The Week of April 17, 2011 

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This Sunday, April 17 Palm Sunday
Lessons:Isaiah 50:4–9a; Psalm 31:9–16; Philippians 2:5–11; Matthew 26:14—27:66

8:30 a.m.

Worship (ELW5)
Hymns:: 344, 351, 343, 416, 349, 340

9:45 a.m. Sunday Forum
9:45 a.m. Sunday Church School
9:45 a.m. Confirmation class, 3rd floor
10:50 a.m. Worship (ELW5)
Hymns: 344, 351, 343, 416, 349, 340
12:15 p.m. Sunday Café, parish hall
12:30 p.m. Godly Play Teachers meeting, preK/K room
6:00 p.m. Bach St. Matthew Passion, nave
6:00 p.m. Luther League
Monday, April 18
  Church Office Closed
8:15 a.m.

Morning Prayer, narthex

Tuesday, April 19
8:15 a.m. Morning Prayer, narthex 
6:00 p.m. Contemplative Prayer, 2nd floor

Wednesday, April 20

8:15 a.m.

Morning Prayer, narthex

6:15 p.m.

Brass Choir rehearsal, music suite

Thursday, April 21 Maundy Thursday
Lessons:Exodus 12:1–10, 11–14; Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ; John 13:1–17,31b–35

8:15 a.m. Morning Prayer, narthex
7:30 p.m. Individual Absolution with Holy Communion and Stripping of the Altar
Hymns: 323, 605, 358, 463, 359, 479

Friday, April 22 Good Friday
Lessons:Isaiah 52:13—53:12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 10:16–25; John 18:1—19:42

8:15 a.m. Morning Prayer, narthex
9:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl ministry, 3rd floor
10:00 a.m. Friday Morning Bible Study, council room
2:00 p.m.. Bach Choir rehearsal, nave
3:00 p.m. Bach St. Matthew Passion, nave
7:30 p.m. Liturgy of the Word and Adoration of the Cross
Hymns: 342, 355
Saturday, April 23 Holy Saturday
Lessons:Romans 6:3–11; John 20:1–18
  Canonical Hours, Midnight - 3:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. Yoga, basement classroom
5:15 p.m. Taizé rehearsal, nave
6:00 p.m. Taizé Service, nave
9:00 p.m. Easter Vigil, nave
Hymns: 372, 449, 367, 378, 362

Next Sunday, April 24 Easter
Lessons:Jeremiah 31:1–6; Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24; Colossians 3:1–4; Matthew 28:1–10

8:30 a.m.

Worship (ELW4)
Hymns:: 365, 370, 379, 366, 361, 367

9:45 a.m. Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt, parish hall and courtyard
10:50 a.m. Worship (ELW4)
Hymns: 365, 370, 379, 366, 361, 367
  No Sunday Café
2:00 p.m. German service followed by a reception
 

Holy Week

holy week

 

canonical schedule
These canonical hours mark the vigil from Good Friday (midnight) until the Saturday Easter Vigil (9:00 p.m.). Every three hours a 30-minute service will occur in the narthex chapel, beginning at midnight. Everyone is invited to join the prayers at these times.

The Three Days
April 21-24

The congregation is preparing for The Three Days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Day. They stand at the center of our church year, beginning on sundown Thursday and concluding at sundown on Sunday. Maundy Thursday includes Individual Absolution, Holy Communion and the Stripping of the Altar. On Good Friday the congregation assembles around the Word and for the Adoration of the Cross. After sundown on Friday Canonical Hours will be held every three hours to mark Holy Saturday. After sundown on Saturday the Easter Day begins and the congregation gathers at 9:00 p.m. in the courtyard for the Vigil of Easter with the new fire and candle, the readings of redemption, the return of the “Alleluia” of Easter, and the celebration of the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection in baptismal water and eucharistic bread and wine. For a more detailed description please refer to the April King’s Banner.


bach

Easter Breakfast

Please help us have a delightful Easter breakfast! If you can bring a breakfast food to share during the Sunday school hour on Easter morning, please contact Beverly Davis

Easter Sunday Flowers

All are invited to bring flowers for the annual “flowering of the cross” on Easter morning. Children may carry flowers in baskets. Donations toward the purchase of flowers will be appreciated so all can participate on Easter Sunday. Mark your check with “Flowering of the Cross.” Thank you!

