Notice of Semi-Annual Meeting
Of the Congregation of
Christ the King Lutheran Church
Scheduled for February 3, 2008
Dear Members of Christ the King Lutheran Church,
This letter hereby serves notice that the Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at Christ the King Lutheran Church immediately following the 11:00am worship service. Childcare will be available by both paid and volunteer staff.
Please plan to attend this meeting, as there are several important items of business requiring congregational approval. The draft agenda will include:
· Adoption of the 2008 Budget
· Congregational vote for the 2008 Nominating Team
· Congregational vote for the 2008 Synod Assembly Voting Members
While there is no Sunday School scheduled for Sunday, January 27, we are planning to have an informal meeting between church services for all confirmed members to review the proposed 2008 budget in a small group setting. This will provide an opportunity for a question and answer session for Congregational members and members of the Church Council. More details will be provided in the January service bulletins.
Many thanks for your partnership in ministry at Christ the King. Your attendance at the semi-annual congregational meeting on February 3rd would be very much appreciated.
God’s blessings,
Allen
Wild
Allen Wild
Council President
ELCA Presiding Bishop's 2007 Christmas
Message
"Now the
birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way..." (Matthew 1:18).
Many generations after God promised a Messiah, a young girl named Mary conceived a child by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, the young man to whom she was betrothed, was told by an angel that the child she would bear was God's Son, Jesus.
God's power and blessing worked through common lives to bring forth Jesus the Messiah. Joseph and Mary, ordinary young adults nurtured by the generations before them, were open to God's extraordinary activity in their lives. They were common people whose willing hearts and courage powerfully proclaimed the Good News of the one who would save his people from their sins.
Countless generations later, you and I are called to proclaim the Good News of Emmanuel, "God with us." Our neighborhoods, our communities, and our world are filled with those who long to know Jesus' love and saving presence in their lives. God uses us in all our ordinariness and sinfulness to bring forth the promise and light of Christ's love and salvation.
This Christmas, may the Holy Spirit give you faith, courage, and a willing heart as you take part in God's ongoing miracle. May you know the joy and awe that comes from bearing Christ's creative and redeeming love to the world.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop, ELCA
Pastor Paul’s Pen
Rev.
Paul F. Gysan
Someone said, “You can have a Sunday School Christmas program without Joseph, and nobody would notice. You couldn’t have a program without Mary, or the angels, or the shepherds, or the wise men.”
Joseph was a carpenter and liked to see things fit, measuring twice and cutting once. I feel he was a person who liked to see a plan so that he could follow it! I think Joseph plays an important role in the birth and life of Jesus.
In Matthew 1:20-21 we read that “an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Joseph the carpenter, didn’t like surprises, so I’m thankful God spoke to him.
In the midst of Christmas season, the countdown begins for a new year. Days, hours, minutes, and second are ticking down to the year of 2008, a leap year. We know there is going to be another day in 2008, but will we know what will transpire in 2008? Might we be like Joseph the carpenter who wants to know the plan?
It’s the year 2008 Anno Domini (AD). In Latin that means “the year of our Lord.” This year needs to be seen through the eyes of our Lord Jesus. He also was a carpenter who followed God’s plan, and brought to you and me gifts of faith, hope, and love.
None of us knows what this year will bring, but there is one surety, and that is God’s ever present love for you and me! As a congregation we resolve to connect others with that love shown to us in Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection.
As the twelfth day of Christmas ends, we rejoice that the darkness of the world has been shattered through Jesus’ birth. God appears to us not in a dream, but in human flesh, and invites you and me to take his plan of salvation to others.
What a joy to gather at worship on January 13 and see 2nd Graders receiving their first Bibles. Those Bibles contain a script for a two act play (Old & New Testament), whereby God is the actor, and we are part of the supporting cast. What joy to put this “holy script” in the hands of these children. That day the 3rd graders will also share the words of Psalm 23, a powerful message of God’s goodness and mercy.
Quickly we will move from the birth of Jesus, watching his grow up, and moving into Lent as we gather on Ash Wednesday, February 6th. Once again we will ponder the plan of God, revealed to Joseph the carpenter and to Jesus the carpenter. And no matter what happens in our lives as this year of 2008 unfolds, we need to see through the eyes of AD, for it is the year of our Lord Jesus!
For some this January newsletter will arrive before January. I look forward to gathering with you Christmas Eve at one of the services (5, 7, or 11 pm). Don’t forget that our nursery is staffed for the 5 and 7 pm worship services. We also have an 11:00am service on Christmas Day.
As we move into 2008 may we pray, “God for all that has been – thanks, and for all that will be yes!” For we know it is the year of our Lord!
PSPS
Pastor Scott’s Post Scripts
Every day Stephen is discovering something new about the world around him. It is so amazing just to sit and watch him both at home and in different places as he sees new things, holds new things, and of course tastes new things (which is pretty much everything he can get his hands on!)
