacher, but to be spiteful and bitter as a neighbor. It doesn’t help to show love as a Because Mary’s story is very familiar, we parent, but then be a mean and overbearing forget how unusual it was. Mary is an boss at work. Invite campers to respond to unmarried, young woman from a very small these questions. town in a fairly remote part of the world. God  What are some of your vocations? chooses her to be the mother of Jesus. There (Possible answers follow: student, sibling, were many young women around the world, child, friend.) but God continued to bless people through  What does it mean to show love as a the descendants of Abraham and Sarah. Jesus student? (Possible answers include 71

respecting teachers, being responsible  Does this action lead to real peace or just about schoolwork, and caring for other temporarily put a stop to fighting or students.) outside pressure?  How do we show love to a person who  Am I being honest with myself and others may have hurt us or is hurting us? (A about my wants, needs, and fears? potential answer is that we will forgive Showing love will rarely if ever involve them. This is right and good. It is also endangering ourselves. Showing love will true that we can ask for help to get out of never mean severing supportive relationships. the situation. God does not want us to be Showing love should give us a strong sense of hurt, nor does God want the other person well-being and awareness of God’s presence to continue to cause pain. Asking for help and put us in relationship with other people for yourself can also bring help to a who can help us in our vocations. Give perpetrator.) campers time to reflect on how and when  Do our vocations change over our lives? they might use an “Is this what God wants?” (Yes. Potential answers include getting checklist. married and becoming a spouse, having children and becoming a parent, changing jobs, retiring, or volunteering for new or Speed Round different groups.) Campers think of and say affirmations for each other while passing around an object. Have campers toss the object around a circle, “Camper” as Vocation (Intermediate) giving a compliment (not based on The group has a new vocation this week: appearance) to whomever they throw it to. camper. Invite the group to reflect on what it Everyone in the circle must be thrown the means to be at camp, how life at camp is object once. After the first round, have them different from life at home. be sure to throw it to a different person and  What does it mean to show love as a see how quickly the group is able to complete camper? the challenge. Debriefing questions: Plan a random act of kindness or generosity  How does it feel to affirm others? that can be done (either in secret or in public)  How does it feel being affirmed? for another group or staffer. (Do not  Were you surprised to hear what your embarrass anyone.) Ideas: do an extra fellow campers have noticed about you cleanup for another group, make a thank-you this week? card for the kitchen staff, serenade the office workers. Embrace the fun and joy of the vocation of camper. Team Faith Walk This activity is a continuation of the trust walk (“Faith Walk”) from Day 1, the difference Discerning God’s Voice (Senior High) being that instead of a counselor leading the How do we know if God is asking something entire group by hand, paired partners take of us? Invite campers to develop an “Is this turns leading each other by voice commands. what God wants?” checklist for determining Campers take turns being blindfolded or God’s voice, using “God is love” (1 John 4:14- verbally leading their partner. The leaders of 16) as the guideline. Such a checklist might the pairs follow you across a distance of your include items like these. choice while they guide their blindfolded  Does this action show kindness and partner safely. Then do another round so that patience? each person gets to lead and be led.  Does this action show self-control? Debriefing questions:  Does this action look more like I care  Did you hesitate to try this activity? Why about God’s love for me and others or or why not? what other people think of me?  What helped you get through the walk safely?

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 Share something your partner did or said free of obstacles. Campers pair up and each that comforted you. pair takes turns being the “car” and then the  How did having your partner there make a “driver.” The “car” is blindfolded and has to difference? react based on the driver’s actions. Actions are as follows (modify as needed):  Tap on the head = move forward Twin Drawing  Tap right shoulder = turn right Assign the group into pairs, then have one  Tap left shoulder = turn left camper draw a simple picture (challenge  Hold both shoulders = stop them to keep it thematic to today’s focus on The goal is simply to move around without Mary) without letting their partner see it. running into other cars and drivers. When the artists are finished, the partner has Debriefing questions: to draw the same picture using only verbal  How did it feel being the “car”? instructions from their teammate. The  How did it feel being the “driver”? teammate gives clues to help their partner  What about this activity made you draw the same picture without saying exactly nervous? what it is. Then the partners can compare  What made you feel safe? drawings. Try it again with the roles reversed. Debriefing questions:  How did it feel trying to describe your drawing to your partner?  How did it feel attempting to draw what your partner was describing?  Looking at your final pictures, how well did you communicate together?

Cart and Driver This is a guided trust walk set up in a large field or indoor rec space. Choose a level area

Day 4 Worship Ideas

Gather Litany action and word. Prepare the leaders with Leader: God is bigger than what we know. these instructions beforehand. “We begin as All: God is bigger than our imaginations. we live: in the name of the Father (formal Leader: God’s history began long before our handshake like a job interview), in the name time. of the Son (fist bump), and in the name of All: God holds the future long after us. the Holy Spirit (high five). The Three in One!” Leader: God’s promises are for all people, now and forever. Leader: Welcome to worship! Today we start All: God’s promises are for all people, now with our Trinity Handshake. For this and forever. invocation, please turn to a neighbor, and do it just like we (the leaders) are.W e begin as we live: Invocation In the name of the Father (handshake), Today you are invited to try the Trinity in the name of the Son (fist bump), Handshake. For this activity, two leaders and in the name of the Holy Spirit (high five). come up to the front of the worship space to Three in One! demonstrate and lead the handshake in 73

Leader: Turn to your neighbor and give it a provide all the words below for each go! Now, turn to another neighbor and give participant. them the Trinity Handshake. Narrator: A reading from the Gospel of Luke, beginning in the first chapter. The angel Confession and Forgiveness Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee The following words of confession and called Nazareth, to a young woman whose forgiveness involve postures of prayer. name was Mary. She was engaged to a man Campers are guided by a leader into different named Joseph, of the house of David. And the movements as they pray the words of angel came to Mary and said: confession and a final posture as they receive the words of forgiveness. Select a leader to Angel: Greetings, favored one! The Lord is say the following words and lead the with you. assembly in actions. Narrator: But Mary was much perplexed by his words, and she pondered what sort of Leader: Let us continue our worship with a greeting this might be. The angel said to her: time of confession and forgiveness. Follow me as I move and guide us through prayer. Let’s Angel: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have begin. Please raise your arms high, even found favor with God! And now, you will higher, as tall as you can stretch them. Hold conceive in your womb and bear a son, and them there. you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and Leader: Let us pray. Dear God, there are the Lord God will give to him the throne of his times we do things we know that we ancestor David. He will reign over the house shouldn’t. We have been selfish in the way we of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will care for this beautiful planet. We care more be no end. about ourselves than others. We trust things and ourselves more than we trust you. You Narrator: Mary said to the angel: know all the ways that we have messed up and created hurt. Please forgive us for all our Mary: How can this be? I am a virgin. sins, everything we have done and things we should have done and didn’t. Thank you for Narrator: The angel said to her: forgiving us and loving us. Amen. Angel: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, Leader: Please release your arms and bring and the power of the Most High will them down. Do you feel that relief? Like a overshadow you. Therefore the child to be heavy weight has been lifted? Like a sigh in born will be holy. He will be called Son of your muscles? That is the way we can feel God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her about our sins—in our hearts, bodies, and old age has also conceived a son; and this is minds—when we hear that Jesus Christ has the sixth month for her, who was said to be taken care of sin. Thanks to Jesus Christ, barren. For nothing is impossible with God. your sin no longer weighs you down. Thanks to what God has done, your sin is no longer Narrator: Then Mary said: your burden to bear. Thanks be to God, in Jesus Christ, who takes away all of your sin! Mary: Here I am, the servant of the Lord. Let Amen. it be with me according to your word.

Narrator: Then, the angel departed from her. Second Reading: Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 And Mary sang: (paraphrased from NRSV) Select three campers to act out these voices: Mary: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my Narrator, Angel, and Mary. Print out and spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his 74

servant. Surely, from now on, all generations baby. Help us to celebrate the surprising ways will call me blessed: for the Mighty One has you come to us, just like your faithful servant done great things for me, and holy is his Mary. Give us courage, hope, and peace in name. His mercy is for those who fear him, our confusion. We pray in Jesus’s name. from generation to generation. He has shown Amen! strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has Dear God, brought down the powerful from their You chose Mary to help you keep your thrones, and lifted up the lowly. He has filled promises to your beloved people and the hungry with good things, and sent the creation. While she was very ordinary to the rich away empty. He has helped his servant people around her, she was special to you. Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, Help us understand how we are also special according to the promise he made to our and valuable to you. Strengthen us in our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants vocations to more fully become the people forever. you have made us to be. Amen.

Narrator: Here ends the reading. Benedictions Leader: God keeps God’s promises from Message generation to generation. Even when God’s Today’s message is a musical performance of task for us is beyond our understanding, we the Magnificat followed by a reflection. Unlike remember that we can trust God’s promises. other songs, this is a time for campers to As you go out into the world, you go out listen and reflect. Select a leader to read the showered with the love and blessing of the words of reflection following the song. Holy Spirit; the presence of Jesus Christ; and the guidance of God the Father. And all God’s Reflection children say: Amen! Leader: Our story from scripture today shows Mary hearing about a very unexpected plan Sit in a circle and say the blessing together. for her life, and it reveals her faithful God be in my head. (touch forehead) response. Although it is completely different God be in my heart. (cross hands over chest) from what she thought would happen, Mary God be on my left. (touch left shoulder) still says she will serve God in the way that God be on my right. (touch right shoulder) she has been asked. She even sings a song of praise and thanksgiving to God for this new Have a group hug as you pray today. task! Can you imagine? Sometimes in our God, we are so thankful for your own lives we can also be surprised by how awesomeness. and when God asks us to serve. God might And we are thankful for everything you gave ask us to serve our neighbors in an each of us that makes us awesome. unexpected way; God might ask us to do We are so glad we are part of your family that things that we think are impossible! When we has been around for generations. are in these moments of surprise and Help us remember that with you, nothing is disbelief, we can remember God’s servant impossible. Not one thing. Amen. Mary and respond in a voice of faithfulness: “Here I am, the servant of the Lord. Send Ask campers to bless each other today. Stand me.” For help and for courage, we pray in or sit in a circle. Each person blesses the Jesus’s name. Amen. person to one side of them by saying: (Name,) Nothing. Not. One. Thing. Is impossible with God. Amen. Prayers That camper will then turn to the next person God, we thank you for your gift of Jesus and share the blessing, continuing around the Christ, who came to earth as an unexpected circle until everyone has been blessed. ible Text: Acts 16: 1-15 75

Day 5: Paul, Timothy, Lydia, and You!

Concept: We can share God’s love with all people everywhere and help them know they can rely on God.

Objectives: What will campers…  Know: That God’s family includes people who are very different from them.  Feel: Comfortable sharing God’s love with people in their lives, even if they are different.  Do: Share God’s love with others, even recognizing and identifying God’s gifts in others.

Song Ideas: Christ, Be Our Light (ELW 715), You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore (ELW 817), Soon and Very Soon (WOV 744)

Main Text (NRSV): Acts 16:1-15

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas Paul went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went from town to town, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily.

Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

The Conversion of Lydia We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us.

Biblical Interpretation The account in chapter 16 of the Acts of the Apostles is a snapshot of how God’s promises from generation to generation extend beyond the ancestors of Jesus, and Jesus himself, to include those who come after him. The promise to Abraham and Sarah finds its greatest expression in Jesus, but the promise doesn’t stop there. The message of God’s promised blessing informs the followers of Jesus after his resurrection and ascension—and welcomes those outside the historic family line, right up to us and beyond.

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Today’s story puts a frame around three people who were part of the early church’s growth and expansion. The apostle Paul was a Roman citizen and an educated and religiously literate Jew who was born in Tarsus (a city in what is now south-central Turkey) in about 6 BCE, and at first an enemy of Jesus’s earliest followers. Paul had studied the Hebrew scriptures under Gamaliel in Jerusalem and held status in the powerful religious group of the Pharisees (Acts 22:3). While on the road to Damascus on a mission to persecute Jesus’s followers, his life takes a 180-degree turn when he is blinded by a bright light and hears Jesus’s voice asking, “Why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). His conversion is both rapid and radical. Paul describes his abrupt change in Philippians 3:3-9. The man who was a strict follower of religious law comes to consider all that as “loss,” worthless, and speaks of “having a righteousness that . . . comes through faith in Christ” and not the law. He expands the church’s influence and presence, literally being sent to new people and places in the Mediterranean world, starting churches in Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica, and Colossae directly, with more started by those he taught. Ultimately, Paul is sent to Rome where he would be executed during a time when Christians were persecuted.