Easter Lilies

The Altar Guild will decorate the chancel and narthex with lilies on Easter Sunday. Members and friends may purchase lilies for this purpose. Forms are available in the narthex and foyer and can be given to an usher or brought to the church office. Each lily costs $10.00 and may be dedicated in memory or in honor of loved ones. On Easter Sunday Lay Eucharistic Ministers will take lilies to members who are in the hospital or who are homebound. Those donating lilies may also take them home after services.

Easter Morning -
Bring Flowers, Hunt for Eggs

Easter at Christ the King Church is always an exciting time for children! Little ones help celebrate the Resurrection of Christ by participating in the Flowering of the Cross and hunting for Easter eggs. Please plan to bring lots of lovely flowers for your children to use and be sure to bring a basket for the egg hunt. The festivities begin with a potluck Easter Breakfast at 9:45 a.m. and Flowering of the Cross. There will be several egg hunts, with special designated areas for the little ones. Age groups will be split 0-2, 2-4, and 5 and up. Donations of candy and plastic eggs are needed. Please drop them off to the church by April 17 (Palm Sunday). 

german easter service

Baptismal Anniversary

baptismal anniversaryWe celebrate with these members and friends who are remembering their baptism this week:

John Thweatt
Bette Bowers
Jonathan Miertschin
Sebastian Salas
Anna Stock
Tom Anderson



Parker Bryant
Gail Glass
Benjamin Jordon
Lukas Ostermayer
Scott Santana
Wolfgang Schmidt
Becky Thilo

Mission Offering

mission offeringThe mission offering is collected
at the church doors at the end of worship.

Meals on Wheels

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston

 



meals on wheelsMeals on Wheels

is a home delivered meal program for seniors with limited mobility, through the Harris County Area Agency on Aging. Interfaith Ministries is the largest provider of services in the Houston area. Each meal includes an entree, two 1/2-cup servings of fruit or vegetables, bread, milk and whole fruit or dessert. They serve more than 4,100 seniors a hot meal each day.
This service is available to homebound individuals 60 years old and older and spouses of current service recipients.

Food for Seniors

is a program in which volunteers deliver a box of shelf stable groceries to qualifying seniors at the end of each month. This program is designed to help low-income seniors make it through the end of the month. Your support helps provide this much needed service to more than 1,700 seniors each month!

aniMeals on Wheels for Senior’s Pets

Pet Food Accepted During April
aniMeals on Wheels is a program that benefits clients of Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston. aniMeals volunteers deliver a supply of donated dog and cat food each month. aniMeals is necessary because Meals on Wheels delivery drivers noticed that the seniors in the Meals on Wheels program sometimes share their home-delivered meal with their pet. Some seniors have to make the difficult choice of feeding their pet, purchasing medications or feeding themselves. aniMeals helps to alleviate these tough choices seniors have to make and we need your help.
During April, we ask that members drop off pet food in the basket in the narthex.

Feed the Need,
So That No Senior Goes Hungry

Our mission offering for April will go directly to the Meals on Wheels program of Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston. Our goal is to support at least one senior for one year at $1200. Everyday Meals on Wheels (coordinated through Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston) visits over 4,100 members of this community’s greatest resource, its seniors. Meals on Wheels not only brings a hot, nutritious meal to these homebound seniors, but gives them what they want the most: the opportunity to have physical contact with someone daily and continue to live independently and with dignity.

interfaith ministriesInterfaith Ministries for Greater Houston

Interfaith Ministries (IM) brings people of diverse faith traditions together for dialogue, collaboration and service.
It envisions a community of faith working and acting together in response to the Divine call to create a more just, compassionate, and caring society.
IM’s Core Beliefs are:

  • Interfaith Ministries promotes a community where faith is vital for our life together.
  • People of faith are accountable for building a just and compassionate community.
  • There is value in working together in the community.

