Advent and Christmas

Lessons and Carols on December 21

A Service of Lesson and Carols will be held in the nave on December 21 at 5:00 p.m. The time of waiting and anticipation in Advent is a time to ponder the mystery how Christ’s birth was the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior to earth. Anticipating and contemplating the mystery of Christ’s birth, Christ the King Lutheran Church’s musical ensembles will join to present music celebrating the advent of Christ. The lessons will be read by members of Christ the King Church, including children and youth.

Advent Stars

During Advent a star is hung in the south end of the nave of Christ the King Lutheran Church. In the early Nineteenth Century special multi-pointed stars began to appear in the Moravian churches of Saxony. They were originally made from paper, perhaps originally as geometry projects. Soon the stars were very popular in the churches as reminders of the light of creation, of the prophecy that a star would arise out of Jacob, of the Star of Bethlehem, and of the bright and Morning Star, Jesus Christ. They also became popular in the Lutheran churches of Saxony and beyond. The star appears in Advent and remains until the Epiphany of Our Lord and sometimes even later. Another star, much larger in size, shines from the bell tower for the community to enjoy.

Luciadagen - December 14

The Swedish pageant of St. Lucia will be at Clarewood House, 7400 Clarewood by Sharpstown Mall, on December 14 at 2:30 p.m. This year’s St. Lucia will be Macey Smith and Sarah Johanson. For information contact Rose Anderson.

Buy a Pie from the Luther League on Christmas Eve

Instead of traveling to the grocery store this Christmas for pies, purchase one or two freshly baked homemade pies from the Luther League before and after the Christmas Eve services on December 24 for $15 each. The homemade pies will be filled with fresh and colorful blueberries or cherries and covered with a homemade lattice or solid pie topping. Fill your home with the sweet aroma of a homemade pie this Christmas!

Ways to Share your Christmas

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.

ELCA Good Gifts
ELCA Good Gifts to combat hunger – agriculture, women, and children, training and education, health care, hunger at home, water, God’s Global Barnyard, and Stand With Africa – represent the integrated and sustainable efforts funded by the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. These gifts make a life-saving and life-changing difference around the world and close to home. You may also pick up an ELCA Good Gifts catalog in the narthex.ague)

Tamales.Tamales.Tamales - December 21

On Sunday, December 21, after services, the members of El Buen Pastor Lutheran Church will be selling their delicious tamales again. The cost is $8 per package. Proceeds go to support projects for their church. Remember, don’t wait too long - they always go fast. Thank you to our friends at El Buen Pastor Church.

Mission Offering

The mission offering is collected at the church doors at the end of worship.

The December Mission Offering is designated for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America World Hunger Appeal. The ELCA’s commitment to supporting people who live with chronic hunger and poverty around the corner and around the world is carried out by ELCA World Hunger through relief, development, education, and advocacy. Historically, our congregation has regarded the World Hunger Appeal as one of our distinctive global mission priorities. Last year, we contributed $6,443.73 to the World Hunger Appeal.

All money raised by the World Hunger Appeal comes through specially designated offerings and donations from ELCA members, congregations, and friends. ELCA World Hunger receives no benevolence (general budget money from general ELCA member offerings); the ELCA’s world hunger ministry is based in congregations, where most of the fund raising takes place.

Mission Offering Envelopes

Thank you to all our members who have been contributing generously to our monthly mission offerings. If you would like your mission offering to appear on your contribution statement, please pick up a mission offering envelope from the pew and put it in the usher’s offering baskets as you leave worship services. You may also write a check and earmark ‘mission offering’.

Stewardship

Installation of the 2009 Church Council

This Sunday at both services will be the installation of the 2009 Church Council. Each term is a for a period of three years. The council members and the dates that their terms end are:

Members ex officio: Pastors Robert Moore and Karin Liebster.

Year End Contributions

As you prayerfully consider your calendar year-end giving remember:
You can take advantage of the charitable tax deduction for gifts given before December 31. Checks must be dated and postmarked in 2008. Our church office is open from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm on Wednesday, December 31 if you would like to bring your gifts in person. Of course any gifts placed in the offering plate this month will be credited to 2008. Gifts of appreciated assets (such as stock) allow you to avoid capital gains tax and you may claim the fair market value as your contribution.

