Cowabunga!

A couple of weeks ago, our Minister of Music, Thomas Williams, chose the song “Give me oil in my lamp” for the Gradual song before the Gospel Reading Luke 12:32-40, where Jesus mentions bridesmaids and their lamps.  It was a fun song that I don’t remember singing before, but it seemed that several people at church did.

Well, this week we are supporting the Jesus Way Day Camp from Crossroads being held at our longtime partners in ministry, Christ the King Lutheran Church. Lo and behold – what song do they sing? “Give me oil in my lamp!”  However, like any good Christian camp song, it has a couple of extra verses in it that are a bit different from what we sang during worship.

“Give me wax for my board to keep me surfin’ for the Lord. Cowabunga!”

“Give me gas for my Ford to keep me truckin’ for the Lord. Honk Honk!”

As you might imagine, the kids love the silliness of these verses (and hand motions, of course), but more importantly, they are learning about the joy of faith.  This is critical for all of us in our Christian Formation, to seek and find God’s presence in plain, old FUN! 

Even as adults, with the all serious concerns and responsibilities of life, we need to find ways and make time to just enjoy God's presence. That can be in laughing at ourselves, enjoying children playing, or being in God's awesome Creation.  It is a good reminder to find God's joy in order to balance everything else. 

Day Camp has been a great experience so far.  The counselors from Crossroads have been great with endless enthusiasm, patience and encouragement for the kids.  Their love of Jesus is obvious in all they do and how they interact with the kids.  They want to share the love of Christ – and for camp!

The kids have been getting into the songs, Bible stories, games and water play – refreshing on a hot day. If you would like to see what they have been doing this week, ALL are invited to come to Christ the King on Thursday at 3 PM to see a program presented for friends and family.  Since we won’t have the traditional service celebrating the end of Vacation Bible School, this is your opportunity to see what the kids have been up to this week and enjoy their enthusiasm. 

The Vestry and I thank you very much for your support of this program and others that help support people beyond our congregation, like the Youth Mission Trip, Elijah’s Promise and Christ Church Food Pantry.  All of these are important ways to practice our faith beyond the walls of our Sanctuary.

I will be starting my vacation on Monday and will return on September 13th, ready for joy of the Fall.

In Christ’s Love,

Rev. Valerie+

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Sloppy Track

Reflections on Acts of the Apostles Chapters 15-17 This past Saturday was the 144 th running of the Kentucky Derby.   As with all outdoor events, it is at the mercy of Mother Nature, and sometimes she doesn’t seem to care that the humans prefer sunny, dry weather.   However, a certain horse named Justified was the odds-on favorite to win if it was a sloppy track.   And indeed it was.   Rain poured down for most of the day and it didn’t stop by the time the big race was scheduled to start.   The track was a sloppy as I have ever seen a horse race track be.   Justified loved it – and won. It seems counter-intuitive to me that such adverse conditions could led to victory.   What I would consider ideal conditions (sunny, warm but not hot, dry) was the complete opposite of what made Justified thrive.   The reality is that “ideal” conditions are rare – there is always something that is a bit sloppy or not exactly to our liking.   What is important is how we choose to act in those
Read more

A Christmas Poem

‘Twas a week before Christmas and all through the land The Church reminded us that the Savior’s birth was at hand. The season is not about the perfection of glitter But about a loving God who would not leave us bitter. And so God sent us the Son wrapped up like a present In the garb of our mortality, the human flesh of a peasant. The cookies may not be made, the decorations may not be hung, The cards may not be sent, the lights may not be strung. Yet let us all make the true preparations for the coming of our Savior And open our hearts and lives to the Lord’s loving favor. No more precious gift has ever been received. It is up to us to remind the world what we truly believe. Not in jolly old elves, talking snowmen or reindeer in flight But in God, who loves us with all of God's might. So stop for a moment and take a deep breath, As we await the Christ, the true conqueror of death. Let go of the need to fulfill a secular call to perfection
Read more

Advent Wreath

A couple of weeks ago I as asked about the “meaning” of the candles on the Advent Wreath.  As with most symbols, the question has several different responses. As a whole, the candles help us mark time by offering us a visual reminder of time passing as the candles burn down.  Also, as each week passes and more candles are lit, the entire wreath offers more light, reminding us that Christ is the Light of the World – a light that burn brighter the more it is shared. Each week of Advent has a theme that is connected to the readings appointed for that Sunday. The first Sunday is hope, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in the Lord.” Lamentations 3: 21-24 If you are familiar with the Book of Lamentations, it is not known to be very hopeful, so it is an interesting t
Read more