Adventures with Moses

Adventures with Moses - Day 1

LeaAnn Koekenberg • June 15, 2026

Day 1 of Adventures with Moses

God is our protector

What an exciting start to our intergenerational summer adventure as we began our journey through the life of Moses! Families, children, youth, and adults gathered together to learn, create, worship, and discover an important truth that will guide us throughout this month's adventure:

Setting the Stage for Moses

We began our evening by introducing the songs that will accompany us throughout our Month of Moses. As voices from every generation joined together in worship, we were reminded that God's faithfulness spans all ages.

Next, we were introduced to Moses and the incredible story that led to his birth. Participants learned how God used Joseph's difficult journey to Egypt to save His people during a terrible famine. What began as a story of jealousy and hardship became a story of God's provision and protection.

As we explored the history of the Israelites, we discovered how Jacob's family settled in Egypt and grew into a great nation. But after many years, a new Pharaoh came to power who did not remember Joseph. The Israelites were forced into slavery, creating the circumstances that would eventually lead God to raise up Moses as their deliverer.

One of the key lessons from this part of the story was:

"God used Joseph's difficult journey to protect His people. What looked like a tragedy became the way God provided safety, food, and a future for Israel."

Discovering the Word "Protect"

Our Large Group activity centered around the word PROTECT. Volunteers helped reveal the letters one at a time as participants guessed the mystery word. Once the word was discovered, we discussed the many ways protection appears in the story of Baby Moses.

Moses' mother protected him by placing him in a basket.
God protected Moses as he floated along the Nile River.
Pharaoh's daughter protected Moses by choosing to care for him.
Miriam protected her baby brother by courageously watching over him and helping reunite him with his mother.

Throughout the evening, participants were encouraged to gently pat their knees whenever they heard the name "Moses" and make a hug motion whenever they heard the word "protect."

Diving into Scripture

Before reading Scripture, groups discussed important questions:

How do your parents take care of you?
How does God protect and take care of you?

Participants shared in many different ways—through conversation, drawings, pointing to pictures, and partnering with friends.

We then explored Exodus 1:8-22 and Exodus 2:1-10, reading about the difficult circumstances facing the Israelites and the miraculous protection surrounding Baby Moses.

The story sparked thoughtful discussion:

How would you have protected Baby Moses?
What do you think Pharaoh's daughter thought when she found the baby?
How did Moses' mother and sister feel?
Which woman in the story showed the greatest trust in God?

Together, we saw how God was already working behind the scenes long before Moses would become the leader who delivered Israel from Egypt.

Save Moses! Basket Regatta Challenge

The highlight of the evening may have been our hands-on engineering challenge!

Participants were tasked with creating a floating basket for Baby Moses using everyday materials. Their baskets had to be no larger than 3" x 5", hold their precious cargo safely, and travel down a rain gutter using only their breath, a straw, a paper fan, or gentle assistance.

The creativity was incredible! Families worked together, problem-solved, encouraged one another, and celebrated every successful voyage. The activity reminded us that just as Moses was carefully protected in his basket, God continues to care for us through every challenge we face.

A Beautiful Ending

The Basket Regatta provided a joyful ending to a wonderful first week together.

As we left, everyone carried home this important truth:

God protected Moses. God protected His people. And God continues to protect and care for us today.

We can't wait to continue The Moses Adventure next week as we discover more about God's plan and purpose for Moses and His people!

People feeding fish at a pond, with a white railing and green park grass in the background.

Woman with purple glasses stands outdoors on a grassy lawn, with people in the background.

People gathered outdoors around a white table, talking near a grassy park area.

Children and adults gathering outdoors on a park path, with one child reaching into a red bucket

People chatting outside a building, with a rainbow banner and several children gathered nearby.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Baskets for Fletcher Place

By Helen Payne • October 28, 2026

Each year at The Garden, we collect donated laundry baskets filled with specific household items to be given to families in need. These items cannot be purchased with SNAP funds, and for those living in poverty it can be difficult to afford these essentials. If you would like to donate, you can either make a monetary contribution and we will shop, or you can purchase and fill a basket and bring it to The Garden by Sunday, November 29. The following items are requested for each donation: 1 Large, Quality Laundry Basket 1 Bar of Soap 4 Toothbrushes 1 Large or 2 Smaller (4 or 5 oz) Toothpaste 1 Large (42-50 oz) Laundry Detergent 1 Large (15-16 oz) Dish Soap 1 Bottle (8 oz) Liquid Hand Soap 1 Roll Paper Towels 4-6 Rolls of Toilet Paper 1 Box of Facial Tissue 1 Large (16 oz) Bottle of Shampoo 1 Bottle (18 oz) of All-Purpose Cleaner We will also gratefully accept cash donations and volunteers to shop with.

