Jessica Locheed
Philipp Winston
Rodney Koenig
Thomas Swindell
Donna Vass
Christopher Karohl
Joni Augustine

Jane Baehre
Billie Kobs
Dick McGirk
Marcia Murphey
Pamela Prosser
Steve Wiese
Charles Wilds

Godly Play Lessons

Toddler: Daniel and the Lions Den
Pre-K/Kindergarten: The Sower
Grade 1: The Sower
Grades 2 & 3: Ark and the Temple
Grades 4, 5, & 6: The Well

Flowers for the Nave

Every year we invite our members and friends to donate the altar flowers for our weekend services. We are thankful to all who contribute to this meaningful and beautiful tradition. The flowers not only provide seasonal beauty and accent the liturgical calendar; they also provide an opportunity for the donor to acknowledge a significant date, to celebrate a milestone, or to show appreciation to a loved one. There are a number of dates available on the 2012 flower chart which can be found on the mobile bulletin board or you may reply by return email. The cost of the arrangements is $50. You may write a check and drop in the collection with “flowers” in the memo line.
Available dates: February 5, 12, 26, March 4, 11, April 1, 8, May 27, June 3, July 1, 15, 22, October 7, 14, November 11, 25, December 9, 16, 25, 30.

Assisting Minister and Server Training

Training for Assisting Ministers and Servers will be conducted in the nave on January 28 from 10:00 a.m.-noon for those who missed the training session last week. If you are interested in serving in one of these capacities, whether you have experience or are a novice, you are invited to come. If the church parking lot is full please park on the Rice Stadium lot ($1.00 paid by credit card).

Welcome Visitors, Welcome Children

We warmly welcome all visitors to Christ the King Lutheran Church. Please join us after Sunday worship for refreshments in the courtyard. Contributions benefit the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. We invite visitors to sign a pink worship card from the pew or the guest books at the doors.
We especially welcome all children to church and worship. Children are invited to the Lord’s Table to commune or receive a blessing. Canvas bags in the chest by the entrance door are filled for use during the service. The nursery welcomes very young children during worship services in times of high activity and unrest. Two nursery attendants are assisted by a parent volunteer. The narthex also serves as a refuge for children and an adult with two rocking chairs for a small and a big person. The sound is transmitted to the narthex from the nave.

Morning Prayer

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

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

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
on the Second Saturday of Each Month the Taizé Service

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

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

Chorus and Choir Rehearsals

The choral groups of Christ the King Church rehearse on Wednesdays and invite new singers to join them. There is no audition required; simply come to the rehearsal if you’re interested. Both groups rehearse Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in their basement rehearsal rooms. The Chorus sings at the 8:30 service on Sundays under the direction of Mark Mummert, and the Choir sings at the 10:50 service under the direction of Albert LeDoux.

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.

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.

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.

Sunday Café

Sunday Café offers 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 Alive!

On Wednesday nights the ministry building turns into a bustling place with babies, children, youth and adults eating, studying, singing, dancing, hearing stories and exploring the world. If you have not yet been to one of our Wednesday Night Alive! evenings, come and join members and friends of the congregation to experience it for yourself. Dinner is served 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Adults $5, Children $3, Pizza $1.50 per slice). Programming starts as early as 4:30 p.m. with Writing Life Stories (resumes January 18) and ends at 9:00 p.m. with the two adult choirs finishing out the night.
See more information on Wednesday Night Alive!

Volunteers Needed in the Kitchen on Wednesdays

If you would like to help the Food Service Ministry Team on Wednesday nights, volunteer to help cook, serve or clean up. Please contact Beverly Davis

7th - 8th Grade Human Dignity Retreat
January 27-28

All 7th - 8th grade students are invited to Holy Comforter Lutheran Church January 27-28 for an overnight retreat led by synod youth directors and pastors that will engage youth through media, games, and activities. Bible study, prayer, and the ELCA social teachings will provide a foundation for the youth as they reflect on topics such as: creation, healthy relationships and dating, and influence of sexuality in technology and social media. Cost of event is $35 per person. Contact Tim Lenz by Jan 18 to register!

