Mission Offering
The mission offering is collected
at the church doors
at the end of worship.
Mission Offering for December
ELCA World Hunger Appeal
Last Sunday to Contribute
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 Take a Seat at the Table
There is a new way for hunger advocates to meet each other, share ideas, make plans, give opinions, and stay in touch. It’s called The Table, and all are welcome.
The Table is a social networking site specific to ELCA World Hunger. Join discussion groups, share photos, and post links to share your ideas with others or gain inspiration.
Join the community. |
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, disease, 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 and has always been a leader in financial contributions.
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).
ELCA World Hunger improves the lives of people in need in the United States and around the world in four distinct ways:
- providing immediate relief for people affected by chronic hunger and poverty;
- assisting whole communities through long-term, sustainable development to help alleviate chronic hunger and poverty;
- advocating for justice by changing laws and systems;
- educating members of the ELCA in awareness of issues relating to hunger, poverty, and justice.
More information on the World Hunger Appeal |
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Special
Year End Contributions
Dear members of Christ the King Lutheran Church:
The holidays are fast approaching and we realize that many of our members are thinking about their year-end charitable giving. As always, we appreciate your awareness that Christ the King Lutheran Church is a worthwhile ministry deserving of your support.
We would like to explain the rules our auditors have given us for recording gifts made at the end of the calendar year. We are allowed to record checks received through the mail as 2009 gifts for five business days after the end of the calendar year as long as the postmark and checks are dated with December dates. For this year, we can count gifts received by mail as late as January 8 if they meet both the postmark and check date criteria. We are only able to process credit card and on-line gifts if the gift is actually received on or before December 31. Remember there will be a fee on American Express gifts of 3.5% and a fee of 2.75% on all other credit cards gifts. Finally, if you wish to make a gift of stock, the stock must be transferred and sold by December 31; please contact me for the Letter of Instruction necessary to complete such a gift.
If you plan to deduct your year-end gift from your 2009 taxes, we suggest that you have proof for the I.R.S. in addition to the contribution statement sent to you by Christ the King Lutheran Church to verify the date of the gift. Please consider sending your gift via certified mail, registered mail, or make a gift online at http://www.ctkelc.org (select Easy Giving). The church office will be closed on December 24, December 25, December 28, and January 1. 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.
Christmas Message 2009
A message from Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson
Into this shadowed world light shines and joyous voices sing. Glad tidings cheer the heart and liberate hope. “A child has been born for us, a son given to us” (Isaiah 9:6). God our Savior has appeared!
God’s saving goodness and loving kindness have arrived in Jesus, the Word made flesh. Though hidden in the humility of a manger, and later in the scandal of the cross, God’s promise is being made good in plain sight for all to see, in a life of generous mercy, richly poured out for all.
“See, your salvation comes,” the prophet wrote (Isaiah 62:11). God’s faithfulness to God’s promises calls us to a new hope, for the hope of eternal life is an inheritance that we can enjoy today in lives of generosity and compassion, joy and peace.
God’s blessings to you this Christmas,
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us...”
(Titus 3:4-5a).
The 2010 Church Council
At Part I of the congregational meeting the congregation elected three church council representatives: Bill Pelham, Carolyn Phillips, Jim Jordon and Lucky Sahualla. The new Council met in December and elected officers. They are: President, Lucky Sahualla; Vice President, Terri Bourne; Member-at-Large (for representation on the Executive Committee), Walter Murphy; Treasurer, Kleta Gerhart; and Financial Secretary, Jay Beckman.
Council Retreat
On Friday and Saturday, January 8 and 9, 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 by noon on January 2.
Annual Reports
The 2009 Annual Reports are due on or before Monday, January 11. Please email your report to Michael Shelton.
Worship
This Week |
On Going |
Taking Faith Home Looking for a way to link Sunday worship with family faith formation Monday to Saturday? Taking Faith Home offers scripture readings, prayers, devotions and rituals to use all week!
During Advent, copies of Taking Faith Home can be found on the table in the narthex.
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.
Flowers for the Nave
The 2010 Altar Guild Flower Chart is on the mobile bulletin board. Flower arrangements for weekend services are $45. Please pay for the flowers when you sign up.
Prayer Around the Cross
on the First Saturday of Each Month the Taizé Service
 The Prayer Around the Cross at Christ the King Church is held at the 6:00 p.m. Taizé Eucharist on the first Saturday of each 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.
