Special

Missional Offering

Mission Offering in February is SEARCH

In February the mission offering collected at the end of the worship services is designated to go to SEARCH Homeless Project.

SEARCH was founded in 1989 as a faith-based nonprofit organization by the Council of Congregations - an ecumenical collaborative who believed that homeless individuals and families need more than a meal and a place to sleep. They need a future. Today, the Council of Congregations has grown to include 36 congregations across Houston and Harris County – all of which have signed a covenant to support SEARCH and its mission to change lives and end homelessness. Christ the King Church is one of them. SEARCH serves more than 10,000 homeless people annually, providing them with the tools to work and achieve self sufficiency. SEARCH’s core focus is employment, education and job training. Their programs include: Mobile outreach, a resource center, healthcare services, an employment education center, housing, The House of Tiny Treasures (a children’s place), The Company Kitchen (a catering service). Please give generously to support our long-standing mission partner SEARCH.

Together we Built an Ark!

With the support from the congregation the Luther League was able to reach their goal of $5000 to pay for an Ark through Heifer Project International. The generous alternative gift giving started in December. The January mission offering of $1573.82 brought us up to just over $5000.00. The livestock purchased with the Heifer Gift Ark will be given to families around the globe where it is most needed. Each family who receives livestock from the Gift Ark will pass on one or more of the animal’s offspring to other families in need in their community, so our gift will multiply for years to come! The Luther League thanks all who contributed in December and January.

Worship

Godly Play Lessons Today

Pre-K/K and 1st/2nd grade: The Mustard Seed
3rd/4thGrades: Isaiah - Exile and Return

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday

Shrove Tuesday
February 20
Pancake Supper
5:15 p.m.

Ash Wednesday
February 21
Imposition of Ashes
7:10 a.m.
12:15 p.m.,
7:30 p.m. (with Holy Communion)

Midweek Lenten Vespers and Soup Suppers on Wednesdays

5:30-7:00 p.m. Soup Supper (served continuously)
6:45 p.m. Vespers Service

The theme for the Midweek Lenten Vespers will be “Readings from the Easter Vigil.” Selected readings are:
February 28 Creation
March 7 Flood
March 14 Testing of Abraham
March 21 Deliverance at the Red Sea
March 28 Valley of the Dry Bones

Ash Wednesday February 21

7:10 a.m. Imposition of Ashes
12:15 p.m. Service with the Imposition of Ashes: This service at lunch time invites our neighbors in the Rice area and Medical Center. Sandwiches will be served after the service.
7:30 p.m. Imposition of Ashes and Holy Eucharist

Ash Wednesday for Children

Families with young children are invited to gather in the courtyard for a special presentation of “Making of the Ashes” on Ash Wednesday evening, February 21, at 7:00 p.m. Those attending will learn about the secrets how members of the Altar Guild prepare the ashes that the pastors use on Ash Wednesday. The evening service begins at 7:30 p.m. in the nave. It will last about 75 minutes. Childcare is provided in the nursery.

Prayer Around the Cross at Taizé Service, on the First Saturday of the Month

The Prayer Around the Cross will be held at the Taizé Eucharist on the first Saturday of each month at 6:00 p.m. A wooden cross on the floor of the altar sanctuary confronts worshipers with the suffering of Christ on behalf of humanity. In its presence the suffering of the world and our own burdens come to light. Christ gave salvation to all on the tree of the cross. It is the tree where life might be restored. Worshipers may choose to meditate on the cross from the pew or may enter the altar sanctuary and kneel at the cross.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship for your Home

Evangelical Lutheran Worship
for personal purchase

Cost: $20

Bookplate can be included with advanced request.

Contact: Cheryl Gaspard or 713-523-2864 ext. 1022

Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) Available

Copies of the now old Lutheran Book of Worship (the green book) are available in the church office for the congregation to take home. They are organized by the names to whom they were dedicated.

Prayer Requests

To add a loved one to the prayer list please complete a prayer request card, located in the pew fronts, or on the mobile bulletin board, and give it to an usher, email the church office or call 713-523-2864. ext 21.

Prayer List Available

A complete prayer list of all the people for whom we pray can be found on the literature rack in the narthex or on the permanent bulletin board by the first floor elevators in the ministry building.

Music

On February 18, the Calmus Ensemble from Leipzig returns to Houston with a new program showcasing the young group’s astounding stylistic breadth: in addition to Bach’s motet Jesu, meine Freude, the vocal quintet will sing works by Josquin, di Lasso, Elgar, Taverner, Mendelssohn, and other composers. This Abendmusik presentation begins at 5:00 p.m.