In Acts 16, Paul returns to Lystra and recruits Timothy, already a disciple of Paul, to travel with him on some subsequent missionary journeys. Timothy represents the third generation in his family to practice the Christian faith. His mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, were followers of Jesus, although his father was not (2 Timothy 1:5; Acts 16:3). Paul had been in Timothy’s hometown, Lystra, a Roman colony in present-day Turkey, to establish a church, and Timothy became a well-respected member in the congregation there. Timothy had been acquainted with the Hebrew scriptures from childhood. Even beyond his travels with Paul, Timothy was sent as a messenger and representative to the churches in the Mediterranean region to help them live as Christ’s followers and inheritors of God’s promises and also to extend the church’s reach.

Perhaps most interesting in this passage is the presence of Lydia. Lydia was a merchant, probably wealthy, and among those considered to be “God fearing”—that is, a worshiper of God (v. 14), someone who kept as much of the law as possible but had not completely converted to Judaism. (In Acts 10, Peter is directed in a dream to the house of Cornelius, a “God fearer” who hears the good news and is baptized.) Paul and Timothy’s trip to Samothrace is inspired by another vision Paul experiences (v. 11). Lydia listens attentively to Paul’s teaching and becomes a Christian. Following her baptism, she urges Paul and Timothy to stay at her home while in the city. While Cornelius’s baptism (as a Gentile) caused much conversation among the leaders of the early church (Acts 15), Lydia’s conversion and baptism becomes the norm after the leaders settle the question of whether Christians must follow the specifics of the law of Moses. This opens the community of faith to new people in new places.

Because of missionaries, apostles, and converts to the faith like Paul, Timothy, and Lydia, the promise made to Abraham and Sarah that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3) moves beyond boundaries of place and bloodline. Paul, who wrote to many of the churches he started, assures the Galatians, “So, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7).

Lineage or ancestry are no longer understood as required for experiencing the blessing of God. They have joined the defunct categories of merit and status. The circle of safety, God’s hesed—the steadfast love of the Psalm 100 litany—is for all. We experience it and respond. All can live without fear, trusting that God’s goodness to previous generations continues into ours and beyond. The privilege of sharing the good news of that promise is ours today!

Additional Texts Matthew 15:21-28 (a Gentile woman responds Romans 8:12-17 (Heirs of the promise) in faith) 1 Corinthians 4:9-21 (Living lives of humility Matthew 28:16-20 (Jesus commissions the and service) disciples) 1 Corinthians 12:13-14 (Baptized into one body, Acts 1:1-8 (Witnesses to the ends of the earth) one Spirit) Acts 17:16-34 (Paul addresses the people of Ephesians 2:11-22 (Gentiles are included in the Athens) covenant of promise) 77

Day 5 Games and Activities

“Sharing God’s Love” Game (Preschool) was a good guess (even if they guessed the Point out that you are a little bit sad because correct answer, purple), but they’ll have to this is your last day together. But you’re very listen carefully to the Bible story to find out happy that you have made so many new the important color. (Note: Although the Bible friends. And making new friends who share text for today, Acts 16:1-15, involves Paul, God’s love together is a great way to keep Timothy, and Lydia, you will be focusing on God’s love going! Hold up the ball and the story of Lydia.) Read the story of Lydia explain that it’s called a God’s Love Ball. from a Bible storybook. You’re going to call out each child’s name and throw the ball to that camper, then the camper will say your name, and throw the P Is for Purple (Preschool) ball back to you. Begin with a slow round. Try Ahead of time, place at least one item for a second round, increasing the pace. Then each camper in a backpack; most of the items it’s the campers’ turn to call each other by should begin with the letter P. Some ideas name and throw the ball to each other. Make follow: a paper clip, pen, pencil, pinecone, this a fun and silly time. Congratulate pine needle, paper, pickle (in a plastic bag), campers on keeping God’s love going. We puzzle piece, pepper shaker, popcorn (in a experience God’s love through all of the plastic bag), purple crayon, purple marker, caring people around us, including camp potato chip, pretzel, little bottle of paint, friends! Say today’s (and the Day 1) call and paintbrush. Ask campers what the important response together. color in the Bible story was. (Purple.) Lydia Leader: Who always goes with us? (hold sold purple cloth to wealthy people. It was palms up) expensive to make. Then point out how All: God always goes with us. (look up and people in the Bible story kept God’s love raise hands high, hug self) going: Paul kept God’s love going by teaching Lydia about Jesus. Lydia was baptized and kept God’s love going by telling everyone in Popcorn Colors (Preschool) her household. Lydia also kept God’s love Explain that campers will learn a little bit going by telling others about Jesus wherever more about each other—their favorite colors. she went to sell her purple cloth. Now Begin by saying, “If your favorite color is red, campers can keep God’s love going by telling stand up, and stay standing.” Continue their friends about Jesus too! Explain that naming colors until everyone is standing. you’re going to play another game together. Then ask everyone to sit down while you tell Ask what letter the word purple begins with. them about a game called “Popcorn Colors.” (P.) Explain that inside your backpack you You’re going to name a color. If campers are have lots of little things. Campers will each wearing that color, they will stand up and sit get a turn to reach into your backpack and down quickly, like a kernel of popcorn remove one thing to show the group. If it popping. Play the game, repeating colors starts with the letter P, everyone will jump several times. Take a break and serve little up, make the P sound, and sit down. If it cups of real popcorn to eat and water to doesn’t start with a P, all should stay seated drink. Point out that sharing good food that and call out its name. Encourage campers to God created with our friends is another way keep God’s love going after camp is over, by to keep God’s love going! saying “Jesus loves you” to someone whenever the campers see the color purple. Say today’s call and response together. Word (Preschool) Leader: Who always goes with us? (hold Tell campers that one color is important in palms up) our Bible story today. Ask campers to guess All: God always goes with us. (look up and which color it is. After each guess, tell them it raise hands high, hug self) 78

Handprint Keepsake (Preschool) hoop. If you run out of hoops, two people will Campers will make a painting to remind them stand in a hoop together. To get freed from of all of their camp friends who can keep the hoop, one player who has not been God’s love going, even after camp is done. tagged will touch the person inside the hoop  Help children put on paint shirts. and call out “God loves you!” Be sure  Give each camper a canvas panel. Invite everyone gets a turn to be the tagger. campers to use a permanent marker to write their names on the back of the panel or you may do this for them. Add the Keep God’s Love Going (Preschool) date. Inflate several large balloons. With a  Ask campers to choose one color of paint. permanent marker, draw a big heart shape They will use this color to first make their with the word “GOD” written inside on each own handprint in the middle of their balloon. Store them in a large plastic bag. canvas. Note: Balloons are a choking hazard to young  To make the print, have the camper children. If a balloon pops, immediately pick choose which hand to use. Have campers up the pieces and place them out of the hold their hands with the palms facing up. children’s reach. Keep uninflated balloons out You can use a brush to apply paint to the of reach too. palm and all of the fingers and thumb of  Ask children to talk about who kept God’s the hand. Guide the camper’s hand as love going in today’s Bible story. Lydia.) they make a handprint in the center of the Like Lydia, campers can keep God’s love canvas. Gently press down on each finger going too! and the thumb to get the best print.  Have everyone stand in a circle and  Wash all hands off in the basin of water spread out a bit. Hold up a balloon and and dry with paper towels. ask if anyone recognizes the word written  After everyone has made a handprint, set inside the heart. (God.) Try the following out plates with all the colors of paint. game variations. Have children dip their index finger in a  Explain that you’re going to pass a balloon small amount of paint that is the same of God’s love around the circle as fast as color as their handprint. Then have them you can to keep God’s love going. Do this make a fingerprint on each canvas except several times. Then add a second balloon. their own. Point out that each fingerprint Then a third. is unique. No one else has a fingerprint  Next ask campers to line up single file. like yours. Have them pass one balloon over their  You can then make a purple fingerprint on heads. Repeat the sequence but have each canvas to remind the campers of them pass it between their legs. how Lydia shared the story of Jesus with  Stand in a circle again. Throw one balloon her friends and how you shared the story up in the air and encourage campers to hit of Jesus with the campers. it to keep it from landing on the ground. If  Help campers remove their paint shirts. they accomplish this, add another balloon. Explain that they may take their painting  Congratulate campers for keeping God’s home today. It will remind them of all their love going. camp friends and the fun they had sharing God’s love with each other. Web of Friends (Pioneers and Juniors) Start processing the week with campers using Hula Hoop Tag (Preschool) these questions and a ball of yarn. If possible, play this game in a large, grassy  What did they learn (about themselves, area. Spread out hula hoops in the playing about God)? space. Explain to campers that you are going  What was the best part of the week? to play a game of tag. One person is the  What are they looking forward to when tagger (It). If someone gets tagged, they they go home? should quickly run, then stand inside a hula  What will they miss about camp? 79

Stand in a circle and toss a ball of yarn from of the places Paul went and what he did. person to person. When each person catches Read the text in three chunks: Acts 16:1-5, it, they can respond to one or two of the then 6-10, and finally 11-15, emphasizing questions above. Then, they should hang on verses 4- 5, 9-10, 11-12, and 15. Pause to the section of yarn in their hand and toss between each section of verses to refer to the the ball of yarn to someone across the circle map and find the places mentioned in the from them. When everyone has had a chance text. Jesus’s followers traveled to new places to share, there will be a web of yarn and met new people as they shared God’s connecting all of you. Remind the campers love with them. God’s love was busting out that they are all connected and will be beyond typical places and people and was connected in God’s love forever. Finally, cut heading into unknown places. God’s love was the yarn so each camper can wear a piece of loosened in the world then and is still loose in it on their wrist as a reminder of their Bible the world today. When you are done with the study friends at camp. story, talk through some questions together. Encourage campers to ask their own questions, too. Asking questions helps the Word story stick, and imagining what the story As you study the Bible to get to know more means for us today helps to bring relevance. about God through the stories, be sure to cultivate an open and affirming environment. Encourage questions and wonderments. Ask Basic Questions questions and wonder aloud yourself, to Gauge your campers’ understanding of the model this way of engaging with scripture. story by asking these questions. You may not know the answers to the  Who was your favorite character in the questions some of your campers have, and story? Why? there may not even be answers. That is okay!  If you could choose to be a character in What is most important is to create a safe the story, who would you choose to be? space for the entire community to wonder Why? about God and voice their questions. Find  Who joined Paul on his travels? (Timothy.) some maps to use for this study, such as a  As Paul and Timothy went from town to world map and a map of Paul’s journeys, town, what did they do? (Visited new which can be found in many Bibles or online churches to report the decisions made by (for example, church leaders in Jerusalem, shared the https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bible- good news about Jesus with people who maps/map-13?lang=eng). Show campers had never heard it, baptized people.) where Israel is, and point out the other  Paul had a vision. What did the man in his locations mentioned in today’s Bible story vision want Paul to do? (Go to the region (Jerusalem; Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Troas, of Macedonia.) and Thyatira, which are places in present-day  What happened after Lydia heard Paul’s Turkey; the regions Mysia and Bithynia; message about Jesus? (She was Samothrace, Neapolis, and Philippi in baptized.) Macedonia, which are places in present-day  What questions do you have? Greece). Then, using the world map, show them where you are, relative to those places. Somehow, news and experiences of God have “I Wonder . . .” Prompts crossed the globe. How in the world did that Invite campers to wonder about the story happen? Give a little backstory about Paul, with you and encourage them to ask their also known as Saul: a persecutor of Christians own wondering questions. who became Jesus’s most ardent follower and  I wonder what it is like today to be a a spreader of God’s love around the world. missionary like Paul was . . . (If needed, Campers find this story interesting; it really explain that a missionary is a person who shows how God does crazy things with is sent by a church to places near or far in people. Next, read Acts 16 to discover some 80

order to share God’s love in words and follow him that they invited their family and actions.) friends to join them in a mass baptism. There  I wonder what it is like to have a vision… are stories in the Bible of many people being  I wonder if Paul and Timothy were ever baptized simultaneously! Play this game as a discouraged as they told people about reminder that when one person “sees” Jesus Jesus . . . and follows him, others do the same.  I wonder what it might be like to have  Have the campers stand in a circle and everyone in your house baptized at the choose one camper to be “It.” same time . . .  “It” stands in the middle of the circle with eyes closed.  Without making a sound, choose a camper “What about Us?” Questions (Pioneers or leader to be “Jesus.” The rest of the and Juniors) campers can be Jesus’s disciples. Invite campers to think about this story inside  “Jesus” does an action (clap, snap, rub the context of their own lives and families. head) and the rest of the campers in the  Do you remember when you first heard circle copy what “Jesus” is doing. “Jesus” about Jesus? Who told you? What was changes actions from time to time and the said or done? group must copy that action.  Who is welcome in the church? How can  Once the action starts, “It” opens their you let people know they are welcome? eyes and tries to guess which one of the  If you were going to tell someone about campers is “Jesus.” Jesus, what would you say or do first?  For the next round, “Jesus” becomes the  Where might you go, near or far, to share new “It.” After the new “It” goes to the God’s love in words or actions? middle of the circle and closes their eyes,  Paul and Timothy supported new the person who is done being “It” gets to Christians everywhere. How might you silently pick the next person to play and your campers support each other “Jesus.” after you leave camp?