IM works with 10 communities of faith, including Baha'I, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Unitarian Universalist and Zoroastrian. Together they provide the foundation upon which IM builds collaborative partnerships to serve seniors and refugees. Their programs advocate for the needs and rights of at-risk and special needs children, enhance the independence and dignity of low-income seniors, and improve the quality of life for refugees.
Collaboration among people of different faiths strengthens what IM accomplishes and bridges misunderstandings among people of diverse beliefs. IM serves individuals in a ten-county, greater Houston area with the help of over 2,000 volunteers.

Worship

This Week

On Going

godly playGodly Play Lessons

Toddler: Faces of Easter
Pre-K/Kindergarten: Faces of Eastert
1/2 Grade: Faces of Easter
3/4 Grade: Good Shepherd and World Communion

Easter Lilies

The Altar Guild will decorate the chancel and narthex with lilies on Easter Sunday. Members and friends may purchase lilies for this purpose. Forms are available in the narthex and foyer and can be given to an usher or brought to the church office. Each lily costs $10.00 and may be dedicated in memory or in honor of loved ones. On Easter Sunday Lay Eucharistic Ministers will take lilies to members who are in the hospital or who are homebound. Those donating lilies may also take them home after services.

 

Morning Prayer

Each weekday morning at 8:15 a.m. Morning Prayer is said in the narthex. All are welcome to participate.

Prayer Requests

To add a loved one to the prayer list please complete a prayer request card, located in the pew fronts, or on the mobile bulletin board, and give it to an usher, email the church office or call 713-523-2864. ext 21

taking faith home family faith formationTaking 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!

Click on our homepage to view individual weeks. Look for the Taking Faith Home icon on the left side.

Taizé Worship Service

Every Saturday evening members and friends of Christ the King Church gather at 6:00 p.m. for a meditative service in the style of the Taizé brothers in southern France, a community which has attracted thousands of Christians from all over the world. The service consists of scripture reading, silence, the Eucharist and short songs in multiple languages which are sung repetitively. Music and silence shape the hearing and meditation of God’s Word. The Eucharist invites all who are baptized into the sacramental experience of the Word.
On the first Saturday of the month the prayer focuses on the cross of Christ, on the second Saturday of the month the prayer focuses on Christ’s resurrection. A laying on of hands with a prayer for healing is offered at this service.

Prayer Around the Cross
on the First Saturday of Each Month the Taizé Service

crossThe 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

taize paschal candlePrayer for Healing Blessing

At the Taize service on March 13 at 6:00 p.m. the assembly focuses on the presence of Christ resurrected. The laying on of hands is offered with a prayer for healing blessing. In it we pray for God's presence with strength and comfort in time of suffering, God's promise of wholeness and peace, and God's love embodied in the community of faith.. See an expanded

 

 

parents cornerNurturing Space

The narthex (the room outside the nave) has been prepared for parents and children as a refuge during worship services in times of high activity and unrest. The narthex has two rocking chairs especially for a grown up person and a small person. The sound is transmitted from the nave so that the connection to the worship is not lost. Canvas bags are waiting by the nave doors to be used by young children. The bags may be taken into the narthex. The nursery is also available as a refuge during church services, with or without parent.

Activity Bags

Activity bags have been lovingly put together by fellow parents for young children. They are by the entrance in the nave. Children love being part of the “big church” and at the same time it is taxing to be in such a big space for such a long time. The wide open space is unfamiliar and unstructured to a little child, and full of people about twice his or her size. The activity bags are offered to make the child feel welcome, look forward to something familiar or to a surprise inside. Please make use of them and return them after church. Look out for calls to renew them for our children’s enjoyment.