Chamber Music
The Buxtehude Trio will perform works by Buxtehude, Krieger, Erlbach, Becker, Spiegler, and Richter on Sunday, February 25 in the parish hall at 7:30 p.m.; seating is limited, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early.

MDR Children’s Choir from Leipzig in Concert on Shrove Tuesday

The MDR Children’s Choir from Leipzig will present a concert on February 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Christ the King Church. The choir performs works from a wide musical spectrum ranging from children’s songs to classical works from the baroque to the contemporary. Admission is free.

Fellowship

Join Us After Worship

Snacks, coffee, and juice will be provided after the 8:30 and 10:50 service. Please join us in the courtyard. Donations benefit world hunger.

Sunday Café

Sunday Café provids lunch in the parish hall at 12:15 p.m. An adult’s lunch is $5; a child’s lunch is $3. First time visitors receive a complimentary lunch; undergraduate and graduate student lunches are always complimentary.

Free Lunch for Students after Worship on Sundays

Students: Join us in the parish hall for Sunday Café after the 10:50 a.m. worship service for a FREE and delicious lunch catered by Hungry’s Bistro. Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch?!?

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper February 20

The annual Pancake Supper will be February 20 in the parish hall. Come and eat all the pancakes and sausage you can and enjoy the music of the Carnival. Traditionally, this is the day people eat up all the food they can’t have during Lent - butter, meat, eggs, and wine - and have a last big party to last them the six weeks until Easter. There will be projects for the kids, dancing for everyone, and we’ll sing our last “Alleluia.” Supper will be served from 5:15 until 6:45 p.m. If you can help shop, prepare or cook, please contact Marie Monroe at or call 713-667-1593. Come and have the most fun you’ll have until Easter. We will welcome as special guests the singers of the children’s choir at the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk from Leipzig, Germany. They will present a concert in the nave at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Alive!

This weekly congregational event spans all generations and walks of life: infants, kids, youth, singers, musicians, life-long learners, writers of life stories, those who study, those who pray, those who cook, those who clean and those who serve. All meet together in one place to enjoy a night of fellowship. . Click here to view online.

Wednesday Night Dinners

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. in the parish hall
Instead of cooking on Wednesday evenings, swing by the parish hall and either eat-in with friends and family, or take-out a delicious and inexpensive meal. Adult dinners are $4 and children’s plates are $3.

Writing Life Stories

The Writing Life Stories workshop meets on Wednesdays, from 5 until 6:45 p.m. This session emphasizes themes in our lives and explores the directions that we have taken in raising families, our careers and interests in retirement. We are also exploring some different ways of presenting our interests in personal essays and letters.

Playgroup Changed to Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Christ the King Church invites parents with babies and toddlers to participate in a playgroup on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. in the nursery. Each week parents meet with kids of various ages for fellowship and exchange. Several families have enjoyed time together so far. The group is open to members and friends. For questions or ideas contact Daria Nashat at or Pastor Karin Liebster. All are welcome.

Parents’ Online Group

This is a group for Christ the King Lutheran Church parents to exchange information, ideas and advice regarding parenting. Parents should feel free to post messages or questions regarding parenting; share resources that parents might be interested in (summer camp information, babysitter availability, etc.); and generate discussions relating to the challenges and demands of parenting generally.You can also post an introductory message when you join the group, if you’d like.

To join the group, send an email to Penny Linsenmayer. Include your name and email address in the body of the message.

Luther League Meets with Friends on Sunday Nights

The Luther League will meet at 4:45 p.m. tonight in the narthex to attend the concert by the Calmus Ensemble (Leipzig) perform in the nave at 5:00 p.m. Regularly scheduled Luther League meetings will resume next week at 6:00 p.m. in the basement youth room for food, fellowship, games, and discussion. All 6th grade through 12th grade youth are invited.Contact Tim Lenz or 713-523-2864 ext. 1001 for more information.

Foxtrot Lessons Going On

David Karohl is teaching four, 2-hour lessons at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday nights in February, in the basement classroom downstairs at Christ the King Church. Singles and couples are welcome. Childcare can be arranged, with shared expenses. The cost is $40 per person and all proceeds will go to children’s ministry. Fun people, good music, and plenty of exercise!
Contact David with questions or to sign up

Egg Decorating Class

Monica Hartley will teach a class on how to decorate eggs in the Ukrainian style. The class will be held Thursday evenings, February 1- March 29 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Learn the history and craft, and decorate the eggs. They make great Easter presents or decorations. Cost is $10 per person. All materials will be provided. For more information contact Monica.