Discovery: a wonderful ‘youthful’ process as we open the package and see what’s in it. I’m not a lawyer, but I understand ‘discovery’ to be part of a legal procedure where the evidence of a claim is presented. And discovery, taking the risk and seeing if something will interest you or perhaps engage your mind and body.
The Season of Epiphany sometimes can be lost between the ‘post-Christmas blues’ and the preparations for Lent. Yet, Epiphany is a season of discovery. You’ll note that our texts on Sunday morning will deal with Jesus’ baptism and the calling of the disciples, and their ‘initial discoveries’ about what it means to follow Jesus.
In a recent book I read, it challenges leaders in the church to ask their congregations ‘what interests them…what excites them in their lives?’ And then as church leaders, dare to engage congregants with their interests in the life and ministry of the congregation. Or in other words, how can each one of us ‘discover’ that the very things that engage us, grab our interest and fulfill us…can be used for God’s work through YOUR hands.
So I hope during this Epiphany Season that you will discover anew gifts and abilities God has given to you and that we as a church will work together as one body called together by the Holy Spirit and engage each other and one another in ministry by linking the each other’s interests to the many different ministries CTK has to offer.
President’s Commentary
Allen Wild
You may remember that at the Congregational Meeting held in December 2006 to approve the 2007 annual budget, the congregation voted to move future budget approval meetings back to the January time frame. The basis of this vote was so the full year’s actual offerings and expenses could be reported. To accomplish this objective, it was determined that the earliest the meeting could be held was either January 20th or January 27th. However, the 20th is a three-day weekend (MLK Birthday) and the 27th is a four-day weekend (two-day school closure). To assure maximum attendance, the Church Council agreed to shift the meeting to February 3rd, which is within the window prescribed in our by-laws. The meeting will be chaired by Steve Siebert, our Council Vice President, as Audrey and I made reservations in Florida prior to knowing of the meeting shift to February. The formal meeting announcement is on the cover of this Herald.
Many thanks to Mary and Richard Kelly for hosting the CTK Christmas Fellowship Event at their home. We also thank Kim Kennedy, Kathi Evans, LaVonne Gysan, Amy and Mike Swineford, Santa (aka Greg Maxwell) and all those who helped make this event possible. We know that those who attended had a wonderful time sharing the joy of the Christmas season with fellow members.
I hope you will read the item prepared by the Silver to Gold Campaign Follow-up Committee, chaired by Peter Saba, which provides a summary report of our campaign results to date. We are hoping to have a graphic display of our campaign progress on a bulletin board early next year.
Also it is suggested that you read the Service section of the Herald to see the many projects being accomplished by you and the other volunteers from Christ the King. I am very thankful for the generous amount of time and treasure that our membership contributes to those less fortunate, especially during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Tracey Shenk and the Service Committee are working on a diverse set of projects so we can continue these efforts in the new year.
The Christmas Cantata performed by our King’s Choir on Sunday, December 9th was spectacular. We thank Jane Cooper, Andrew Dobos, Lynne Roots and all the members of the choir for sharing this powerful ministry with us.
And in closing I want to thank all the membership for their support in 2007. Our Pastors, staff and the members of the Church Council are now preparing their inputs to our Annual Report which I hope you will all review.
Kingdom Kindred
Casey Jones, Katherine Hanna, and Taylor Shenk were in “The Nutcracker” which was produced and choreographed by Margaret Haddad. Casey has been dancing with Mrs. Haddad for 13 years. Casey also brings her gifts to us at Christ the King as she has worked with Kara Haug in liturgical dance…What a joy to have Pastor Brian Mbazuvara, Pastor of Hosianna Parish in Walvis Bay here with us for one week. Pastor Brian preached on November 25th, and spoke to the Adult SS class. He was shocked to hear Erin Magley (visiting from Grand Rapids, MI, daughter-in-law of Phil and Karen, here for Thanksgiving) greet him in his native tongue. Erin’s father was a professor for a few years at the Paulinum Seminary in Namibia when Erin was a little girl. God was certainly working to bring these two together here at Christ the King. Thanks also to the Duncan Smith and Randy Pherson families for hosting him for dinner. Both the Smith’s and Pherson’s had visited Namibia a few years ago, and even