Sunday Night Meals

Our youth are hungry! We are looking for meal donations for the Luther League on Sunday nights to feed about 15-20 youth including their leaders. Sharing a meal together is an important cornerstone of the weekly meetings. Meals can range from anything home-cooked to store bought or catered. The gift of food is gratefully appreciated by the youth and taken as a sign of being part of a caring community. Meal making/donating can be shared among individuals and families. Please contact Tim Lenz for these open dates: January 29, February 12, 19, and 26.

Valentine Dinner - Save the Date February 11

All members and friends of Christ the King Lutheran Church are invited to the 8th annual Valentine Dinner on February 11, 2012 in the church parish hall. Come enjoy a superb four course gourmet dinner complemented by an elegant Indian theme for only $60 a couple. Once again this year we will have a small silent auction to supplement the dinner. Seating is available for couples, individuals and small and large groups. Childcare will be available. For reservations or to donate to the auction please contact Tim Lenz.

Jr. High Trip to Heifer Ranch- July 8-13.

All 6th- 8th grade students are invited to Heifer Ranch located in Perryville, Arkansas for service, fellowship, and education. Heifer Ranch is a learning center and camp ran by Heifer Project International. Price is $350 plus transportation and part chaperone fee. A deposit of $200 is due by January 29 to reserve your spot.

Sr. High Trip to Smoky Mountain National Park - July 21-28.

9-12th grade students are invited to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, located in the Smoky Mountain National Park for an unforgettable week of hands-on mission projects, exciting music and programs, and group-building high adventure activities such as white water rafting. Price is $300 plus transportation and part chaperone fee. A deposit of $200 is due by February 5 to reserve your spot.

Facebook and Twitter for Christ the King Church

Christ the King Lutheran Church wants to connect with you! We now have a new Facebook page and a Twitter account which will enable us to connect in numerous ways. Click on the above icons or check out our homepage and click on the Facebook or Twitter icons to connect.

Parking at the Church

Parking on Sundays and Wednesdays for worship and church programming is possible in these locations: Our own parking lot; the new Hungry’s lot on Rice Boulevard; the Rice University stadium lot on Greenbriar; and the Animal Hospital lot (on Wednesdays after 6:30 p.m. only) at the corner of Greenbriar and Rice. The two businesses and Rice University have graciously made the use of these lots available to the congregation at no cost. The arm to the Rice lot will be raised upon request. We ask members and friends to take advantage of these options. Persons with limited mobility and families with young children are encouraged to use our own parking lot for shorter ways and safe passage. As always, kindness and courtesy are appreciated.

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.

The Piecemakers –
where handiwork and fellowship go together

Every year at our congregational festival Christ the King Church auctions off a beautiful handmade quilt made by the Piecemakers during the year. If your passion is quilting or sewing and you are available on Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m., the Piecemakers is for you. Meeting weekly most every Thursday throughout the year this is a group for fellowship and mutual support while producing a precious piece of art. The ladies would love to see a few more helping hands and welcome new members to their group. You may contact Gail Glass with any questions.

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.

Parents Night Out

Are you 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 Saturday evening out while parents take turns working in the nursery alongside our regular nursery attendants. Want more information? Contact Diane Schoppe.

Sunday Forum

January 22: Council Listening Post

This Sunday Forum invites all members and friends into a conversation on the congregation’s ministry and mission in 2012. Church council will present a draft of the proposed mission emphases for 2012 and discuss future goals.

January 29, February 5 and 12

A three week series on the meaning and use of heaven will feature Dr. Matthias Henze, guest speaker Dr. John Hoffmeyer from Philadelphia, and Director of Worship Mark Mummert. They will help us investigate the theme which has an important place in religiosity and continually recurs in literature, art and (pop) culture.

January 29: For Heaven’s Sake: Heaven in the Bible
Dr. Henze will lead a discussion on how heaven is portrayed in the sacred scriptures. Matthias teaches at Rice University and is the Watt J. and Lilly G. Jackson Associate Professor in Biblical Studies and Director of the Program in Jewish Studies.

