Mission Offering
The mission offering is collected at the church doors
at the end of worship.
Final Week to Contribute
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 $28,665.00 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
Council Retreat
On Friday and Saturday, January 9 and 10, the Church council will hold its annual retreat workshop at Camp Allen in Navasota. Though the workshop is planned expressly for council members, it is open to all church members at their own expense. If you are interested in participating, please contact Pr. Moore at the church office by noon on January 2.
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
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.
Lost and Found
There is a collection of backpacks, bike helmets, camaras, jackets, books, car keys, and other items that have been found on the church property. If you’re missing something, contact the church office
Worship
 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.
Assistant Minister and Server Training
Training for Assisting Ministers and Servers will be conducted on January 17 and January 31 from 10:00 a.m.-noon in the nave by Pastor Moore and Pastor Liebster. If you have been selected to serve in one of these capacities, whether you have experience or are a novice, it is required to attend one of the trainings.
Contemplative Prayer
Matthew 6:6 says "go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret". Contemplative prayer is a Christian spiritual formation practice in which one "goes into their room to pray." Exterior stillness helps to develop an interior silence and space where one can listen with the ear of the heart to hear the God who is always more willing to listen to us than we are to pray. Come on Monday evenings beginning January 12 at 6:00 p.m. to room 206 and pray this ancient form of prayer.
Milestone Celebration for 3 Year Old Children on January 11
In keeping with Christ the King Church’s commitment to celebrate our children’s faith milestones, we recognize the “milestone of language” in our congregation’s three-year-olds on the Sunday of The Baptism of Our Lord, January 11. This celebration of the transition from infant to toddler recognizes the importance that language plays in the shaping of faith. Our families with three-year-old children will approach the altar rail during the liturgy and receive Luther’s Small Catechism. The Catechism is a book for parents and has been cherished over centuries in the Lutheran tradition as a guidebook to find answers to those questions that our children have in relation to the realm of faith.
Martin Luther wrote in the language of his day: “Every father of a family is a bishop in his house and the wife is a bishopess. Therefore remember that you in your homes are to help us carry on the ministry as we do in the church.” When Luther wrote this in 1528, he and Katie were still new in their roles as bishop and bishopess of their household with their oldest son being only two years old. The members of Christ the King Lutheran Church take this annual opportunity to express their support for the important work that parents do at home and at church in the area of faith.
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 is on the mobile bulletin board. Flower arrangements for weekend services are $45. Please pay for the flowers as you sign up.
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.
No Sunday Café on December 28.
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.
Stretching for Fun and Rejuvenation
Join Trish Rumble, Certified Massage Therapist, Friday, January 9, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., in the parish hall as she demonstrates the benefits of stretching to maintain healthy muscles and joint movement. All movements are done sitting and/or standing – no running or jumping involved. If you have a rolling pin, bring it along. She will also show us how regular household items can help with blood circulation to the muscles. These stretches help maintain important flexibility that can keep us moving strong and standing straight. For more information, contact Linda Schoene
Transitions Interest Group for Women
Are you a woman fifty or older and curious about exploring the question "What's next in my life?" Are you considering retirement, newly retired, or facing other milestone transitions, opportunities, or responsibilities? On Monday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m., you are invited to attend an organizational meeting to determine the interest in launching such a group and to begin discussing transitional topics with other women who are facing similar challenges. Like-minded friends who are not members of Christ the King church are also invited. The first meeting will be held at Naomi Nelson’s home. If you plan to attend on January 12, contact Naomi. Together we hope to discover new ways of thinking about our opportunities and enriching the quality of our lives.
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.
Education
Sunday Forum:
9:45 a.m. in the basement classroom
There will be no Sunday Forum on December 28 and January 4.
Sunday Forum on January 11 – Apocryphal Christianity
What do the forbidden gospels have to say about Jesus and early Christianity? Are they fabrications having nothing to do with history as some scholars would have us believe? Or do they provide useful information that was lost in the canonical telling of the Jesus story? This lecture makes a strong argument that the apocryphal materials must be consulted by those interested in the history of Christianity, or we run the risk of creating an "apocryphal" Christianity based solely on the New Testament witnesses. This class will be given by Prof. April DeConick from the Department of Religious Studies at Rice University. Sunday Forum meets at 9:45 a.m. in the basement classroom.
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
Holiday Sunday School
Stories for Advent and Christmas are offered in Sunday School on December 21 and 28 at 9:45 a.m. All children are invited to gather as one group in the first grade classroom on the second floor.
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, January 23, 7 until 9 p.m., and Saturday, January 24, 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, 713-523-2864, ext. 21, or ctk@ctkelc.org. Childcare is available when requested the Monday prior to the class.
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 on Sundays in the foyer. 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. During the week the books are in the library.
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, January 12 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
Join members of the congregations of Christ the King Church and Brith Shalom, along with friends from W.R. Grace & Company, on Wednesday, January 21, 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
New Year Resolutions
Please resolve to join the volunteers going to THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK on the second Saturdays of odd numbered months. You can perform a wonderful service, burn calories, build muscles, and make new friends all at the same time. Please mark your calendars now for these 2009 dates: January 10, March 14, May 9, July 11, September 12, and November 14.
Begin the new year properly. Join us at the Houston Food Bank on January 10. We leave the church at 8:00 and return about noon. You will be glad you did. For more information, contact Anna Stock
Check your Blood Pressure?
Monthly blood pressure screenings are held on the last Sunday of each month.
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.
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The Week of December 28 , 2008