Fruits of the Spirit

This afternoon during the Tuesday noon bible study our group talked about gifts of the spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self- control.

We also discussed how we saw these gifts reflected in the life of our community here at Christ the King Lutheran Church.

We saw members display self-control during our annual meeting times, allowing everyone to speak their mind at an important community forum.

We saw members practice patience with folks who had more “challenging personalities” in our midst, covering them with God’s grace when it would have been so easy to write them off.

We saw members carry out acts of generosity in time, talent, and treasure for the sake of God’s mission in this place.

We also saw love, joy, and peace in the lives of our members genuinely touched by God’s life giving love.

Where do you see the gifts of the spirit reflected in the lives of those who call Christ the King their community of faith?

Financial Peace

Money is one of those things it's often difficult to talk about. It's personal. And for lots of folks, it's anxiety producing.

Beginning a week from today (the class starts Tuesday, September 30th), CtK will offer Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. It's a 9-week course designed to help individuals and families develop a plan for their money. This class will show participants how to get rid of debt, manage their money, spend and save wisely, and much more!

If you'd like to attend, please register online to pay for and receive your materials. The course costs $93 per family.

Want a preview? Check this out:

Words from the Bishop

Each week, the pastors of the Montana Synod of the ELCA get an email of news updates from our Synod Office. This week's email included an article from our Bishop, Jessica Crist. It explains a bit how we, as Lutherans, think about our life together in the world - especially in campaign season:

Words from the Bishop-Lutherans and Public Policy-New for September 17

It has been said that the 2 topics you shouldn't bring up in polite company are politics and religion. (I don't agree.) So what happens if you mix the 2, and bring them both up? Toxic or redemptive? It all depends, doesn't it?

 

It is September, and the political signs are cropping up on lawns, and the billboards, TV ads and robo-calls are multiplying like spotted knapweed. Some of the messages out there are a sincere attempt to state a position or point of view. Some seem simply to be aimed at instilling fear and tearing down opponents.

 

How do Lutherans respond to politics? Martin Luther talked about "the two kingdoms," as a way to describe it. The "kingdom on the right" is God's realm, and the "kingdom on the left" is the earthly realm. Luther never suggested that Christians get to function only in the kingdom on the right. Only cloistered monks could claim that lifestyle. We live and function in the world, the world that God created, and the world that God so loved.

 As Lutherans, we take seriously our call to live out our baptismal promises in love for God and love for neighbor. And living out love for neighbor sometimes involves taking a stand for justice. The ELCA has social statements voted on by Churchwide Assemblies, and social messages voted on by the Church Council. ELCA advocacy staff work in Washington, at the United Nations and in state capitals on issues that we have agreed upon as a church.

Is it possible for Lutherans to disagree? Absolutely. While we do our best as a church to discern through prayer and study and research what the most appropriate positions and actions are to a broad issue, we never claim that ours is the only way. Learning to disagree graciously and still be part of the same church is a gift that Christians can share with the larger community.

 

We do not endorse candidates. We may support positions and issues, but we do not support candidates. That would, among other things jeopardize our tax-exempt status.

God has called us to live in the world, and to care for our neighbors. There are many issues in our legislatures, and in our national government that affect the lives of our neighbors. Christians of good will may differ in their responses to the world's challenges. But let us do it with civility, treating those who disagree with us as the children of God that they are. Every legislative session in Montana we have Lutherans on both sides of the aisle. That is good.

Jessica Crist, Bishop

CtK Fall Adult Forum: TED Talks

Every Sunday, as worship draws to a close and we prepare for the Spirit to send us back into the world, the Assisting Minister asks, "Who are we?"
And the congregation replies, "We are a Christian community, practicing discipleship as we worship, learn and serve."
The folks gathered have just worshiped together. And most folks can name ways they serve - within the congregation, serving their friends and family, in the community and beyond.
Intentional lifelong learning, though, takes a little more effort, for most adults. Somewhere along the line, too many people decided that Sunday School was just for kids, and they have no need to keep learning. That's not true! Besides, if adults (especially parents) aren't learning, they are teaching by example that learning isn't important - and none of us wants to do that!

So, in an effort to make our Sunday morning Adult Forum a bit more engaging, and relevant to life the rest of the week, this fall we're watching a TED Talk each week, and then having some conversation about it. Yes, it might require participants to be a little bit vulnerable - that's not a bad thing. Maybe, as a Christian community, we can be a school for vulnerability, honesty, forgiveness, and love.

In case you missed this past Sunday's Adult Forum, or want to watch the video again, here it is:

Service Plunge & Family Art Night photos

Those gathered at CtK this past Sunday had a great time, kicking off another year of learning in Sunday School, blessing backpacks, and enjoying this video of photos from the Middle School Service Plunge and Family Art Nights this summer. Enjoy!

Back to School - Blessing of Backpacks

Invite your friends, classmates, teammates, neighbors, teachers, students...

Life long learning

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
   and I will observe it to the end.
³⁴ Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
   and observe it with my whole heart.
³⁵ Lead me in the path of your commandments,
   for I delight in it.
³⁶ Turn my heart to your decrees,
   and not to selfish gain.
³⁷ Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
   give me life in your ways.
³⁸ Confirm to your servant your promise,
   which is for those who fear you.
³⁹ Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
   for your ordinances are good.
⁴⁰ See, I have longed for your precepts;
   in your righteousness give me life.

Psalm 119:33-40

At this start of the new school year, let us reflect on God’s Word and recommit ourselves to study, reflection, devotion, and observation of its teachings.