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the bailout bill) extended the provision for tax-free distributions from traditional and ROTH IRA’s for charitable purposes for 2008 and 2009. Maximum contribution per year is $100,000.00. Your year-end gift can reduce your income taxes while providing meaningful support for the ministries of Christ the King Lutheran Church. If you have any questions regarding your contribution statement or giving opportunities, please contact our business office at 713-523-2864 ext.23.
Once again thank you for your amazing generosity. May you know the joy of giving in this season of celebrating the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ. – Dianne Giroir, Church Business Administrator

2009 Time and Talent Sheets

Each year the members of our congregation generously donate their time and talent to our work in instructing, inspiring, preparing, and supporting each other to fulfill the church’s mission to be Christ’s presence in the world. It is time for us all to dedicate our time and talent again to that purpose for 2009.

This year we are conducting the Time & Talent Survey electronically. This way we expect to (1) streamline the process for completing and delivering the survey, (2) make reporting lists of responses easier, and (3) save money and resources on printing and processing in the church office. The Time & Talent Booklet, which describes all the various opportunities available, was sent as an attachment to all households in PDF format. Instead of filling out what used to be the “Time and Talent sheet,” we now will use the link provided in a separate email to fill in the areas in which we volunteer. Both booklet and link can be resent upon request

All who prefer to complete the Time and Talent sheet on paper, may help themselves to both the booklet and response forms located in the narthex. Feel free to take one. The Witness and Assimilation Commission of Christ the King Church thanks all for their participation and faithful service to our congregation, the community and the world.

Worship

Advent Devotions

Advent Devotions called Taking Faith Home contain suggestions for daily readings and prayers.
Click the week you wish to view:

First Sunday in Advent
Second Sunday in Advent
Third Sunday in Advent
Fourth Sunday in Advent

Prayer Around the Cross on the first Saturday of Each Month

The congregation and friends of Christ the King Church are invited to the Taizé service onthe first Saturday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the nave with Prayer around the Cross.

The Taizé service provides a unique worship experience focusing on silence and reflection. The music is simple yet uplifting. Worshipers come from all over the Houston area.

The Bible in Vibrant Colors

Members and friends are invited to join in the completion of the gallery of artwork by Chinese Christian artist He Qi. His artwork has graced the stairwell between the first and second floors in the ministry building since early this year with scenes from the Old and New Testament in styles invoking American, Asian, Latin American and European art. The series will be filled out to more fully represent the sacred stories of our faith. The pictures will continue on the second floor opposite the Sunday school classrooms. Members and friends of the congregation are invited to underwrite the cost of the prints and framing at $200 per piece. Shares of $50, $100, and $200 are available.

A sign up sheet with thumbnails of the pictures and a book by He Qi are available on Sundays after services in the narthex.

Circle of the Holy Eucharist Cards Available for Children

Sets of cards based on the Circle of the Holy Eucharist Godly Play lesson are available for young children to use during all services. The cards have simple phrases and photos that encourage children to follow the sequence of liturgical actions. They are in the chest by the nave door.

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.

Christ the King Lutheran Church Sexuality Work Group Response

The Sexuality Work Group has responded to the Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality. Access the he response to that document. Those serving on the congregation’s task group were Terri Bourne, Susie Crafton, Tom Ham, Robert Moore, Russell Post, Lynn Rosas, and Pat Swanson. Thanks are due to Dr. Barbara Rozek who facilitated three forums on the document. View the draft document under Education and Enrichment section.

Flowers for the Nave

The 2009 Altar Guild Flower Chart will be on the mobile bulletin board for December. Sign up for Flower arrangements for weekend services are $45. Please pay for the flowers as you sign up.

Christmas Flowers

Members may contribute toward decorating the nave for Christmas by donating $10 for greenery and poinsettias. You may place contributions in the offering with one of the inserts from the bulletin or give it to the church office.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Luther League

The Luther League is for all 6th grade through 12th grade youth Meetings are generally held 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.

Luther League Meeting

All 6th through 12th grade youth are invited to the Luther League meeting on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. in the basement youth room. We will be putting together finals care packages to send to our Luther Leaguer alumni in college and of course enjoying a tasty meal and games.

