Day 5: Celebrating Jesus and Kids.

 

 

Sign of Patience

Block work started on our new sign

Waiting with joy is a Christian practice that builds patience.  Our congregation has had to practice patience as we waited for final city and county approval for our new road sign.  That approval was granted last month and our new sign is under construction. 

The sign is the final piece of our New Connection projects that started last year.   The other projects are either completed or in process.   Last August we connected to the city sewer system and this spring we started our consultation with the architects from Station 19 regarding our master plan for our build facilities.  A final report from Station 19 will be present to the congregation this fall or winter.   All the projects were funded through the generous donations to the New Connection fund drive one year ago. Thank You for your participation

Leroy Signs artist rendition of our new sign. 

The new sign will replace the one wooden sign at our entrance on Bailey Road. It will have an electronic display board that will allow us to publicize our ministry opportunities to the many people who pass by on Bailey Road. This will help us in our mission to call all people to the vibrant life of faith in Christ.  

This past week the monument foundation was built using the same block that is part of our building.  The other pieces will be coming in the next few weeks and our sign will be completed.   Thank you for your patience in this endeavor. 

May you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully  giving thanks to the Father. Colossians 1:11

Question for reflection:  What do you think should be our first message on the sign?   

Having Fun

Some people view the Christian life as being glum, sour and super-serious.  At Camp Wapo, children and youth discover that life in Christ is vibrant and fun.  They sing, dance, run, jump, spin and laugh, - and this is just in Chapel!  The vibrant life of faith in Christ becomes a new reality for our children and youth.

Taking a break in worship

Game Faces for Nine Square

All the fun has a purpose, to introduce and encourage our children and youth to live in Christ. He is the center of all that takes place here.  While there are plenty of games and laughter, moments of deep conversation and prayer are almost as common.   The counselors and staff share the reality of walking with Jesus on a daily basis.

Smiles are common at Camp Wapo

As their pastor, I rejoice that I can be a small part in this transformative week.  The Spirit is active and alive at Camp Wapo. Thanks be to God.

Pastor does a selfie with our youth!

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say Rejoice!  Phil. 4:4.

Oh happy day . . .

Morning chapel began with the song Oh Happy Day, and it truly feels like a happy day - beautifully sunny, neither too hot nor too cold, and the day ahead promises both new and old adventures, games, devos, campfires, and Agape Hip Hop worship this afternoon.

Service is raised up daily here at camp! Well done.

Settling in

Getting familiar, getting comfortable, learning names, catching on to routines ~ all part of the first full day. Campers seem excited to have so much of the week still ahead.

Some are humming these lyrics from morning chapel: 

Every move I make, I make in you, Jesus. Every breath I breathe, I breathe in you.

Waves of mercy, waves of grace, every where I look, I see your face! 

Oh your love has captured me . . .

            

      

Waiting for the ever-popular swim test. :)
Safe? Yes. Important? Yes. Popular. Uh, no.

Yes, Lord, Yes!

Can't think of a better way to kick off Monday than morning chapel!

Good morning!

Humbled

Humbled by tonight's Drawn to the Word worship . . .
~ by the musical talent shared by counselors in the seven or eight numbers woven through the experience,
~ by the artistry of Paul Oman who transformed a blank canvas into a living image of service,
~ by the privilege of seeing hundreds (!) of campers raptly watching the story of the Good Samaritan come to life before their eyes, and hearing the gasp of new campers as the figures in the painting became clear,
~ by a touching portrait of a Samaritan whose example of mercy touched many of us anew tonight.

Ask your camper how this looked when the lights were dimmed.

Hearing the Scripture as the painting is completed

Bright-eyed, but time for bed!

Departures and arrivals

A Seeds camper who didn't want parents to leave Friday, doesn't want to leave camp herself today. Another who wasn't so sure about attending said his favorite thing was 'everything'. While the camp experience may not be for everyone, it truly impacts so many of the children able to be here. And as the weekend campers fill the ride home with camp stories, and laundry, the weeklong campers get settled in, meeting their cabinmates and leaders for the week. Of course, our hope for every camper is that he or she, regardless of arrival butterflies, expectations, or mood, will go home Friday filled with new friends and memories, and inspired by time here, impacted by the light of life!
I may have to post again later tonight. Drawn to the Word, a powerful experience during which a local artist and pastor brings a Bible story to life by painting it during worship, is scheduled for tonight. A promising start to our week!

Cabin groups introduced themselves, then it's time for an all-camp picture.

The fun continues . . .

The weather's been perfect for outdoor fun ~ beach games and swimming, canteen time, Bible study after dinner, the perennial camp favorite Mighty Mighty Scoop Noodle Challenge (which I still can't explain), and soon, tonight's Servant Fair when the counselors serve the campers in a variety of ways. (At the station titled A Haircut, they will cut ONE hair.) And of course, there will be a campfire and s'mores too! The counselors continue to impress with their 24/7 energy; your campers will come home tired. They've packed more into the weekend than they could possibly have packed in their luggage! No matter how full their bags are, I know they'll bring home plenty of fun new memories too.

      

Light!

On their way to the cabin to grab their Bibles

Art Shop

Yes, we are using sunscreen!

Lots of natural sunlight today for plenty of time outdoors. This beautiful property is quite peaceful after lunch, while the campers enjoy some pre-beach quiet time. The afternoon may also include time to try a game that's new this summer ~ air square. Pictured below, air square is essentially 9-Square in the air, or 9-Square turned upside down! Turning their attention toward the sky--the light--campers need to move the ball from square to square going over the air square lines, instead of bouncing it on a paved 9-Square grid. A simple twist to an old favorite brings new challenges, more fun, and a chance to look up. Jesus, our light, does that for us-turning old things into new, inviting us to look up, and filling us with the light of life.

Air Square

Light the fire in my heart again.

The campers are in their cabins for the night, probably wrapping up the evening devotional time. Before they left the lakeside campfire, a leader told them they would soon be sent on their way for devo time. "What's a devo?" They'll soon know; you can ask them what devos are when they get home.

All have already packed in group games, ice cream, skits, campfire and introductions. 'Be the light', the summer theme, was introduced at the campfire through skits, songs, and John 8:12. I imagine each one will carry that verse home, with new memories attached to it. The closing song this evening included the words light the fire in my heart again . . . and much of the weekend is designed to do just that. The campers bring such light to WAPO ~ and to their cabin groups. It will be fun to watch them settle in over the weekend. More pictures (with better LIGHTing) tomorrow.

Preparing for Camp

Next week Resurrection will have 60 plus children and youth at Camp Wapogasset.  They will discover a place where fun and faith collide in all kinds of ways. The campers will explore God's Word, learn crazy songs, and make many friends.  Learn more at campwapo.org.   Pictures will be posted during the week here, but here are some pictures from last year to whet your appetite. 

 Fun to be with friends, old and new

 GAGA is one of many fun games

 A special dinner for special campers

 Worship by the lake

"Hangin' with my buddies"