Missional Offering

Mission Offering for June
Lutheran Church of the Galilean, La Place, Louisiana

The June Sunday mission offerings benefit the Lutheran Church of the Galilean in La Place, Louisiana.

The city of La Place, La., has welcomed over 15,000 new residents in the past year – primarily people who resettled there because they lost their homes in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Galilean’s members, who celebrated the congregation’s 20th anniversary in May, are trying to launch a new mission effort in their community in the midst of this unanticipated growth. Their situation has been strained by a loan that far exceeded the congregation’s ability to pay (especially in light of the unexpected demands placed on their own resources by the hurricane).

Bishop Paul Blom has asked congregations in the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod to become Galilean’s “mission partners” by providing financial support that will allow the congregation to do the following:

• refinance its property and service a new loan,
• provide a compensation package for a full time pastor, and
• allow the church to develop programs that will help attract new neighbors through ministry and service.

Christ the King Church is now a mission partner.
Please help the members of Galilean answer God’s call at this unique time in their community’s history.

The collection for the May mission offering for the Kijabe AIDSRelief Ministry in Kenya was $2133.79.

Special

Memorial Celebration for Ed Ackerman July 8

Ed Ackerman, the congregation’s oldest member died on May 29, 2007 shortly before his 100th birthday. We will remember Ed in a celebration of the Lutheran faith on Sunday, July 8, at the 10:50 a.m. service. The congregation is invited to join family and friends for a light luncheon in the parish hall at 12:15 p.m. Ed joined Christ the King Church in 1955 and served for many years on committees, the church council and as vice president of the congregation.

Automated External Defibrillator On Site

We are prepared! Our AED (automated external defibrillator) has arrived! It is located to the left of the kitchen serving window. In addition, the kitchen is equipped with a well-stocked safety kit. Only individuals who have AED training should attempt to use the AED in an emergency. If you have a current CPR card and would like to know more about how to use the AED, please contact Linda Schoene, Congregational Nurse, We need 10 participants to hold a class at a cost of $20 per participant.

Worship

No other Gospel!

In June and July the sermons will be on the Epistle to the Galatians. The Common Revised Lectionary used by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and many other Protestant and the Roman Catholic Churches has the following lessons from Galatians:

June 24 Galatians 3:23-29
July 1 Galatians 5:1,13-25
July 8 Galatians 6:1-6,7-16

Morning Prayer

Each weekday morning at 8:15 a.m. Morning Prayer is said in the narthex. All are welcome to participate.

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.

Silent Retreat: Intro to Directed Retreats

July 6 - 8, 7 p.m. Friday - 2 p.m. Sunday
Location: The Cenacle, 420 N. Kirkwood
Presenters: Sr. Roselle Haas & Cenacle Staff

The experience of a Directed Retreat is not a mystery, but it is an invitation to enter into Mystery. This silent weekend retreat will provide input about Directed Retreats as well as opportunities to meet individually with a director who will answer any questions you may have and provide you with some reflective material for personal prayer. Minimum offering: $130 includes overnight accommodations and 5 meals. Actual Cost: $165

Sister Roselle Haas, a Cenacle Sister, is an experienced retreat presenter, spiritual director and liturgist. Having ministered at spiritual centers in various parts of the country, she has developed programs on images of God, discernment, styles of prayer and praying with scripture. She has degrees in the classic sciences and in pastoral ministry/spirituality.

For more information, visit www.cenacleretreathouse.org.

Faith Tour on the Hindu and Buddhist Tradtions

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. During the tour, people will be able to meet people of other faiths, discover the similarities of all faith traditions and discuss their differences. Tours provide opportunities to gain deeper meaning and understanding of both the faith traditions visited on the tour and of one’s own faith. Tours are currently a free event that a wide range of ages can enjoy.

The next scheduled Faith Tour is Sunday, June 24, focusing on the Hindu and Buddhist Tradtions. For more details about this event, please contact Lauren Foe

Disciple Project

Ten Luther Leaguers along with Tim Lenz will travel to Seguin June 25-29 to attend the Lutheran Youth Organization’s Disciple Project. The Disciple Project is a cross-generational, cross-cultural, cross-synodical leadership week-long school at Texas Lutheran University. The goal is to provide the skills and training necessary to explore and discover the spiritual gifts in ministry and leadership in high school youth and adults. It is designed to help us become Disciples of Christ not just at home, school, or church, but everywhere.

Calling for Name Tag Sunday Volunteers

Twice a month we ask all members and visitors to wear name tags on Sunday mornings as a means of learning names and getting to know each other better. A new schedule will soon be compiled of those interested in assisting with this ministry. If you would like to arrive a few minutes early for service occasionally, and greet friends, members, visitors to church with a smile, a handshake, a word of welcome, please contact Donna Graham

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.

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.

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 Tuesdays from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. in the nursery. Each week parents meet with children of various ages for fellowship and exchange. Playgroup will continue meeting throughout the summer on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 in the nursery. Please contact Diane Schoppe if you have any questions. 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

Luther League meetings regularly 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.

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.

Yoga on Saturdays - 10:00 a.m.

Yoga classes 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.

“All Around the Globe” - Christ the King Summer Family Camp
now thru August 8

Come and join the family camp on Wednesday nights at the church from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Families and individuals meet for dinner, music, devotions, games, and crafts. The theme for the summer is “All around the Globe.” Children will create their own world maps, learn songs in different languages, and will get to make crafts symbolizing different countries. Music explorers director Debbie Whitmire leads two music classes and the Luther League leads the games. The Ugandan Orphans Choir will perform on July 11. The last night on August 8 will be a pool party. There will be no meeting on July 4.

Music Classes with Debbie Whitmire at Summer Family Camp

The Christ the King Family Camp this summer is the perfect time to continue the music and dances we enjoyed so much on Wednesday nights during the school year.

