Missional Offering

Mission Offering for November –
Village Education Project Of Our Companion Synod, The Evangelical Lutheran Church Of The Central African Republic

The mission offering is collected at the church doors at the end of worship.
The November offering benefits Village Education Project Of Our Companion Synod, The Evangelical Lutheran Church Of The Central African Republic

The November Mission Offering benefits the Village Education Project of our companion synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic. This special appeal presents a wonderful opportunity to connect our children with children in the Central African Republic. Parents are especially encouraged to engage their children in the Mission Offering this month.

Here in the United States, we cannot imagine life without schools for our children. In the CAR, however, many rural villages have never had schools and the existing schools function badly. The Lutheran Church in the CAR knows that without schools there is little hope for the future. Thus, the Lutheran Church in the CAR has created the Village Education Project, working with parents of school-age children to run schools locally, without assistance from the government. The project began in the year 2000 in 5 villages. In 2007, total enrollment is over 3,500 students in 65 classes in 20 village schools. The students coming out of these village schools have a high success rate moving on to lycée (junior high and high school).

This project is largely funded by gifts from congregations and individuals in the United States, with contributions also from parents in the CAR. Yet in 2007, the project has been underfunded, and so the Synod Global Mission Team has made a special appeal to support this great project.

What does it cost? Based on the 2007 budget ($65,000) the costs are as follows:

$20 per student per year
$855 per class per year
$3,250 per school per year

As Thanksgiving approaches and we give thanks for God’s blessings, let us share them as well. In the CAR, the children speak Sango before they learn French in school. Maboko na maboko means Hand in hand. Hand in hand, we walk together, so that the children can go to school.

More information is available online

Special

Consecration Sunday - November 18

Saturday, November 17
¨ 6:00 p.m. Taizé Prayer and Holy Eucharist
¨ Reception

Sunday, November 18
¨ 8:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
¨ Celebration Brunch
¨ 10:50 a.m. Holy Eucharist
¨ Celebration Luncheon
¨ Guest Preacher: Bishop Michael W. Rinehart

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation, Part 1 will be on December 2

Holiday Shopping on Tuesday, November 27

Join us for a shopping night at Ten Thousand Villages on Tuesday, November 27 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. to benefit the Luther League Youth Group. Fifteen percent of net sales will be donated to the Luther League. Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit, fair trade gift store located in the Village at 2424 Rice Boulevard.

Christ the King Foundation Accepts Grant Requests

The Board of Directors of the Christ the King Foundation is now accepting grant requests for projects meeting Foundation Criteria. Individuals or groups may request grants to further special projects and needs of the congregation or its mission to the community. The Foundation makes grants based on the income from its investments. Past grants have been awarded for seminary scholarships, programs at the Melanchthon Institute and other special educational programs, and outreach projects.

Application forms are available in the Church Office. Deadline for requests is noon, Monday, December 3, 2007.

Worship

Godly Play Lessons Today

Pre-K/K: Jonah
1st/2nd grade: King David
3rd Grade: Joseph in Egypt

Lectio Divina on Wednesdays will not meet on November 21

Our Wednesday evening prayer group, Lectio Divina, led by Velma Rice, meets on Wednesdays from 6:45-7:30 p.m. This ancient form of prayer is translated “Divine Reading,” and has been part of the spiritual practice in the church since ancient times. All are invited to participate.

Prayer Around the Cross at Taizé Service

The Prayer Around the Cross at Christ the King Church will be held at the Taizé service on the first Saturday of the month. 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. This time of contemplation will be accompanied by Taizé chants.

Thanksgiving Day Worship

On Thursday, November 22, at 10 a.m., a Service of the Word will be held in the nave. The service will include traditional Thanksgiving hymns, a sermon, and a Litany of Thanksgiving. All are welcome. Casual attire is encouraged.

Morning Prayer

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

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

November 18, 2007 • 5:00 p.m.
Organ Vespers: Sebastian Knebel (Christ the King Lutheran Church guest organist)

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.

Wednesday Night Alive! will not meet on November 21

Wednesday Night Alive! is back with dinner at 5:30 p.m. Children and adults alike will fill every room and corner of the ministry building: eating, learning, singing, playing instruments, studying, praying, writing life stories, and so much more. The Wednesday Night Alive! program has grown from an exclusively children orientated ministry in its early years to a weekly congregational event spanning all generations from infant to those reflecting on their life stories. All members and friends are invited to come and see the building up of strong bones for the body of Christ.

The offerings are very similar to previous years. The schedule, detailed class descriptions, and registration packet are available in the narthex.

