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.

Worship

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

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.

German language Ministry

Kirche auf deutsch
Gottesdienst in deutscher Sprache
4. März 2007
5:00 pm

Prayer Around the Cross at Taizé Service, on the March 3

The Prayer Around the Cross will be held at the Taizé Eucharist on March 3 (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.

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

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.

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?!?

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.

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.

Help Wanted - Nursery Coordinator

Christ the King Church is looking for a new nursery coordinator. This volunteer position helps keep the nursery operations running smoothly throughout the year. The nursery coordinator works with our nursery attendants in consultation with Pr. Liebster and congregational nurse Linda Schoene. Part of the task is to organize parent volunteers for Sunday mornings, and generally be attentive to the needs of our lively group of babies, toddlers and their families. Michelle Beck will be available through this spring to ensure a smooth transition. Please contact Pr. Liebster if you would like to help.

Help Wanted – Tag Sale Coordinator

The annual tag sale is scheduled for May 19, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. We are looking for a new coordinator starting in May. The tag sale coordinator’s job is easy to do with the host of skilled helpers who pulled the event off in the past. The main task of the coordinator is to organize, delegate, supervise before and during the sale, and wrap things up afterwards. It means one week of intense work and being off for the other 51 weeks of the year. Michelle Beck will be around to help in the transition to the new leadership.

The tag sale proceeds benefit the children’s ministries and nursery. This fun event has reached deeply into the whole congregation and is a great opportunity for the generations to mingle and have fellowship. If you are willing to help, please contact Pr. Liebster or 713 523 2864.

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 Church parents to exchange information, ideas and advice regarding parenting. Parents can post messages and questions regarding parenting; share resources that other 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.

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.

Young Adult Perspectives (YAP)

Young Adult Perspectives (“YAP” for short) is our Young Adults group that meets on the 1st and 3rd Friday evenings of each month. All students and young adults are welcome! One of the YAP meetings each month is a social gathering, while the other is more educationally focused. Our planned meetings in March are on March 2 and March 16.
For more info, email Wendy Wiker

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?
(second and third in a three part series) presented by Dr. Bradley Hanson

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 Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic

March 11: Christ the King Church member Carolyn Jacobs will speak about our synod’s companion relationship with the Central African Republic (CAR), the focus of the March mission offering. Carolyn will talk about the Lutheran Church in CAR, and will give us an update on what was built in Bouar, CAR, last year, building projects our congregation helped support. She will also speak about the work of Pastors Joyce and Ian Graue, the ELCA missionary couple working in CAR.

The Rev. Dr. Bradley Hanson and wife Marion Hanson offer Classes and Meditation through 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 through 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.

Presentation on Modern Day Slavery

March 3 (Saturday), 1:00-3:00 p.m.
A special presentation by the Adult Education Committee brings Jesse Sage, editor of “Enslaved: True Stories of Modern Day Slavery,” and contributor to the book, will lead an interactive discussion on the reality of slavery in our world, on Saturday, 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.

Children’s Books needed for School in Louisiana

One of the schools in St. Bernard Parish, (New Orleans, LA area) is up and running again—but with virtually no books. If you would like to contribute NEW or like new books appropriate for Kindergarten – 8th graders, you may drop them in the box labeled Books for St. Bernard in the narthex. They will be delivered to the school in March. The school could use public school appropriate classroom and school library books. Please, do not use this as a place to discard your secondhand cast offs.

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 26. All are welcome.Contact Wendy Wiker for more information.

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.

Volunteer at the Food Bank

Attention volunteers! Every other month Christ the King Church members make a trip to the Houston Food Bank to assess groceries, repackage donations, or fill orders. The Food Bank provides excellent services to our community and is a great success due entirely to its volunteers. Out next trip will be on Saturday, March 10, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. We meet in the Christ the King Lutheran Church parking lot at 8:00 a.m. and carpool to the Food Bank. If you would like to participate, or would like more information, please contact Anna Stock.

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

Basket for Azalea Dinner

Christ the King Church member Jenna Nassif is collecting money to donate a basket to the auction benefitting the Christian Community Service Center (CCSC). If you would like to contribute, contact Jenna.

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.