Missional Offering

Mission Offering in April:
Christian Community Service Center Emergency Services

The mission of the Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) is to serve the poor, hungry, disabled, and otherwise needy while respecting their religious, ethnic or cultural differences.

CCSC is founded on the belief that we are called to help all God’s children heart to heart and hand in hand. It is supported by 38 covenant churches and hundreds of volunteers. Christ the King Church has been a part of this wonderful agency since 1987. The work of the Christian Community Service Center started with Emergency Services. This outreach program strives to help low income clients in southwest Houston who are in a crisis situation. Emergency Services offers assistance with the basic needs of food, clothing, medical prescriptions, and financial assistance. This program is the heart and soul of CCSC, where volunteers come together to work hand-in-hand, helping others in the community get through crisis situations.

Thirteen Christ the King Church members have been involved in CCSC’s services and leadership in the past and present.

Worship

Godly Play Lessons Today

Pre-K/K and 1st/2nd grade: Jesus and the Twelve
3rd/4th: Grades: Jesus and the Twelve

Prayer Around the Cross at Taizé Service

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.

Lectio Divina

The Biblical meditation class meets on Wednesdays from 6:45 - 7:30 p.m. in room 204. “Divine Reading” is an ancient form of prayer and has been part of the spiritual practice in the church since ancient times. All are invited.

Faith Tours on April 29

Faith tours provide a “window” into the diverse landscape of religious traditions that make up the Houston faith community. The faith tours offer an opportunity for people of all faiths and ages to experience the varied worship styles of the many faith groups that make up the rainbow of Houston’s diverse faith community. Each tour will provide an opportunity to visit several houses of worship; to learn about their design, the relationship of the design to the beliefs of the faith, and discuss what was learned on the tour in an organized group setting.
Our next scheduled Faith Tour is April 29, for more information, contact Lauren Foe at 713-533-4904

Anniversary Celebration - 140 Years

United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Schulenburg, Texas (2038 FM 3171) will celebrate it’s 140th Anniversary on April 22. For more information, call 979-247-4151.

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
April 29, 2007 • 5:00 p.m.

Martin Rost (Stralsund)
Secular chamber works for organ
Inaugural concert of the new Taylor & Boody continuo organ

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?!?

Start Spring Cleaning for May 19 Tag Sale

Our annual tag sale is planned for Saturday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the parish hall. Members and friends of the congregation are invited to donate items of all sorts for the sale which will benefit the children’s ministries. Due to the large amount of leftovers clothes we’ve experienced in past years, we are only accepting adult designer clothes in pristine condition and near-perfect baby, toddler and children’s clothes.

Please bring your items prepriced Sunday, May 13 - Friday, May 18. If you are able, use tape or a label to price each item to help us reduce set-up time and labor.

We ask that you advise us of any large and/or valuable donations (tell us about them so we can sell them for the right price) prior to delivery. All remaining items will be donated to a local charity.

Volunteers are needed.

You may contact Jessica Cannon.

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 Alive! Menu
prepared by Bette Bowers and Bridget Jensen

Seafood Casserole
Yellow Squash
Salad Dessert

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. All interested individuals are invited to attend. For more informaction, contact Anna Fay Williams.

The Library - a Secret Hideaway in our Church

There’s a secret hideaway in our church, a quiet place for studying and searching, for relaxing and reflecting, or for just bringing your cup of coffee and curling up with a good book or magazine. The church library, tucked away next to the kitchen, is awaiting your discovery.
Open all Sunday morning, with helpful staff to assist you, we offer much more than just dusty, musty theology books! There are videos, magazines, and collections of children’s literature, all for you and your family to enjoy. We can also help you research and find just the right resource for your personal or group study. And of course, we always welcome your suggestions for new materials that would benefit our growing church.

See you at the library, David West

Playgroup on Tuesdays 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

Log in to an online parent support group for quick answers to quick questions. Join the group of Christ the King Church members who take advantage of the accumulated wisdom and knowledge shared by parents of the youngest members.

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

Luther League meetings are on Sundays 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. Click here to view the Luther League website.

Germany Youth Trip Presentation and Cookout

The youth who traveled to Germany over spring break would like to invite all Luther League youth and their parents to the parsonage on Sunday, April 22 at 6:00 p.m. to share their experiences, thoughts and pictures from the trip. Bratwurst will be served. We will also discuss our plans for hosting the youth from St. Thomas Church in Leipzig next Easter. Please bring your favorite dessert or beverage to share. For more information contact Tim Lenz.

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).

Lutherhill 6th Annual Golf Tournament

Lutherhill is calling all golfers to join in their annual fundraiser on Friday, April 27 at noon at the Cypresswood Golf Club. Registration opens at 10:30 a.m. The cost is $110 per player.

In the five years of the tournament, they have raised over $28,000 which has enabled Lutherhill to continue to grow and provide quality programs to many campers. For more information, contact Matt Kidsvatter at 888-266-4613.

Thrivent Goes Wild

On May 19. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Thrivent is sponsoring a day at the zoo, and you can come too! This is a free event, but you will need to register online.

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

The Farmers Market has moved to Rice University.