We need volunteers and leaders willing to commit to two or three Wednesdays a semester in the following areas:

Kitchen Help – cooking, cleaning, serving. Here is your opportunity to Praise God with a Spoon and Pot! We are especially looking for chefs and assistant cooks.
Welcome Table – we need smiling faces to greet, help with registration, and sell dinner tickets.
Godly Play – both those certified as teachers and those who can quietly assist as Door Persons are needed for the Godly Play class. No experience is required for Door Persons. We especially need volunteers who are not parents of young children for this role.
Kids Club and World Explorers – these special groups are led by Tim Lenz and Irmi Willcockson respectively. They need creative and patient volunteers who are called to work with elementary age children in games, crafts, science studies, and similar areas.

If you would like to serve as a volunteer in a position this year, please let Pastor Liebster and/or Alicia Goodrow know.

Dinner Time for all on Wednesdays! will not meet on November 21

All are invited to join the crowd for dinner Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00 p.m. An adult’s plate is $5.00, a child’s plate $3.00. Pizza is sold for $1.50 per slice.

Pizza VIP

Always loved the smell of fresh baked, yummy pizza? The Wednesday Night Alive team is looking for a Pizza VIP to order and pick up pizza in the Rice Village on Wednesday nights. The job takes only 15 minutes between 5:15-5:30 p.m.Always loved the smell of fresh baked, yummy pizza? The Wednesday Night Alive team is looking for a Pizza VIP to order and pick up pizza in the Rice Village on Wednesday nights. The job takes only 15 minutes between 5:15-5:30 p.m. If interested, contact Pr. Liebster

Alone on Thanksgiving?

College students and young adults, please notify Pastor Brad Fuerst if you are unable to go home for Thanksgiving. We have families who are ready and willing to adopt you for the eating of Turkey, for the sharing of fellowship, and for the watching of football.

Thanksgiving Guests!

Families of Christ the King Church, please let Pastor Fuerst know if you would like to invite one or more college students or young adults to join you on Thanksgiving Day, November 22. Students, please notify Pastor Fuerst if you would like an invitation. Contact Pastor Fuerst

Grocery Shopping Coop?

Are you interested in becoming part of a group who will benefit from equally sharing fresh fruits and vegetables twice a month? Also to share coupons for local stores in the area? Contact Ann Chisholm, Peggy Johnson or the church office.

Sunday Snack Providers!

Are you looking for a way to help out that will make a big impact without a big time commitment?
Please consider becoming a snack provider!
Most of our volunteers are asked to provide snacks for either service (your choice) twice per year. The snacks can be as simple or as complicated as you wish - no culinary degree required!
Becoming a snack provider is a great way to help make our Sunday mornings more hospitable for guests and more fun for our members. All the money raised goes directly to World Hunger Appeal.
Join us today! Contact Anita Bryant

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.

Play Group Invitation

Are you a parent of a small child? Would you like to visit with other parents occasionally?  Do your children enjoy playing with others? Christ the King has just the place for you!
Our Playgroup is a thriving collection of parents and their infants, toddlers, and preschoolers that meets each Tuesday in the church nursery. Children play, parents visit, and friends are made. We cordially invite you to join us Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for fun and fellowship.

Field Trip Tuesday, November 20 to the Houston Zoo
Playgroup will meet at the Houston Zoo at 10 a.m. to see the animal exhibits open at the Houston Zoo.  If anyone would like to caravan to the zoo, please let Diane Schoppe know.  We’ll meet at the church parking lot on Rice Blvd. by 9:45 and will leave from there.

If you have any questions about the playgroup or the field trip, please contact Diane Schoppe at or Franziska Fischer a

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

Sunday nights at 6:00 p.m., all 6th grade through 12th grade youth are invited to the Luther League meetings in the youth room. Food, games, discussions, and new friends can be found during the 90 minute meetings. The meetings are led by youth director Tim Lenz along with other young adults and parents. Please contact Tim Lenz for more information. Click here to view the Luther League website.

Sunday Café

Sunday Café provides 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.

Hey College Students! FREE MEALS! Woohoo…Oh Yeah!

Every Sunday after the late service, Sunday Café happens in the church fellowship area. Hungry's caters, and college students eat for free. Life simply doesn't get better than this! Come join members of Christ the King and fellow college students for great fellowship and a great meal.

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 - 1:00 p.m.

The yoga class will meet on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. in the basement classroom. Bring a mat or foam for comfort. The cost is $7 per person.

Walking On Water!

As of November 4, we have walked over 1600 miles which puts in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean heading for Lisbon. With about 6 weeks left we need to keep paddling. When we reach Lisbon, I’ll add on the bonus miles!

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

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

November 18: Sunday Forum joins the festive brunch celebration for Consecration Sunday.

