HAITI EARTHQUAKE
Emergency Alert

Background

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday, January 12. The quake struck 10 miles from the capital city of Port-au-Prince, toppling the presidential palace and leaving homes in ruins. Powerful aftershocks, some as strong as 5.9 in magnitude, continued throughout the night and into the morning.
Reports of injuries and death tolls are still unknown due to communication problems. But thousands are feared to be dead, while many more remain trapped in collapsed buildings. Their homes destroyed, people are in the streets with nowhere to go.
The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti is prone to natural disasters and ill-equipped to respond to such disasters. In 2008, the country was battered by four eccessive tropical storms and hurricanes that flooded the island, destroyed crops, and left thousands homeless.
The United States has pledged its full support to Haiti, dispatching emergency response teams to help with search and rescue efforts. This earthquake is the most powerful to strike Haiti in more than 200 years.

ELCA Disaster Relief Is Responding

The coming days are critical as teams dispatch to Haiti to conduct search and rescue efforts. Every dollar donated to this life-saving effort is critical to providing the necessary emergency support to the people of Haiti. Members can also provide gifts online

The Rev. Timothy Wengert Preaching This Weekend

The Rev. Timothy Wengert returns to our pulpit this weekend. He will also lead a Sunday Forum class on
Understanding the ELCA -United Methodist Full Communion Agreement. at 9:45 a.m. in the basement classroom.
Professor Wengert served on the ELCA-United Methodist dialogue whose work came to successful conclusion when the final agreement was ratified in August by the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis under the title, Confessing the Faith Together.
Dr. Wengert served as theologian-in-residence for the Melanchthon Institute in the fall of 2004. Timothy Wengert is professor of Reformation History at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He co-edited the new English edition of The Book of Concord issued in 2000 (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Publishers). His translation of Luther’s Small Catechism from that volume is used widely throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Lutheran-United 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 with Bishop Janice Huie and Bishop Mike Rinehart presiding. This takes place on the first day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This will be a great time to celebrate our unity in Christ. The Church Choirs of St. Paul United Methodist Church and Christ the King Lutheran Church will join forces for the service.

Luther League at UMC-ELCA Service

All 6th-12th grade youth are invited to meet at CTK Church at 3 p.m. on Sunday to carpool to St. Paul Methodist Church for the Lutheran-United Methodist full communion celebration. After the service we will walk to Café Express to talk about the service and agreement between the two denominations. Parents should pick up at 7 p.m. at the Café Express located inside the Museum of Fine Arts. Please contact Tim Lenz for more information.

Friday Morning Bible Study

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.

Assisting Minister and Server Training - January 30

The final training session for Assisting Ministers and Servers will be conducted on January 30 from 10:00 a.m.- noon in the nave by Pastor Moore. Whether you have experience or are a novice, attendance is required if you are interested in serving in one of these capacities and if you did not attend the January 16 session.

Flowers for the Nave

The 2010 Altar Flower Chart is on the mobile bulletin board. Donating the weekend flower arrangement for our weekend services can be a wonderful way to celebrate a special day or honor a loved one. Arrangements are $45.00.  Please pay for the flowers when you sign up by putting a check in the offering or delivering it to the church office. 

Christ the King Church to Host Ecumenical Prayer Service

Christ the King Church will host one of eight ecumenical prayer services during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on Saturday, January 23, at 6:00 p.m. during the time of Taizé service. The Center for Faith and Culture on the campus of the University of St. Thomas has organized a series of eight ecumenical prayer services during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Taizé chorus and the Chorus of Christ the King Church will lead in the singing of the Taizé songs with various instruments under the leadership of Mark Mummert. The service will not include Holy Communion. Pr. Moore will give the homily. Each service is a based on a verse from Luke 24.

See the complete schedule for the entire week

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.

Prayer Around the Paschal Candle, Ministry of Healing on the Second Saturday of Each Month at the Taizé Service

A Ministry of Healing service is 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. The next Prayer Around the Paschal Candle will be held January 9 at 6:00 p.m. in the nave of Christ the King Church. 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.

Taking Faith Home

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.

Wednesday Night Alive!

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.

Wednesday Menu
Knockwurst and Bratwurst
Red Cabbage Parsley Potatoes
Green Salad
Baked Apple Slices

Dinner prepared by Bridget Jensen

Clive Swansbourne Performs Works By Chopin and Schumann

Pianist Clive Swansbourne continues a series of six piano recitals at Christ the King Lutheran Church celebrating the 200th anniversary of the births of composers Frederic Chopin and Robert Schumann. The second concert of the series is on January 24. Future engagements are February 21, March 7, April 11 and April 25. Tickets are available at the door; individual concerts cost $20 ($15 for students and seniors) and season passes are $90 ($65 for students and seniors).
Each recital will consist of works by Schumann in the first half and works by Chopin in the second half, and will provide audience members with an opportunity to make direct comparisons between the ways in which these two towering masters revolutionized piano writing. Clive Swansbourne will give spoken introductions to the music. The events will take place in the intimate parish hall with the piano (a beautiful new Bösendorfer Grand) in the middle of the room with the lid off. Full program details for the series.

Sunday, January 17 • 6:00 p.m.