Remember Me

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • October 28, 2026

All Saints Day

Dear John

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • October 19, 2026

In World War II, a “Dear John” letter was synonymous with breaking up. When The Garden was founded some 30 years ago, we sent our own “Dear John” letter to the United Methodist Church. We felt the path the traditional church had taken was too narrow, and The Garden wanted to champion “many paths and one purpose.” However, about 10 years ago, we realized we needed to co-parent this message of hope and love, so we reluctantly joined the Conference as a UMC congregation. This year, I’ve had the opportunity to get reacquainted with our Methodist roots and John Wesley himself. For me, it has felt like going to a class reunion and falling back in love with a high school sweetheart—realizing that even though we took different paths, we still have so much in common, and well, maybe it's time to get back together? This Sunday, we will look at how The Garden has lived into the very core message that John Wesley preached. We will consider how being part of the UMC connection can help us transform the world with God's love, and how The Garden can help the UMC see that there are truly many loving paths. Join us this Sunday for “Dear John.”

When Grace Overflows

By Jerry Zehr • October 13, 2026

What makes some people extraordinarily generous, even when they have so little to give, while others who have so much find it difficult to share? In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul describes the Macedonian churches, whose poverty and hardships did not diminish their generosity. Instead, their joy overflowed into giving. Through personal stories and encounters with unexpected generosity, we'll explore what happens when grace becomes more than something we receive. It becomes something we share. Grace isn't something we hold on to. It's something we allow to flow through us. As The Garden reflects on its future, we have an opportunity to ask a deeper question: What kind of community do we want to create together? What would it look like to become a community where love, compassion, acceptance, and generosity overflow into the lives of others? Perhaps the greatest gift we have to offer isn't what we possess, but who we are and how we choose to share ourselves with the world. When grace overflows, generosity isn't something we have to do. It's something we get to do.

The Sacred Web of Life

By Rev. Richard Brendan • October 8, 2026

Indigenous Peoples Day invites us to pause and remember that we live on land with a story much older than our own. It is a day to listen to the voices, wisdom, stories, and resilience of Indigenous peoples and to acknowledge the painful history that is also a part of this land’s story. It calls us to move beyond simply remembering and to ask: “How might we live with greater humility, gratitude, and respect for the people and the Earth who have been here long before us?”

World Wide Communion

By Rev. Dr, Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • September 29, 2026

Although we define our world with borders, walls, and ideologies, World Communion Sunday brings us a simple reality: we belong to each other. This Sunday, we gather around a table that expands across the globe, a table of radical hospitality where all are fed, all are valued, and all are loved. Together, we commit to the collective work of peace, justice, and healing for our planet. Join us as we break bread and build bridges.

The Art of Living: The Art of Prayer

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • September 22, 2026

Be honest: When you pray, does it feel like a genuine conversation—or just another item on your to-do list? Sometimes, the most familiar things are the hardest to truly see. This Sunday, we continue week two of our series, The Art of Living, by stripping away the routine and taking a radical new look at the most famous prayer in history. Diving into the Gospel of Matthew, we're looking past the familiar recitations of the Lord's Prayer to discover what it actually takes to build a thriving spiritual life. Whether your prayer life feels vibrant, completely stuck, or non-existent right now, Jesus' words offer the reset you need. This week, we're digging into the setup, motive, and heart of prayer—moving past empty repetitions and performance checklists to find a space where true connection and forgiveness can transform our daily lives. Mastering the art of living doesn't start with striving; it starts with humility and silence in the presence of God. Join us this weekend as we discover how a simple shift in our prayer life can change everything. See you Sunday!