The music class for children ages 0-7 will meet 6:30-7:00 p.m. for singing, bouncing and playing instruments. Parents, grandparents and other adults caring for the children are invited to join during this time of making music together. Folk songs from around the world and sign language vocabulary for the Lord’s Prayer fit in with the theme “All Around the Globe.”

The Orff class from 7:00 through 7:45 is for elementary children who already have some musical experience and are ready to receive instruction on our beautiful new Orff instruments. All older students and adults are eagerly welcomed as well.

Summer Treat - The Ugandan Orphans Choir

A special treat awaits our congregation in the middle of summer. The Ugandan Orphans Choir is coming to Christ the King Church from Wednesday July 11 through Sunday, July 15, while on tour with Childcare Worldwide in the United States and Canada. The choir consists of a small group of upper elementary age children from Uganda who lost their parents to AIDS. They are traveling the world with their voices and dance performances to tell their story, share their faith and raise funds for educational programs in Uganda. While they are on tour they are schooled by chaperones from Uganda and the United States.

The choir and chaperones will be hosted by church families. They will join the Christ the King Family Camp on July 11 and sing at both liturgies on Sunday, July 15. In addition they will share their repetoire between the services. A love offering to support their work will be taken on July 11 and on July 15.

Lutheran Day at The Astros’ Game

Support the Lutheran Social Services children’s ministries in the Houston area and catch a great game at Lutheran Day at Minute Maid Park Saturday, July 28, at 2:55 p.m. Many bullpen seats have been reserved for Christ the King Lutheran Church at a price of $14 each. For more information or to reserve tickets please contact Tim Lenz. Deadline for reservations is Monday, July 16.

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

Book Reviews

Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the basement classroom

Back by popular demand: The book review summer series enjoys great popularity as an interesting and delightful opportunity for cool fellowship on hot summer Sundays.

June 24: Barbara Rozek reviews Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, by Anne Rice
July 1: Alan Dieter reviews Practical Spirituality: Reflections on the Spiritual Basis of Nonviolent Communication, by Marshall B. Rosenberg
July 8: Helen Viereck reviews Passionate Nomad: The Life of Freya Stark by Jane Fletcher Geniesse
July 15: Naomi Nelson reviews Simone Weil, by Francine du Plessix Gray
July 22: Alicia Goodrow, TBA
July 29: Michael Pullara reviews Cobra II: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq, by Michael Gordon and Bernard Trainor.

Summer Sunday School

Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:45 a.m. toddlers are invited to join together to listen, sing and dance to their special collection of songs in room 204 on the second floor. The older children will meet in room 109 on first floor for movies from our large collection of children’s Bible lessons, telling the great Old Testament stories beginning with the story of David. Summer Sunday School will be informal to take into account travel plans and vacations. Children are welcome to attend one, two or all of the sessions and to bring their friends. Adults who can spend an hour enjoying music with the little ones are invited to sign up on the list on the nursery door or contact Marie Monroe

Ready to Forgive: An African Story of Grace

The June issue of Mosaic, ELCA’s video magazine, offers an African story of God’s amazing grace. Northern Uganda is at war. Those most affected, the Acholi people, endure rape, torture and child abduction. Thousands have died, others are missing, 2 million displaced. Despite all this, the Acholi people are ready to forgive. This video is a wonderful way to explore the concept of reconciliation in Africa, but also at home.

Contact the church office if you would like to check out this video and view it in your home.

The Bonhoeffer Conference on DVD

The Bonhoeffer Conference hosted by The Melanchthon Institute in Houston last October is now available as a DVD Series and CD-Rom Study Guide for $60 for a 7 hour course. There are a total of six lectures, two each by Larry Rasmussen, Clifford Green, and Barbara Green. The course also includes a selection by local Houston Holocaust Survivor Walter Kase. The materials are available through the ELCA’s Select Multimedia resources. For further information go to www.selectlearning.org or call toll free 877-675-6275.

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

Disaster Relief Service Project

July 8-11 youth and adults are invited to work in Port Arthur, Texas to help repair houses damaged by Hurricane Rita. Christ the King Lutheran is teaming up with Covenant Lutheran Church in Katy to repair sheet rock, paint, and do other general interior work for homeowners affected by the storm. This is your chance to serve! Volunteers are still greatly needed. Please contact Tim Lenz at 713-523-2864 or timlenz@ctkelc.org no later than Monday, July 2 to sign up.

Houston Food Bank - July 14

Christ the King Church sends volunteers 6 times a year to the Houston Food Bank. We go on the second Saturday of each even-numbered month. Please join us on our next opportunity to go to the Houston Food Bank on July 14. We will meet in the Christ the King Church parking lot at 8:00 a.m. and depart to the food bank at 8:05 a.m., returning around noon. For more information, contact Anna Stock

Back-to-School Program

Thousands of children in Greater Houston will begin the 2007-2008 school year without the basic supplies needed to succeed. Fortunately, you can help by providing the necessary tools for one child to arrive at school on the first day of class feeling well-prepared and ready to learn! A $45.00 donation to the Christian Community Service Center’s (CCSC) Back to School Program will provide one student with a new school uniform/shoes and a grade-level appropriate package of new school supplies. CCSC hopes to provide 5,500 students with these essential supplies for success, but needs your help. Please sponsor one or more students by submitting a check made out to “CCSC Back to School Project” in the offering on Sundays now through August or donating online at CCSC’s secure website.

Additionally, CCSC is in need of volunteers for sorting supplies (August 4) and for distribution (August 10-11). Please contact Susie Crafton for more information about this important program.

Feed the Homeless

The Feed the Homeless Ministry meets on Monday, June 25 at 5:45 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.

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.