Chamber Music
Mercury Baroque (Houston)

Instrumental and vocal chamber works by Rameau, Marais, Couperin, Bach and others
Ana Treviño-Godfrey, soprano, Oleg Sulyga, violin, Jonathan Godfrey, violin,
Tatiana Zakolikou, harpsichord, Antoine Plante, viola da gamba

Valentine Dinner Date Set!

All members and friends of Christ the King Church are invited to the 6th annual Valentine Dinner on February 13 in the church parish hall. Come enjoy a superb four course gourmet dinner complemented by an elegant Safari theme for only $60 a couple. Once again this year we will have a small silent auction to supplement the dinner. Seating is available for couples, individuals and small and large groups. Childcare will be available. For reservations or to donate to the auction please contact Tim Lenz

Youth Group Dinners Needed Again

Families are once again needed this semester to help with meals during our Luther League meetings on Sunday nights to help with food costs. Meals can range from anything home-cooked to store bought or catered. Enough food to serve 15- 20 people should be prepared. Please contact Tim Lenz for more information or to sign up.

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.

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!

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

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 Diane Schoppe. 

Members are invited to suggest speakers or topics to be addressed during Sunday Forum.
Contact Susan Myres Uri with your ideas and comments.

January 17 - Understanding the ELCA-United Methodist Full Communion Agreement

Presented by Professor Timothy Wengert. Professor Wengert served on the ELCA-United Methodist dialogue whose work came to successful conclusion when the final agreement was ratified in August by the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis under the title, Confessing the Faith Together.
Dr. Wengert served as theologian-in-residence for the Melanchthon Institute in the fall of 2004. Timothy Wengert is professor of Reformation History at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He co-edited the new English edition of The Book of Concord issued in 2000 (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Publishers). His translation of Luther’s Small Catechism from that volume is used widely throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

January 24: Christian-Muslim Relations after Ft. Hood (9/11, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc):
Does Peace Stand a Chance?”

Presented by Professor Jon Pahl.
Jon Pahl is Professor of the History of Christianity in North America and Director of MA Programs for The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and has been Visiting Professor at Temple and Princeton Universities. Dr. Pahl earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School, where he studied with Martin E. Marty. Jon is the author or editor of seven books, including Youth Ministry in Modern America; Shopping Malls and Other Sacred Spaces; An American Teacher; Coming of Age; and Coming Out–The Memoirs of Loretta Coller; and Empire of Sacrifice: The Religious Origins of American Violence. Dr. Pahl has spoken to audiences from Ankara, Turkey to Anaheim, California, and recently was featured in a documentary, “Malls R Us”, which had its world premiere at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Jon lives with his wife, Lisa, and their three children near Swarthmore, PA, where he enjoys sports, gardening, and playing the saxophone with his jazz and rhythm and blues band, “The Groove Daemons.”

January 31: Immigration: Who is My Neighbor?

Presented by Christ the King Church member Tom Ham.
Join us for the first of two forum sessions addressing the issue of Immigration. At the ELCA Churchwide Assembly last year, voting members overwhelmingly voted to urge comprehensive reform of U.S. immigration policies and processes, and to call for a suspension of immigration raids until such reform is enacted. This forum will meet in the basement classroom. See the January King’s Banner for more information.

January 31: In Search of Belief
An eight-week discussion on Joan Chittister’s book, In Search of Belief.

Presented by Christ the King Church member Barbara Rozek.
Come, read together during the Sunday School Hour, and discuss together the new perspectives suggested in Joan Chittister’s book, In Search of Belief. This study aims to be an open, free flowing discussion of the ideas presented in the book. No previous preparation or reading is required. The chapters in this book lend themselves to “in and out” participation or ongoing every Sunday participation. Books will be provided for the reading and discussion during the class. This class will meet in the council room.

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 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

f 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 on Friday, February 12, 7 until 9 p.m., and Saturday, February 13, 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 for the two-day class is available when requested the Monday prior to the class.

Feed the Homeless

The Feed the Homeless Ministry meets on Monday, January 11 and January 25 at 5:45 p.m. in the kitchen at Christ the King Church.

Join us on the 2nd and 4th Monday evenings of each month at Christ the King Lutheran Church to make sandwiches and prepare meals, and then deliver them to downtown homeless individuals. Our schedule is as follows:

5:45 p.m. - Meet in the kitchen and parish hall to set up and prepare the meals
7:00 p.m. - Leave CTK for downtown to deliver the meals

All are invited to help out with meal preparation, downtown delivery, or both! All are welcome.Contact 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

Help Prepare a Meal for Campus Ministry Students

Helpers are needed to assist Bette Bowers in cooking and serving lunch to University of Houston students as part of the Houston Lutheran Campus Ministry on Monday, February 8. Bette and her crew plan to do the prep work and cook on Sunday afternoon and then take it to U of H to serve around noon. They will leave the church about 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning. About 200-250 students of all religions and nationalities are served. Bette coordinated this effort last year and commented, “It is really interesting to visit with the students, and once we set up there is time for that.” St. Francis of Assisi is often quoted as saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” Here’s an opportunity to support Pr. Brad Fuerst in preaching the Gospel by using serving utensils and a presence of kindness and hospitality. To volunteer, contact Pr. Brad Fuerst at or Bette Bowers..

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.

Check your Blood Pressure

The next blood pressure screening will be on Sunday, January 31 after each morning service in the narthex. Monthly blood pressure screenings are held on the last Sunday of each month.

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.