Easter Morning -
Breakfast, Flowering of the Cross, 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. 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.

Keegan Cook
Brian Engle
Mark Mummert
Craig Vollmers
Grace Vollmers
Lindsay Giam
Kimberly Kruger

Sharon Botts
Cindy Murphy
Jenna Nassif
Kristine Solberg
David Tart
Amelie Edelmann
Tod Schenck

Nurturing 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.

Confirmation Celebration

On Sunday, May 15 we celebrate with the confirmation students and their families as they affirm their baptism and are confirmed into the membership of our congregation. Rebecca Nikonowicz will be confirmed at the 8:30 a.m. service and Ian Kragas will be confirmed at the 10:50 a.m. service.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 for Healing Blessing

At the Taize service on the second Saturday of each month 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

Experiencing Godly Play as a Doorperson

In 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

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.

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

Life Stories

The Life Stories Workshop will meet at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, in the third floor. As usual, individuals are invited to bring their writing projects. A discussion will be held on the future organization of the group. All interested individuals are invited to attend. This will be the last meeting for the Spring session. For further information, contact Anna Fay Williams.

Nursery Guild Annual Tag Sale

The 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

Wednesday Night Alive! Two More Times - April 27 and May 4

Wednesday Night Alive! ends for the year with a program on May 4 in the parish hall. Dinner starts at 5:45 p.m.; the program begins at 6:30 p.m., including a story presentation for the children. Pizza will be served as usual. To make it a special night, please donate salads, bread, and traditional potluck dishes. Desserts are most welcome and will be collected in the kitchen until after the program! Dinner will be buffet style at 5:45 p.m. in the parish hall. After dessert, games will be offered in the courtyard. Thanks for a great year of Wednesday Night Alive! and hope to see you on May 4!

Lost and Found Items

Items in the Lost and Found box will be put in the tag sale. If you are missing anything, please contact the church office at by May 4 to see if it was found.

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.

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!

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.

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.

April 24: Easter Sunday

No Sunday Forum.
Easter Breakfast and Flowering of the Cross

May 1 and 8: Judaism in First Century Israel

Matthias Henze will offer a presentation on the book Second Baruch, an ancient Jewish book from late first century Israel. He worked on it when he was in the Netherlands together with his family. Second Baruch is a book written in response to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 CE, in which the author tries to figure out why God allowed the Romans to destroy Jerusalem and where Judaism was to go from there on.

Class for Inquirers and New Members

All 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.

Summer Book Reviews

The summer book reviews are a beloved tradition for an educational offering on Sundays during the summer months. All interested in presenting a book are invited to contact Dr. John Boles with title, author and available Sundays June 5 – August 21. While the choice of topic is free, the tradition has been to address topics of a religious, theological, or ethical nature.

Mid Week Adult Education Opportunities

Wednesdays
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

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.

Check your Blood Pressure

The next blood pressure screening will be on May 1 between the morning services in the narthex.

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

Upcoming Habitat for Humanity Build in Teal Run

As 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

I 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.

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

Feed the Homeless

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.
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

Montrose 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

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 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.

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

On 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!

The 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.

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 Volunteers Needed

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

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.

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.