Christ the King Lutheran Church 1

KING’S BANNER2353 Rice Blvd,

Houston TX 77005ctkelc.org

Volume 73, Number 12 December, 2019

Christ the King Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas

THE

Advent Wreath Workshop First Sunday of Advent December 1, 9:45 a.m.The Altar Guild will set up for wreath making in the courtyard. Two different styles of wire wreaths, blue and purple advent candle sets, ribbon, bows and greenery are provided. A donation of $10 is suggested to cover the costs. All ages are invited to join in this communal craft activity to start the Advent season in your homes. If you have a purchased wreath that you would like to decorate, please bring it and join the fun.

Annual Meeting of the Congregation, Part 1 December 8, 12:30 p.m., parish hallPart 1 of the Annual Meeting of the congregation will take place on Sunday, December 8, immediately following the 10:50 a.m. service. The agenda will include presentation of preliminary budget for 2020 and council member elections. Your presence and voice in the planning and administration of our congregational life together is vital. Thank you for your presence and support.

Raise Money for Luther League by Shopping Fairtrade!Love to give handmade gifts? Help the Luther League this holiday season with our online fundraiser from Serrv & Earn. See page 9.

Advent and 

ChristmasPhotographer: Niall McAuley

Lessons and Carols in Sunday WorshipDecember 8, 8:30 and 10:50 a.m.Lessons and Carols will be celebrated this year as part of both 8:30 and 10:50 services. The combined forces of our Choir and Chorus will sing carols of the season, including a new motet by our own Yanis Eberhart. The great story of salvation will be read and sung, also including wonderful carols for all. Holy Communion will be celebrated as always!

Advent Organ MeditationsFridays, 12:15 p.m. December 6, 13 and 20Music and readings for Advent focus our hearts on expectant anticipation. Come and enjoy 30 minute meditations with music from the organ and scripture reading on December 6, 13 and 20, 12:15-12:45 p.m. in the nave.

Longest Night Service of Hope and Comfort Saturday, December 21, 6:00 p.m.This contemplative service offers time for remembering, sharing our hurting places with God, and preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ. Join others for whom the Christmas season is bittersweet to hear scripture, offer prayers for healing and wholeness, and to sing hymns that acknowledge God’s presence with those who mourn and grieve, with those who suffer, and with those who struggle. God is the light shining in our darkness. All are welcome! The service will be followed by a brief time for light refreshments and fellowship.

HeiligabendHeiligabend

New Year’s Day Organ RecitalDon't miss New Year's Day organ recital with Mary Joy Silmaro, flut-ist Kelly DeVany, trumpeter Bob Walp, and a cameo moment with Rick Erickson. Celebratory recep-tion follows.

Bach Vespers for AdventSunday, December 15 at 6:00 p.m. Bach Vespers for Advent on Sunday, December 15 at 6:00 p.m. will feature our Bach Choir and Orchestra presenting Bach's Cantata 36 "Schwingt freudig euch empor."

Also featured will be hymns of the season, organ settings of the chorale "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland," motets by Handl, Hassler, and a rare gem from the period of the Mexican Baroque by an anonymous composer! Please join us for this always popular seasonal observance. Vespers is preceeded by a talk in the parish hall at 5:15. A wine and cheese reception follows. Free will offering will be received.

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Pastor Duane's

World

Have Advent and the coming Christmas season become too routine? Not for me. For some people they have. Something so familiar and so practiced can have the unintended effect of limiting holy imagination. It is possible, too, that what had been so familiar and cherished is now

not so welcome, especially if we carry griefs into the season. It is not required that we “be happy” in the coming season. Indeed, it is all the more a time that God even more expressly enters into our lives with healing, if also surprising, words. The healing may take a while. But Advent and Christmas mean expressly that God is active in our lives every day and that, notwithstanding the many false messages that come from every quarter (which on occasion do need to be called out even from pulpits), God stays active. That’s the express message of the coming days. It is Good News!

And there are always new and hope-inspiring facets to the message of Advent and Christmas that have helped me over the many years as a pastor. This year I’ve been on a wonder-ful (and sometimes painful) “journey” of reading the work of Hannah Arendt (long overdue). We may know her for her journalistic account of the trial of Eichmann. She is otherwise just these days receiving her due honor as one of the most insightful 20th century philosophers of the human condition. Here’s a bon mot from Arendt that struck me as wonderfully

Advent Again we prepare for the Lord’s coming.

Again we prepare for Christmas.

Again we look forward to the “new” in the clothing of what for us is so very familiar.

and newly illumining about God’s purposes and actions in our lives. She wrote, “Gladness, not sadness, is talkative, and truly human dialogue differs from mere talk or even discus-sion in that it is entirely permeated by pleasure in the other person and what he says.”

Again, what a wonderful insight, and wonderful way to think of Advent, then Christmas. Often we think of God in Christ coming to us to “persuade” us of God’s intentions for the peaceable kingdom. But all along, throughout the record of salvation history in both testaments, God is in a conversation with God’s people. Sometimes the conversation is “anxious.” Sometimes it is a real love poem. Above all, it is God’s delight and promise to be in life with us. And so God makes it even more palpable. God chooses a human birth and thereby God comes with God’s judgment on the world that the world will be redeemed in and by love. God even comes for deeper conversation; starting with a babe’s cries and gurgles, but surely growing into sublimely articulate delight. God becomes human because God takes “pleasure in the other person.” God wants to talk! God delights in a conversation. It has been getting deeper every year and every age. Stressed at times, yes. But God’s delight has not waned. And so here we are. Ready for more of God’s conversation. Ready to be ready in Advent. And ready for Christmas, in a new and promise-filled way. God’s gladness is talkative.

So, as the hymn goes, “Let our gladness have no end.” Pastor Duane

Year-End Tax Deductible Contributions from Any Asset As you prayerfully consider your calendar year-end giving, remember: You can take advantage of the charitable tax deduction for any gifts given before December 31. Checks must be dated and postmarked in 2019. Of course any gifts placed in the offering plate through December will be credited to 2019.

Foundation Invites Grant ApplicationsThe Board of Directors for the Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church New Foundation invites grant applications. Regular grants may be made solely in support of the life and work of the Church and other qualified organizations whose purposes are aligned with the strategic emphases of the Church. Regular grants generally support special projects and special needs of the Church, and may not be approved to support the regular operating expenses of the Church. Strong preference will be given to grant applications that, in the judgment of the Board, advance the Church's mission as "A Healing Place." Grant applications should describe how the proposal will benefit the Church and its mis-sion, and may be submitted by December 31, 2019 to the Church office or to any member of the Foundation board (Russell Post, Kathy Collins, Bob Solberg, Wendy Wiker, and Jerry Zamzow). Grant decisions will be announced at the Part II Annual Meeting in February 2020.

