It’s Summertime at Prince of Peace!

O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

- Psalm 8

Though some of our Bible studies and evening programs have paused during the warmer months, there is no lack of activity around the church. In June alone, POP kids are experiencing camp, VBS, and Idaho Mission Trip.

This past Sunday we celebrated Holy Trinity Sunday, where we read Psalm 8 about God’s majesty in creating the earth, our place within it, and our role to care for it. While sitting in worship listening to this reading, I came to the realization that much of our June programming is full of this theme of God’s creation and our stewardship.

First up in June was the week at HopeWood Pines camp where nine of our youth spent a week experiencing God in nature through creek walking, night hikes, boating, singing around a fire, and learning about God’s love. It was a true blessing to witness these campers as they made new friends, sang silly songs, worshipped around a campfire, ate chocolate mousse with no hands, and so much more. At camp, I witnessed the beauty of nature and worshipping God come together in a way that I don’t think kids get to experience on a regular basis. An experience that leaves an impression on them as they mature in faith.

Currently, our VBS week is underway with the theme TrueNorth Alaska, Trusting God in a Wild World. Alaska is a beautiful place where, by just looking around, it is obvious that nothing less than a divine hand has touched this landscape with its raw beauty and power. What a perfect backdrop for babes and infants to learn about God’s wild and wonderful love amidst a wild world. Over three days, sixty kids will attend our celebration and over forty volunteers will make lasting memories of faith for our kids and families while we collect donations for animal shelters reminding us of our call to stewardship.

Lastly, this Saturday our high school youth will embark on their mission trip to the Pacific northwest. There, we will spend the week with Idaho Servant Adventures as the youth lead day camps and do service projects in the wilderness; immersing themselves in creation as a reminder of just how big and how small we are in the vastness of it all.

In High School Sunday School this past week, the youth were encouraged to think about what this summer might teach them about who God is calling them to be. They were invited to ponder questions such as what inspires you? What sets your heart on fire? What activities make you feel connected to God or a sense of calling? So, I also invite you to ponder your place in creation this summer and where you see God calling you in stewardship and reminding you that you too are a majestic work of God’s hand.

Kaley O’Donnell