Gift of Luther’s Small Catechism: Sunday, January 10
Families with children who turned three years of age in 2009 are presented with a gift edition of Luther’s Small Catechism to mark the transition from toddlerhood to childhood, and to celebrate the child’s increased abilities with language.
 Friday Morning Bible Study Resumes January 15
New participants are welcome to join the Friday Morning Bible Study. The study is based on the readings prescribed for Sunday worship. Entry into the group is easy. Snacks will be served at 10:00 a.m. Class begins at 10:30 a.m. and ends at 11:45 a.m.
The study will resume on January 15.
Houston Lutheran-Methodist Full Communion Celebration
The Houston celebration of the Lutheran-Methodist Full Communion will be Sunday, January 17, 2010, 4:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist, Houston. Bishop Janice Huie and Bishop Mike Rinehart will be presiding. This takes place on the first day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and will be a great time to celebrate our unity in Christ. |
Prayer Around the Cross
on the First Saturday of Each Month the Taizé Service
 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.
Prayer Around the Paschal Candle, Ministry of Healing
on the Second Saturday of Each Month at the Taizé Service
 An additional worship opportunity has been added to the Taizé service on each second Saturday of the month. It is called Prayer Around the Paschal Candle and offers the option to receive a Healing Blessing. The Prayer Around the Paschal Candle complements the Prayer Around the Cross which is held on the first Saturday of each month. Persons who wish may come forward for a prayer with laying on of hands and anointing with oil. The congregation accompanies and supports the individuals coming forward with songs of hope and resurrection faith. The Prayers of Intercession will deliver to God petitions on various aspects of healing. Gathered by the Holy Spirit around Jesus Christ, the Word of salvation, we pray for God’s healing in all its dimensions. See an expanded article.
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.
Parking at Rice Stadium Lot Permitted
Press the intercom button at the entrances to the stadium lot.
Let the attendant know that you are going to church. The attendant will let you in at no charge.
Rice personnel can use their parking cards.
Parking is allowed on the Animal Hospital Lot after business hours only: 6:30 p.m. on workdays, 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays and all day on Sundays.
Contemplative Prayer on Monday Evenings
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 at 6:00 p.m. to room 206 and pray this ancient form of prayer.
Morning Prayer
Each weekday morning at 8:15 a.m. Morning Prayer is said
in the narthex. All are welcome to participate. |
Fellowship
This Week |
On Going |
Sunday, January 3, 2010 • 6:00 pm
Organ Vespers
Hans Davidsson (Rochester, New York)
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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.
Wednesday Night Alive!
Wednesday Night Alive! is on break for 2009. Activities will continue on January 13.
Wednesday Night Alive! is a great opportunity for members and friends of the congregation to meet over dinner, in class, in the kitchen, at the welcome table or while making music together. All members, recent and longtime, are especially invited to come and find their spot as volunteers and participants.
Wednesday Night Dinners Are for EVERYONE!
If you haven’t had a homemade dinner lovingly prepared by our food service ministry team, you’ve really missed out. Instead of cooking on Wednesday evenings, swing by the parish hall between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. and either eat-in with friends and family, or take-out a delicious and inexpensive meal. Adults $5/children $3.
Nursery Volunteers
Do you like babies? Or watching young children play with trains and other toys? Our church's families are growing, and we need your help. We are looking for more volunteers to help out in the nursery a few times a year, for either the early service or the late service. Babies need to be held, and there are small children to be read to. If interested, please contact Diane Schoppe or sign up in the nursery. See you there!
Parent's Night Out/Movies in the Hall
Interested in an evening out while your children are cared for in the church nursery? Christ the King has a baby sitting co-op that provides a monthly evening out while parents take turns working in the nursery. Want more information? Contact Mark Wolf.
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. |
Education
This Week |
On Going |
 Members are invited to suggest speakers or topics to be addressed during Sunday Forum.
Contact Susan Myres Uri with your ideas and comments.
December 27 and January 3 - No Sunday Forum
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Confirmation Classes
 The new confirmation class combines youth to be confirmed in 2010 and in 2011. Ten of our members will be participating in this year’s class. This year the youth will study and memorize the Small Catechism. Confirmation class takes place on Wednesdays, beginning September 9, at 6:00 – 7:15 p.m. in the council room. Pr. Moore and Tim Lenz will lead the class.
Class for New Members and Inquirers
 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 two day class covering all topics is offered. Future dates to be announced.