Let our gladness have no end.

Pledge Cards 2020 We Build a HouseAll members and friends are welcome to participate in our annual stewardship campaign. Pledge cards are available in the narthex and may be placed in the offering or turned in to the church office.

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Mission Mission OfferingOfferingThe mission offering is collected at the The mission offering is collected at the

church doors at the end of worship.church doors at the end of worship.

A Healing PlaceA Healing Place

ELCA World Hunger AppealThe December Mission Offering is designated for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America World Hunger Appeal. The ELCA’s com-mitment to supporting people who live with chronic hunger, disease, and poverty around the corner and around the world is carried out by ELCA World Hunger through relief, development, education, and advocacy. Last year, we contributed $18,882 to the World Hunger Appeal and, historically, our congregation has regarded the World Hunger Appeal as one of our distinctive global mission priorities.

All money raised by the World Hunger Appeal comes through specially designated offerings and donations from ELCA members, congrega-tions, and friends. ELCA World Hunger receives no benevolence (gen-eral budget money from general ELCA member offerings); the ELCA’s world hunger ministry is based in congregations, where most of the fundraising takes place.

ELCA World Hunger improves the lives of people in need in the United States and around the world in four distinct ways:

• providing immediate relief for people affected by chronic hunger and poverty;

• assisting whole communities through long-term, sustainable development to help alleviate chronic hunger and poverty;

• advocating for justice by changing laws and systems;• educating members of the ELCA in awareness of

issues relating to hunger, poverty, and justice.

How does ELCA World Hunger carry out these functions?ELCA World Hunger supports “partner organizations” that carry out international relief and development on the ELCA’s behalf with grants from money raised by the World Hunger Appeal. Also through grants, the program helps fund more than 200 relief and develop-ment projects in the United States. Funds raised by the World Hunger Appeal also support efforts of ELCA units and other outside partners as they:

• Teach members of the ELCA about causes and solu-tions to global poverty.

• Carry out active projects in environmental steward-ship.

• Carry out hunger advocacy work in the ELCA office in Washington, D.C., and in 20 state offices as well as Bread for the World.

• Examine our lifestyles through resources from Al-ternatives for Simple Living.

Who decides how the money is spent?While most of the funds the World Hunger Appeal collects are raised in congregations, the funds are collected at the ELCA churchwide office in Chicago. There, the work of rais-ing and spending of funds is coordinated and supported by various units of the churchwide office, including:

• Development Services (World Hunger Appeal fund-raising, hunger education, communication)

• Global Mission (international relief and develop-ment, International Disaster Response)

• Church in Society (World Hunger Program overall coordination, hunger education, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response)

• ELCA Foundation (fund-raising through major and planned gifts)

For more information on the World Hunger, visit elca.org/hunger.

ELCA World Hunger

GuatemalaMothers Fight for Their Daughters’ Education

"Will you take me with you?" As Pastor Karen Castillo prepared to leave Playito Cerro Alto, a secluded community along Guatemala's

Rio Chixoy, she felt the tug of a regular request from one of the village's young girls. Pr. Karen knew the situation: If the girl stayed, she would likely be married soon and then pregnant, without the option of continuing her education. Yet Pr. Karen also knew the girl could not come with her to Guatemala City.

This girl's situation is common among the indigenous, rural com-munities served by the Augustinian Lutheran Church of Guatemala (ILAG in Spanish). Families tend to be large, and due to poverty, cultural traditions and other factors, daughters are often given away for marriage early. At 12 to 14 years old, girls are matched with husbands who are at least twice their age and sometimes older.

However; with the church's help and your support, the women in these communities are starting to speak up, calling for better futures for their daughters and granddaughters. The lack of educational opportunities for women and girls is a frequent concern Pr. Karen hears. Schools are often far from people’s homes, and if instruction is available, boys are often given precedence.

With the urging of parents and leaders in these communities and the support of partners, including ELCA World Hunger, ILAG is providing the tools to break the cycle of poverty for this generation and many to come. Now Pr. Karen can say “yes” to some of the girls longing to complete their education before starting a family.

Opened in 2018 at the Augustinian Lutheran Center in Guatemala City, the MILAGRO (“miracle”) Women’s Education Center is a place for young women from these rural communities to continue their secondary education, faith formation and development of voca-tional and life skills - among them sewing, cooking, baking, artisanal handcrafts, carpentry, masonry, music and gardening - that will help them be financially independent in the future.

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The New Lutheran-Muslim “Scriptural Reasoning” Group Tuesday, December 17, 6:00 p.m. at the Blue Mosque – The Islamic Institute

Come join this dynamic new group of Lutherans and Muslims at the Blue Mosque – The Islamic Institute, 9301 W. Bellfort Ave. on Tuesday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m. We’ll read and discuss parallel texts from The Bible and the Qur’an while deepening understanding of our own and our neighbors’ faith. We’ll also enjoy a meal to-gether. See Pastor Duane for further info.

Young Adults/Young ProfessionalsCTK Young Adults meet December 15, again after Advent Bach Vespers, 7:00 p.m., at The Ginger Man for “Holiday Cheer and Chatter.” As ever, we enjoy com-munity with each other by catching up on personal news and looking forward with planning for a robust 2020.

January picks up again with “Blues, Brews, and Good News” on the 24th, with the theme “Lively Talk About Death.” What could be more engaging? Also, somewhere in the coming days, someone suggests a Festivus party. Wanna pay some Seinfeld forward? Let’s plan, on December 15. At the Ginger Man.

December 1: Advent Wreath Workshop in the courtyardThe Altar Guild will set up for wreath making in the cloister and courtyard. The supplies provided include two different styles of wire wreaths, blue and purple advent candle sets, ribbon, bows and greenery. A donation of $10 is suggested to cover the Altar Guild’s cost of supplies. All ages are invited to join in this communal craft activity to start the Advent season in your homes. If you have a purchased wreath that you would like to decorate, please bring it and join the fun.

December 8: Festive Advent Reception in the courtyard between Lessons and Carols service.

December 15: Children’s Christmas Pageant in the parish hall. Waffle Café by Luther League.

December 22: The Magnificat is an ancient song of the church, and has been inspiration for music and art. Join Rick and Mary Joy as they explore some musical settings from a wide variety of sources.