Wrap Up (Pioneers and Juniors) Travel Trunk (Pioneers) Missionaries in the church today work with Paul traveled all over the Mediterranean world and among people around the world. sharing God’s love. Imagine what his suitcase Teachers provide support for education; must have had in it! Invite campers to sit in a doctors, nurses, and medical professionals circle and talk for a minute about what things support the delivery of health care; and they would pack if they were traveling to tell others support the development of people about God. Then, go through the sustainable farming practices to help alphabet one letter at a time, one person at a eliminate hunger. Pastors and ministry time, and fill the imaginary Travel Trunk with professionals work to build community so things you would bring with you. Each person people can live in peace; they also teach repeats what the people before them have aspiring pastors how to minister, preach, and said. For example, “In my Travel Trunk I have teach about Jesus. Ask campers what kind an apple to snack on.” The next person says, of job they might like to have as a missionary “In my Travel Trunk I have an apple to snack somewhere, then share what you might do if on and Bibles to share.” Continue until you you had the opportunity. finish the alphabet. If campers have trouble remembering, have everyone chime in to recite the list each time. Positive Adjective Tree (Intermediates) Invite campers to choose a partner (or pair them up, if you prefer). If there is an odd Follow Jesus (Juniors) number, pair with a camper yourself or ask Often, when new people heard about Jesus, an adult leader to pair with a camper. they were so compelled to be baptized and Distribute paper and markers. Campers are 81

going to draw a tree. On the tree, they will Who Is Like Us? (Intermediates and put five or more words that are encouraging, Senior High) positive, and truthful about their partner. For When Jesus called the disciples, almost all of example, trees might state “fast runner” or them were from the area of Palestine. Many “funny at dinner.” The purpose of the were brothers or friends and most probably exercise is to think about the fruit that God is resembled one another and Jesus. Invite growing in each person. What are the skills campers to share what they think Jesus and and talents that partners have seen in each the disciples looked like. How do they imagine other over the week? How has God helped them? They were likely mostly men with them get to know someone new or to know brown skin of different shades, dark hair and an old friend better? After time for drawing, eyes, and not too tall—maybe between 5′6″ have campers take 3–4 minutes to share their and 5′8″. As fishermen and other workers, drawings in their pairs. Then gather the whole they would have had scars, scratches, and group to reflect on the exercise. Ask campers rough patches. Most only had one set of to reflect on both what it was like to affirm clothes at a time. After Jesus was raised someone else and then to be affirmed. from the dead, he urged the disciples to go out to the whole world to share the good news of God’s grace. Ask for a volunteer to Pat My Back (Senior High) read Matthew 28:16-20. Give each camper a sheet of paper and ask  How do you think the disciples might have them to write their name, legibly, at the top. reacted to Jesus’s instructions to go to They will then tape the paper to their back new people and places? with the masking or painter’s tape. Markers Using a Bible map (most likely titled will work better for this activity than pens or something like “Paul’s Travels”), ask campers pencils. Explain to campers that you are going to find Jerusalem. Note what is to the east to set a timer. During the exercise, they are (Arabian Peninsula, India), the west going to go around and write positive, (Mediterranean Sea), the northwest (Italy), encouraging, and truthful affirmations on one the north (Asia Minor or southeastern another’s papers. They can name things like Europe), and the south (Africa: Egypt, Libya, friendly, helpful, good listener, funny, Ethiopia). encouraging, great singer. Urge campers to  Invite campers to describe the kinds of think deeply about one another and to show people who will learn about Jesus as the love to one another during the exercise. disciples travel in all these directions. Encourage them to write something different (Answers can include physical descriptions from what others have written already on as well as social or economic ideas. There each sheet. When the activity slows and would have been nomadic groups in Asia most people have reached everyone or nearly Minor, on the Peninsula, and in Africa. everyone, call the group back together. Let Dark-skinned royalty in Ethiopia. Blond the campers look at their own sheets and people from Germania and northern Italy, read, silently, how others have affirmed and so on. People everywhere with them. Then invite reflection on the different ways of life.) experience.  When Jesus sent the disciples out, did he  What was it like to affirm others? expect them to make all the people they  What was it like not to know what others encountered just like them? (No.) were saying about you at first? Encourage campers to think deeply about  What is your reaction to your affirmation what it means to show love and share the sheet? good news of Jesus with people who are Encourage campers to keep the sheet in their different from us. What does “us” mean? Bible, as a way to remember some of the Using the hula hoop or a similarly sized chalk positive ways others see them. circle on the ground, ask for a volunteer to stand in the circle. Ask the volunteer to choose something about themselves (hair color, height, age) and to invite everyone else 82

with that same attribute in the circle. Now he was born in Tarsus [in present-day invite the people in the circle to consider an Turkey], he was Jewish, he was very attribute they all have that could include educated, he spoke Greek, he sewed more people into the circle (school grade, city tents, he originally persecuted followers of or town, likes pizza). Continue until it is clear Jesus, he wrote letters, he went to jail, he that the circle is full. Ask them if they’d was shipwrecked, he once escaped danger rather keep their group closed (focusing on by hiding in a basket, he was a how the people outside the circle are descendant of Abraham and Sarah.) different), or if they would like to just have a  Invite campers to share what they learn bigger circle. When we draw and close about Timothy in this passage or know circles by choosing certain groups, we shut from other New Testament stories. ourselves off from learning both how much (Answers may include that he had a Greek we share in common with other people and father, he had a mother and a the interesting things about being different. grandmother who followed Jesus, he God’s promises include all people because traveled with Paul, he was circumcised, he God’s creation is vast and has many varieties. traveled on his own to teach about Jesus.) Differences are valuable to God. Timothy was a third-generation Christian in the years 50–60 ce!  Invite campers to share what we learn Paul, Timothy, and Lydia (Intermediates about Lydia in this passage. (Answers and Senior High) include she made purple cloth [which Note: Acts 16 is an important but complex probably means she was wealthy because chapter of the Bible. Be careful in guiding she had wealthy clients, purple cloth was conversation about the chapter. It’s important expensive and used for royal clothes], to avoid words or actions that seem to malign God helped her hear the gospel message, Jews or Jewishness as “rule-bound” or “more everyone in her house was baptized, she critical.” In this section of Acts, Judaism is not invited Paul and Timothy to stay in her only about religious identity, it is also about house [which meant she fed them and let ethnic connections. Timothy did not look like them use the place to have meetings or to other Jews, so the people to whom he spoke receive messages].) were hesitant to trust his message (v. 3). It Read verse 15 again, then invite campers to would not be unusual for campers to ask you imagine together what happened next: To what circumcision is. If this happens, be as Lydia. To others in her community. To Paul frank and brief as possible. You can offer and Timothy. Or campers can use their Bibles something along the lines of “Circumcision to find what the biblical record says. The means removing parts of a person’s genitals point is to reinforce the sense that the good or private parts. In some cases, this is helpful news of God’s promises through Jesus was and in some cases it is hurtful. In the Jewish spreading throughout the Mediterranean tradition, circumcision of men was used to region. Churches were springing up. Without show trust in God and was also used to Jesus as the common element, Paul, Timothy, identify people as belonging to a certain and Lydia would probably not have been in religion or ethnicity. The practice was not the same circles or have met one another. intended to hurt or harm them.” If no one Encourage campers to trace their Christian asks about circumcision, just keep going, but lineage back to Paul, Timothy, and Lydia, keep your ears open for later camper then ask the following questions. discussions. Invite campers to find Acts 16:1-  What do you know about how and when 15 in their Bibles. Ask for a volunteer to read your ancestors became part of the and one or two to summarize the important church? points of the passages. Ask if anyone has  How would you describe God’s family? questions, then write them on a piece of paper.  Invite campers to share anything they know about Paul. (Answers may include 83

Different and Alike (Intermediates) round. (Examples for instructions: Give three Invite campers to think (silently) about a people a high five, find a partner and share person (not at camp) they know who seems your favorite memory of the week, make up a the most different from them. It may be a handshake with someone, shout out a camp relative, schoolmate, or neighbor (or song you’ll keep singing even when you get someone else). What do they have in home.) Debriefing questions: common with that person? After they’ve had  Was it easy coming up with new ways to time to think, ask them to share just the do the repeated instructions? thing they have in common. They don’t have  What did this activity remind you about to say the person’s name or relationship, just the week? the commonality. (We both play baseball. We  What’s an activity we’ve done that you both have sisters. We both wear socks.) can take back to your home, church, or Invite campers to share how they might treat school? that person differently, because of what they have in common with them. At the end of the sharing, ask the campers to repeat the Hand Squeeze phrase: “God’s promises are true for me and Campers form a tight circle and grab the for all people.” hands of two people across the circle, similarly to the start of “Human Knot” found in Day 3. Choose one player to start. That Living God’s Promises (Senior High) camper squeezes one of the hands they’re High school is riddled with ways people decide holding, then the person whose hand got who is in and who is out. Have campers squeezed needs to squeeze the hand of review the stories from the week and consider someone else, and so on—until the squeezes who God chose for important tasks—often the return to the first camper. Allow campers to ones least expected. do this one or two times, and then have them  Think of someone who is often overlooked separate and attempt to line up in the order in your high school. What do you know that the squeeze traveled (but don’t tell them about that person, their interests and life this until they’ve let go!). Allow multiple situations? What are ways you’d be willing attempts for them to come up with a strategy to find out more? that allows them to be most successful.  Is there anyone you have harmed or who Debriefing questions: has harmed you (resulting in hurt  Did everyone have their hand squeezed? feelings, for example)? What might it take Was anyone left out? for the situation be turned around into a  Did the hand squeezing follow the same positive resolution? order from person to person each time?  What might sharing blessings look like in  How might a squeeze traveling through high school? our group be like God’s love? Invite campers to share a concrete way they will do one of these things when they return home or to school. At the end of the sharing, Electricity ask the campers to repeat the phrase: “God’s Divide the group into two teams, sitting promises are true for me and for all people.” parallel to each other but facing forward, not facing each other. Each team holds the hand of the person in front and in back of them, One to Ten forming a chain. One staff sits in the front Give one simple instruction to the entire with the object to grab placed between the group, and on “go” campers all perform the two front campers (who need their free hand task and then sit down. Then give the same placed on their knee); the other staff sits at instruction again, but also add another. the very back between the last two campers Continue to add instructions until you reach with a coin. Everyone aside from the campers round ten. Encourage campers to do the at each end must be looking forward at all repeated activity with a new partner each times, but the back two campers should look 84

at the coin as that staff member flips the coin Guess Who? repeatedly until they get heads. Any time [Need five noncounselor staff members heads lands, the person in the back must (support staff, leadership, chaplains, squeeze the hand of the person in front of volunteers), prepared sheets of paper, one them, sending an “electrical current” toward copy per small group, master sheet with the front. Once the camper at the front feels winning answers, pens or pencils] a squeeze, they grab the object. The team who wins the round (obtains the object first) This is a perfect all-camp game to help recap has the front camper move to the back, and the week. In advance, design a grid with six the game is completed once one team shifts columns and six rows. Across the top, through the entire line of campers. However, indicate the following categories: Who? What? if someone squeezes a hand prematurely or in When? Why? and How? Then fill in the error, that team has to send the back player vertical squares with names, locations, stories to the front. Debriefing questions: from the five Bible studies from the week and  Did you feel connected to your team and other pertinent camp information. An its mission? Why or why not? example follows:  How is the game an example of how our actions, good or bad, affect others? Who What? Whe Why How ? n? ? ?

