I have struggled to write this post over the past few weeks.  Not because I don’t have much to say on the subject of worship at camp, but because I don’t feel as though my words capture the importance of worship at camp.

Worship is simply humbling ourselves before God, telling Him how awesome He is.  It is our small way to say, “God I’ve noticed the things You have done in my life and all I can say is WOW!”  Why is worship a critical part of our week of camp?  Because it is the perfect setting!  We are surrounded by God’s beautiful creation.  We are given the opportunity to worship without distractions or time limits.  We are encouraged to be ourselves and to freely express ourselves as loudly as we want to.  God wants to hear from us and camp worship encourages us to do so.

As we prepare for camp we take a great deal of care when selecting our worship team.  Not to show off the skilled musicians we know but to provide you with a team that understands what it means to be in the presence of God.  A team that can lead by example the act of praising our Creator, Savior, and Friend.

This past summer Craig said something that made me stop and think.

Worshiping God is about God!  Anything you get out of it is because He is crazy about you.

I know I am not the only one who thinks that camp worship is awesome.  Isn’t it amazing to think that God loves us so much and He created Camp Timberledge and brought us together because He is crazy about us!

The Senior Teen Spring Retreat is Friday, May 14th – Sunday, May 16th.

Who: Anyone in 9th grade -12th grade and college freshman if you attended Senior Teen 2009.

What: A weekend at camp to: eat great food (provided by the Herr’s), participate in awesome worship, hear relevant sermons, play fun & stupid games, hang out with old friends while make new ones, and  FIND OUT ABOUT CAMP 2010′s THEME.

Where: Camp Timberledge, Beach Lake, PA

When: Friday, May 14th @ 8:00pm through Sunday, May 16th @ 3:00pm

How much does it cost:

$60 if you pay the full amount on/before May 1st.

$75 if you pay at the door.

What else do you need to know:

You must fill out and return the permission slip that can be found here.

You will need a copy of your insurance card attached to your permission slip.

Role at Senior Teen 2010: Director’s support staff and head of the Party Planning Committee

Date of Birth: October 28, 1974

Hometown: Bethlehem, PA 

Favorite Ice Cream flavor: Butter Pecan

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you have? An imaginary one

What was your first car? Brown 1978 Toyota Corolla

What is the scariest thing you have ever done? Childbirth

What is your greatest Camp Timberledge memory? Last year’s extended worship night

What are you looking forward to the most at Senior Teen 2010? Getting to know the campers

Angie’s first experience with Camp Timberledge was last year when she attended camp as the assistant cook.  Oh did we mention she was 8 months pregnant?!  Nothing like jumping right in!  Despite the heat, long kitchen hours, and being 8 months pregnant, Angie had a wonderful time at Senior Teen and is looking forward to another great year.  This year we decided to be nice to Angie and give her the coveted job as Head of the Party Planning Committee.  She will be in charge of the annual Friday night theme dinner.  Angie will also be in charge of our mail and WalMart runs.   Angie is very excited to introduce everyone to her daughter Charlotte and looks forward to spending more time getting to know the campers.

When not creating something in the kitchen, Angie teaches 3 year olds at a local daycare.  She is also head of the hospitality department at Valley Church.

Role at Senior Teen 2010: Leading our incredible Worship Team

Date of Birth: September 7, 1970

Hometown: Bethlehem, PA 

Favorite Ice Cream flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you have? A pet rock

What was your first car? 88 Masda 323 LX

What is the scariest thing you have ever done? Riding down the Interstate on the roof of a car

(While this act was not done by a professional, please do not try this at home.)

What is your greatest Camp Timberledge memory? Mornings in the Boathouse

What are you looking forward to the most at Senior Teen 2010? Making new connections

This is Richard’s second year at  CT Senior Teen.  Last year Richard participated on the worship team and helped the directors behind the scenes.  Richard is excited to return to camp this year with his wife Angie and his two daughters.  As worship leader, Richard has the important job of ushering us into the presence of God and displaying for us what it means to be worshipers.

Outside of camp Richard is a product trainer for a supplier of shipping and industrial materials and is a core participant of the Valley Church worship team. Richard is also very busy being an awesome dad to his three children, Jacob, Connie, & Charlotte.

Worship is simply humbling ourselves before God, telling Him how awesome He is.  It is our small way to say, “God I’ve noticed the things You have done in my life and all I can say is WOW!”  Why is worship a critical part of our week of camp?  Because it is the perfect setting!  We are surrounded by God’s beautiful creation.  We are given the opportunity to worship without distractions or time limits.  We are encouraged to be ourselves and to freely express ourselves as loudly as we want to.  God wants to hear from us and camp worship encourages us to do so.

As we prepare for camp we take a great deal of care when selecting our worship team.  Not to show off the skilled musicians we know but to provide you with a team that understands what it means to be in the presence of God.  A team that can lead by example the act of praising our Creator, Savior, and Friend.

This past summer Craig said something that made me stop and think.

Worshipping God is about God!  Anything you get out of it is because He is crazy about you.

I know I am not the only one who thinks that camp worship is awesome.  Isn’t it amazing to think that God loves us so much and He created Camp Timberledge and brought us together because He is crazy about us!

I’m sure without much effort I could name your top song of Senior Teen 2009.

You know that song you immediately went home to download (legally of course).  That song that every time you hear it, it brings a tear to your eye.  That song that makes you long to go back to camp and to return to the presence of God.

Take a moment to jot down your favorite 2009 camp song and tell us why you feel the way you do.

I’m sure you can guess mine.

Without a doubt my favorite 2009 memory was the fantastic worship!

“I’m singing, You are Holy, Great and Mighty, the moon and the stars declare who You are.  I’m so unworthy, but still You love me.  Forever my heart will sing of how great You are.”

Every time I sing those words, I have the amazing picture of a still black night, with the clearest, brightest, full moon hanging low, reflecting over the water.  As I stood on the deck over looking the field, tears streamed down my face and I heard the purest sound behind me.  Together, on the top of your lungs, you praised your Creator, Father, Friend.  With the greatest of God displayed in that beautiful moon, I felt so unworthy.  What a night!