December 29: Christmas Goodies in the courtyard

Sunday ForumSunday ForumSundays at 9:45 a.m. in the parish hall

Members are invited to suggest speakers or topics. Contact Pr. Karin at karinliebster@ctkelc.org

How Can I Get Involved at Christ the King Church in 2020?Each year the members of Christ the King Church generously donate their time and talent to the mission of living our faith. As we approach our 75th an-niversary year, we invite members and friends to fill out a survey indicating your interests. In December you will receive a catalog in your email in-box (in PDF format) which describes many opportunities for your involvement in congregational life and community outreach in 2020. You will then receive a link to an online survey at SurveyMon-key.com to indicate your interests. Of course, there will also be paper copies available, both the catalog and re-sponse forms, in the narthex. We hope everyone will consider getting involved in strengthening our congregation’s mission to be a healing place for one another, our community, and the world.

Family Friday December 6, 5:00-6:45 p.m.

Families with b a b i e s a n d toddlers come together on the first Friday of the month

(this month we will meet on the second Friday) when we share dinner, playtime and conversation! This is a fun, social time – the group is always open to new friends joining. Come join us!

When: December 6, 5:00-6:45 p.m.Where: Parish hallDinner: Pizza and salad BYOB

Advent StarDuring Advent through Epiphany a star appears at Christ the King Lutheran Church. In the early nineteenth century special multi-pointed stars began to be used in the Moravian churches of Saxony. They are made from paper, perhaps originally as geometry projects. Soon the stars were very popular in the churches as reminders of the light of creation, of the prophecy that a star would arise out of Jacob, of the Star of Bethlehem, and of the bright and Morning Star, Jesus Christ. They also became popular in the Lutheran churches of Saxony and beyond. The star appears in Advent and remains until the Epiphany of Our Lord and sometimes even later.

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Donate New Toys and BooksPlease donate new, unwrapped toys and books (avoiding items violent in nature) for children ages 0 – 15 to the Christian Commu-nity Service Center (CCSC). Items for teenag-ers are particularly needed. You may place donations in the basket in the narthex or in the church office. Deadline for toys and gifts is December 8.

When shopping for toys, remember the toy each child receives through Jingle Bell Express may be his/her only Christmas present. Con-sider purchasing one or two “primary gifts” rather than several small “stocking stuffers” or donate money. Checks can be made out to Christ the King Church with Jingle Bell Express in the memo line.

Volunteers NeededJingle Bell Express involves hun-dreds of volunteers. Help is need-ed with organizing toys, setting up the ‘store’, and even helping parents select toys.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, December 9 - 11 at 6:00-8:00 p.m.Move, Sort & Set-up (Prepare toys and food for distribution)

Bellaire United Methodist Church, 4417 Bellaire Blvd. Contact 713-961-3993 ext. 215 or seasonal@ccschouston.org.

Music Practice for Children and Youth Children and youth join to make music in worship during Advent and Christmas. Music director Rick Erickson and Mu-sic Associate Mary Joy Silmaro lead rehearsals that include music, movement and reading. We will practice music, and prepare Advent Lessons and Carols on December 8, and for the Pagaent on Sunday, December 14. We invite all children and youth old enough for singing and group activities to sign up. Registration can be done via link in Thursday evening emails, online, and in an email to be sent to all families. With questions please email rick@bachsocietyhouston.org. Advent and Christmas Celebrations Rehearsal work:December 7, 10-11:30 a.m. (Saturday)December 14, 10-11:30 a.m. (Saturday)

Worship, Christmas pageant, Christmas Eve:December 8, Sunday morning, Advent 2 December 15, Christmas Pageant, Advent 3, between ser-vicesDecember 24, 6 p.m. service

Fill a Shoebox by December 1 and Delight a SeafarerC h r i s t t h e K i n g Lutheran Church is collecting shoeboxes filled with gifts to give to seafarers w h o v i s i t t h e Port of Houston during the holiday season. The gifts will be distributed by the Seafarers’ ecumenical ministry. In 2018, chaplains placed over 9,100 gifts on board 409 ships which had seafarers from 60 different countries!

Houston's Annual Shape Note SingingSaturday, December 7 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the naveShape Note Music, also called Sacred Harp Music, is Christian a cappella music which developed in England and early America. When there were few schools or music teachers, people were taught to read music by the shape of the notes to indicate the tone. Thousands of songs were written in this notation style. This vibrant, heart thumping music is also called White Spiri-tuals. The Sacred Harp is the human voice. Shape Note Music continues to be sung in America and Europe.

Come listen or join in singing. If you are going to sing, please let Linda Siemers know so there will be plenty of hymn books. And we always bring extra hymn books anyway. This is not performance; it’s praise. To learn how to sing this music, come at 9:00 a.m. for the Singing School. Pot luck lunch at noon in the narthex. To hear the music or see a schedule of sacred harp singings in Texas, go to texasfasola.org.

Tamales! Tamales! Tamales! December 15Between services on Sunday, December 15, the members of Good Shepherd Church (El Buen Pastor) will be sell-ing their delicious tamales again. The cost is $12 per package. Proceeds go to support projects for their church. Remember, don’t wait too long, they always go fast. Thank you to our friends at El Buen Pastor Lutheran Church.

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For information, contact Ben Remmert, Deacon Director of Youth and Family Ministry, benremmert@ctkelc.org or 281-468-4686.

December Dates: 1: Advent Wreath Workshop, 9:45 a.m. SeaFarer Wrapping Party, 12:30 p.m.6-7: Advent Retreat at Lutherhill7: Deliver SeaFarer Gifts, 10:00 a.m.8: Lessons and Carols, 8:30 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. Luther League Meeting, 12:30 p.m.15: Waffle Café, 8:00 a.m. Luther League Christmas Party, 12:30 p.m.21: Sr. High Coffee Hour, 6:00 p.m. 25: Christmas!31: New Years Eve!

Lutherhill Advent Retreat: December 6-7A gathering for 1st-6th grade youth to explore the joy of advent.Something is coming! Advent marks a time of anticipation, prepara-tion, and boundless hope. At this mini-retreat, campers in 1st-6th grade gather for an action-packed 24 hours at the Hill! By the end of our time together – we’ll certainly anticipate more to come! Cost is $60. RSVP to Deacon Ben Remmert at benremmert@ctkelc.org by November 30.