Group Jump Rope D Abrah Rememb On Beca They Two staff take the long jump rope, and begin ay am ered their use trave spinning it as they would a normal jump rope. 1 and God’s jour they led The goal is for all the campers to enter the Sarah promise ney trust by jump rope and successfully jump a minimum to ed carav of three times together. Play enough rounds Cana God’s an for all campers to successfully join. an prom Debriefing questions: ise  How does it feel to rely on the entire group to achieve the goal? Each camper group will receive one copy of  What makes relying on the group easy? the completed grid. To create the challenge What makes it challenging? for camper groups, pick one random square  If something is more challenging, does from each category (column) to be the that mean it’s not worth doing? “winning” answer that all camper groups will  What does this challenge show us about have to figure out together. Give each of the including people? five staff members one of the winning  How do we encourage and not exclude answers, then have them spread over your people so that everyone gets to enjoy the site. Camper groups (led by a counselor) end reward? travel around and find each of the staff members, complete a simple challenge (make a funny face, guess a favorite camp song, do Blindfield jumping jacks, whatever you want!), and This is a “Minefield”-style activity (see Day 1) then ask the staff one “yes” or “no” question but with multiple people blindfolded holding about the grid. (For example, “Is it Abraham on to a rope as they travel the minefield and Sarah?” from the Who category.) If the together. Mark off a space about 20′ long and staff has that category, they can respond 10′ wide and fill it with different obstacles to “yes” or “no.” If they have a category not create the minefield. Have one or two people asked about, they simply respond with an “I without blindfolds either give directions or don’t know.” Once one group has found all hold one end of the rope to lead the line of five winning answers (or once the time is up), blindfolded campers through the course. Ask everyone gathers to compare their answers What does it teach us about trust? and hear the solution.

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Day 5 Worship Ideas

Invocation worship area (where the water and the This invocation activity is called The Braid. leaders are). Here, with the word of God’s Prepare the worship space by placing three promise, you will receive the sign of the long strands of rope at the front. Select three cross, remembering that you have been campers to assist with braiding the three forgiven of all your sins by Jesus Christ. This strands: Person 1 (holds the middle rope), is a reminder that God loves you, and that Person 2 (moves rope from right to left), and Jesus is taking care of you, from today to Person 3 (moves rope from left to right). It tomorrow, from generation to generation. can help to practice braiding the ropes before the service. (Invite staff members or counselors who are assisting to move to their location. As Leader: We welcome you to worship: campers come forward, leaders make the sign In the name of the Father of the cross and say the words of promise: [Person 1 walks forward, holding their strand “Remember God loves you; your sins are of rope steady in the center], forgiven.” Spend 3–5 minutes, or longer as In the name of the Son needed, on this activity. Some campers will [Person 2 brings the second strand of rope not want to participate, and that is okay.) from the right side to the left], And in the name of the Holy Spirit Leader: Children of God, hear this good news. [Person 3 brings the third strand of rope from No matter where we go—from here, today, the left side to the right side. They may stop and always—we go knowing that God’s after making the first plait of the braid.] promise of love and forgiveness stays with us The Three in One! no matter where we are. In Jesus’s name, we give thanks. Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness and Thanksgiving for Baptism Reading: Matthew 28:16-20 (New The following confession and forgiveness International Version) involves water and word. Prepare the worship Select two campers to read the parts of space with several bowls of clean water at the Narrator and Jesus. Print and provide the front. If you are near a lake or another body following words for this reading. of water, you may also guide campers there for this portion of worship. Also prepare Narrator: A reading from the Gospel of several staff members to make the sign of the Matthew, beginning in the twenty-eighth cross and to say the following words of chapter. “Then the eleven disciples went to blessing at the appropriate time: “Remember Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told God loves you; your sins are forgiven.” You them to go. When they saw him, they can print this phrase out on slips of paper, or worshiped him; but some doubted. Then you can have the speaker write these words Jesus came to them and said, on their hand so that they can remember the blessing. Jesus: “‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make Leader: All week long in our camp worship, disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the we have been talking about how God forgives name of the Father and of the Son and of the us all our sins. Let’s once more take a Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey moment to think about those sins—the things everything I have commanded you. And we have done, or the things we haven’t done surely I am with you always, to the very end that we should have—and consider God’s of the age.’” grace and forgiveness for all. When you are ready, please come up to the front of the Narrator: Here ends the reading. 86

Message Counselor: [Walking in on the scene, looking Today’s message comes in the form of a one- pleasantly surprised.] Hey there, campers! scene skit, “With You Always.” Print the script What are you up to? Um, what do you have below and provide a copy to each actor. Roles there? to be filled by campers: four camper characters (Camper 1, 2, 3, 4) and one [All campers try to hide what they are taking counselor character (Counselor). Props: and end up failing or dropping the items for multiple pieces of recreational equipment the counselor to see.] from camp (such as a canoe paddle, a life jacket, a basketball, a pool noodle). Counselor: Is that something from camp behind your back? With You Always Camper 1: [Sadly.] Yes. I’m sorry. I know it’s [Campers are standing together in a circle not right. I just . . . I just want to remember talking. They seem unhappy.] camp when I go home!

Camper 1: [Sadly.] I don’t want to leave Camper 4: [Sadly.] Yeah. We’re all sorry. It camp today. I’m so sad! was my bad idea. I just . . . I’m not ready to go home yet! I don’t want to lose my new Camper 2: [Wistfully.] I know! I have had so friends or good memories. I don’t want it to much fun! I just want to stay here forever. all disappear!

Camper 3: [Excitedly.] Yeah! We got to do so Counselor: [Kindly.] Oh, campers. I’m sorry many fun things at camp this week! I never you’re sad. Come over here. have this much fun when I’m back at home. I’m not ready to go. [Campers set down their objects and walk over to stand with the counselor.] Camper 4: [Nervously.] I’m not ready to go either. I don’t want to forget anything! And Counselor: You’re right: taking this camp you know what? I won’t forget anything! equipment home is not the best choice. But Because I am going to take this home with you know what? You don’t have to take stuff me [Picks up a piece of camp equipment.] to from camp to remember camp and keep it remember how much fun we had! with you! When you leave camp, you are leaving with so many memories! You are Camper 1: [Looking happier now.] Yes! What taking your Bibles with you—and those carry a great idea! I’m going to do that too. Okay . all the good news we talked about together, . . what can I take with me . . . ? I’m going to and you’re taking all the promises and take this [Picks up another piece of camp prayers that we’ve made together! You can equipment.] to remember my favorite activity always look back at what we learned together during free time! this week. And you can remember what Jesus said in our scripture reading: that he is with Camper 2: Me too! I’m going to take this you always, until the end of the age. He even [Chooses a different piece of camp gives his Holy Spirit to you—equipping you equipment.] to remember all the memories with special gifts, to take care of and love we made during campfires. God’s creation!

Camper 3: What can I take? Help me out! Is Camper 2: But can’t we just stay here? there something that will remind me of my cabin? I really liked my cabin group and Counselor: You were never meant to stay counselor this week [Chooses a different here forever. God always meant for you to go piece of camp equipment.] out into the world, to tell other people about what you learned here: that Jesus Christ 87

loves you, forgives you, and blesses you Benediction richly. Today’s benediction involves a call and response. A leader speaks one phrase of Camper 3: I guess you are right! God’s love blessing, to which campers respond with doesn’t disappear just because we leave another word or phrase. You may choose to camp. Jesus doesn’t stop walking with us teach this orally or you may project the words because we walk somewhere else. The Holy on a screen. Repeat the call and response Spirit still shows up to guide us along our multiple times, escalating in volume, to build way. up energy before the sending song.

Counselor: That’s right. Today, tomorrow, Leader: Receive this blessing. When I raise and always: God keeps God’s promises, from my hand, you shout “Amen!” Let’s practice. generation to generation. And God’s promises (Raise hand: campers shout “Amen!”) extend to you—to the whole world! Even when God sends us to new people and new Leader: Remember that God loves you when places, we can trust in God’s promises. you are at camp! (Raise hand.)

Camper 2: [Gladly] That’s some really great All: Amen! news! Leader: Remember that God loves you Camper 1: It definitely helps. yesterday, today, and tomorrow! (Raise hand.) [Counselors and campers exchange a handshake, hug, or high five. As the campers All: Amen! walk off stage, the counselor calls after them.] Leader: Remember that God loves you and is with you wherever you go! (Raise hand.) Counselor: God loves you! God is with you! Today, tomorrow, and always. All: Amen!

End Scene Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! (Raise hand.)

Prayer All: Amen! Today’s prayer comes in the form of a prayer that is read aloud by the assembly in unison. Project the words on a screen for all to see, Closing Blessing (Preschool) or hand out paper copies of the words for all Say the blessing together followed by today’s to follow along. Have a leader open the call and response. prayer with words of invitation to participate. God be in my head. (touch forehead) Leader: Please pray with me. (Pause for a God be in my heart. (cross hands over chest) moment of silence.) God be on my left. (touch left shoulder) God be on my right. (touch right shoulder) All: Dear God, as we leave this place full of memories and stories, help us to remember Leader: Who always goes with us? (hold all that we have learned about you. That you palms up) are faithful to those who were before us; that All: God always goes with us. (look up and you are faithful to us today; and that you are raise hands high, hug self) faithful to all who will come after us. We love you, God, and we thank you. Amen!

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Closing Ritual (Pioneers and Juniors) Litany (Intermediates and Senior High) Give a baptism style blessing to everyone in your group. Go to the lake or another water Leader: God is bigger than what we know. source on the camp property, or make sure All: God is bigger than our imaginations. you have a squirt bottle filled with water. Leader: God’s history began long before our Gather around the water source, and all at time. the same time, put your hands in the water All: God holds the future long after us. and say: Leader: God’s promises are for all people, now and forever. We are loved by God. All: God’s promises are for all people, now We can share God’s love with the people in and forever. our lives. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Then quickly bring your hands out of the water (or lightly squirt everyone), so water droplets land everywhere.

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Pre-School GROW

Presented here as one time block but can be divided into several if needed.