Yoga on Saturdays - New Time 10:00 a.m.

Yoga moves to Saturday Mornings
Yoga classes now meet on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. in the basement classroom.
This gentle Hatha Yoga class 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. 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

On April 22: Continuing with our series on Lost Christianities and Christian Origins.

Dr. DeConick’s presentation is titled “What the Gospel of Judas Really Says.” Is the Gospel of Judas the “good news” about Judas as National Geographic has led us to believe? The mistranslation of several phrases supports the provocative and sensationalist interpretation advanced by the National Geographic, while the “corrected” translation does not.

Professor April DeConick is holder of the Turner Chair in Biblical Studies and Professor of Religious Studies at Rice University

On April 29: our presenter will be Dr. Richard Bautch, Professor of Religious Studies at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas, who will speak on “Covenant and Spirituality.” Reading with us different texts from the Old Testament, Dr. Bautch demonstrates how the Mosaic covenant, as opposed to the Davidic covenant, has a high potential for reciprocity and mutuality between the human and divine partner. Drawing on current literature in spirituality, yoga, poetry etc., Dr. Bautch argues in favor of a “graced application” of the ancient covenant with God, highlighting aspects such as encounter, narrative, blessing, oath and symbol.

Sunday Forum with Dr. Jon Fielder May 6
Join the Sunday Forum on May 6 to hear Dr. Jon Fielder speak about the Kijabe AIDSRelief ministry and the larger problem of HIV in Africa. Jon and his family (wife Amanda and son Matthew) served in Kijabe, Kenya with Africa Inland Mission from 2002 until 2006. Jon has been a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church since 1995 and is a graduate of the Baylor College of Medicine. In Africa, he oversaw a large AIDS ministry and treatment program at Africa Inland Church Kijabe Hospital. The Kijabe AIDSRelief program has served both as a model for other such treatment efforts and for local church engagement with the HIV epidemic. Amanda worked as a counselor at Rift Valley Academy, a boarding school for missionary children.

The Fielders are currently on home assignment for the year and living in Dallas, where Jon is an assistant professor of medicine at UT Southwestern Medical School and works at the Parkland Memorial Hospital HIV clinic.

The Oscar Romero Award Ceremony

The Rothko Chapel invites you to examine the human consequences of restricting boundaries around the world and, in response, to celebrate the strength of compassion. The keynote speaker will be Amy Goodman, co-founder and host of Democracy Now!
This event will be on Sunday, April 22, 3:00 p.m. at The Rothko Chapel (1409 Sul Ross at Yupon). Please RSVP

Recognition of 2007 Graduates on May 20

If you are receiving a degree from high school, undergraduate, or graduate programs, we would like to know! Email the church office with details about your graduation date and any plans you have for your future.

Graduates of all degrees will be invited to participate in a short rite of recognition on May 20 at the 8:30 or 10:50 a.m. service.
High school seniors will received a gift from the Piecemakers.

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.

Seminars on Financial Peace

Would you like to save, share, and spend more and worry less about your finances? Thanks to a grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and our partnership with the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod Stewardship Team, we have Personal Stewardship Seminars set for 2007 for you to learn how to do just that. The next seminar is Saturday, April 28 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 305 W. Third St., Brenham TX 77833.

The cost is $20/person, or $35 for a family of two or more for the one-day events.

This one day event consists of keynote addresses on different stages of financial management we go through, and workshops designed to meet participants in their own personal financial journey.

Registration forms are on-line

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

The Friday morning bible study offers fellowship and education to all members and friends of the congregation. The group led by Pr. Moore studies the book Genesis. It is not too late to join. New participants are always welcome. The nursery opens at 10:00 a.m. 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, April 23 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! All are welcome.Contact Wendy Wiker for more information.

Mission Trip to Peru

Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in The Woodlands is organizing a mission trip to our companion synod in Lima, Peru for June 21 – 25, 2007. People from Spirit of Joy, Living Word, Katy, Grace Lutheran, Conroe, and Joyful Life, The Woodlands, are already registered. Others are invited to come along as well, especially those with musical skills they’re willing to share with the group.

The trip will include visits to different area churches, a day care center, building relationships with members of these Lima congregations, and possibly helping with various building projects. The trip includes a Children’s Festival at Congregación Belén, which is attended by families throughout Lima.

For more information or to receive an application contact Phil Pienkos. Further information about our Peru Companion Synod and the Synod Global Missions is available at www.ilep.org and www.globalmissiongulfcoast.org.
Pr. Haueisen has already registered and will be a part of this mission group.

Become a CanCare Volunteer

Next Training Scheduled for April 27-29
If you are a cancer survivor and more than 6 months out from treatment, CanCare needs you!
CanCare, an interfaith cancer support network, is seeking cancer survivors or family members of cancer survivors to join our expanding volunteer team. Volunteers are trained to provide timely emotional support to newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families by talking with cancer patients: via phone, e-mail, in person or at area hospitals. Simply by being a cancer survivor or caregiver you become a messenger of Hope for others!

For information, contact Pat Weatherspoon-Hall at the at 713-461-0028 or www.cancare.org.

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”.

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.