November 25: Getting ready for the new Church Year with the Gospel of Matthew: A reading of Matthew 1, the genealogy and nativity of Jesus. The class is led by Matthias Henze.

New Member Class

If you are interested in becoming a member of Christ the King Church, you are invited to attend the Adult Catechesis class.
We will offer a 2-day class on Friday, November 30, 7 until 9 p.m., and Saturday, December 1, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

These classes, based on Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, are open to inquirers, those seeking membership, and members wishing to refresh their memory on the basic tenets of our faith.
You may sign up on the bulletin board or contact the church office. Childcare is available when requested the Monday prior to the class.

Downtown Lunch Bunch Study Group - Tuesdays at Noon

The Rev. Dr. Don Carlson, a member of The Melanchthon Board of Directors and local pastor, is facilitating a noon time discussion group based on a DVD series, “Living the Questions.” This 12-part series is designed for people who want to integrate their faith with the events of their daily lives and are willing to grapple with difficult issues together.
The group meets on Tuesdays at noon through December 18. Bring your own lunch and a guest. Cost is $10 for each session. The meeting space is provided by Rodney Koenig at the Fulbright Tower, 1301 McKinney, 47th floor. The class will not meet the week of Thanksgiving.

Friday Study Group to examine the Patriarchal Narratives in the Book of Genesis will not meet on November 23

Everyone is invited to a new study with the Friday Morning Bible Study beginning September 7 at 10:00 a.m. We gather for snacks at 10:00 and conduct the study from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Pastor Moore will lead the study.

We will turn our attention to the biblical narrative of Genesis 12 - 50 concerning Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Rachel, and Joseph. These sweeping narratives are foundational for the Hebrew and Christian understanding of the promissory character of faith.

The realism of the patriarchal narratives invites readers to participate in the developments, the threats, and deliverances that occur. God reigns magisterially over events, but God remains an “illusive presence” throughout. God is known through the experience of the events and the promise that brings meaning to the vicissitudes of human evil and folly.

Young Adult Bible Study on First And Third Mondays with Pastor Fuerst

Campus pastor Brad Fuerst is offering a Bible study specifically for young adults on first and third Monday nights of each month. The next meeting is November 19 at 6:00 p.m. in the second floor council room at Christ the King Lutheran Church. The meeting ends at 7:30 p.m.; participants go out afterwards for fellowship.

The Bible study complements the ministry of service through “Feed the Homeless” which happens every second and fourth Monday of the month. The focus of the Bible study is on Christian ethics and discipleship. Our liturgical worship together will serve as a framework for this study. Participants are encouraged to bring snacks to share…oh, and do bring your Bible as well. Preferably, the New Revised Standard Version.

Confirmation Classes of 2008 and 2009 will not meet on November 21

The new confirmation class combines youth to be confirmed in 2008 and in 2009. Aubyn Link, Aaron Schaer, and Andrew Winston have already studied Bible in the last year and are now welcoming the new class of 2009: Dylan Beckman, Erik Biegert, Blake Bourne, Nils Krahe, Franz Liebster, Raven Wichelhaus, and Matthew Willcockson. This year the youth will study and memorize Luther’s Small Catechism. Confirmation class takes place on Wednesdays, 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. in the conference room on the third floor. Pr. Liebster and Tim Lenz will lead the class.

Baptized into Christ - Luther's Small Catechism will not meet on November 21

Persons wanting to deepen their understanding of faith or wanting to prepare for baptism are invited to this study of the most significant text for the Lutheran understanding of faith.

The Small Catechism was written almost 500 years ago by Martin Luther as a means to teach adults the basics of Christian faith. Like most catechisms of the day, the Small Catechism included sections on 1. The Ten Commandments, 2. The Apostles Creed, and 3. The Lord’s Prayer. Luther added sections on 4. Holy Baptism and 5. Holy Communion.

The class meets on Wednesday, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the council room on the second floor and will be taught by Pastor Moore. The series is scheduled for September through November and January through April.

Life Stories Writing Workshop

The Writing Life Stories Workshop meets on Wednesdays from 5:00 until 6:45 p.m. and includes an opportunity for participants to enjoy the evening dinners served at the Church.

This Fall we will begin exploring various aspects of storytelling including the ways in which they affect our lives and the lives of others. Resource materials for will include Christina Baldwin’s Storycatcher: Making Sense of Our Lives through the Power and Practice of Story and Mary Pfifer’s Writing to Change the World.

All those interested in writing their memoirs or in having an opportunity to explore various forms of storytelling and writing are invited to join us. We are a very informal and sharing group. And the stories each session have been priceless! For more information contact Anna Fay Williams.

Service & Care

Feed the Homeless

The Feed the Homeless Ministry meets on Monday, November 26 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.

