Christ the King Lutheran Church - Gladwin, Mi.
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The Gospel in Scales

Clever Words: A Lenten Devotional

3/28/2019

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A Clever Word for the Season of Lent
​ἀμπελουργός
(
ampelourgos)
g
ardener, vine-dresser


A Clever Verse for Context
So he said to the gardener (ampelourgos), ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ (Luke 13:7)

Clever Reflections
Spiritual
    The vine-dresser or gardener (ampelourgos) in Luke’s fig tree parable is unafraid to get his hands dirty.  His response to the fig tree’s unfruitfulness is to dig in the dirt and slather on a healthy dose of manure.  Part of the fun of a good parable is sorting out who is who in the story.  Most often, we tend to read this story an assume that we are the unfruitful fig tree and Jesus is the merciful gardener.  Certainly Jesus as the Word Incarnate did do some substantial digging into the very stuff of our humanity, much of it filthy.  But parables are open ended.  What does it mean for us to take on the role of the vine-dresser?  At Jesus’ invitation we are given a chance to examine our hearts and deal with our crap as we continue to grow into the people God created us to be.      

Literary
    The protagonist Trygaeus in Aristophanes’ comedy Peace is a farmer, and even introduces himself to the God Hermes as a good vine-dresser, (ampelourgos).  In the play he flies to Olympus on the back of an enormous dung beetle he has kept fed on the excrement of various animals.  His desire for peace as a farmer is contrasted with the various politicians and tradesmen who continue to profit from the ongoing war.  

Clever Questions for Further Reflection
In what situations have you found yourself practicing self-examination aka working through your crap?  
How has this work helped you to grow and flourish?


A Clever Prayer to Close
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
   you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
   and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
   behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
   and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
   it is high; I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139:1-6


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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