It’s an important summer ritual.  If you’ve ever been to Bible camp, even if it was decades ago, you know how powerful such an experience can be.  The relationships that can be formed in relatively short periods of time, the time spent experiencing the wonder of God’s creation, and the opportunity to live in an authentic community are all ways that make time away at camp a means to discover important pieces of God’s vision for the world.  If you’re sad about not being able to make it to camp this summer, if you thought your camping days were behind you, or if you’ve never even had the chance, this worship series is built just for you.  On five Sundays this summer we’ll be at Bible camp, albeit virtually, and we invite you to join us.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Our partners at Camp Wapo had developed a summer camping curriculum based on this verse from Romans.  In light of our on-going need to stay safe at home, we’ve adapted it into a five week worship series that we’re excited to be sharing with you.  As people of faith, we trust that God comes to us through the Spirit to shape us into a community that is capable of bringing about God’s vision for the church and for the world.  The gifts that the Spirit imparts take a variety of forms: hope, faith, joy, peace and power.  God makes them available for us and, in turn, these gifts become the fuel that we need.  So come to camp with us this summer and be filled up again.

Sunday, July 19 – HopeFULL

Four months into this pandemic we are looking for hope but feeling trapped by the circumstances of this crisis. Like Paul and Silas in our story, we’d love to be handed a “Get out of jail free” card.

Read the Focus Text: Acts 16:16-34

Sunday, July 26 – JoyFULL

The God of hope provides us with true joy. Joy that encourages us on our way. Joy that remind us that no matter how much we stumble we will not be left behind.

Read the Focus Text: Luke 1:39-45

Sunday, August 9 – PeaceFULL

How do we find peace in this chaotic time?  In this week’s sermon we explore the story of Jesus Stilling the Storm and how to find moments of peace even when so much feels out of our control.

Read the Focus Text: Mark 4:35-41

Sunday, August 16 – FaithFULL

In today’s Gospel story we hear a story about faithfulness. It includes plucky friends, a man who holds out hope, Jesus (who keeps confusing people), a little property damage, and some very specific instructions from Jesus about moving forward.

Read the Focus Text: Luke 5:17-26

Sunday, August 23 – PowerFULL

Are you feeling more powerful or more powerless right now?  The magnificent lyrics of an ancient song just might help you answer that question and offer a word of hope for us who live in these unsettled times.

Read the Focus Text: Luke 1:46-55