Care Packages for College Students

Servants who gather for “Feed the Homeless” could use some additional help on Monday, November 26 as they will also be putting together care packages for college students facing final examinations. We gather at 5:45 p.m. by the parish hall. You will have the opportunity to fill boxes with goodies and write thoughtful notes to students. The care packages we assemble will express God’s love to students during what can be a very stressful time. All the faithful are invited to assist!

We Believe in Sharing Christmas

For 27 years, Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) has helped low-income families through an innovative Christmas program called Jingle Bell Express. This year 3,000 children will be blessed with new toys, new books, and Christmas food packages for their families.

There are two ways that you can support Jingle Bell Express –
purchase toys and books and/or volunteer to organize and distribute the gifts.

Donate New Toys and Books

Please donate new, unwrapped toys and books (avoiding items violent in nature) for children ages 0 – 15. You may place donations in the box in the narthex or in the church office during the month of November.

When shopping for toys, remember the toy each child receives through Jingle Bell Express may be his/her only Christmas present. Consider purchasing one or two “primary gifts” rather than several small “stocking stuffers.”
Some age-appropriate gift ideas are listed below.

TEENAGERS (13 – 15 years old): Sports watches, jewelry sets, hats and jerseys, regulation soccer balls, basketballs, and footballs, large art sets, and large make up kits.
PRE-TEENAGERS (10 – 12 years old): Jewelry boxes and jewelry, handheld games, skateboards, remote control cars, Bratz/Groovy Girls/Barbie dolls, and basketball and soccer balls.
ELEMENTARY (6 – 9 years old): Doll houses, advanced Lego sets, large tea/kitchen sets, scooters, sports gear, art/paint sets, large dolls in fancy dresses, and large friction cars/trucks.
PRE-SCHOOL (3 – 5 years old): Tea/kitchen sets, trikes and scooters, large dolls in fancy dresses, large sets of miniature cars/racing sets, doll sets (i.e. Strawberry Shortcake) with accessories, and action figure sets.
INFANT/TODDLER (0 – 2 years old): Fisher Price toys, sturdy riding toys, musical toys, bouncy infant seats, play gyms, layettes with blankets, large stuffed animals, and soft body dolls with layettes or accessories.

Volunteer

Help CCSC organize and distribute the donations at the Bellaire United Methodist Church at 4417 Bellaire Blvd. (just inside Loop 610 at Newcastle). Individuals and families may simply show up, but groups of 8 or more should contact CCSC. Volunteers should be over the age of 10 and an adult should accompany children younger than 14.

SORT AND SET-UP: Help organize toys, books, and food packages!
Tuesday, December 4 – Thursday, December 6; 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
DISTRIBUTION: Help clients “shop” for toys, books, and food packages!
Friday, December 7 – Saturday, December 8; 7:45 a.m. – 12:00 noon.

Jingle Bell Express is a beautiful way to create a holiday tradition by involving the whole family in this demonstration of the Christmas spirit. For more information on donating or volunteering, contact member Susie Crafton or Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) or 713-961-3993.

Fill a Shoebox and Gift a Seafarer

In keeping with our motto, the village church with a global mission, Christ the King Lutheran Church children will be filling and wrapping shoeboxes to give to seafarers who visit the Port of Houston during the holiday season. The gifts will be distributed by the Seafarers’ Ministry, which comprises Episcopal, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Lutheran chaplains.

We encourage families to fill a shoebox with items such as:

combs, soap, shaving cream, disposable razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste, pads, pens, pencils, puzzles, envelopes, needles and thread, deodorant, socks, shoe laces, calendars, bottle openers, nail clippers, aspirin, band-aids, key chains, small photo albums, Texas souvenirs, disposable or one-use cameras, playing cards, or something fun. (These are items we take for granted but they are appreciated tremendously by the seafarers).

Please bring your filled shoebox to church by December 14.
For more information, contact Tim Lenz.

Fair Trade Coffee Sales Continue

Fair Trade coffee from Equal Exchange is on sale after services and during the week in 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, hot cocoa and baking cocoa, and chocolate bars produced by democratically run farmer co-ops in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Order these items online

Printer/Ink Cartridges Needed!

Luther League needs your ink cartridges! The youth of Christ the King urge you not to throw away that printer cartridge when it’s empty – recycle it! The youth group is starting a recycle drive in cooperation with Cartridge World in West University. Cartridge World will make a donation to CTK for the benefit of Luther League for each cartridge we recycle. That can add up to big bucks for programming, youth gatherings and mission trips. If you are already refilling your cartridges, please consider taking them to Cartridge World (located at 4036 Bellaire Blvd, next to Whole Foods) and telling them “Christ the King sent me!”