 As kids gather, give them time to color. Don’t look at a calendar to  Tell the kids what the theme is for the day. determine the maturity level of a preschooler. It varies from  Do a curriculum activity that will help the kids get “hooked” on child to child. Remember that what the theme is. they tend to not want to sit  Read the Bible story in the Spark Story Bible still very long. They have o Day 1: Abraham and Sarah, p. 26 short attention spans. They o Day 2: Joseph, p. 60 will do what you do. You can o Day 3: David, p. 126 easily get them on your side. o Day 4: Mary, p. 196, 202 Preschoolers will make you o Day 5: Paul, Timothy, Lydia, p. 532 more tired. They want to  After you read the story, ask them these questions: learn and they trust you. Preschool campers are at an o Which part of the story doesn’t make sense to you? age where learning is a way of o What is your favorite part of the story? life. All the new information o You can also ask other questions pertaining to the story. often triggers their innate  Do an activity that the kids can “tinker” with the Bible story, sense of curiosity, and makes such as making a model out of Legos showing the story, a the counselor’s role fun and puzzle, anything that will help them to think more about the exciting! These campers have story. Can also use suggested activities for preschoolers from active minds and bodies. It is the daily activities. important to keep them busy.  Ask them what they remember about the Bible story from Use an excited tone of voice that emulates a spirit of today and reread it, if needed. Then ask them these questions: curiosity, but does not belittle o What does this story remind me of? or speak down to these young o What is God or Jesus doing in this story? campers. When instructing  Do something artistic that shows they know the story. It could these children, be sure to be a skit, draw or color a picture, do something with stickers, give simple one-step sing a song, etc. Can also use suggested activities for directions and a little bit of preschoolers from the daily activities extra time to perform them.  Conclude by asking the kids: Preschoolers work best when o What was your favorite thing today? they have a designated space that helps them be o What are you thankful for today? comfortable, a set routine and  Close the session with a prayer (can use the one from the proper transitions between curriculum if you’d like). You can say the prayer and have activities. Give them time them repeat it, line for line. cues (e.g. we will be cleaning up in 5 minutes, then 3, then 1 Here are the ABCs of this age group (shared by Kris Lamey, a minute). Give affirmation. longtime preschool teacher). Preschoolers are Adventurous Newsy (they like to tell stories) Busy (talking, walking) Open Curious People like us Determined (they like to finish their task) Questioning Energetic Remind them often. They also can be Fun Silly Good kids Timid and need to Helpful Understand rules Inquisitive Valuable Joyful Welcome them Kinetic learners (hands-on) eXercise is needed Loving You are the most important person to them Musicians ZZZ- they tire easily

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Off-Site Camp with Crafts

Day Camp is a blend of OUTDOOR MINISTRY and CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRY. Day Camp brings camp to your local church and community, introducing children to outdoor ministry in familiar surroundings. Our staff brings their own enthusiasm, leadership, teaching styles, a schedule, curriculum, and resources for games. They provide a positive role model for your children and youth while leading GROW Time, singing, recreation, crafts, and nature activities. Your local volunteers (one for every 10 campers) bring similar gifts and add to the knowledge of specific needs and community resources as they help with the planning. Together, both camp and church make day camp an exciting and enriching experience for all. We also hope to energize the kids about Mount Luther’s summer program.

Day Camp is OUTREACH. The experience can be offered to the entire community as well as your congregation. It can be an ecumenical experience; working with and serving in conjunction with other denominations can prove a rewarding and educational experience for all. For some, day camp will be the first time they hear the story of Jesus’ love and can be the first step to further involvement in the Church. Day Camp is a powerful reflection of Christ's ministry of travel and discipleship.

Day Camp is FAITH FORMATION. The experience can deepen faith as participants meet Jesus Christ in new and exciting ways. Day camp can supplement your congregation’s Vacation Bible School program, it can be used as VBS, or it can be a separate entity altogether. Day camp can revitalize a Bible school, Sunday school, or any form of Christian education with new ideas, new faces, and energy. While we do hope to energize participants about other programs through your church and Camp Mount Luther, our primary objective is to excite them about their own faith and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The curriculum used is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) outdoor ministry curriculum, which provides the themes for devotions, GROW (Gather and Reflect on the Word) Time, and worships.

Day Camp is FLEXIBLE. Camp staff will work with each congregation to design a program that will meet the specific needs of the church. From the daily schedule, to meal options, to operating hours and special guests, Camp Mount Luther will work with you to devise the Day Camp plan that will provide the best experience for you and your church. Our staff will be open to all ideas and suggestions to adapt the program so that it best serves the needs of the local congregation.

Day Camp is FUN! Typical activities include: morning devotions to set the theme; GROW Time where daily themes are addressed and focused on through Bible stories and activities; song time to reinforce themes and build community and shared experience; games to promote physical activity and team building, focusing on the philosophy that everybody is a winner; snack and/or lunch provided by the congregation or by children bringing bag lunches from home; crafts when campers can create a project that ties into the daily theme and take a part of their experience home; a nature activity to teach the importance of and appreciation for all our natural resources; closing worship/praise time complete with songs, prayer, a message, and a theme summary for the day; and special events, which are fun ways to break up the day and allow local people to share their talents with the children and youth. You should also consider having a closing program, to showcase what your campers have learned during the week.

Special guests (congregation members with special talents, local artisans, historians, emergency service workers, musicians), service projects, field trips (fire station, ambulance company, post office, pool, ice cream shop, parks and reserves, or any historical site), and/or special activities (nature hikes, magic shows, origami crafts, balloon animals, slip n’ slide, talking to church workers such as the organist or a traditional talent show) will add excitement to the day. The possibilities are endless! You could also have a theme day, like “Crazy Hair Day” or “Backwards Day” or “Red Shirt Day.”

Here is a suggested craft list for off-site camps. Congregations can adapt this in any way they wish or might even want to ask a crafty member of the congregation lead and create the crafts for day camp. The crafts are intended to reinforce and supplement what the campers learn in GROW Time. The activities selected hopefully allow for the variety of expressive skills of the campers. Leaders should focus on the desired learning outcome with campers, rather than the quality of the creation. Some campers will be reluctant to demonstrate or display their products to peers. Respect their sensitivities. Several ideas are presented for each day. You may pick one or a few suggestions for each day.

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Day 1 Heart Trail Materials Traveling Pockets 9″ x 12″ [23 x 30 cm] sheets of heavy Materials acetate 9″ x 12″ [23 x 30 cm] sheets of butcher permanent markers paper or card stock scissors single-hole punch several colors of yarn brightly colored yarn traveling rope stapler single-hole punch washable markers 9″ x 12″ red card stock cut into quarters Preparation scissors  Cut a variety of heart shapes (at least 4″ x 6″ [10 cm x 15 cm] or larger) from the Preparation acetate. Make one or more per camper.  For each child, fold one sheet of butcher  Punch a hole near the top of each one, but paper in half to make a 6″ x 9″ [15 x 23 in different positions so the hearts will cm] pocket. Staple the side edges closed. hang at a variety of angles.  Punch a hole about 1″ [2.5 cm] away from the edges of each upper corner. Directions 1. Push up sleeves and caution campers that  Cut 30″ [76 cm] lengths of yarn, one per camper. they will be using permanent markers. Ask them what shapes remind them of Directions God’s love. (A circle, a heart, a cross are 1. Talk about how when we travel, we carry some possibilities.) things with us. What do campers carry 2. Have each child use permanent markers with them when they travel? to decorate an acetate heart shape. 2. Explain that they’re going to make a 3. When they are done, hold up the shape traveling pocket that they take with them and marvel how the light shines through when they travel. Invite campers to use it. markers to color both sides of the 4. Take heart shapes, yarn, and scissors with traveling pocket. Add their names. Tie a you as you hold on to the traveling rope length of colorful yarn to each corner. and walk around the grounds. 3. Demonstrate how to carry their pocket 5. Let campers choose places to hang the around their neck (like a passport) or over hearts as a reminder that God’s love one shoulder. always goes with us, just like it went with 4. Explain that Sarah and Abraham had to Sarah and Abraham. bring everything they owned with them when they traveled. Mention that doing that would get heavy. Say: “One thing “Sands on the Seashore” Painting they always brought with them was God’s Materials love. God’s love isn’t heavy at all!” different colors of craft sand (look online for 5. Help campers draw and cut out a heart recipes to create your own) shape from red card stock. Write: “God small containers goes with ______(child’s name)” on card stock or other heavy paper their heart shape. glue sticks 6. Have them place their heart shapes inside paper plates to catch excess sand their traveling pockets so they can markers (optional) remember that they bring God’s love with them wherever they go, just like Sarah Directions and Abraham did. 1. Place colored sand in small containers and set them out for easy access. Tell campers

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that they will be using small pinches of Blessing Stones sand to cover their paper. Materials 2. Read Genesis 22:17, God’s words to rocks or stones about the size of your palm, Abraham, aloud to campers before at least one per camper, gathered from explaining the craft activity. around camp or purchased or collected from 3. Give each camper a piece of paper and somewhere else instruct them to think about what they acrylic paint want their painting to look like. Relate it paintbrushes to today’s story about Abraham and finishing spray (optional) Sarah—stars in the sky, blessed to be a blessing. Directions 4. Campers can use markers to draw their 1. Help campers brainstorm different scene first if they want. blessings in their lives. Remind them of 5. Instruct campers to use the glue stick to the blessings we receive from God. Then cover a small section of their drawing have campers think of things they would before placing sand on the area. If want to bless others with. Some examples campers glue too large a section, the glue are happiness, friendship, and courage. will dry and the sand won’t stick. 2. Distribute a stone to each camper and 6. To save sand, instruct campers to use one invite them to paint a message or picture color of sand at a time and knock the of a blessing to someone else on their excess of that color onto the stone. Encourage creativity! corresponding paper plate and then place 3. Campers can take their stone home and that sand back into the original container. give it to someone who they think needs a 7. Allow projects to dry completely. blessing. Or campers can hide their stone somewhere in their hometown or neighborhood so that someone can find it Faith Family Tree at a later time. Materials card stock or other thick paper, such as mixed media paper Tin Can Planters small sticks and leaves from around camp Materials glue empty metal food cans, all sizes markers that will write on leaves acrylic paint paintbrushes Directions foam letters or shapes (optional for 1. Guide campers to collect small sticks and decoration or messages) dry leaves from around your campsite. potting soil Remind them to use what is already on flowers or seeds the ground rather than taking them from trowel a living plant. watering can 2. Ask campers to write the names of people water source who have been important to their faith on their leaves. Directions 3. Give each camper a piece of heavy paper. 1. Talk with campers about God blessing 4. Campers should arrange their sticks and Abraham and Sarah with land, and that leaves in the shape of a tree (trunk, the blessing also meant they must take branches, leaves) and then glue their care of the land. We, too, need to take items to the paper. Allow projects to dry care of God’s creation. Then explain completely. today’s craft activity. 5. As campers work, remind them of the 2. Ensure all cans are free from wrappers story of Abraham and Sarah. and are clean. 3. Give each camper a can. 93

4. Allow campers to paint and decorate their 2. Ensure each camper has a mason jar or can. toilet paper roll. 5. When cans are dry, fill with potting soil 3. Have campers cut black paper to fit and flowers or seeds. around the inside of the jar. If using toilet 6. Water and let mini planters sit in the sun. paper rolls, fit black paper to the outside of the roll. 4. Instruct campers to cut star shapes or Sand Art Seashell Picture Frames small holes in the black paper and Materials decorate if they want. If using toilet paper colored sand rolls, cut through the roll and the black glue paper at the same time. paintbrushes 5. Fit the paper into the jar. picture frames (wood or plastic works best), 6. Cut another piece of black paper to cover one per camper the top of the jar or toilet paper roll and seashells, large quantity punch small holes in the pattern of a hot glue and glue gun constellation. 7. Insert tea light. Directions 8. Secure the paper lid with a rubber band. 1. Give each camper enough seashells to decorate the sides of their picture frame. 2. Instruct campers to use the paintbrushes Nebula Bottles to put glue on their seashells. Materials 3. Camper may then sprinkle colored sand plastic bottle with cap (12 oz. [355 mL] or on the seashells. smaller water bottle recommended), one per 4. As campers are working, have an adult set camper up the hot glue station. disposable diapers or cotton balls 5. When campers finish their shells, they food coloring should bring them to the hot glue station. glitter 6. Have the adult volunteer help campers water glue their shells to their picture frames. plastic or foam star shapes (optional) 7. Encourage campers to put a picture of hot glue and glue gun someone special to them in the frame water source when they get home as a reminder of the blessings God has promised us. Directions 1. Before the campers arrive, mix water with food coloring. Tip: Small amounts go a “Star” Night Light long way; you don’t want the water too Materials dark. mason jars with no lid,, or toilet paper rolls 2. Before the campers arrive, open several black construction paper unused disposable diapers and take out scissors the filling. This filling is designed to be tape absorbent and works best for this craft. rubber bands You can also use cotton balls. glitter and stickers (optional) 3. When campers arrive, give each a plastic battery-operated tea lights (optional) bottle. sample constellation patterns 4. Instruct campers to fill their bottles with layers of the diaper filling, glitter, and star Directions shapes. 1. Read Genesis 15:5, God’s words to 5. Then instruct campers to choose the color Abraham, to campers; then introduce the of water they want to put in. Strongly craft activity. recommend using just one color to prevent discoloration from colors mixing. 94