Waffle Baking Volunteers Needed December 15 at 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Youth and adult volunteers needed for our Christmas Pageant Waffle Bake on December 15, beginning at 8 a.m. Volunteers will making and selling waffles during the Christmas Pageant to support the youth going to Peru this summer. No experience necessary. Dona-tions of waffle batter and toppings are welcome to help cut the cost. If you feel so called to donate, please contact Deacon Ben Remmert.

Luther League Christmas Party December 15 at 12:30 p.m.All 6th – 12th grade youth and their parents are invited to help decorate the church Christmas tree at 12:30 p.m. before attending the Luther League Christmas party and gift exchange. All attending should meet in the youth room at 12:30 p.m. for lunch, games, and a white elephant gift exchange. Afterwards, we will move to the narthex to decorate the Christmas tree and have a snowball fight in the courtyard. Please bring a gift under $10 (new or used) for the gift exchange. Gifts are typically something laying around the house that you don’t want and that is funny, tacky, or “Gag Gift.” The main entrée will be provided but side dishes and desserts are needed for our feast! Please contact Ben Remmert to volunteer or to sign up to bring a dish by Saturday, December 14!

Sr. High Coffee Hour December 21, 6:00 p.m. High school students are invited to come for an afternoon of fel-lowship and play the latest board games with Deacon Ben Remmert at local coffee houses in Houston. On December 21 we will meet at A 2nd Cup Coffeehouse in the Heights at 6:00 p.m. Come for a great conversation about world religions, good company with a great game, and a great cup of coffee/tea that supports the local community.

Sr. High students went camping at Martin Dies State Park on November 1-3 learning more about caring for creation and biking the trails. Middle School students Henry Turner, Elliot Harlan, and Amanda Schoppe attended this year’s Jr. High Retreat at Lutherhill on November 8-10 learning more about sabbath and connecting with over 140 middle school students from all over the synod.

Luther League MeetingsThe Luther League is open to all youth in 6th - 12th grade for a time of fellowship, fun, bible study, and prayer. All our meetings will be after late service at 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Friends and visitors are always welcome! We currently need meals for all for the month of December. If you can cook, or order, or buy food at the store, please help feeding our hungry youth on Sunday afternoon around 12:30 p.m. Please contact Ben Remmert at benremmert@ctkelc.org to sign up.

SeaFarer Gift Wrappers Needed: December 1Come and join us for a great evening of fellow-ship as we wrap all the collected SeaFarer Gifts on Sunday, December 1 beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the adult classroom. Volunteers will help in wrapping gifts that we have been collecting to give to sailors that stay in the Port of Houston over the holidays. Donations of wrapping paper are always welcome.

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Plan for SummerLutherhill Elementary Camp and Beach Camp Registration is open

Elementary Students- (1st-6th Grade)Lutherhill Elementary Summer Camp - July 12-17, 2020Those completed 1st-5th grade will spend a whole week at Lutherhill discovering all of the joys camp has to offer with Dea-con Ben Remmert! Alpha Campers (1st Graders) are at camp from July 12-15 and Youngin’s (2nd-3rd Graders) and Yearling’s (4th-6th Graders) are at camp from July 12-17. Enjoy fun bible studies, camp-wide worships, afternoon activities and daily All Camp activities. Spend an evening around the campfire making s’mores. Cost break-downs are below. Sign up and register by February 15, 2020.

Alpha (1st Grade) Program Cost:Paid in Full by December 15- $275Paid in Full by March 15-$290Paid in Full by May 15- $325Paid in Full after May 15- $340

Young’ns (2nd-3rdGrade) and Yearling’s (4th-6th Grade) Program Cost:Paid in Full by December 15- $425Paid in Full by March 15-$450Paid in Full by May 15- $500Paid in Full after May 15- $525

Youth Trips - (7th-12th Grade)Lutherhill Beach Camp- July 19-24, 2020Those that have completed 6th-8th grade can experience a week at Lutherhill as a confirma-tion group with Deacon Ben Remmert at Zion Retreat Center in Galveston Island! Campers will experience the love of Christ both inside and outside the walls of Zion by taking advan-tage of the beach and surrounding attractions by dive into Bible studies, enjoy worships on the Gulf of Mexico, cook for one another, expe-rience service opportunities in the surrounding communities, explore the island of Galveston, and grow in community with fellow junior high students. Cost breakdown are below. Sign up and register by February 15, 2020.

Jr. High Beach Camp Program Cost:Paid in Full by December 15- $465Paid in Full by March 15-$490Paid in Full by May 15- $540Paid in Full after May 15- $565

Peru Trip: June 18-28, 20208th-12th grade youth are in-vited for a great opportunity to visit churches in Trujillo, Peru and will be immersed into Peruvian culture. Come learn how we walk alongside our partner congregations and how we support the ministry of our Peruvian brothers and sisters! This is a cross-cultural and cross-generational spiritual experience that includes inten-tional relationship building with the Peruvian Lutheran Church, and visits to ancient Incan ruins and more. RSVP and Deposit of $650 are due ASAP to Deacon Ben Remmert. For more infor-mation, please contact Deacon Ben Remmert or Beverly Davis for more information.

Camp Hope Ministry is Coming this Summer!Mark your calendars for June 8-12, 2020Camp Hope is a day camp ministry where youth will be leading a day of camp here at church from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. where children (ages 5 to 11) will learn bible stories through worship, games, snacks, science experiments, drama, and crafts throughout the day. For almost 30 years, Camp Hope has provided new curriculum and training to con-gregations throughout the United States. The vision for Camp Hope is to be the best strategy for congregations to develop young Christian leaders doing justice, who serve God as ser-vants in their neighborhood and in the world.

Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church Dates: Each day during the week, Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 12 at 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. (before and after camp options available)Who Can Attend: Those that have finished pre-K through 6th Grade by May 2020 (ages 4-10)Costs: $100.00 (Before Camp- $25.00 & After Camp- $25.00)

Camp Hope Staff Applications are Out: This summer we are looking for middle and high school students to serve on our Summer 2020 Camp Hope staff. There are two ways to serve at Camp Hope—both are essential to a great Day Camp:

Support Staff: Starting at age 12, people are invited to serve in leadership positions that require orientation and specific time commitments. Paid Staff: A limited number of people between the ages of 15 and 22 will be called to serve as small group leaders and directors. Paid staff are required to participate in pre-camp learning, attend the Staff Training Event, all staff meetings and to be prepared each day.

Applications can be found online at www.ctkelc.org or paper applications can be found at Christ the King Church. Applications are due on January 15, 2020!

