SEARCH is the recipient for January’s Mission Offerings. SEARCH (the Service of the Emergency Aid Resource Center for the Homeless) is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping homeless men, women and children get off the streets and into jobs and affordable housing. SEARCH serves more than 10,000 homeless individuals annually throughout the greater Houston metropolitan are by providing them with the tools to work and achieve self sufficiency. SEARCH’s core focus is employment, education and job training. So, please continue to fill the baskets as you exit the nave after worship each Sunday in February to support our long-standing mission partner SEARCH.
SEARCH seeks to eliminate homelessness by enabling its clients to achieve self-sufficiency. To reach this goal, SEARCH principally provides employment counseling, job training, and adult continuing education programs. SEARCH also offers necessary support services, such as a full-scale medical clinic, community-based housing, mental-health treatment, and a day shelter with showers, meals, and laundry facilities. Finally, SEARCH operates the House of Tiny Treasures (HTT), Houston’s first accredited childcare center dedicated exclusively to homeless children. HTT provides exemplary early childhood education for children ages six weeks to six years whose parents are clients of SEARCH.
SEARCH was founded in 1989 by the Council of Congregations, an ecumenical association of Houston area churches and synagogues. The Council, which today consists of 36 area congregations, remains dedicated to reducing and eventually eliminating homelessness in Houston.

For more information about SEARCH, contact Steven Bryant (Christ the King Church’s representative to SEARCH) or visit their website. You may also visit SEARCH’s headquarters at 2505 Fannin, Houston, TX, during regular business hours.

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

We Welcome the Lutheran Bishop from Central African Republic 

This weekend we welcome the president (bishop) of our C.A.R. companion synod. President Golike will attend our Taizé service on Saturday and will meet with Christ the King Church youth at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening. If you wish to eat dinner at the youth event, please RSVP.
Christ the King Church offerings support several ministries of CAR Lutherans: Young Women’s Scholarships, Village Education, Women’s Center, and the new Gallo Health Center. Former Bishop Zoule and Lutheran Women’s president Simone Baigo-Dari visited Christ the King in 2005. The Christ the King Church prayer shawl group is graciously offering a prayer shawl as a gift to President Golike. 

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.

Contemplative Prayer Has Moved to Tuesday 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 Tuesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. to the narthex and pray this ancient form of prayer.

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.

Ash Wednesday February 17

7:10 a.m. Imposition of Ashes

12:15 p.m.
Service with the Imposition of Ashes This service at lunch time invites our neighbors in the Rice area and Medical Center. Sandwiches will be served after the service.

7:30 p.m. Imposition of Ashes

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

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.

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. 

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
Chicken Cacciatore
Green Beans
Salad
French Bread
Strawberry Shortcake
Dinner prepared by Peggy Mathis

Safari Theme Set for Valentine Dinner

All members and friends of Christ the King Lutheran 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 silent auction to supplement the dinner. Childcare will be available. For reservations or to donate to the auction please contact Tim Lenz

Fun Run for Mitochondrial Disease

It is that time of year again, when we gather in honor of members Melody Wilds and Landon Schaeffer for a fun morning of celebration and hope to raise money for Mitochondrial Disease research. Christopher's Heart Fun Run for UMDF will be Saturday, February 6 at Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. Participate in Christopher's Heart Fun Run and experience a family-friendly one-mile walk, a 5K race route and a wheelchair race, free refreshments, entertainment for the kids and much, much more!

There Are Many Ways To Get Involved

• You can register to either walk or run in the event.
• Look for TEAM RANK. Then look for Melody’s team WILD FOR A CURE to visit her personal web page and help in her efforts to support United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.
• Take your participation to the next level by gathering pledges to raise even more money from neighbors, friends, and co-workers. Contact Tim Lenz if you are interested in running with a group from Christ the King Church.
• If you are unable to attend that morning, you may still support OUR TEAM - WILD FOR A CURE by pledging a donation in honor of Melody and Landon

Help Christ the King Lutheran Church support our members and others that have this terrible disease.

Jr. High Lock-in

All 6th- 8th grade students are invited to a lock-in on Saturday, February 6 at 7 p.m. at Living Word Lutheran Church. Join us for games, food, worship, Bible study, and movies as we each take time to discover our spiritual gifts and how we can use them in our lives today. Cost of event is $15 per person. Please contact Tim Lenz by January 29 to sign up.

Super Bowl Cookout Party

This year’s Luther League Super Bowl party will be held at the Beckmans’ house located at 3514 Albans Road starting at 5 p.m. Join us for food, games, commercials, and of course the NFL Championship. All coming should bring a finger food to share! Please contact Tim Lenz to RSVP.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

The annual Pancake Supper will be February 16 in the parish hall. Come and eat all the pancakes and sausage you can and enjoy the music of the Brass Choir. Traditionally, this is the day people eat up all the foods they can't have during Lent - butter, meat, eggs, and wine - and have the last big party until Easter. There will be projects for the kids and dancing for everyone, and we'll sing our last "Alleluia." Supper will be served from 5:15 until 6:45 p.m. If you can help shop, prepare, or cook at the supper, please contact Marie Monroe. Come and have the most fun you'll have until Easter.

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. 

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.

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

January 31: Immigration: Who is My Neighbor?

Presented by Christ the King Church member Tom Ham.
While immigration debates rage in Washington, we as Lutherans work both within and outside the church to find our place in the discussion of an ever-complicating issue. And matters are not helped by the growing list of difficult facts and harsh realities which make opinions and positions difficult. We are witnessing the lines between national and international economies blur and our diverse cultures and traditions interact on global scales, all of which make questions concerning national-identity even more pressing. What does it mean to be a citizen? What should it mean to be a citizen? How do our political boundaries of “citizen” and “alien” affect the Body of Christ? With a growing number of international affiliations and memberships, the ELCA’s investigation into the way we look at nationhood is all the more pressing. (The Journal of Lutheran Ethics on the ELCA website)
At the ELCA Churchwide Assembly this 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. Here at Christ the King Church we will have an opportunity to discuss the topic of Immigration and how we may be called to respond to the newcomers among us during two Adult Forum sessions. On Jaunuary 31, we will discuss what scripture has to tell us about the topic and look at the recommendations of the ELCA Task Force on Immigration. On February 7, we will be joined by guests from Houston Interfaith Worker Justice to learn about the challenges that immigrants, both documented and undocumented, face when they arrive in the U.S. Please join us as we delve into this complicated issue and learn how we might respond as people of faith.

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, but the books will not leave the room so that the following Sunday the former participants or newcomers may continue the reading process together.  
What are we thinking when we say “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth” or “I believe in Jesus Christ....” or “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand...”? What past experience do we bring to this weekly recitation of the Apostles Creed? In what new ways might we see the Creed and its meaning for us today?  
Drop by and share in the reading and discussion.   
Barbara graduated from Rice University in 1995 with a Ph.D. in Southern History and an emphasis on immigration and migration. She currently teaches Advanced Placement U.S. History at Memorial High School in Spring Branch. She is the mother of 3 and grandmother of 4. 

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.

Blood Drive on February 7

The M.D. Anderson Blood Mobile will be here on Sunday, February 7 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Encourage your family and friends to donate.

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.

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.

Feed the Homeless

The Feed the Homeless Ministry meets on Monday, February 8 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, February 17, 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. Contact Beverly Davis

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

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.