6. Campers will most likely need to add more 9. Instruct campers to mix up their slime, filling as they fill the bottle with water. first with the spoon, and then with their 7. Once campers are satisfied with their hands. bottles, place a layer of hot glue around 10. Put campers’ slime into plastic zipper bags the rim of the bottle and screw down the with their name for storage. cap. 8. As each camper moves their bottle, it will look like a large mass of interstellar dust No-Sew Star Pillows (a nebula). Recall God’s words to Materials Abraham: “Count the stars . . . so shall two pieces of fleece fabric per camper, ¼ your descendants be” (Genesis 15:5). yard square [22 cm square] of one color and ¼ yard square [22 cm square] of another color Space Slime star stencil (can be made beforehand from Materials cardboard, must be smaller than fabric 4 oz. [118 mL] bottle of glue per camper squares) 1 teaspoon [5 mL] of baking soda per camper fabric scissors contact lens (saline) solution rulers food coloring, various colors polyester fiberfill, two handfuls per camper eyedroppers or straws permanent markers for marking fabric glitter baby oil Directions plastic bowls, one per camper 1. Read Genesis 15:5, God’s words to spoons, one per camper Abraham, to campers, then explain the plastic zipper bags, one per camper activity. permanent black marker 2. Give each camper two pieces of fleece fabric. Note: Do not use starch or Borax in this 3. Have campers trace the star shape on one activity. piece of fabric (the lighter color). 4. Then have campers measure and draw a Directions border 3″ to 4″ [7.5 to 10 cm] outside the 1. Give each camper a bowl and a spoon. star shape. 2. Ensure each camper has one 4 oz. [118 5. Instruct the campers to cut out the star mL] bottle of glue. shape by using the border they just 3. Instruct campers to empty their bottle of created (the larger star shape). glue into their bowl. 6. Campers may then use the first cutout as 4. Give each camper 1 teaspoon [5 mL] of the template for drawing on and cutting baking soda; instruct them to add that to the second piece of fabric. the glue. 7. Once both pieces are cut out, campers 5. Have a volunteer circulate and add several should lay the fabrics on top of each other squirts of contact lens solution to the and cut strips like a fringe all the way bowls. around border of the shape, from the 6. Have another volunteer go around and outside edge of the star shape to the add three drops of baby oil to the bowls. inside stencil mark. 7. Instruct campers to add small drops of 8. Tie the opposite strips of both fleeces food coloring to their mixture. They can together. use eyedroppers or straws. Remind 9. Fill the pillow with polyester fiberfill once campers that small amounts go a long most of the strips are tied. way. 10. Finish tying the remaining strips. 8. Campers can add glitter to their slime to represent the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:5; 22:17). 95

Day 2 Sticky Prayer Board Materials Happy Mosaics 9″ x 12″ [23 cm x 30 cm] light blue felt Materials 7″ x 10″ [18 cm x 25 cm] sheets of sturdy brightly colored patterns and solids of cardboard scrapbook paper tacky glue scissors (or paper cutter) stapler glue sticks, one per camper envelopes yellow card-stock circles 8″ [20 cm] in packs of pre-cut felt shapes, (ten shapes per diameter, one per camper camper) paper plates (to hold mosaic pieces) Note: For sourcing the felt shapes, see roylco.com Preparation  For each camper, cut one 8″ [20 cm] Preparation circle from yellow card stock. For each camper, make a flannel board by  Cut scrapbook paper into 1″ [2.5 cm] tightly wrapping the edges of a sheet of felt squares. over a sheet of cardboard and gluing the edges in place on the back of the cardboard. Directions You may reinforce this by stapling around the Invite campers to name things or people who edges. make them happy. Share your ideas too. Then talk about happy colors. Hold up a Directions yellow card-stock circle. 1. Give each camper a felt shape to hold.  Ask how the yellow circle makes  Ask them to name the shape. campers feel. (Happy, excited.)  Does it feel sticky? (Felt is sticky, but  How can a circle remind us of God? in a different way from glue or (Like a circle, God’s love doesn’t have magnets. Felt is made from tiny fibers. a beginning or an ending.) When one piece of felt is placed on another, the rough, tiny fibers stick Explain that long, long ago where together.) Joseph lived, people often decorated tables, 2. Demonstrate this by arranging felt shapes floors, and vases with mosaics. Ask if anyone on a flannel board to create a picture or an knows what a mosaic is. Mosaics are made attractive design. Then remove the shapes from little pieces of colorful glass or ceramic. and make another one. Talk about how fun it The little pieces are arranged to make is that you can make all kinds of designs beautiful designs or pictures. Campers will without using glue! make their own mosaics on the happy yellow 3. Give each camper a flannel board. Let circle, except that they will use pretty little them choose at least ten different shapes. squares of paper and sticky glue. Invite them to use the shapes to make 1. Write each camper’s name on one side of something or someone they love: people, a yellow circle. This will be the back of the food, animals, nature, and so on. mosaic. 4. Ask campers what praying means. (Talking 2. Set out paper squares on paper plates and to God.) Go around the circle, inviting give each camper a glue stick. campers to show their flannel picture. Then 3. Encourage campers to use the paper afterward say a prayer together, either after squares to make a design first, then glue each camper’s turn or after all campers have it into place. shown their pictures, thanking God for what is pictured on their prayer board. Point out that the sticky glue that they use to make the mosaics can remind them that God always sticks by us.

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Pipe-Cleaner “Joseph Coat” Magnets 4. Invite the campers to use pieces of Materials different colored tissue paper to fill in the cardboard pieces cut into shapes of people space of Joseph’s coat. wearing a coat (search “Joseph coat” 5. When campers are finished decorating online to find a template) their coat, give them another small sheet different colored pipe cleaners or chenille of contact paper to lay down on top of sticks their cutout. glue 6. Help campers trim the excess contact markers paper around their cutout. scissors magnetic pieces with tape backing (available in large rolls) Cross Painting Materials Directions card stock or mixed media paper (mixed 1. Cut out the cardboard people shapes in media paper works best), one sheet advance. per camper 2. Give each camper a cardboard cutout. blue painter’s tape, enough for each camper 3. Allow campers to pick the colors of pipe to make a cross on their paper cleaners they want to use. paint (watercolor or finger paints work best) 4. Instruct campers to cut the pipe cleaners pictures of various types of crosses—for to the length they need to make designs example, Latin, Jerusalem, Celtic—to like stripes or circles on the coat part of use as examples the cutout. 5. Have campers glue their pipe cleaners to Directions the cardboard. 1. Remind campers of today’s story about 6. Allow campers to decorate the face of Joseph and how he forgave his brothers. their person if they want. Talk about the cross as a symbol of 7. Cut a piece from the magnetic strip and forgiveness, then explain the craft attach it to the back of each camper’s activity. person. 2. Give each camper a piece of paper. 3. Instruct campers to use the painter’s tape to make the shape of a cross on their Joseph Tissue-Paper Sun Catcher paper. Materials 4. Allow campers to paint their papers. card stock Encourage them to fill the entire space. clear contact paper 5. When campers are finished painting, help Joseph pattern (the shape of a youth in a long them gently remove the painter’s tape. coat) 6. Allow paintings to dry. scissors tissue paper of different colors DIY Corn-Filled Heating Pad Directions Materials 1. Prepare Joseph patterns in advance. one tall (calf height) sock per camper Search online for a Joseph image with his large bag of dry corn kernels, about 2 cups coat and print out the image on card per camper stock. Cut out the inside area of Joseph’s measuring cup coat. markers (especially if socks are plain white) 2. Give each camper a Joseph cutout and a small sheet of contact paper, enough to Directions cover the entire pattern. 1. Famine brought Joseph’s brothers to 3. Instruct campers to lay their Joseph Egypt to buy grain, which eventually led cutout on the contact paper, face down. to reconciliation among the brothers. 97

Campers will use corn to make heating 5. Instruct campers to push the two pieces pads to soothe physical aches and pains. of foam down the paper clip until just a 2. Give each camper a sock. little bit of one end sticks out of the 3. Allow campers to use the markers to bottom of the foam. decorate their sock how they want. 6. Have campers carefully bend the small Suggest that some may draw a face and end of the paper clip to be flush with the turn their heating pad into a caterpillar. light brown square. 4. Help each camper fill their sock with about 7. Then give each camper a foam 2 cups [0.5 liters] of dry corn kernels. marshmallow and have them push the 5. Assist campers with tying the open end of paper clip through it sideways, that is, their sock into a knot to close the sock. through its equator, not North and South 6. Campers now have a heating or cooling Poles. pad. To heat their pad, they can put it in 8. Then have campers push the paper clip the microwave for about 1–2 minutes. Or through the final square of light brown. to create a cooling pad, place it in the 9. Help the campers twist the paper clip into freezer for a few hours. a small loop on top of the square and cut off the excess paper clip section that remains. S’more Forgiveness Necklace 10. Measure a length of string or ribbon for Materials each camper’s neck and help campers put light brown craft foam, enough for two 2″ x their string through the paper clip loop. 2″ squares [5 cm x 5 cm squares], cut 11. Remind campers that God always gives them in advance, if needed “s’more” forgiveness. dark brown craft foam, enough for one 2″ x 1″ rectangle [5 cm x 2.5 cm rectangle] per camper, cut them in advance, if T-Shirt of Many Colors needed Materials foam marshmallows (available in bulk white T-shirt or any other white fabric—bags inexpensively at online craft stores or or bandannas work other shopping sites) tie-dye, either liquid or powder, in various string or ribbon, enough for each camper to colors make a necklace multiple buckets or squirt bottles large paper clips, one per camper rubber bands scissors, one pair per camper large plastic zipper bags permanent markers Directions water source 1. Give each camper a sheet of light brown and dark brown craft foam and instruct Directions them to cut out two 2″ x 2″ squares [5 cm 1. Prep tie-dye supplies beforehand. x 5 cm squares] (representing graham Following the directions on either the crackers). powder or liquid tie-dye bottle, make all 2. Give each camper a sheet of dark brown the colors you will want. If making colors and instruct them to cut out a 2″ x 1″ the day before, ensure you can cover rectangle [5 cm x 2.5 cm rectangle] them overnight. (representing chocolate). 2. Wet with water and wring out T-shirts or 3. Give each camper a paper clip and whatever item of clothing you are using. instruct them to carefully unfold it. 3. Tie up T-shirts with rubber bands. 4. Ask campers to carefully push one end of (Research online different ways to tie the the paper clip through the middle of one shirt to get different patterns.) square of light brown and then the middle 4. Allow campers to select the colors they of the rectangle of dark brown. want and either use the squirt bottles to

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place color on the shirt or the buckets to Day 3 dip their shirts. 5. Campers can, and should, use different Fuzzy Sheep colors, but be careful the colors don’t Materials overlap too much, or they will get a very white cardboard dark shirt. scissors 6. Once campers have completed their glue sticks shirts, leave them tied up and put them 2″ spring clothespins into zipper bags labeled with their names. ¼″ self-adhesive wiggly eyes 7. Instruct campers to rinse their shirts out white fuzzy yarn when they get home and then hang them masking tape up to dry. Caution them not to wash shirts black construction paper with other clothing the first time. markers