Be Still with God

Children love to participate in the grown up world. They can be part of the “big church”, too, when we show them how. Many children pray themselves or with their families. In church children can pray with us. We let them know that now it is time for prayer and we ask God to hear us. We can ask children to help pray for people who are in danger, lonely, sick, sad or afraid; and of course they can join in saying thank you to God for those who are happy about a new baby or a wedding or other special occasions.

Chorus and Choir Rehearsals

The choral groups of Christ the King Church rehearsals are on Wednesdays and they invite new singers to join them. There is no audition required; simply come to the rehearsal if you’re interested. Both groups rehearse Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in their basement rehearsal rooms. The Chorus sings at the 8:30 service on Sundays and the Choir sings at the 10:50 service.
Call the church office (713-523-2864) for more information.

Experiencing Godly Play as a Doorperson

godly playIn a Godly Play class, there are always two adults in each room: the storyteller and the doorperson. Adults are there in service to the children and to support the community of children. Just as adults experience the Sanctuary as sacred space, so do the children experience the Godly Play room as sacred space.
One adult centers the circle and tells a story, while the other helps the children cross the boundary from the every-day world into this special space, assists with the art response, and guides the children in serving and sharing the feast at the end of the session. From the vantage of the chair in the doorway, the doorperson can get to know and appreciate the children as they enter, work, and share. The children also appreciate the doorperson.
Being a doorperson is a deeply satisfying experience especially for those who are unaccustomed to the openness of children. In one recent class, the storyteller greeted the children and then commented that the class was unusual in that only girls were present, except the doorperson, and further that everyone was wearing pink, except the doorperson. In response, one girl jumped up and planted her pink hair-ribbon on the doorperson’s head. He could also wear pink and be part of the group!
The doorperson has the advantage of hearing the stories just as the children do and can experience Godly Play as worship. While there is no preparation required for the job, experience and training are valuable. Both informal and formal training is available, so anyone who would like to help provide the space and the community in which children can learn the language to think about and talk with God is welcome to begin anytime. For more information, please contact Marie Monroe

 

Fellowship

This Week

On Going

sunday cafeSunday 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.


Good Friday Lock-in

All 6th through 12th grade youth are invited to the annual Luther League Good Friday Lock-in on April 2 starting at 9:00 p.m. in the youth room. During the night we will enjoy food, fellowship, games, a discussion, and lead the canonical hours at 12 a.m., 3 a.m., and 6 a.m. The lock-in will conclude at 7 a.m. Please contact Tim Lenz to help provide food or to chaperone.

Dinners Needed for Luther League Meetings

A few more members and friends are needed to sponsor a dinner for the Luther League Sunday night meetings at the church. Available dates include 5/15. 5/22. Meals can range from anything home-cooked to store bought or catered. Enough food to serve 15- 20 people should be prepared. Feel free to team up with another family or work individually!! Please contact Tim Lenz for more information or to sign up.

Family Spring Retreat:
April 29-May 1, 2011

Spring is the perfect time to grow things, so grow your family’s faith together, celebrating God’s creation. Walk in your baptismal promises, and bring the whole family to Lutherhill in La Grange for a refreshing reminder of God’s grace. Arrival is Friday at 8pm and departure will be Sunday at 11am. Pastor Mark England will be leading the retreat. Activities include: worship, fellowship, giant swing, arts & crafts, canoeing, campfire & s’mores. The cost is $70 per person 13 and older / $40 per person under 13 years old.
Let’s go together with a whole group from Christ the King Church! Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex and use the registration forms supplied. You may contact Alicia Goodrow for more information

Easter Breakfast

Please help us have a delightful Easter breakfast! If you can bring a breakfast food to share during the Sunday school hour on Easter morning, please contact Beverly Davis

Plastic Eggs and Candy Needed!

