Sunday, February 12
The Lord’s Day
Minute for Mission: Camp and Conference Ministries
A group is surrounded by the beauty of God's creation while canoeing on the lake. After a wonderful meal, they walk the prayer labyrinth. Later that evening, the sounds of singing and the smell of s'mores fill the air as the light of the campfire reflects on the trees above and on the faces of the participants.
Camp Grier in Old Fort, North Carolina, is one of 140 Presbyterian camp and conference centers.
Our thoughts might quickly associate these sights, smells, and sounds with summer camp, but the ministries of our Presbyterian camps and conference centers offer so much more. Most of them have year-round ministries of hospitality that welcome groups to experience life away from the busy world of work, school, and home. They are ideal locations for the relaxation and renewal of a church retreat. These experiences are not just intergenerational events that involve the whole congregation; a retreat may involve just the session, church choir, youth group advisers, a In today's economy, church staff and officers have to make tough choices for their congregations. Instead of being perceived as an extra expense, a retreat may be the best and cheapest way to bring together old and new members for fun, fellowship, and renewal. A retreat creates memories that will be shared for years to come.
To learn more about how Presbyterian camps and conference centers can fit the needs of your group, visit the Book A Retreat website.
Enjoy your time away to experience God in a beautiful setting ... and remember to bring the ingredients for s'mores.
— Joel Winchip, executive director,
Presbyterian Camp and Conference Association
Let us pray
Creator God, help us to find you in the fast-paced world that surrounds us. When we finally do take a break from it all, our vacations can be just as busy as our work schedules. Help us to set aside time to be still and to reflect on our relationship with you and with each other. Amen.
Sunday Lectionary and Hymns
and Hymns
2 Kings 5:1-14
O God, in a Mysterious Way
PH 270
Ps. 30
Come Sing to God
PH 181
1 Cor. 9:24-27
Guide My Feet
PH 354
Mark 1:40-45
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
PH 466, HB 141
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 19; 150
First Reading Genesis 29:20-35
Second Reading 1 Timothy 3:14-4:10
Gospel Mark 10:23-31
Evening Psalms 81; 113