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Lesser Festivals and Commemorations3 Francis Xavier, missionary to Asia, 1552 4 John of Damascus, theologian and hymnwriter, c. 749 6 Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 342 7 Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, 397 13 Lucy, martyr, 304 14 John of the Cross, renewer of the church, 1591 20 Katharina von Bora Luther, renewer of the church, 155226 STEPHEN, DEACON AND MARTYR 27 JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST 28 THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS

December 2019Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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15 16 17 18 19 20 21

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29 30 31

8:30 am Worship9:45 am Sunday School

9:45 am Advent Wreath Workshop

10:50 am Worship12:30 pm Wrapping Party

Church Office Closed

8:15 am Morning Prayer

8:15 am Morning Prayer

8:15 am Morning Prayer

6:15 pm Brass Choir

7:30 pm Choir and Chorus

8:15 am Morning Prayer

8:15 am Morning Prayer

9:00 am Prayer Shawl ministry

10:00 am Friday Morning Bible Study

12:15 pm Organ Meditation

5:00 Family FridayAdvent Retreat

9:00 am Young Adults Voluneer at CCSC

9:00 am Shape Note Singing10:30 Child/Youth

Music1:00 pm Yoga6:00 pm

Contemplative Worship

Advent Retreat

8:30 am Worship/Lessons & Carols

9:45 am Sunday School

9:45 am Advent Reception

10:50 am Worship/Lessons & Carols

12:30 pm Annual Meeting

12:30 pm Luther League

Church Office Closed

8:15 am Morning Prayer

8:15 am Morning Prayer

8:15 am Morning Prayer

6:15 pm Brass Choir

7:30 pm Choir and Chorus

8:15 am Morning Prayer

8:15 am Morning Prayer

9:00 am Prayer Shawl ministry

10:00 am Friday Morning Bible Study

12:15 pm Organ Meditation

10:30 Child/Youth Music

1:00 pm Yoga6:00 pm Contemplative Worship

8:30 am Worship10:00 am Christmas Pageant and Waffle Café

10:50 am Worship12:30 pm Luther League

6:00 pm Bach Vespers

Church Office Closed

8:15 am Morning Prayer

8:15 am Morning Prayer

6:00 pm Scriptural Reasoning, offisite

8:15 am Morning Prayer

10:00 am SEARCH Coffee Hour

6:15 pm Brass Choir

7:30 pm Choir and Chorus

8:15 am Morning Prayer

8:15 am Morning Prayer

9:00 am Prayer Shawl ministry

12:15 pm Organ Meditation

1:00 pm Yoga6:00 pm Contemplative Worship/Longest Night

6:00 pm Sr High Luther Café

8:30 am Worship9:45 am Sunday Forum

10:50 am Worship

Church Office Closed

8:15 am Morning Prayer

Christmas Eve4:00 pm Weihnachtsmesse

6:00 pm Worship10:00 pm Worship

Christmas Day11:00 am Carols and Communion

8:15 am Morning Prayer

8:15 am Morning Prayer

9:00 am Prayer Shawl ministry

1:00 pm Yoga6:00 pm Contemplative Worship

8:30 am Worship9:45 am Christmas Potluck Snacks

10:50 am Worship

Church Office Closed

8:15 am Morning Prayer

8:15 am Morning Prayer

Tamales for sale

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ELCA Good Gifts: With more than 50 options, from honeybees to goats to school supplies to medical checkups, ELCA Good Gifts makes it easy to honor your gift recipients in meaningful ways that help people in need in more than 80 countries in which the ELCA has a presence.

Sending a “good gift” is easy. First, choose your gift from the catalog. Second, announce your gift by print-ing off one of the online printable cards, or request cards to be mailed directly to you for giving. (When you make a gift online, you also have an option to personalize free, printed cards that will be sent directly to your loved ones.) Third, know that more than 90 percent of your gifts directly support Lutheran ministries near and far. To make the gifts more personal, you can choose the causes that are closest to your recipients’ hearts. • elca.org/goodgiftsMake it fair trade: There’s a lot of talk about fair trade, but just what does it mean? According to Fair Trade USA, “Fair-Trade Certified” products are made with respect to people and planet, with products ranging from coffee and chocolate to body care and clothes. To be sure you’re buying certi-fied products, look for the label. Equal Exchange is one worker-owned coop-erative that offers fair-trade goods.

Alt

erna

tive Do you really

want another “thing”

for Christmas?

What do you give the person who

already has everything?

Is gift giving at Christmas losing

its sense of meaning?

Want to try something

different this year?

Raise Money for Luther League by Shopping Fairtrade!Love to give handmade gifts? Help the Luther League this holiday season with our online fundraiser from Serrv & Earn. Serrv & Earn program partners with fair trade artisans and our youth group by offering this online shopping fundraiser. 20% of your total online sales will be donated to the summer 2020 Peru Trip. The website links will be emailed in the weekly congregational emails. Fundraiser ends on December 24. Thank you for helping us support artisans and farmers living in poverty.

Additionally, Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Farmers Market Coffee partners with farmers to help trans-form communities that depend on coffee crops to support their families. Not only can you give the gift of a delicious cup of hot coffee, but you’ll know that your gift funds LWR projects worldwide.

For more fair-trade gift ideas, take a look at Ten Thousand Villages that works with 20,000 mak-ers in 30 developing countries; and Servv, which connects shoppers with artisans and farmers in 25 countries to lift them and their families out of poverty. (Support our youth’s project with SERRV—see sidebar, left).• fairtradeusa.org • tenthousandvillages.com • lwrfarmersmarket.org • serrv.org • equalexchange.coop

Interested in nature and animals: You can't take the animal(s) you adopt home (can you imagine keeping a manatee in the bathtub?), but you can virtually adopt wild animals as gifts while supporting international, national or local animal groups.• savethemanatee.org/adoptpag.htm • gifts.worldwildlife.org

(click on "special adoptions")• www.shopnwf.org

Help CTK member Cindi Scruggs rehabilitate injured and orphaned Texas wildlife through the Wildlife Center of Texas. • wildlifecenteroftexas.org/donate

You can also support our own Houston Zoo by adopting an animal. • houstonzoo.org/support /adopt-an-animal

Plant It Forward, a local non-profit works with refugees to give them employment in organic farming. • csa.farmigo.com/store/plantitforward

Many wishes for a very Merry Christmas and

Happy New Year!

Contribute to our December Mission Offering which benefits the Evangelical Church in America (ELCA) World Hunger Appeal and pick up

“gift of hope” cards in the narthex to give to your loved ones for Christmas.