Plastic eggs (new or used) and candy (unused and individually wrapped) are needed for the children’s egg hunt on Easter Sunday. The eggs and candy should be delivered to the church by Good Friday, April 22, in order for the youth group to fill them that night.

Nursery Guild Annual Tag Sale

tag saleThe nursery guild will hold its annual Tag Sale on Saturday May 7. Whether you are spring cleaning or just cleaning out a closet, please consider donating your unwanted items to this annual fund raising event. Items that go well include electronics, children's toys, jewelry, furnture, housewares and holiday decorations. Please look for additional notices for volunteers, collection of donated items and specifics about the sale in April. Current needs include volunteers to assist with organization and advertising for the event. Proceeds from the event go to support children's ministries at Christ the King. If you are interested in helping out or have questions please contact Jayme Zage

Recognition of 2011 Graduates on May 15

If you are receiving a degree from high school, undergraduate, or graduate programs, we would like to know! Email the church office with details about your graduation date and any plans you have for your future.
Graduates of all degrees will be invited to participate in a short rite of recognition on May 15 at the 8:30 or 10:50 a.m. service. High school seniors will receive a gift from the Piecemakers.

 

 

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!

Wednesday Night Alive!

Christ the King Church’s Wednesday Night Alive! program is up and running. Programs and activities run from 5:00 through 9:00 p.m. Dinner will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. Children’s regular programs end at 7:30 p.m.; the nursery remains open until 9:00 p.m.

Infants (0-1 yr.): Infant Music Explorers with parents
Toddlers (2-3 yrs.): Jr. Music Explorers and story time with parents
Kindergarten & Preschoolers (4-6 yrs.): Music Explorers with parents and Godly Play
Grades 1-3: Junior Choristers, Godly Play, and World Explorers
Grades 4-6: Choristers, Godly Play, World Explorers, Kids Club, Homework Haven
Grade 7-12: Confirmation Class, homework, volunteering in children’s programs, nursery, kitchen, chorus or church choir
Adults: Sharing dinner, Writing Life Stories, Adult Bible Study, Choir, Chorus, Brass Choir; Volunteer opportunities as greeters, with the children’s programs and in the kitchen.

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.

 

windows of the past

A Very Unique Gift

Early stories of the congregation's founding and growth told by its members with colorful photographs and anecdotes. Visit the Blurb website for a preview of WINDOW TO THE PAST.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Night Dinners Are for EVERYONE!

everyoneIf 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.

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.

synod

 

Education

This Week

On Going

sunday forum

 

 

 

April 17: Raising of Lazarus

Make the connection between the story of Lazarus (the Gospel reading for Sunday, April 10) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's work around the world to help communities overcome the crisis of HIV and AIDS. We will view and discuss the powerful 30-minute documentary, The Lazarus Effect.

Godly Play Teacher Meeting

April 17, 12:30 p.m. in the preK/K room.

Earth Week April 16-23

The Emerging Professionals of the U.S. Green Building Council are presenting the “No Impact Experiment” during EARTH WEEK this year.
No Impact Week is inspired by the book and film No Impact Man. To participate, for one week commit to reducing your CO2 footprint by not buying anything new, reducing your water and electricity usage, eating local food, using self-propelled transport and not making any trash. No-Impact Lite is also available for those who are not ready to take on the full commitment.
See the mobile bulletin board about workshops during EARTH WEEK, and get additional information at: http://noimpactproject.org/experiment/houston

 


 

 

 


 

 

 

Mid Week Adult Education Opportunities

introduction to the new testament powellWednesdays
New Testament Survey
The New Testament study with Pastor Moore is focusing on the Epistles of the New Testament. The class meets on Wednesdays from 6:15 p.m. until 7:15 p.m. in the council room. The textbook for the class is the newly released book by Lutheran theologian Mark Allan Powell, entitled Introducing the New Testament (Baker Academic Press). The text book can be ordered over the internet

 

 

friday morning bible study

Fridays
Friday Morning Bible Study on Fridays, 10:00 – 11:40 a.m.,
with Pastor Robert Moore. The group studies the lectionary readings appointed for Sundays. This lively group welcomes new participants throughout the year, meeting for snacks and fellowship for the first half hour at 10:00 o’clock.