Tree Decorating and Luther League Christmas Party

All 6th thru 12th grade students are invited to the church Christmas tree decorating and party on Sunday, December 21 from 1:00 pm until 4:00 p.m. We will meet in the narthex at 1:00 p.m. to decorate the tree. Afterwards we will move to the youth room for our party, which will include great food, fellowship, and a white elephant gift exchange. Please bring a gift under $15 (new or used) for the gift exchange. Gifts are typically something lying around the house that you don’t want and are funny, tacky, or “Gag Gift.” Contact Tim Lenz for more information.

Education

Sunday Forum:
9:45 a.m. in the basement classroom

Has America's Long Travail with Racism Finally Ended?

At Sunday Forum on December 21, Dr. John Boles will to discuss the history of race and racism in the US and lead the group in contemplating what Obama's election might-or might not-signify.

There will be no Sunday Forum on December 28.

Sundays at 10:00 - 10:40 a.m. Resumes o January 11
Wednesdays at 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Resumes on January 7
Fridays at 10:30 - 11:45 a.m.     Resumes on January 9

Sunday Church School

Starts at 9:45 a.m. and ends at 10:40 a.m. Come and enter the story of God's people! See you there.

Friday Morning Bible Study

Study resumes on January 9

New participants are always welcome and will find that entry into the group is easy. Snacks will be served at 10:00 a.m.; class will begin at 10:30 a.m.

LARGE PRINT BOOK

Large print books are available in the library. These books are for to anyone who wishes to borrow one. There is no need to “check out” a book. Just select any book from the cart and then return it to the cart when you have finished with it.

Synod Newsletter Online

Did you know there is a monthly e newsletter from the Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod? This is a great way to know what is happening in our sister congregations and facilitate the faith journey of the 126 congregations in our synod. Check it out!

And be sure to read in it A view from the pew / A view from the pulpit, an open letter dialogue about the different ways lay people and clergy see what is happening in our church. Written by Pr. Herb Palmer and Kurt Goedecke.

Service & Care

Calling all Used Cell Phones

January 26-28, 2009, our pastors will be attending the Tri-Synodical Theological Conference in Arlington. As a part of the gathering, they are invited to bring to the conference a bag full of USED CELL PHONES. In the spirit of their theme, THIS GOOD EARTH, they plan to recycle the cell phones and use the cash raised to support the mission of the church. A collection basket is located next to the elevator on first floor.

Bring your used cell phones to church between now and January 25 for recycling.

Make a Difference Today

Even in tough economic times, we want to make sure the commitment to fighting global poverty remains on the agenda of the government.

The total spent on all poverty-fighting programs make up less than one percent of the entire U.S. budget, yet with partners around the world, we are saving millions of lives and helping the world's poorest people break free from crippling poverty. These efforts will be even more critical as the effects of any global economic slowdown are magnified in already struggling countries. Many Christ the King Church members have joined the ONE Lutheran Campaign. You can join with ONE to remind our leaders to keep their promises to the world's poor. - www.one.org/keepourcommitments.

Let us not be Hungry over the Holidays

The Christian Community Service Center’s Food Pantry is busy this season. The Food Pantry provides a five-day supply of food for people in need of assistance. Clients are given food items necessary for well-balanced meal preparation. Donations of canned goods and non-perishable foods can be brought to the narthex.

Feed the Homeless

The Feed the Homeless Ministry meets on Monday, December 22 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.

Serving Lunch at SEARCH on December 17

Join members of the congregations of Christ the King Church and Brith Shalom, along with friends from W.R. Grace & Company, on Wednesday, December 17, 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. to assist with the preparation and service of the noon meal for clients of SEARCH Homeless Services. Anyone interested in helping with this new project, contact Beverly Davis

Can Openers Needed At CCSC

Can openers are “hot commodities” at the Christian Community Services Center’s Emergency Services. As soon as they come in, they go out. They are requested frequently by our clients, whether homeless or in apartments. When asked how they open the cans, the clients respond that they use a knife. Next time you see cans at grocery stores, please think of can openers! Your donations can be dropped at the food basket in the narthex.