Giving Gifts

Alternative Gift Giving Opportunities

Alternative Giving and Sharing Christmas Joy!

Are you looking for a gift to give a loved one or friend that will truly make a difference this Christmas? Here is a wonderful way to honor those you love while supporting your neighbors in crisis who visit the Christian Community Service Center.

Go to ccschouston.org and click the green "I Want to Donate" button. Once CCSC has re-ceived your gift(s), they will send a Christmas card to the recipient(s) you designate in the "Memory/Honor/Christmas Acknowledgement" section. (Make sure to include their full name and complete address).

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is our church’s new ministry focused on supporting migrant minors. As a congre-

gation, we aim to accompany migrant minors (and their families) with protection, advocacy, representation and opportunities. There are many avenues to provide emotional, spiritual, financial and physical support.

If interested in volunteering at Las Americas, for the Houston Migrant Outreach Coalition, or providing donations for the International Y’s cli-ents, please contact Emily Triantaphyllis by email: ewtrianta@gmail.com.

Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Represenntation and Opportunities

SEARCH Coffee MinistryWednesday, December 18, 10:00 a.m.Please join us in hosting our monthly coffee hour for SEARCH Homeless Services clients at the Perry St. Apartments, 4415 Perry, a New Hope Housing project in the Third Ward Wednesday, December 18, 10:00-11:00 a.m. This collaboration with SEARCH takes place every third Wednesday of the month. For more information, contact Beverly at beverlydavis@ctkelc.org. We are collecting 2020 calendars for Perry Street residents. Drop off in the basket in the narthex.

Toilet Tissue, Laundry Detergent, Non-perishable Foods, and Pet Food Next time you’re at the grocery, think about picking up an extra roll or two of toilet tissue or laundry detergent (all sizes, liquid or powder) for residents at SEARCH’s Perry St. Aparments. Or consider “tithing” a roll of tissue for every jumbo pack you buy. We also collect non-perishable food items for Emergency Services of Christian Community Service Center (which serves as our food pantry) and pet food for the AniMeals program of Meals on Wheels of Interfaith Ministries. You can drop off all donated items in the collection basket in the narthex any Sunday. Vol unteers will then deliver them to our ministry partner sites.

Young Adults Volunteer December 7, 9:00 a.m.- NoonJoin the Young Adults as we volunteer at CCSC’s Emergency Ser-vices (3434 Branard) on Saturday, December 7 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. All are welcome to join us on the first Saturday every other month. For questions or to RSVP, please contact nathan@wikernet.com.

Living Undocumented, a Documentary Saturday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m.The Houston Migrant Outreach Coalition will meet on Saturday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the council room. The timely documentary, "Living Undocumented," which depicts the status of migrants in the US, will be shown and discussion will follow. Members and friends are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Rebecca Shields at rshields63@gmail.com

AMMPARO

Christmas Goodies Snack Potluck December 22 and 29Got extra Christmas treats? Share them with your church family! For the Sundays during the Christmas season, we are asking con-gregation members to kindly share some of your Christmas bounty and help provide after-church snacks on both Sunday, December 22 and again on Sunday, December 29. Any and all treats are wel-come - sweet and savory. Just bring your plated treats with you on either Sunday and add them to the snack potluck.

If you would like to join the year-round snack provider group, your help is always needed. We have a special need for providers for the 10:50 service. Want to learn more? Email Anita Bryant at awbintx@gmail.com for more information.

Gottesdienst in deutscher Sprache German language Christmas Service

24. Dezember 24. Dezember 4:00 p.m.4:00 p.m.

HeiligabendHeiligabendMembers and friends hung symbolic dog tags during Days of Prayer for Veterans and the Suicide Crisis November 1-11.

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Brain Health

Community of Hope training begins in January ― Is God Calling You to be a Lay Chaplain?Do you want to deepen your relationship with God? Do you want to acquire the skills needed to handle different life situations in your every day journey? Do you want to be comfortable extending God’s love to your family, friends, and neighbors?

Then, the Community of Hope may be for you! In addition to providing training to equip laypersons to serve in pastoral care ministry as Lay Chaplains, the Com-munity of Hope offers a journey into wholeness through

spiritual growth opportunities in a community shaped by prayer and Benedictine spirituality.

At Christ the King Lutheran Church, we have trained 119 Community of Hope Lay Chaplains (both members of our congregation and from many other congrega-tions) who live out their call to be “holy listeners” in many different settings: in their families, their work-

places, their neighborhoods, hospitals, nursing homes, hos-pice, and within the congregation. You are invited to consider becoming a part of our Community of Hope.

Classes will be held on Monday evenings, January 27 through April 6. Class size is limited. Registration deadline is January 10. For more information or to receive an application, contact Beverly Davis at beverlydavis@ctkelc.org or 713-400-0517.

Pillars of Brain Health Part 4 –

Sleep/Relaxation & Medical HealthWe continue to look at brain health. For more information visit: https://my.clevelandclinic.org and do a search for “pillars of brain health”.

Sleep/Relaxation Good sleep restores energy and provides a boost for mood and the immune system and can reduce brain accu-mulation of an abnormal protein called beta-amyloid plaque, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Target at least six hours of sleep each night. Tips to achieve that goal include:

1. Regular exercise will improve the quality of your sleep2. Make the bedroom a sanctuary-cool temp and drapes to keep

light out3. Exposure to sunlight in the morning helps regulate the wake/

sleep cycle.4. Keep electronics out of the bedroom and turn them off 1-2

hours before bedtime. Their blue light can disrupt the natural urge to sleep.

5. Eliminate tobacco as its use can trigger withdrawal during the night which further disrupts sleep.

6. Stick to a night time routine and try to keep the same sleep and wake times.

Medical Health Hypertension, diabetes, obe-sity, depression, head trauma, higher cholesterol and smoking all increase the risk of dementia so..

1. Know your numbers: blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.

2. Take medications as prescribed.3. Take time for that annual physical and be open

and honest with your provider.4. Do not smoke.5. Practice fall prevention, wear your seat belt

and use a helmet for sporting activities that have risk of falls or head trauma, i.e., cycling, rock climbing and skydiving

So there you have it. The six pillars of brain health!

Physical Exercise/Mental Fitness/Food & Nutrition/ Stay Connected/Sleep & Relaxation, Medical Health

Stay tuned for more as the Sunday Forums on February 2 and February 9 will focus on a dementia update and how faith communities can become dementia friendly!