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. |
Service & Care
This Week |
On Going |
Check your Blood Pressure
The next blood pressure screening will be on Sunday, December 27 after each morning service in the narthex. Monthly blood pressure screenings are held on the last Sunday of each month.
Give Yourself a Christmas Gift…
Hire a Martha’s Way Graduate
Do you need a housekeeper?
Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) may know someone perfect for the job. Their “Martha’s Way” Domestic Housekeeping Training program graduates have successfully completed a three-month program that involves both technical/cleaning and business skills. Some graduates are young and energetic; others are experienced and wise. All are enthusiastic and willing to prove their abilities to you.
Please give them the opportunity to show you their exceptional work: contact Ana Tappan, Vocational Training Manager at 713-961-3993 ext. 210 or visit www.ccschouston.com.
A Different Kind of Donation
Looking for something a little different to donate this holiday season? One option is to give the gift of children’s underwear! Christian Community Service Center’s Emergency Services program provides new children’s underwear to families as supplies allow, and we have found that this is one of our most-requested items. All sizes are needed for both boys and girls. Donations can be dropped off Sundays in the donation basket located in the narthex.
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Feed the Homeless
 The Feed the Homeless Ministry meets on Monday, January 11 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
Tim Redl for more information.
Serve Lunch at SEARCH
 Christ the King Church members and friends join members of congregation Brith Shalom on the third Wednesday of each month to assist with the preparation and service of the noon meal for clients of SEARCH Homeless Services. Our next outing will be on Wednesday, January 20, 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. Contact Beverly Davis
Helping with Hunger
 The Christian Community Service Center’s Emergency Services needs your donations. Houston's needy come to the doors of Emergency Services six days a week seeking assistance. The program helps clients, who qualify, with food, clothing and possibly some financial assistance.
In 2008, CCSC attended to the immediate needs of over 15,000 individuals. In the first quarter of 2009, they saw a 67% increase in the number of people seeking assistance. Many of these individuals were woman and children.
Specific items needed are canned fruits, and meaty soups. Also, jars of peanut butter and large boxes of cereal. Please donate!
Donations may be dropped off at the food basket in the narthex on Sundays.
Pet Food Needed!
aniMeals on Wheels needs your help! The program, which delivers food for pets of seniors who receive Meals on Wheels, is experiencing a shortage in pet food. The program began because seniors receiving Meals on Wheels were sharing their limited resources and, in some cases, their much needed home-delivered meal with their pet. We provide this service because for some seniors their pet is their only companion. aniMeals on Wheels is sustained by donations and is delivered entirely by volunteers.
Please, help feed these companions by donating both dog and cat (wet or dry) pet food. For questions about the program, donation, or volunteer information please contact Stephanie Kimball or 713-533-4948. You may drop off pet food in the collection baskets in the narthex on Sundays.
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
Our Faith in Action
Every day, in a million ways, members of the ELCA are making the world a better place. In far reaches of the globe, and right here in our neighborhood, you’ll see that Lutherans aren’t folks who simply talk about their beliefs. We put them into action.
So make a meal to share. Have your opinion on government policy heard. Help a friend through their time of need. Here you’ll find stories that inspire and opportunities to get involved. Find out just how rewarding God’s work can be.
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.
Donations Needed for SEARCH
Insect Repellant still Needed – Until it freezes, the damp days in Houston still encourage mosquitoes to multiply. Our street population is still pestered by these insects. SEARCH’s Mobile outreach team is in need of insect repellant.
Need for Blankets
Search Homeless Service’s Mobile Outreach team is in need of blankets as we look towards the cool/colder months ahead. In the past they have had blankets donated to them in bulk from an organization, but this year they have been informed that there will be a charge for them. Please bring in gently used blankets that can be distribute to this homeless community.
Please bring your donations to the drop off box in the narthex.
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.
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
Food Donations Needed
Help fill the shelves at Emergency Services of the Christian Community Service Center (CCSC). Food donations are needed. Current needs are: peanut butter, tuna fish, meaty soups, canned fruit and vegetables. Please bring your food donations to the drop off box in the narthex. |
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. The site has now been updated so you set up your own profile with your email address and manage all of your own online donation activity. You will still be able to make one-time donations and set up automatic donation plans, but now you will also be able to log in 24/7 to make changes or view your own donation history.
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 church office or 713-523-2864.
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The Week of
December 27, 2009