February 5: For Heaven’s Sake: Heaven in Theology

Wednesday Night Bible Study

Wednesday Night Bible Study meets at 6:15 p.m. in the council room. Pastor Moore and Professor Kristine Wallace will lead the class. The text for the course is How to Read the Bible: A Guide to Scripture, Then and Now by James L. Kugel. The class is open to all and welcomes newcomers.

Friday Morning Bible Study

New participants are welcome to join the Friday Morning Bible Study. This year’s study will be based on the readings assigned 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.

Life Stories

The Life Stories Workshop meets Wednesdays on the 3rd floor from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Afterward members usually enjoy the special dinners that are part of the Wednesday evening program.
Our aim has been to capture memories and stories that we want to share with our families and with the church community. We always welcome new voices and want to assure you that special writing skills are not necessary. For more information, contact Anna Fay Williams

Parenting Young Children under 6 years of Age:
an Interactive Approach

This four-session course on the four Sunday mornings in February (February 5, 12, 19, and 26) from 10:00 – 10:40 a.m. will focus on parenting young children from an interactive or communication perspective. This means we will consider the child as “a sender” of messages, as well as “a receiver” of our messages. A parent’s understanding of his/her young child’s messages begins with a clear grasp of the child’s temperament—those qualities that your child comes into the world with that makes him or her so unique! This will be a small, informal, and discussion-based class facilitated by Christ the King Church member Barbara Anderson Thomas, Ph.D., a child psychologist and Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. Reading materials will be provided at the class. Class size will be limited, so please contact the church office to register.

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:
February 3, 7 until 9 p.m., and
Saturday, February 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.

Godly Play for Kids Who Are Growing Up

Godly Play is not only for the young and youngest children; it comes full circle for kids who are growing up to soon be teenagers! Children in grades 4, 5 and 6 will be taught in the new Godly Play class room 210 on the second floor. At this age the children will hear the familiar stories of the people of Israel, the stories Jesus told in parables and the stories around the Christian holidays in new ways. The stories will sometimes be put together in ways that create a whole new view of what we thought we already knew (Synthesis stories). Sometimes the children will get to put together a new lesson – the part that has not been written yet in the story of God and God’s children. The class will be given tasks to help with the younger classes and do service oriented activities.

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 January 23

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 on February 15

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 15, 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. Contact Beverly Davis

Check your Blood Pressure

The next blood pressure screening will be on January 29 between the morning services in the narthex. Monthly blood pressure screenings are held on the last Sunday of each month

Food Donations Needed for Souper Bowl of Caring February 5

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.
Bring non-perishable food items to celebrate the Souper Bowl of Caring every Sunday!

Fair Trade Coffee and Olive Oil Sales Continue

Fair Trade olive oil and 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. And now, they offer organic extra virgin olive oil from Palestine.

Order these items online

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.
There is an urgent need for new white crew socks and masculine and feminine underwear. You may drop off donations at the church, 3409 Amherst, or at Grace, 2515 Waugh Dr,. off Montrose Blvd and Westheimer. Checks should be made out to Montrose Grace Place. Thank you for your continued support!
For more information, please contact Rebecca Shields.

Read more on this ministry

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

Helping with Hunger

The Christian Community Service Center (CCSC)'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.

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.

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.

Looking for a Positive Experience?

Imagine being an integral part of a diverse group of interesting, enthusiastic, compassionate friends who can laugh often while working hard to help others they will never know. These are the Christ the King Church members who volunteer at the Houston Food Bank.
Now imagine yourself joining these volunteers at the Houston Food Bank to make a significant difference in our community. Email Anna Stock. to receive bi-monthly emails reminding you to volunteer one Saturday morning from 7:30 a.m. to noon from one to six times a year, depending on your availability.
Continue to imagine how fine it will be to be with the friends you make at the Houston Food Bank while doing something worthwhile for others. DO IT NOW. DON’T WAIT.
Find out more about the Houston Food Bank

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.

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.

Meals 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

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. We ask that members drop off pet food in the basket in the narthex.