Preparation Warm Fuzzies Cut 4½″x 2″ cardboard ovals for the sheep Materials body and little ¾″ floppy ears from black skeins of yarn in different colors paper. To make the sheep legs, clip one 2″ scissors spring clothespin to the front of the body and one to the back. Glue in place. Cut the yarn Directions into lengths long enough to wrap around the 1. Have campers measure out one strand of sheep’s body. yarn that is 8 lengths of their arm. 2. Also have campers cut a single piece of Directions yarn that measures from their thumb to 1. Give each camper a sheep body. Let them their pinkie across their spread palm. use markers to color the clothespin legs 3. Then have campers carefully wrap their and the face. long piece of yarn around three of their 2. Stick one wiggly eye to each side of the fingers. Instruct campers to spread their face. Campers may need help peeling off fingers out so as not to wrap the yarn too the backing to the eyes, so they can tightly. attach them. 4. When the campers have finished wrapping 3. Tape one end of a long length of yarn their entire length of yarn, instruct them near the sheep’s head. Demonstrate how to pull the yarn off their fingers by the to wind the yarn around the body to make middle of the bundle, pinching it tightly. a fat, fluffy sheep. Invite campers to 5. Tie the bundle in the middle with the small complete this step. piece of yarn. 4. Glue the yarn in place at the back end of 6. Campers should then cut the closed loops the sheep to keep the yarn from sliding off at either end of the bundle, being careful the body. not to cut the piece of yarn holding the 5. Give campers two black paper ears. Use a bundle together. glue stick to glue one ear on each side of 7. Invite campers to give the newly created the sheep’s head. warm fuzzies to people who might need love and forgiveness, just like Joseph forgave his brothers. Fancy Crowns Materials yellow card stock scissors stapler glue stick large adhesive plastic gems big sequins and markers 99

Preparation twine or string For each camper cut (1) a three-pointed single-hole punch crown front piece that varies from 3″ to 5″ [8 paper strips that state “God Sees You” cm to 13 cm] in height and is 11″ [28 cm] in (optional), one per camper length and (2) a 3″ x 11″ [8 cm x 28 cm] card-stock strip for the back. Directions 1. Talk with campers about the ways God sees Directions us and then read Psalm 100:5. Next, explain today’s craft activity. 1. Point out that God loved David and that 2. Give each camper two toilet paper rolls to God loves them too. Campers will make make a pair of binoculars. fancy crowns to remind them of the 3. Allow campers to choose their scrapbook surprising king in the Bible story and paper. God’s fancy love for them. 4. Invite campers to cut the scrapbook paper 2. Give campers the pointed crown pieces to the size of their toilet paper rolls. and invite them to decorate them using 5. Instruct campers to wrap the paper around the materials you have set out. the roll and secure with the tape; campers 3. Staple the strip piece to one end of each may also affix the “God Sees You” strips to camper’s crown piece, fit the crown to the their binoculars. child’s head, staple to the other end of the 6. Campers should then use tape to secure the crown piece, and cut off the excess. two toilet paper rolls together. 4. Explain that the crowns can remind 7. Help campers punch a hole on the outside of campers that God chose to love them, just each roll for attaching the string or twine like God chose to love David. neck strap. 8. Have campers tie the ends of some premeasured string to each hole to create a Coffee Filter Hearts neck strap for their binoculars. Materials coffee filters cut into heart shapes, one per camper Pieces of Our Hearts Hanger washable markers in a variety of colors Materials eyedroppers or plastic straws puzzle pieces, ten to fifteen per camper; the small bowls of water pieces don’t need to fit together spray paints in different colors Directions cardboard cut into small heart shapes, 1. Give each camper a coffee filter. approximately 4″ x 4″ [10 cm x 10 cm], one per 2. Invite campers to use the markers to color camper their filters. glue 3. When they are finished coloring, invite string or ribbon camper to fill the eyedroppers with water single-hole punch and drip water onto their filters. roll of newsprint for mural (optional) 4. As the water spreads, the colors will run and create new patterns. Directions 5. Discuss with campers that God changes our 1. Spray paint the puzzle pieces beforehand. hearts, like the water changes their paper 2. Give each camper a cardboard heart shape. hearts. 3. Invite campers to choose different colors of puzzle pieces to glue onto their heart shape. Tell them that the puzzle pieces represent Binoculars the different things that lie on their hearts, Materials like friends, family, faith, and compassion. toilet paper rolls, two per camper 4. When campers are finished, punch a hole on colorful, patterned scrapbook paper the heart and assist campers with tying a scissors piece of string or ribbon through the hole to masking tape create a hanger.

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Self-Esteem Mirrors campers begin wrapping the yarn tightly Materials around each of the arms (top, bottom, both hand mirrors, one per camper sides). thin foam pieces, less than 1″ [2.5 cm] thick,  Campers wrap the yarn around one arm but large enough for campers to write on and then move to the next arm in an glue under-over pattern. Each time around, markers (Sharpie brand works best on foam) the space between the four arms of the sticks fills in with more yarn. Directions  Campers can change colors of yarn by 1. Give each camper a hand mirror and four to tying a new color to the end of the six foam pieces and ask how they see previous color. themselves.  Campers continue until they reach the 2. Invite campers to write down positive things end of the arms or they may stop before about themselves on the foam pieces. then to make a smaller God’s eye. Encourage them to name personal qualities 5. When campers are finished wrapping their and skills rather than aspects of physical yarn, help them tie off the end onto one appearance. Challenge campers to also write section and then cut off the extra yarn. positive things that God might see in them. 3. After campers write on their foam pieces, instruct them to glue the pieces to the Shrinky Dinks mirror. The idea is for their words to Materials surround the mirror, which will eventually shrinkable plastic sheets, one per camper look like a flower. permanent markers in various colors 4. Be prepared that older campers, especially, single-hole punch (optional) may struggle to come up with positive baking sheet things to say about themselves. It might be parchment paper a good idea to invite some additional staff to oven talk with campers as they work on this craft. 5. Talk with campers about God choosing Directions unexpected people, like David, to lead and 1. Remind the campers that David was chosen serve God’s purpose of blessings for all. by God when he was just a child. He was small but tough. Shrinky Dinks become stronger when they become smaller and God’s Eyes denser. Materials 2. Give each camper a small, shrinkable plastic wooden craft sticks or small tree branches, two sheet and explain that they will be creating per camper an image for a keychain or necklace. If balls of yarn in different colored yarn or needed, cut larger sheets to the variegated yarn, at least one per camper approximate size of those items. hot glue and glue gun (optional) 3. Invite campers to use the markers to draw scissors an image from today’s Bible story, something to remind them that God sees Directions what is in our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). 1. Read Psalm 100:5 to campers. Talk about 4. When campers are finished with their image, how God sees us through loving eyes, then collect the sheets. explain the activity. 5. Using the hole puncher, punch a hole at the 2. Give each camper two wooden craft sticks or top of the campers’ designs, allowing the small tree branches. You may choose to hot- final product to be used for a necklace or glue these sticks together in advance for keychain. younger campers. 6. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper 3. Instruct each camper to begin by looping the and preheat the oven to 300 degrees yarn around the middle of the two sticks in Fahrenheit [149 degrees Celsius]. an X pattern. 7. Place plastic shapes on baking sheet and 4. When the sticks are stabilized in the middle, “bake” for 2 minutes; then remove. Allow forming an equal-armed cross, have 101

projects to cool. Do not panic if you see the the words. Campers are going to make plastic curl up; shapes will flatten out again. their own planes that carry messages about God’s love. 2. Give each child a sheet of paper and invite Foam Heart Wraps them to draw a colorful picture or design Materials on the paper. Explain that when they are heart-shaped cookie cutters done coloring, you will fold up their paper thin foam sheet, like Styrofoam to make an airplane that really flies. skeins of yarn in various colors 3. As campers are working, go around to scissors each one and ask them to tell you a

message about God’s love or Jesus or Directions 1. Using the cookie cutters, foam sheets, and creation that they would like you to write scissors, have each camper cut out a foam on their ¾″ x 6″ [2 cm x 15 cm] message heart shape. strip. Write this using a very fine-tipped 2. Invite campers to choose a yarn color. permanent marker. 3. Instruct campers to push one end of the 4. After you fold each camper’s paper into a yarn into their foam piece and then begin plane, staple the underside of the plane wrapping the yarn around the foam until the where all the folds meet. Insert the end of foam is not visible. the message strip between the back of the 4. When finished wrapping, campers should cut two wings and staple through all three the yarn from the skein and tuck the loose layers. end into the foam piece. 5. When everyone is done, have campers Challenge campers to give the heart to someone stand side by side, holding their planes. who might need encouragement. Invite them, one at a time, to say their message loudly as they launch their planes. Remind them of their messages. Day 4 You may place a paper clip under the nose of the plane and adjust the clip so the Flying Messages planes will fly straighter. Materials 6. Encourage campers to share their flying full sheets (8½″ x 11″ or A4 size [21 cm x messages with family members and 29.7 cm] and ¾″ x 6″ [2 cm x 15 cm] friends to share God’s love. strips of white paper washable markers very fine-tipped marker Celebration Streamers stapler Materials paper clips 30″ [76 cm] lengths of colorful crepe paper streamers Preparation washable markers Learn how to fold a paper plane. See 15mm decorative (Washi) tape, various https://www.foldnfly.com/1.html#Basic-Dart. designs stapler Directions 8″ [20 cm] craft sticks, one per camper 1. Ask who remembers what an angel’s job scissors is. (To deliver messages from God.) God permanent marker wants us to deliver messages about God’s source of music and a music player love to other people too. Explain that some businesses or people want to share Directions an important message with lots of people, 1. Find a table or smooth floor for a working so they have a small plane fly low in the space. sky, carrying a long banner with a 2. Invite campers to choose a streamer. message. People on the ground can read Demonstrate how to use a washable 102

marker to make dots on the streamer. 4. Ask campers to cut a small circle (1.5″ to They may also make stripes and other 2″, depending on the size of the plate) out designs. Ask them to be gentle as they of card stock and glue it to the top of the work, or the streamer will tear. triangle to make the angel’s head. 3. While campers are working, go around to 5. Invite campers to use crayons or markers each one and use a permanent marker to to decorate the face of their angel. write their name on a jumbo craft stick. 6. Assist campers with cutting a small piece 4. When they have finished decorating their of pipe cleaner and shaping it into a halo streamers, let them use washable markers with a stem. Then tape the halo stem to to decorate their craft sticks. the back of the angel’s head. 5. To finish, wrap one end of the streamer 7. Allow campers to put lines of glue along around the craft stick twice. Staple in the angel’s wings and around the body, place. then sprinkle glitter on top of the glue. 6. Have campers choose the kind of Shake excess glitter onto extra paper decorative tape they like the best. Cut two plates and allow angels to dry. 1″ [2.5 cm] pieces of tape to cover the staple on the front and back sides of the craft stick. Don’t wrap the tape around the Prayer Jars streamer. Materials 7. Play music and invite kids to sing along, container (mason jar, metal can, plastic dance, and wave their streamers. container), one per camper items to decorate container (ribbon, paint and paintbrushes, foam stickers or foam letters, Paper Plate Angels other available decorations) Materials For option 1: large wooden craft sticks, five to paper plates, one per camper ten per camper, and markers scissors For option 2: a variety of images from glitter magazines, small rectangular pieces of card stock construction paper, and glue sparkly pipe cleaners or chenille sticks glue Directions crayons or markers 1. Give each camper a container and allow tape them to decorate it however they want. ruler (optional) 2. Option 1: Give each camper wooden craft sticks, and instruct them to write one Directions thing they could pray about on each stick, 1. Talk with campers about the angel then place the sticks in their jars. (Idea Gabriel’s role in today’s story about Mary, starters: friends, family, worries, patience, then explain the craft project. health.) 2. Give each camper a paper plate and 3. Option 2: Invite campers to choose five to instruct them to cut a deep triangle into ten magazine images to represent things the plate. The tip of the triangle should they pray about (various worries, reach to the center of the plate, and the blessings, or family members or triangle piece should be about ⅙ of the situations), cut them out, and glue them plate, like a piece of pie. The triangle will onto the inside of a folded rectangle of be the angel’s body. For younger construction paper. They may also write campers, you could outline the triangle the prayer category (“blessings,” for before they cut it. example) if they wish. Place the folded 3. Ask campers to glue the triangle onto the cards in the container. plate, with the tip of the triangle touching 4. Campers now have a reminder to pray the tip of the negative triangle space to and also have specific suggestions about make the angel’s body and create wings. what to pray about. 103