 

Class for Inquirers and New Members

membershipAll inquirers and new members are invited to attend the next Catechesis class.

We will offer a two day class on Friday, June 3, 7 until 9 p.m. and Saturday, June 4, 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.

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.

Service & Care

This Week

On Going

Serve Lunch at SEARCH

SEARCH lulnchChrist 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, April 20, 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. Contact Beverly Davis

 

 

Upcoming Habitat for Humanity Build in Teal Run

habitat for humanityAs many of you know, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY is a Christian organization that welcomes volunteers from all faiths who are committed to Habitat’s goal of eliminating poverty housing. In the past Christ the King Church has supported these efforts with a combination of financial as well as volunteer labor.
Currently the Fort Bend chapter of Habitat is spearheading the building of several homes in the Teal Run subdivision in Fresno. The houses to be worked on are located at 3710, 3714 and 3718 Evergreen Square Trail, Fresno, 77545. Work is done on Fridays and Saturdays in two shifts: 8:30 - noon and 12:30 - 4:30.
The build has already started on one of the three houses and work is available through June. We invite all Christ the King church members and friends to join us on May 14 and work together as a Christ the King group. If you can’t work on the build, but you’d love to sponsor lunch that day, that would be great as well. (Of course, if May 14 doesn’t fit your schedule, you are welcome to show up for work on any Friday or Saturday during May.)
Please join us in this worthwhile effort to build our community and demonstrate the love of Christ. If you are interested in helping, please sign the sheet on the bulletin board outside of the narthex.
For more information contact Pastor Art Preisinger.

Put a Smile on your Face

Story submitted by Barbara Rozek

smilesI have found a great way to put a smile on my face. Each Sunday as I head out to the car and to early service, I stop by the kitchen cupboard and grab a can of milk or corn or green beans. One can – each Sunday goes from my kitchen to the basket at the door of the church. It makes me feel good and it helps fill up the hungry mouths of those in Houston with much less to eat than I. I tell myself that it isn’t much, but if I am conscious of what I am doing, hopefully it will spill over into the rest of my life and the life of others.

Last Sunday I bought a bag of dog food and put it in the basket. I have learned that the lonely and elderly often feed their dog or cat from their own meager food supply. Company for those who are alone is necessary for good health – almost as necessary as food for survival – nothing like a pet for touching and caring.

Try putting a smile on your face. Bring a can or bag of beans or jar of peanut butter each and every Sunday to the Hunger Basket. Make it a habit – a good habit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feed the Homeless

hungry and homelessJoin 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.
We will meet on April 25

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.

Plastic grocery bags needed for our Feed the Homeless program.
Donations can be left in the kitchen marked “For Feed the Homeless.”

Montrose Grace Place

grace placeMontrose Grace Place offers vulnerable youth ages 13-21 a hot meal and a safe, welcoming shelter from the street every Thursday evening from 6 to 10 p.m. Of course, we can always use more volunteers, to cook, set up, and serve the meals. Contact Rebecca Shields for information and she will schedule you on a Christ the King Church night, either the 2nd or the 5th Thursday of the month!
Do you have any clothes to donate, esp. jeans and slacks, or running shoes? Could you donate underwear or new white crew socks—all sizes? Do you travel? Hotel-sized shampoo and soaps are appreciated. Get involved with the youth at Grace Place—share the Good News! Contact Rebecca Shields for more information.

We will provide dinner on May 12.


