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

Clever Words: A Lenten Devotional

4/9/2019

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A Clever Word for the Season of Lent:
διακονέω (diakoneo)
​to minister, do service

A Clever Verse for Context
There they gave a dinner for [Jesus]. Martha served (διακονέω), and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him (John 12:2)

Clever Reflections
     Martha of Bethany, sister of Mary and Lazarus, is a reappearing character in the gospels of both John and Luke. We first meet her in John when she chews Jesus out for letting her brother die before reaffirming her faith even in the face of her brother’s death (John 11:21-24).  Many of us are more familiar with the Lukan story of Martha busying herself with household chores while her sister Mary sits and Jesus’ feet (Luke:38-41).  With that story in mind, it is hardly a surprise to find Martha once again serving (διακονέω) Jesus and his companions in John 12.  Typical Martha, and yet.
 
    In the early church such serving was not only a matter of food prepared and dishes washed, but ministry and leadership (1 Timothy 3:8).  Indeed Jesus himself will take on Martha’s role at his farewell dinner in the chapters to follow.  Martha’s serving is a form of discipleship and devotion, ministry indeed.  

Literary
Plato’s Laws puts forth that the leaders of the land should not require servants or slaves but act as their own ministers (διακονέω)  and masters (Laws 6.763a).

Clever Questions for Further Reflection

    What are some examples of leading through serving others?
    Who are examples of leaders who have led in this way?
    What are the challenges of leading through serving?


A Clever Prayer to Close
    Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
-St. Francis of Assisi


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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