Caring for One Another

Check out the Congregational Care Team display board in the narthex. Please consider joining our team in one or more capacities:

• Meals: Provide an occasional meal to a member or family in need or for a memorial reception
• Transportation: Provide occasional transportation for a doctor’s appointment, worship, shopping, or an emergency (as you are available, of course)
• Visiting/Phoning: Visit or phone a member who is temporarily or permanently indisposed, providing a listening ear and a compassionate presence
• Prayer Notes: Write a note to members expressing our support during times of need and to acknowledge life changes (scheduled for one month a year)
• Emergency Phone Tree: Inform a few of our members (call list) of a member’s death of other extraordinary emergencies
• Bereavement: Provide a faithful, appropriate presence to those experiencing a loss, such as death, property, divorce, or employment
• Community of Hope: become a lay chaplain through this training program and on-going support system.

For more information, contact Beverly Davis

Help SEARCH Help Others

Now that summer is upon us, the Service of the Emergency Aid Resource Center of Houston (SEARCH) has a constant need for insect repellant and sunscreen. Our congregation has been asked to donate insect repellant and sunscreen. There is a collection box in the narthex for these items.

Did You Hear About the Hunger Crisis?

The world hunger crisis was all over the news this past week. In just three years, the price of staple foods like wheat, corn and rice has almost doubled. If we don’t do something soon, hundreds of thousands of people face starvation and a hundred million more could fall into extreme poverty.

Christ the King Church is a ONE Lutheran congregation. Please consider taking action with the ONE Campaign

Paper Recycling Steps Up

Our recycling container has arrived! It is located by the mechanical yard on the south end of our parking lot. Please collect and drop off ALL your paper items. The church will be reimbursed per ton of paper picked up. We need to collect at least 1.5 tons per month.

Accepted items include: newspaper, magazines, shopping catalogs, junk mail, office and school papers, envelopes with and without windows, phone books, paper bags (paper clips and staples do not have to be removed)
Items not accepted include:
cardboard, cereal/soda cartons, food wrap/containers, paper cups, tissue products, metal, trash, cans, plastics and glass.

Cancare has Urgent Need for Hospital Volunteers

Who: Cancer survivors and caregivers of survivors

* Use your cancer survivorship to encourage others facing cancer in 12 area hospitals and cancer treatment facilities.
* Short, flexible schedules
* Free parking at hospitals

Call CanCare at 713-461-0028 for additional information

St. Luke’s Needs Volunteers

The gift of blood is truly the gift of life. The St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Auxiliary needs volunteers to assist the St. Luke’s Blood Center on community blood drives. Volunteers are needed seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Volunteers assist prospective donors with donor registration cards and distribution of snacks post donation. Transportation to the drives is provided. For more information about volunteer activities at St. Luke’s, call the hospital’s Auxiliary office at 832-355-2102 or visit St. Luke’s Web site.

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. 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!”

Contributions

Electronic Giving Now includes Credit/Debit Card Donations

Members and friends now have the option of choosing how to make donations: checking account, savings account or credit/debit cards. Electronic Giving allows to choose the donation frequency, one-time, weekly or monthly, and the donation amount for different funds. Contributions will be transferred electronically from designated accounts or credit/debit cards to the church account. These giving options will work in the same manner as other automatic withdrawals. The charge for using a Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and Discover is 2.75% per transaction. American Express charges of 3.5% per transaction. For example, a $100.00 gift using a Visa card is reduced to $97.25 for the church. There is no charge for donations made through checking or savings accounts. This option gives peace of mind knowing that one’s pledge will be received and is contributing to the work of the church, especially during the low cash flow months of the year! Just click on the Easy button.Just click on the Easy button.

Do you Forget to Bring your Offering Envelopes to Sunday Service?

How often do you arrive to church on Sunday with your check book but forget your offering envelope?

Here are 2 ways you can simplify your life:

forget the envelopes, just bring the check book.
subscribe to Simply Giving, the automatic withdrawal program.

Both ways eliminate the expense of mail-order envelopes and help the church to spend your contributions more effectively.
To unsubscribe to the mail-order offering envelopes, contact the church office or 713-523-2864

Save Time and Money by Switching from Paper to Online

Would you rather receive the Banner electronically and eliminate mailing? Contact the chuch office or 713-523-2864.