Flowers for the NaveThe 2020 Altar Guild Flower Chart is on the mobile bulletin board. Flower arrangements for weekend services are $65. Please pay for the flowers when you sign up. Checks can be made out to Christ the King Lutheran Church with “Altar Flowers” in the memo line and placed in the offering.

Christmas FlowersMembers may contribute toward decorating the nave for Christ-mas by donating $20 for greenery, poinsettias and the Christmas tree. You may place contributions in the offering with one of the inserts from the bulletin or give it to the church office.

Members and friends of the congregation are invited to join the Altar Guild in decorating the nave for Christmas. Contact Linda Marx at lindamarx@sbcglobal.net

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Churchwide Assembly Look-Back: Carbon Fee & DividendAt churchwide assembly in August, a memorial was passed that asks ELCA members to learn about and advocate for a national strategy for carbon fee and dividend. A carbon fee or tax is a policy tool that provides a financial incentive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Dividends are the funds that result from the tax or fee. The memorial emphasizes the importance of ELCA members learning about this topic in order to make informed decisions to ensure the tax/fee and potential dividend causes no harm to any sector, community or people. In response, the Domestic Mission unit of the ELCA will prepare a plan to develop educational resources on this topic as a basis for an advocacy strategy.

The Work of the ELCA: Campus MinistryThe mission of ELCA Campus ministry is to invite people in academic settings to engage more deeply with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the community that bears his name, so that they can discover and fulfill their vocation as disciples. This ministry is for students, faculty, staff and others on campus, regardless of denominational affiliation. Campus Ministry provides a Lutheran presence at 180 col-leges/universities, with an additional 400 campuses reached through cooperating congregations in campus ministry. Go to elca.org, place your cursor over “Our Work”, and click the link for “Campus Ministry” in the Related Ministries section.

Justice Advocacy Event Sunday, December 8, after each worship serviceThe Justice Advocacy Ministry Team invites you to advocate for justice after each worship service on Sunday, December 8. There will be several justice topics to choose from & dif-ferent ways to advocate (including using your iphone!). Stop by the table after worship and raise your voice for justice!

Justice Advocacy Opportunity

– Advocate with the ELCA

December 1Peter BoecherHilda BoyceLisa KruegerMaureen LamsonNancy LetnessNicholas LloydJohnny LongoriaMatthew RothWendy WentlandJan PetnerRichard OechslinFranz LiebsterRon BrownleeCharles HooksKellye BurkeKaren Schulte

December 8Susanna SchusterMichael VollmersYanis EberhartYonas EberhartAeron HoogerwerfPeter WinstonDorothy ChesleyRyan Morris

December 15Jennifer DyerDaniel ZornBill MarksMatthew BolesTrey BourneRobert HooverRichard StuffEldon Thomas

Celebrate your Celebrate your

Baptismal Anniversary!

December 22Bill MintzHenry ThweattHolly GlatzelGaelyn LesherMary Ella OrsburnChristina Azure-KellerSarah ThweattAlexandra UriStephanie HoogerwerfKatie FeuilleEvren GenerNiell GormanOliver MiertschinMarlee ThompsonAnna Fay WilliamsLouis MonroePeter NikonowiczDavid JurgensPenny LinsenmayerWill MallonPierce MathisCharles TurnerShanna Thorvilson

December 29Lucky SahuallaMeredith

MurphyEric OlafsonGrace FordVivian HoJohn BolesValentine BovingJoanie BrehmAndrew WinstonKleta GerhartCheryl HowardDoug MorrisBob PetnerJanice ThompsonAnja TimmermanHilary YbarraSteve YbarraLily LenzThai HoangDana RahmanPatrick StaytonKurt Johnson

“Remember and rejoice, Renewed by floods of grace

We bear the sign of Jesus Christ, That time cannot erase.” (ELW 454)

United Nations Women: Standing Against Rape16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence continues through December 10Dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, the United Nations organization UN Women champions women and girls worldwide accelerating progress on meeting their needs. Beginning on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence increas-es awareness, galvanizes advocacy efforts, and shares knowledge on this year’s theme Standing Against Rape. See unwomen.org/en.

Urge Your Senator to Support the Reach Every Mother and Child Act A bipartisan group of senators has introduced legislation to reduce the number of child and maternal deaths globally. Led by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Chris Coons (D-DE), the Reach Every Mother and Child Act (S.1766) calls for key reforms to strengthen existing child and maternal programs administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). https://support.elca.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1183

Justice Advocacy OpportunitesClimate Displaced Persons ActBy 2050, there could be more than 200 million climate-displaced people worldwide. Super storms, floods, hurricanes and droughts are already forcing people all over the world to leave their homes in search of a safer place to live. The Climate Displaced Persons Act would allow climate refugees to safely enter the United States and re-settle here, offering a humanitarian solution to a growing global crisis. To speak out now to build support for this important bill, see https://act.credoaction.com/sign/climate-refugee_pa/.

Invest in Clean EnergyTax credits for electric vehicles, offshore wind, electric grid scale storage and building efficiency are expiring. Urge your representative to extend these credits that promote clean energy innovation. To ad-vocate, see https://act.nrdc.org/letter/af-rep-tax-extender-190712.

The ELCA is responding as stewards of God’s good creation, and we need more #CreationCareAmbassadors to spread enthusiasm and information and to help strengthen our response. Learn about what’s happening and how you can make a difference, through this webinar hosted by ELCA Advocacy and our ecumenical collaborator, Blessed Tomorrow. Find registration information in the November Update of the blog at www.elca.org/advocacy.

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ELCA Caring for God’s Creation Today: Pass It On!Wednesday, December 11, 2:30 p.m. The ELCA is responding as stewards of God’s good creation, and we need more #CreationCareAmbassadors to spread enthusiasm and information and to help strengthen our response. The moment is now. The opportunities are many. The resources exist and are expanding. Learn about what’s happening and how you can make a difference, through this webinar hosted by ELCA Advocacy and our ecumenical collaborator, Blessed Tomorrow. Find registration information in the November Update of the blog at elca.org/advocacy.

Faith & Climate Change: An Interfaith Panel DiscussionSunday, December 8, 1:30 p.m. 1st Unitarian Universalist ChurchThe Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston and 1st Unitarian Universal-ist Church invite people of all faiths to a panel discussion on faith and climate change. The panelists are clergy repre-senting different faiths and each will engage this topic from the perspective of their faith. 1st Unitarian Universalist Church is located at 5200 Fannin St. Con-tact Lisa Brenskelle at brenskelle@aol.com with any questions on this event.