5. Talk about prayer in relationship to colored (red, blue, green, purple) craft trusting God, as Mary did, especially when material such as puffy paint, jewels, life’s circumstances are beyond our permanent markers, and stickers understanding. glue for attaching the above colors if they are a 3-D material ribbon for hanging ornament, 6″-8″ [15-20 Yarn-Wrapped Nativity cm] per camper Materials hot glue and glue gun small wooden craft sticks, five per camper large wooden craft sticks, two per camper Directions yarn: light blue, white, brown, and yellow 1. Hot-glue craft sticks together to form an (more yellow than other colors) asterisk-shaped star (combining + and X scissors shapes). Hot-glue a piece of ribbon in a hot glue and glue gun loop to the back of one craft stick. ruler 2. Give campers whatever materials you are using for the colors and instruct Directions them to place the colors on each craft 1. Remind campers of today’s story from stick in order, beginning from the outer Luke 1:26-38, 46-55. Mary responded to part of the stick, as follows. the angel’s news about giving birth to the  Yellow = the light of God Messiah, Jesus, by trusting God’s  Red = Jesus’s blood shed for us faithfulness even though she didn’t  Blue = baptism and the forgiveness understand what it would mean. Then of sins explain the craft project.  Green = new life in Jesus 2. Have campers glue the five smaller  Purple = the crown of life (James wooden craft sticks together at the ends 1:12; Revelation 2:10) to create a five-pointed star. This could 3. Talk with campers about the people also be done beforehand. (generations) who have passed on the 3. Instruct campers to wrap the star with faith to them. Suggest that they give yellow yarn until it is completely covered. their ornament to someone who has 4. Ask campers to cut one large craft stick to taught them about Jesus and the about 3.5″ [9 cm]—this will be used for Christian faith or someone who to them Joseph. Cut another piece to 3″ [7.5 cm] is an example of God’s love. (Mary), and a final piece to 2″ [5 cm] (Jesus). 5. Wrap the Jesus piece with white yarn, Nativity Story Stones leaving a little room at the top for his Materials face. small, flat stones, nine per camper 6. Repeat step five with the Mary (blue) and black, fine-tipped permanent markers Joseph (brown) pieces. chalk paint markers, multiple colors 7. Using a good amount of hot glue, have small pouch-like bags (optional) campers attach the pieces to the star. Allow projects to dry completely. Directions 8. While the projects are drying, talk 1. Allow campers to choose nine stones from together about what Jesus’s birth meant your selection. for Mary and for the world. 2. Explain to campers that they are going to draw images on the stones that will tell the story of the birth of Jesus. Explain the image that each stone represents: angel, Colors of Faith Ornament star, Joseph and Mary, baby Jesus, Materials shepherd, the magi, stable and manger, small wooden craft sticks, four per camper sheep, and gifts. You may want to put up 104

some sample drawings to give them an with the other two pieces. Ensure campers idea of what to draw. are leaving enough space for the paper 3. Have the campers use the black clip to still function as intended. permanent markers to draw an outline of 7. Talk with campers about using the each image on the stones. Then bookmarks to mark favorite Bible verses encourage them to use chalk paint in their Bibles. markers to color in their images. 4. Distribute bags to campers for storing their stones. Day 5

Raindrop Sun Catchers Bible Bookmarks Materials Materials blue crayons in different shades with the colorful scrapbook paper paper wrappers peeled off 1″ epoxy dots, three per camper several pencil or crayon sharpeners 1″ circle paper punch waxed paper, two sheets per camper thin, permanent markers iron (for adults to use) and electricity source card stock markers or pencils, one per camper glue scissors, one pair per camper large paper clips, three per camper single-hole punch hot glue and glue gun string, one length per “raindrop”

Directions Directions 1. Explain that campers will be making three 1. Give each camper a square of waxed bookmarks. Begin by having campers paper. choose their scrapbook paper. 2. Instruct campers to use the pencil or 2. Instruct campers to cut out three 1″ [2.5 crayon sharpeners on the blue crayons to cm] circles from their chosen papers using create shavings. the circle paper punch. 3. Campers should spread the shavings from 3. Invite campers to write words they several different colors of blue crayons associate with today’s Bible story about (approximately ½ cup [118 mL] per Mary on their circles. (Some ideas are camper) all over their waxed paper. faith, promise, adored, blessed, holy, 4. When campers have finished collecting the servant, rejoice.) Or they could choose shavings, give each another sheet of words associated with other stories from waxed paper to lay on top of their first earlier this week. sheet. 4. Have campers peel off an epoxy dot, 5. Adult volunteers should then circulate and being careful not to touch the adhesive run a quick swipe of an iron on the lowest side or they will have fingerprints on their setting over each camper’s waxed paper. image, then place it directly over the The shavings will melt and cool quickly. paper circle. Do the same for the other 6. Next ask campers to draw raindrop shapes two circles. on their waxed paper, then cut them out. 5. Next, have campers cut out three circular 7. When they have finished cutting, assist pieces of card stock to fit the back of the campers with punching a hole in each epoxy dots. raindrop and inserting a length of string 6. Assist campers with placing a small dot of through each raindrop. hot glue on the back of the epoxy dot. 8. Encourage them to hang their raindrop in Then instruct campers to sandwich one a window where the waxed paper and end of their paper clip between the image melted crayons will create beautiful and the piece of card stock, securing the reflections from the sun. paper clip in place. The paper clip functions as the bookmark. Do the same 105

Good News Tie-Dye Gloves Materials Directions white gloves, one glove per camper 1. Give each camper a water bottle with a tie-dye paint colors: yellow, red, green, blue, lid. brown or another color suggesting soil 2. Assist campers with filling their bottles ⅔ or clay full with vegetable oil. squirt bottles for tie-dye paint 3. Then have campers fill the rest of their plastic zipper bags, one per camper bottles with water, leaving a little space at set of printed instructions, one per camper: the top. “Rinse after 24 hours. Do not wash 4. Invite campers to put two to three drops with other items the first time.” of blue food coloring into their bottle. Note: For smaller budgets, this craft activity 5. Campers may then put in decorations as could be done white plastic gloves and available. markers 6. For an added bit of fun, tell campers they can put small pieces of seltzer tablets into Directions their bottle and watch the colored water 1. Give each camper one white glove. act like a lava lamp. 2. Invite campers to use the squirt bottles to 7. Talk about baptism and today’s Bible story put tie-dye on each glove finger, about Paul, Timothy, Lydia, and all the explaining the colors as you go. people who were being baptized and the  Pinkie = gray: human sin ways the message of God’s love in Jesus  Ring = red: Jesus’s blood shed for us was spreading.  Middle = blue: through baptism into Jesus’s death and resurrection, our sins are forgiven Baptismal Shell Necklace  Pointer = green: growth and new life Materials in Christ half clamshells, cleaned and with small hole  Thumb = yellow: the light of God; as drilled through narrow end, one per children of God, we spread the light camper 3. When campers have finished tie-dying craft glue for sealing and finishing decoupage their gloves, place each in a plastic zipper art (Mod Podge brand works well) bag with printed instructions and send the small containers bags home with campers. small paintbrushes 4. Invite campers to use their glove as a colored sand reminder to tell the story of the good glitter (optional) news that God’s love is for everyone. ribbon, leather cord, or string, one necklace length per camper

Baptismal Sensory Bottles Directions Materials 1. Put craft glue into small containers and clean, empty water bottles of any size with set out small paintbrushes. lids , one per camper 2. Give each camper a shell, then explain vegetable oil, enough to fill each camper’s that the shell is a symbol of baptism. bottle ⅔ full 3. Invite campers to paint a small amount of water, enough to fill each camper’s bottle ⅓ craft glue onto their shell and then full sprinkle a small amount of colored sand or blue food coloring (to represent the waters of glitter onto the glue. baptism), two to three drops per 4. Encourage campers to continue to camper decorate their shell with sand and glitter. decorative items such as small shells, sand, 5. When campers are finished decorating, and sequins (optional) ask them to cover their entire shell with a seltzer tablets (optional) layer of craft glue to seal in the sand or 106

glitter. Then allow the shells to dry. 1. Give each camper a silicone mold. 6. Assist campers with stringing the ribbon 2. Invite campers to place decorative items through the hole in the shell. (glitter, beads) into their mold if they wish. 3. While campers work, have an adult melt Good Newspaper Hearts the glycerin in the glass bowl. Microwave Materials in 40 second increments, stirring in card stock, various colors, 12″ x 12″ [30 cm x between until glycerin is completely 30 cm] melted. newspapers or printed Bible verses, such as 4. Pour a small amount of glycerin into each photocopied pages camper’s mold and have them stir their scissors decorations, food coloring, or essential oils glue with a toothpick. markers 5. Allow molds to sit for at least an hour as the glycerin hardens. Directions 6. Talk about the baptismal connection: that 1. Pass out the pages from the newspapers in baptism a person’s sins are forgiven to campers and instruct them to cut out and washed away. the shape of a heart approximately 6″-11″ [15-28 cm] across. 2. Invite campers to then glue their heart “Jesus Sends Us Out” Footprint Magnets onto a piece of card stock. Materials 3. Ask campers to trim the excess card stock old maps or atlas pages, enough for two side- around the shape of their heart, leaving a by-side footprint shapes per camper small border around the shape. washable paint 4. Allow campers to use the markers to shallow pan, large enough for a pair of feet  write or draw a message sharing the card stock in various colors good news of Christ on their hearts glue (for example, write “Jesus Is Good magnetic tape News!”; “God loves me and YOU!”); scissors  draw heart shapes; or water supply for rinsing feet  highlight positive words from the permanent markers or pens newspaper. Directions 1. Invite campers to choose a piece of map “Baptism Washes Us Clean” Soap or a page from an atlas and place it on the Materials ground. glycerin, enough for each camper to have a 2. Then, with adult assistance, have campers 2″ x 2″ [5 cm x 5 cm] block of finished put both bare feet into a shallow pan of soap washable paint and then step carefully silicone molds of any kind, but a shell shape onto their piece of map, with their feet is ideal (small paper cups also work close together, leaving their footprints. well) 3. Assist camper with rinsing off their feet toothpicks, at least one per camper while the paint dries. glass, microwave-safe bowl and spoon for 4. Once the pages are dry (10–15 minutes), stirring glycerin invite campers to cut around their microwave footprints and glue them to a piece of card essential oils (optional) stock. Then have them trim the excess food coloring (optional) card stock. glitter and beads (optional) 5. Have campers put one or two pieces of magnetic tape on the back of their Directions footprints. 107

6. Invite campers to write a message about One way we can keep God’s love going is the good news of Christ on their by sharing a gift as a reminder of God’s footprints: for example, “Follow Jesus” or love. “Walking with Jesus.” 5. After campers have completed their heart, read the note to them that is on the notecards. Go around to the campers and Heart Art Gift have them write their name on the Materials message side of the card, or you can write air-drying clay (golf-ball size for each it for them. Invite them to draw a picture camper) or design on the opposite side that variety of very small, colorful wooden beads reminds them of God’s love. Ask who they (including purple) will give the heart gift to. large paper plates, one per camper plus a few 6. Staple the corner of the card to the edge extra of the paper plate and place the hearts on blank 3″ x 5″ [7.5 cm x 13 cm] index cards the paper plates for campers to take glue stick home. computer 7. The clay will take three days to firm up computer printer and fully dry. When campers are picked printer paper up at the end of the week, explain this to washable markers their families. stapler

Preparation On your computer, keyboard this message, so it attractively fits on a 3″ x 5″ [7.5 cm x 13 cm] blank index card: This clay heart is a reminder that I love you and God loves you too. Cut out this message and glue it to the index card. Make one for each child.

Directions 1. Write each camper’s name on a large paper plate and hand out the plates. The plates will provide the work surface. 2. Give each child a golf-ball-size portion of clay. Show campers how to first make a pancake with their clay, then mold it into a heart shape. 3. Pour small amounts of beads on campers’ paper plates and set them beside each child. Hold up a purple bead and ask campers who the purple bead can remind us of. (Lydia.) Point out that they will arrange the beads on top of their clay heart, then gently push them partway into the clay to make a design. Be sure they include at least one purple bead in their design. Demonstrate how to gently push the beads into the clay and show your results. 4. Explain that God gives us lots of love to share, just like God gave love to Lydia. 108