Lutheran Marriage Encounter

Would you like new romance in your marriage? How about better communication? Attend the next Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend which will be held at the Holiday Inn near Continental Airport in Houston on February 23-25. For information please contact Arnie and Sue Kaestner at 713-464-6703 or email Laird and Winnie Engle

Books and CDs for Sale

Books and CDs on the book cart are available for purchase by check. Please make checks out to Christ the King Lutheran Church and mark “book cart” with the book title in the memo line. Place the check in the money slot in the bottom right doors of the ushers’ cabinet (or give to an usher).

Fair Trade Coffee Sales Continue

Fair Trade coffee from Equal Exchange is on sale after services and through the church office.

Equal Exchange, founded in 1986, is the oldest and largest for-profit Fair Trade company in the US. They offer organic, gourmet coffee, tea, sugar, cocoa, and chocolate bars produced by democratically run farmer co-ops in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Houston Farmers Market at Christ the King Church

West University and Rice Village area residents may now enjoy the Houston Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings. The market is held on the parking lot of Christ the King Lutheran Church from 4 to 7:00 p.m. The market offers fresh organic produce.

Yoga on Saturdays

Yoga classes meets on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m.

Katherine Krause and Scott Brady have been teaching yoga for many years. They teach a gentle Hatha Yoga class that is for all ages and all levels. Yoga is good for releasing stress, toning the muscles, increasing flexibility and just feeling good!!! You will be practicing yoga on a hard floor so you should bring a mat or foam for comfort. The cost is $7 per person.

Parents’ Night Out/Movies in the Hall

Mom! Dad! Need Some Quality Time Without The Kiddos? Join Parent’s Night Out!
Parents’ Night Out/Movies in the Hall (PNO/MITH) operates as an independent co-op of parents to provide affordable childcare in a safe and nurturing environment at Christ the King Church. The co-op is open to members and non-members. PNO/MITH usually occurs once a month. Two adult representatives from each family commit to work together ONCE in return for at least 10 nights of childcare during our calendar year. Our calendar year runs February through January. The Co-op offers age-appropriate care and activities for ages 5 and under in the nursery and age-appropriate activities and movies for ages 6 and up. The co-op accepts members throughout the year and offers prospective members one trial evening with no obligation to join.

Contact Barbara Scott to sign up.

Parents’ Night Out/Movies in the Hall (PNO/MITH) is an independent co-op of parents that use the church facilities at least once a month from 5:30 to 10:30 for affordable childcare. Two adult representatives from each family commit to work together ONE NIGHT during our calendar year which runs February through January. PNO offers age-appropriate care and activities for ages 5 and under in the nursery with the average cost being $10/child. MITH offers age-appropriate activities and movies for ages 6 and up in the parish hall supervised by 2 working parents. The normal cost of MITH is $1/child. The co-op uses an RSVP system to assure appropriate adult/child ratios and may limit the number of participants for an evening.

Education

Sunday Forum

Who/What is God?
(a three part series) presented by Dr. Bradley Hanson

February 18: The Question of God `
Why is it that we humans ask about, search for God? And why does God become an uncertainty for us? What are some ways that people in modern culture have answered the question of God?
February 25: What is God Like?
Is God The Absolute or Heavenly Father, Being itself or Loving Mother, or all of these? How our conception of God reflects our experience and relationship with God.
March 4: God as Triune
What led early Christians to affirm the doctrine of the Trinity? Some theological, liturgical, and devotional uses of trinitarian symbols and ideas for us today.

The Rev. Dr. Bradley Hanson and wife Marion Hanson offer Classes and Meditation
February 22– March 29

Dr. Hanson is Professor Emeritus of Religion, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. He is also Director of Grace Institute. Marion, also a leader at Grace Institute, is a spiritual director. Dr. Hanson will be the theologian-in-residence for The Melanchthon Institute.
Dr. Hanson’s teaching theme this year is: Spirituality and Gender: How Gender Influences our Relationship with God, the Church, and Other People.

A course on this theme will be offered Thursday evenings from 7 – 8:30 p.m. in the council room from February 22 – March 29. Cost: $25/person plus purchase of two books: Woman at the Well by Kathleen Fischer and The Intimate Connection by James B. Nelson. You may order the books through The Melanchthon Institute for $30/set or purchase them yourselves through other sources. Childcare is available upon request.