Helping with Hunger

sandwichesThe 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 2009, Emergency Services responded to a highly increased demand for basic needs by providing food, clothing, financial assistance and referrals to 22,365 persons in crisis. This effort included helping 1,160 families avoid homelessness or substandard living conditions by assisting with electricity, water, natural gas, and rent payments. More than 243,700 pounds of food was provided to hungry neighbors and 11,913 clients benefitted from gently-used clothing. The Community Garden harvested 2,059 pounds of fresh produce, aiding clients’ nutritional well-being. 
The Gethsemane Food Pantry expanded to three days of operation, working to address hunger in the southwest portion of our service area. The pantry fed 18,380 persons from 4,723 households, tripling results from the prior year. Of those served, 51% of client households included one or more employed adults. A Community Garden was established on site, and three Food Fairs were held to augment on-going services.
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 April 24 between the morning services in the narthex. Monthly blood pressure screenings are held on the last Sunday of each month

Fair Trade Coffee Sales Continue

lofoFair 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

logo

Christ the King Church is a ONE Lutheran congregation

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. Please consider taking action with the ONE Campaign

Volunteer at the Houston Food Bank on May 14

Houston Food BankOn Saturday, May 14, Christ the King Church members and friends will volunteer at the Houston Food Bank. This year we want to arrive at the food bank by 8:00 a.m. We will leave the church parking lot by 7:45 a.m. for those who want to carpool; or you may meet our group at the HFB on Cavalcade at 8:00 a.m. We return to the church around noon. Volunteers should wear closed toe shoes, long pants, and a smile. Please RSVP to Anna Stock.

Think about making our Houston Food Bank volunteer outings part of your New Year’s Resolutions this year. Mark your calendars with the following 2011 Food Bank dates: May 14, July 9, September 10, and November 12.
Find out more about the Houston Food Bank

Caring for One Another

The Congregational Care Team offers a number of ways to care for one another:

  • 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

High Five Food Drive

Help the Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) feed those in need with a diet that is protein rich!

Thigh5he five primary protein sources needed:

Peanut Butter,
Canned Tuna Fish or Chicken,
Meaty Soups,
Beans,
Meaty Baby Foods.

Please bring your food donations to the drop off box in the narthex.

 

 

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.

 

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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.

cancare

 

CanCare Volunteers Needed

CanCare has an urgent need for cancer survivors and their family members to volunteer. Contact CanCare at 713-461-0028.


recycle
Located by the mechanical yard on the south end of our parking lot.
Help us by bringing all your acceptable recycling items to our green and yellow Paper Retriever bin!
We make money on the tons we recycle.
A little help from every member can make a very big difference in our program.

For example, if you bring in a full brown paper grocery bag….you have contributed approximately 10 lbs.
For every 100 members that do this, we have collected 1000 lbs. or ½ ton.
If 100 members would do this each week, we would have 4000 lbs or 2 tons in a month! That means we would be hitting our target goal!!!

So, please help by doing your share to protect Mother Earth! Thank you so much for supporting our Paper Retriever Program.

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.

ccscFood 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.

Stewardship

Pledge Cards for 2011

Pledge cards toward the financial support of Christ the King Lutheran Church in 2011 are available from the ushers and in the narthex. We invite all members and friends to consider the level of financial support they feel called to contribute to our ministry work in 2011 and return the completed cards in the offering basket or by mail to the church (2353 Rice Blvd, Houston TX 77005).

Time and Talent Survey

Each year the members of our congregation generously donate their time and talent to our work in instructing, inspiring, preparing, and supporting each other in our efforts to fulfill the church’s mission to be Christ’s presence in the world. On this 65th anniversary of our congregation, it is time for us all to dedicate our time and talent to that purpose for 2011.
We are conducting the Time & Talent Survey for 2011 electronically. The electronic survey (1) streamlines the process for completing and delivering the survey, (2) makes reporting lists of responses easier, and (3) saves money and resources on printing and processing in the church office.
The annual Time and Talent survey is available online (catalog and sign up). If you prefer to complete the survey on paper, both the booklets and response forms will be available on the table in the Narthex. Feel free to take one.

Contributions

Electronic Giving Now includes Credit/Debit Card Donations

buttonMembers 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.

Last updated: 2011-04-14