U.N. Climate Conference DevotionalThe CTK Creation Care Team has cre-ated a daily devotional for use from December 2–13, during the U.N. Climate Conference. Pray for world leaders at the climate conference each day, and for ourselves, that we may all act as good stewards of God’s beloved creation. Copies will be available after worship services on November 30 & December 1, but if you missed getting yours, contact Lisa Brenskelle at bren-skelle@aol.com for an electronic copy.

Save the Date!The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston will have their 2019 Kick-Off Event on Sunday, January 12 in the afternoon. Mark your calendar!

Members in Ministry

Freewheels bicycles were distributed to Wisdom High School students in November.

Thank You for Dinner for Hospitality Apartment Residents Thanks to all who prepared dishes for and served at the Hospitality Apartments Annual Potluck Dinner on Thursday, November 7. The evening of nourishing food and fellowship was enjoyed by residents and volunteers alike. Those who participated were: Bette Bowers, Bridget Jensen, Peggy and Harold Mathis, Naomi Nelson, Nancy Letness, Gaelyn Lesher, Cheryl Pfenning, Jan Petner, Lynn Rosas, Gaelyn Lesher, Rochelle Manske, Courtney Harper, Marcy Antiuk, Arlene Price, Velma Rice, Trish Chapman, Sylvia Klauser, and Beverly Davis. We especially thank our dinner coordinators, Julie Giam and Janice Stuff.

hospitalityapartments.org

Food Labels for Sustainability and HealthThe food system emits up to one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Be-tween cultivation, processing, shipping, storing, and disposal, food production is a climate-costly part of modern society.

Many believe that limiting the carbon emissions produced by the food system is paramount in limiting climate change.

But how, exactly, to go about slashing food production emissions is unclear to the average consumer. Many consumers want to know how to reduce their carbon footprints while shopping to feed themselves.

Adding a sustainability label to food products is among the proposed methodol-ogy for reducing green-house gas emissions created by the food system. Similar to a nutrition label, developing a comprehensive labeling system could not only help streamline the process for manufacturers, but could also help consumers make sense of how their food choices impact the environment.

To determine the "foodprint" of the foods you buy, visit:foodprint.org/eating-sustainably/food-label-guide

The ELCA is responding as stewards of God’s good creation, and we need more #CreationCareAmbassadors to spread enthusiasm and information and to help strengthen our response. Learn about what’s happening and how you can make a difference, through this webinar hosted by ELCA Advocacy and our ecumenical collaborator, Blessed Tomorrow. Find registration information in the November Update of the blog at www.elca.org/advocacy.

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Our deepest gratitude is extendeOur deepest gratitude is extended to all the people d to all the people that made our annual Festival a great success.that made our annual Festival a great success. The proceeds will benefit the Service and Care outreach ministries of Christ the King Lutheran Church.We especially thank our committee chairs.Festival Chairperson: Mary Ann BesedaDecorations: Cindi Scruggs and Courtney HarperFood: Gaelyn LesherWine Pull: Mary Ann Beseda and Karli McGowenSociables and Wishing Wall: Beverly DavisRegistration: Julie Giam and Mary Ann BesedaAuctioneer: Adrienne Winston Office and Creative Support: Michael Shelton, Beth Hartfiel and Cheryl GaspardPiecemakers: for the gift of their time, talent and treasure in the creation of this year’s “Row Houses” quilt

And to everyone that donated wine, auction items, and sociables; to all who bid, purchased, and granted wishes; and to those that helped set-up, decorate and clean-up. It takes everyone to help us

“Build a House”

We build We build a house!a house!

I Kings 5:5

Festival Lunch submitted by Carolyn Jacobs On Festival Sunday, about 65 people enjoyed a delicious lunch of Middle Eastern dishes prepared by two women from Syria and Jordan. The meal was the brainchild of a Palestinian friend of the congregation who was seeking a way to help refugee women contribute to their family income. A Thrivent grant, and donations, covered food costs and enabled the cooks to take home several hundred dollars each. They were grateful to have the funds for family living expenses. These women are available to prepare

meals in your home, as well as locations which have commercial kitchens. Special thanks to Fayda Karaman who organized the meal preparation, to Beverly Davis who went far beyond the call of duty to make this event possible, to Pastor Larson for the prayer, to Bette Bowers who was the kitchen hostess and to Santiago Callejas and Arturo Ortega for the extra clean-up work. Diners are invited to indicate their preferences to these authentic dishes at: https://forms.gle/dxUG9aPc9PA5Fi7t5

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ChristmasChristmas EveDecember 24 4:00 p.m. Heiligabend German-language service 6:00 p.m. Holy Communion around the Crèche with Carols and Candlelight 10:00 p.m. Holy Communion with Carols and Candlelight (Incense)

Christmas DayChristmas DayDecember 25 11:00 a.m. Carols and Communion

First Sunday of ChristmasFirst Sunday of ChristmasDecember 28 6:00 p.m. Contemplative Worship

December 29 8:30 a.m. Worship 10:50 a.m. Worship

New Year’s DayNew Year’s DayJanuary 1 6:00 p.m. New Year’s Day Concert on the Bach Organ

First Sunday of Advent First Sunday of Advent

December 1 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:45 a.m. Advent Wreath Workshop 10:50 a.m. Worship

Friday, December 6 12:15 p.m. Advent Organ Meditation Music and readings for Advent

Second Sunday of AdventSecond Sunday of AdventDecember 7 6:00 p.m. Contemplative Worship Prayer around the CrossDecember 8 8:30 a.m. Worship: Lessons and Carols 9:45 a.m. Sunday Forum: Magnificat compositions 10:50 a.m. Worship: Lessons and Carols 12:30 p.m. Annual Meeting of the Congregation, Part 1

Friday, December 13 12:15 p.m. Advent Organ Meditation Music and readings for Advent

Third Sunday of Advent Third Sunday of Advent December 14 6:00 p.m. Contemplative Worship Healing BlessingDecember 15 8:30 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Children’s Christmas Pageant and Waffle Café 10:50 a.m. Worship 6:00 p.m. Bach Vespers for Advent

Friday, December 20 12:15 p.m. Advent Organ Meditation Music and readings for Advent

Fourth Sunday of AdventFourth Sunday of AdventDecember 21 6:00 p.m. Contemplative Worship The Longest Night A Service of Hope and Comfort December 22 8:30 a.m. Worship 10:50 a.m. Worship

Photographer: Niall McAuley

Advent and Christmas