Marion Hanson will lead a series on Ignatian Contemplation during Wednesday Night Alive! from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. in room 204. Her sessions will run from February 28 through March 28.

Spirituality and Gender:
How Gender Influences our Relationship with God, the Church, and Other People.

The Rev. Dr. Bradley Hanson will teach this course on Thursdays from 7 – 8:30 p.m. in the council room from February 22 – March 29. This course will help us better understand our relationships with one another and with God. There will also be some times for meditative reflection.

Cost: $25/person plus purchase of two books: Woman at the Well by Kathleen Fischer and The Intimate Connection by James B. Nelson. Books are available for $15.00 each ($30/set) and are available from the book cart in the narthex. Childcare is available upon request.

While it’s not necessary to do the suggested readings for Dr. Hanson’s course, those who would like to read should begin with the first chapter in The Intimate Connection by James B. Nelson.

Dr. Hanson is Professor Emeritus of Religion, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. He is also Director of Grace Institute. Dr. Hanson is the theologian-in-residence for The Melanchthon Institute.

Ignatian Contemplation offered on Wednesday Nights

Marion Hanson will lead a series on Ignatian Contemplation during Wednesday Night Alive! from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. in room 204 from February 28 through March 28.

Marion Hanson, is the wife of Dr. Hanson, our theologian-in-residence for The Melanchthon Institute. She is also a leader and spiritual director at Grace Institute.

Presentation on Modern Day Slavery

March 3 (Saturday), 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Jesse Sage, editor of “Enslaved: True Stories of Modern Day Slavery,” together with a survivor of slavery who contributed to the book, will lead an interactive discussion on the reality of slavery in our world, on Saturday afternoon, March 3, 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the council room. This special presentation by the Adult Education Committee will be facilitated by Naomi Nelson. Please RSVP to the church office.

Small Catechism Class on Wednesdays

Pr. Moore is teaching a class based on the Small Catechism on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. on the council room. The class is open to all adults. We are at the beginning of part 3, The Lord’s Prayer. All are welcome to participate in the one-hour class. Copies of the Catechism will be made available.

ELCA Alliance for Faith, Science, & Technology

Do faith and science truly contradict each other?
Mass media creates the imagery of an ongoing warfare between science and religion, but there is another way, as suggested by the current issue of Covalence, online magazine of the ELCA Alliance for Faith, Science & Technology . Through the alliance the ELCA encourages conversation about issues facing our society and church related to science and technology from a faith perspective. Ask questions of scientists and join the discussion!

Free in the Morning?
Join Friday Morning Bible Study

This class is a great and easy way for mothers and fathers of the very young to have some adult time. The group led by Pr. Moore has started a study of the book Genesis for which it is not too late to join. New participants are always welcome; entry into the group is easy. The nursery opens at 10:00 am. Snacks are served at 10:00 in the council room; the class ends at 11:30.

Introducing Jesus of Nazareth CD Available

Join gifted pastor, theologian and Grace Matters radio host Peter Marty on a journey across the Holy Land. From Nazareth and Bethlehem where it all began, to Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan Valley, the Mount of Transfiguration and finally Jerusalem. “Introducing Jesus of Nazareth” is a straightforward, concise re-telling of the Gospel story. Helping Peter Marty tell the story, are a diverse group of pastors from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

CDs are available at no charge in the narthex and the church office.

Service & Care

Feed the Homeless

The Feed the Homeless Ministry meets on Monday, February 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the kitchen at Christ the King Church.

Join us on the 2nd and 4th Monday evenings of each month at Christ the King Lutheran Church to make sandwiches and prepare meals, and then deliver them to downtown homeless individuals. Our schedule is as follows:

5:45 p.m. - Meet in the Kitchen and Parish Hall to set up and prepare the meals
7:00 p.m. - Leave CTK for downtown to deliver the meals

All are invited to help out with meal preparation, downtown delivery, or both! Our next gathering in February will be on Monday, February 12. All are welcome.Contact Wendy Wiker for more information.

