Feed the Homeless Ministry

“I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink… I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me.” - Matthew 25:35-40

Since April 2004, members of Christ the King Lutheran Church have been gathering on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month for fellowship and to volunteer to feed the homeless of downtown Houston. We produce approximately 350 sandwiches and assemble 150-170 lunches and deliver them downtown directly to homeless individuals.
We operate on an annual budget of approximately $1,600, which is only about 35 cents per meal served. Please consider the importance of this ministry when donating to the Mission Offering and consider joining us on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 5:45 p.m. in the church kitchen. No experience is necessary and all ages are welcome to participate!
You can also help the Feed the Homeless Ministry by donating your plastic grocery bags for us to use to distribute the meals in. Just drop the bags off in the church kitchen. Contact Tim Redl if you are interested in participating or have any questions.

Godly Play Lessons for This Sunday

Pre K - K: Leaven
1st-2nd Grade: St. Valentine
3rd Grade: St. Valentine

Ash Wednesday February 17

7:10 a.m. Imposition of Ashes

12:15 p.m.
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

Ash Wednesday for Children

Families with young children are invited to gather in the courtyard for a special presentation of “Making of the Ashes” on Ash Wednesday evening, February 17, at 7:00 p.m. Those attending will learn the secrets behind how members of the Altar Guild prepare the ashes that the pastors use at Ash Wednesday services. Following this brief presentation, the evening service begins at 7:30 p.m. in the nave and lasts about 75 minutes. Childcare is provided in the nursery.

Last Chance to Sign up for Flowers - only a few dates left

The 2010 Altar Guild Flower Chart is almost full.

The remaining available dates for Sunday Flowers are:

• May 23
• May 30
• Aug 8
• Oct 3
• Nov 21

Flower arrangements for weekend services are $45 and should be paid for at the time you sign up by placing a check in the offering and mark it for “Altar Guild.” Please contact Cheryl Gaspard

“Come to the Waters”
A Hymn Festival on the Lenten Journey to the Waters of Baptism

We hope you will save the date of Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. for a Hymn Festival in the nave of Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church. “Come to the Waters” will celebrate the Lenten journey to the waters of Baptism and will feature fourteen hymns, scripture readings, and Lenten reflections from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Mark Mummert, Church Organist, will lead the hymn festival with assistance from the congregation’s choirs and instrumentalists.
In its origins, Lent was understood as the forty day period of preparation for the baptisms of Easter, a time for communal reflection on the meaning of baptism, on the need for God and God’s grace, and renewal. The newer hymns of Lent focus on our communal journey of preparation to celebrate the fullness of Easter, on the waters of baptism, and on the word of God that draws us to those waters. Participating in this hymn festival on the First Sunday in Lent will also provide us all an opportunity to rehearse the hymns of Lent as we move through the days with our voices.
A hymn festival is an event where all in attendance sing a selection of hymns, alternating with voices and instruments in active participation, both singing and listening. Mark Mummert will also present this hymn festival in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 28.

Midweek Lenten Vespers and Soup Suppers on Wednesdays beginning February 24

5:30-7:00 p.m. Soup Supper
(served continuously)
6:45 p.m. Vespers Service

Contemplative Prayer on 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.

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.

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.

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!

There will be no Wednesday Night Alive!
on Ash Wednesday, February 17

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.

Spring Egg Decorating Class

It’s not too late to join the classes on how to decorate eggs in the Ukrainian style led by Monica Hartley. Classes are on Thursday evenings at 5:00 p.m. Learn the history, the craft and decorate eggs. The class size will be limited so register now. Cost, $10 per new student, past students will pay a lab fee. The majority of materials will be provided by the instructor. For more information and to register call Monica Hartley.

Nursery Guild Annual Planning & Elections Meeting, February 14

Are you looking for a way to get more involved but don't have a lot of time?  Are you a parent of a young child? Are your children grown and gone, but you still enjoy helping young children and families grow in faith? Then the Nursery Guild is for you! The Nursery Guild is a great place to contribute to our children’s ministries. We have several small projects you can support without committing a lot of time. Come to the Nursery Guild annual planning meeting on Sunday, February 14 in the 3rd floor conference room from 9:40 – 10:40 a.m. We will discuss plans for our upcoming events this year, such as our Easter Egg Decorating party, Tag Sale, Nursery Graduation, Summer Splash & Play party, and more. We will also elect officers for the upcoming year.

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.

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!

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.

The Education Commission meeting, scheduled for Sunday, February 21 has been rescheduled. Please adjust your calendar for the meeting now scheduled for Sunday, February 28, 12:30 in the council room.

 

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

Bible Study on February 14 and February 28

This class will meet in the basement classroom.
Lucky Sahualla will lead a Bible study in the basement adult classroom. The class explores the appointed biblical readings for the day in depth as a means to let the stories speak to us in new ways. No preparation, homework, or materials necessary, just an open mind and a willingness to ask and answer questions.

February 21 The Holy Land

Join Pastor Stephen Quill, together with Christ the King Church members Alice and Ralph Oeben, for a discussion of their recent trip to visit “the historic stones AND the living stones” of the Holy Land. This will not be a vacation travelogue, but rather an opportunity to hear the stories of the Holy Land today, rooted in the land, the holy sites, and the lives of the people. For those who have had the chance to visit themselves and want to hear what it is like now or for those who wish they could visit, you really don’t want to miss this meaningful journey.

In Search of Belief

The discussion continues on Joan Chittister’s book, In Search of Belief. Presented by Christ the King Church member Barbara Rozek. This discussion group meets in the council room on 2nd floor.
Come, read together, and discuss the new perspectives on the Apostles Creed suggested in Joan Chittister’s book, In Search of Belief.  
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. Books are provided.

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.
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.
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.

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

Feed the Homeless

The Feed the Homeless Ministry meets on Monday, February 22 at 5:45 p.m. in the kitchen at Christ the King Church.

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

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

All are invited to help out with meal preparation, downtown delivery, or both! All are welcome.Contact Tim Redl for more information

Introducing the TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod:

February 27     8:30 am—1:30 pm
Kinsmen Lutheran Church, Houston, TX

Please join us… we are saving a chair for you!
Young adults, pastors, congregational outreach or social justice teams, church council leaders, congregational groups, and individuals who are putting their faith into action in Global Mission, Domestic Mission or Local Mission. Let’s learn from each other.
Come for 5 hours. We will increase our capacity to do justice together.

Email Reservation: No Registration Fee. Recommended donation/$10 to cover the cost for food.

Contact Peggy Hahn for more information.

Check your Blood Pressure

The next blood pressure screening will be on February 28 after each morning service in the narthex. Monthly blood pressure screenings are held on the last Sunday of each month.

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.

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.