CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN CHURCH - GLADWIN, MI.
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The Gospel in Scales

Πίστις, pistis: faith, trust, belief.

12/17/2020

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Verse
Revelation 2:19
“I know your works—your love, faith, service, and patient endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first.
Classical Insight
In Euripides’ Electra, the chorus expresses its “small” or “little faith” (πίστιν σμικρὰν, pistin smikran) in a story about the actions of the god Zeus (lines 726-736). This Greek word, pistis, is a pretty good match for the English word “faith,” with its range of both religious and secular connotations. We, too, speak of having “little faith.” Yet how do we really envision degrees or magnitudes of faith? How might we measure it? Is “faith” or pistis an either/or proposition (you have it, or you don’t), or can you have a bit of faith -- and what would that mean?

Devotion
When we have said the Lord’s Prayer during parking lot church, I have invited people to place their hands on their car windows as a gesture of faith, Πίστις.  Even though we cannot hold one another right now, it will not always be so.  
Faith is not an easy thing to keep.  Many of the churches addressed in the first few chapters of Revelation are starting to weaken in their faith keeping.  Continuing to live out their faith in Jesus in a hostile environment day after day is exhausting.  It is no wonder that John repeatedly urges them to repent and reorient their lives and priorities. 
We too grow weary.  We ache for normalcy, for the simplicity of a Sunday morning of singing, sharing the Lord’s Supper, and holding hands as we say the Lord’s Prayer.  These practices do so much to keep us strong in the faith and without them it can feel like that faith is slipping away.
Thankfully, while we are disciples in the faith, Jesus is a master.  In the life, death, and resurrection of Christ we see just how faithful God can be to God’s people.  When we stumble and grow weary, when we give up and let our faith drop to the ground, God keeps holding on.  God is faithful and will keep that faith and keep us too.
Questions for Reflection 
What faith practices have helped you keep the faith over the past few months?  Who is an example of faithfulness in your life?
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    Journey through the season of Advent with daily updates on the adventures of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Belliacre, MI as they attempt to cobble together a Christmas Pageant with an unlikely cast of characters.   

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    Amelia Corbett
    Amelia is a cool chick, who enjoys board game construction, elephants, and overall tom foolery. She lives in Gladwin with her parents and younger sister Beatrice.  

    Pastor Emily Olsen
    The charmingly weird Pastor Emily is blessed to live in Beaverton, serve the people of Christ the King Lutheran in Gladwin, and stand up paddleboard in just about any body of water she can find.  She has cats not snakes, but wouldn't hesitate to take in a stray python. tarantula, or dinosaur should it show up on her doorstep.  

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    Stephanie Dubbs
    Stephanie is an art educator and a landscape/portrait artist.  Her inspirations come from the amazing people she meets and the gorgeous state of Michigan as well as her home state of Florida.  She and he husband love nature.  They are out in the water during the summer months and on the snow in the winter enjoying the simple pleasures of life.  
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Christ the King Lutheran Church
600 S. M 18 
Gladwin, Mi. 48624
989-426-1659
Pastor Emily Olsen
pastor.ctkinggladwin@gmail.com


Email ctkinggladwin@gmail.com for correction or to have information included on this web page
  • Home
    • Pictorial Directory
    • Contact Us
    • Links
  • Worship Procedures
  • Who are We
    • Mission and Vision
    • Staff and Office Hours
    • Church Council
    • History
    • Newsletter
    • Calendar
  • Faith Formation
    • Sunday School
    • Christ the King Youth
    • Camping Ministry
    • Kids Club
    • Confirmation
    • Vacation Bible School
  • Ministries
    • Stephen Ministry
    • Quilting
    • Food Distribution
    • Backpacks for kids
    • Prayer Shawl Ministry
    • Parish Nurse
    • Columbarium
  • Worship
    • Schedule of Worship
    • How we worship
    • Children
  • Special Events
  • Budget / Annual Meeting
  • Blog