CPR/First Aid Class

CINTAS will present CPR and First Aid on February 24, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. in the council room. The cost is $65/person. Please register through Linda Schoene

Donate Blood - Deep in the Heart of Texas

Christ the King Church will host a blood drive on March 4. The M.D. Anderson Blood Mobile will be here from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Healthcare Myths and Realities

February 22, 11a.m.-2:30 p.m.
A Grassroots Meeting about Healthcare Change
A Symposium at the Baker Institute for
Public Policy, Rice University
Sponsored by Health Access Texas,
The Commonwealth Fund, UTMB-Galveston
For information, call Patricia Nelson, 713-529-4020

CCSC’s 11th Annual Azalea Dinner

CCSC’s 11th Annual
Azalea Dinner

Thursday, March 29
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Westin Oaks Hotel, Galleria
For more information: Jenna Nassif

Your Gift Giving this Year Can Change Someone’s World!

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Browse through 12 areas of giving, including the ELCA World Hunger Appeal and the Division for Global Mission. You may also send an E-card and print out a Tribute Notification for the honoree.

Lutheran World Relief
LWR is rated at the TOP of relief organizations! This is the webpage for the LWR Community Quilt. Click on the 12 items listed under “Gift Squares” to learn about different areas and levels of giving

Church World Service
An especially fun site for involving children in alternative giving! Click on different areas of the village map for an audio guide to various ways to give. You may also send an E-card to the gift honoree.

Heifer International
Founded in 1944. They work exclusively in the areas of livestock and agriculture to develop programs that alleviate hunger and poverty. Although the site is not specifically geared toward children, there are great visuals of animals and trees to give.

Americares
Founded in 1975 with a commitment to help Vietnamese orphans. Browse their international and domestic relief programs. For alternative giving, click on “Sitemap” at the bottom of the page, then click on “How To Help: Honor & Memorial Donations”.

The Weather Outside is Frightful...
Help Someone Stay Warm this Winter

With cooler weather upon us, Christian Community Service Center’s Emergency Services clients could benefit from your gently used clothing donations. Please search your closets for these particular items:

- Sweaters and jackets for infants, children, and adult men
- Large sizes for men are helpful for some of our clients
- Men’s slacks in all sizes

Emergency Services gladly receives donations Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Please bring donations to the facility located at 3434 Branard (near Greenway Plaza). For additional details, call 713-961-3993 or visit www.ccschouston.com
Thank you for your giving spirit! The CCSC clients benefit every day from the donations they receive all year long!

We encourage you to get connected to CCSC. There are dozens of volunteer and giving opportunities. Become part of an award-winning effort that positively impacts over 27,000 lives each year — call 713-961-3993 or visit www.ccschouston.com

ELCA Provides Funds to Support the Humanitarian Response in Darfur

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $200,000 May 31 to support the humanitarian response in the Darfur region of western Sudan. A three-year conflict in Darfur has resulted in the deaths of some 200,000 to 400,000 people, and more than 2.5 million people have been displaced from their homes.

There also have been “many reports of rapes, looting, burning of homes, and other untold atrocities committed against primarily ethnic Africans living in Darfur,” said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, in a May 19 statement to members of the church.
“Similar to the genocide in Rwanda, the world has waited too long to respond in outrage and has allowed a poorly funded humanitarian response to take the place of political will and action,” said Hanson.

“There is cautious, hopeful news” about Darfur, said Hanson. “The Sudanese government and the largest rebel faction in Darfur — the Sudan Liberation Army/Movement — signed a peace agreement, and that has started a tenuous peace process that could end a tragic situation that President Bush and others have described as ‘genocide,’” he said.

For more information, see the ELCA webpage: www.elca.org/news/index.asp.

For more resources and ELCA policy on the genocide in Darfur, visit www.elca.org/advocacy/issues/peace or see the mobile bulletin board.

Snack Providers Needed

Looking for an occasional, yet extremely important ministry?! We are now recruiting snack providers for after Sunday services. The light refreshments that are set out with the coffee each Sunday provide a great opportunity for fellowship for members and visitors alike. Not only that, the donations they generate go to the World Hunger Appeal. Join this wonderful ministry of hospitality that also benefits hunger relief. You can provide snacks only once or twice a year or as often as you’d like. For more information or to sign up, contact Beverly Davis or 713-523-2864 ext. 27.

ONE Lutheran Campaign

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has been actively engaged in advocacy on hunger and justice issues for many years. Now, at a key point in history, the ELCA is joining Bread for the World, the Alliance to End Hunger, and others in a coordinated effort against the injustice of extreme poverty. ONE Lutheran is the ELCA-specific effort to promote the ONE Campaign. ONE Lutherans acting together can bring real power to this social justice movement. Check out the mobile bulletin board or visit www.elca.org/advocacy for more information.