visited our partner congregation in Khorixais. They had much to talk about. Pastor Brian appreciated the opportunity to preach, share in the Adult SS Class, visit MDO, and visit a number of parishioners. He was introduced to areas of our ministry including the Salvation Army bell ringing at Safeway…Many thanks to Tim Zimmerman for cleaning our leaves in the gutters of the parsonages…Thanks to Greg Durig and Mary Wilson for stepping in at the last minute to transport youth to and from a Synod wide youth event in Front Royal…Thanks to the Greg Maxwell family for putting up the outdoor Christmas scene with a beautiful message about the true meaning of Christmas…Dale Snyder, Director of Congregational Relations for the National Lutheran Home writes that Roy M. Miller is having a birthday January 22nd. Each month the Home’s Auxiliary sponsors a birthday party for all residents who are celebrating birthdays. It’s always a special occasion, with cake, favors and decorations by the Auxiliary. Birthday cards are always appreciated by the residents, as are visits from congregational members. Drop Roy a card at 9701 Veirs Dr, Rockville, MD 20850. Roy has served on our congregational council and sang in the King’s Choir…Thanks to Tim Riffe who trimmed some trees whose branches were hanging over the playground…Did you notice some new playground equipment? Thanks to Dave and Michael Tozer for donating this equipment…At the Pentagon Sailing Club Holiday Party, Sainted Joe Rymal was honored with the Commodore’s Award for his service…Congratulations to Alex Swineford on his 2 National Championships in the World Karting Association’s Road Racing Series, he’s racing at Daytona International Speedway at the end of December…Thanks to the Dave Zimmerman family for the donation of a “First Aid Kit” which is in Katie’s Kafé…Devon Medlin has received early acceptance to Virginia Tech. Congrats!…Glen and Marge Sjoblom are grandparents again. Daughter Patty Gill and her husband Mike rejoice at the birth of Avery Grace on November 16 (8lbs 14 oz). Avery was also welcomed by her 2 ½ year old sister Hannah…David Kuhnsman and family will be attending Christmas services in St. Croix at a Lutheran church. He recently discovered that in his long line of ancestors, one of their pastors in 1734 was Pastor Henry Melchior Muhlenberg in Trapp, Pa. He is known as the “Father of American Lutheranism”…
Prayer
Concerns
Kay Teach, Martha Gaibler, Adam & Ruth Meidinger, Frank Whitesell, Richard Schumaker, John Kraft, Betty Cordovana, Tom Harris, Robert Herres, Mary & David Gibson, The Canady Family & Erin Peterson Family, Janey Rice, Gail Magley, Patricia Mort, Hilton Patterson, Fred Vanhala, Charles Reges, Anna Walker, John Kornetka & Bo Mausteller, Danny Friedheim, Joni Wallace, John Corey, Roy Miller, Evelyn Fagley, The Northington Family, Nate Holeman, Dick Christenson, Glenn Arneson, Scott Durig, Sherry Bryne, Heather Drake, Tony Santantonio, Lindsey & Judith, Dolly Whelan, Lauren Smeds, Jay Davis & Judy McGinnis, Stephanie Welsh, Shawn Costigan, Ruth Thieman.
Birth Announcement - Congratulations to Jennifer & Tom Kalka, and grandparents Dave & Dolly Whelan, on the birth of Thomas Raymond Kalka 3rd, born on December 10th.
Military Personnel - Stacy Caum, Chris Nogle, Steve Beckwith, Jonathan Reading, Chad Isabelle, Nate Seymour, Sgt. John Heikkenin, Lt. Bryan Dahlquist, John Qualters.
STEPHEN MINISTRY
Christ the King’s Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties and transitions in their lives.
CHRIST THE KING STEPHEN LEADERS
Pastor Gysan & Pastor Scott, Spiritual Leaders
Susan Boruff, Referrals Coordinator
Joni White, Continuing Education Coordinator
Gale Bobzien, Training Coordinator
Christ the King Stephen Ministers
Stephen Ministers (Active)
Pastor Gysan, Spiritual Leader
Pastor Scott, Spiritual Leader
Gale Bobzien Susan Boruff
JoAnn Durig Kathi Evans
Kim Kennedy Carlton Ruthling
Services are held each Saturday evening at 6:00 pm and
Sundays at 8:30am and 11:00am.
No Saturday Evening worship, 12/22
Divisional
Sunday School
December 23 – Advent 4 - “Love”
Recognition
of college students – 11 am with luncheon following
December 24 – The Nativity of Our Lord
5:00pm
– Children’s Service
7:00pm
& 11:00pm – Candlelight Services
Nursery
during the 5pm & 7 pm services.
December 25 – Christmas Day
11:00am
– Festival Worship
No
Saturday Evening worship, 12/29
No
Sunday School on 12/30
December 30 – 6th Day of Christmas
8:30 am - Baptism of the Schwab’s
grandson
8:30am&11:00am
– Lessons and Carols
Bring
bells to ring during the service.
January 5 & 6 – Epiphany
Sunday
School Resumes
Pastors
meet with 2nd Graders at 9:45am for Bible presentation preparation.
January
12 & 13 – The Baptism of Our Lord
Presentation
of Bibles to 2nd Graders at the 11 am service
3rd
Grade – Psalm 23
January
19 & 20 – 2nd Sun. After the Epiphany
January
26 & 27 – 3rd Sun. After the Epiphany
No Sunday School and informational meeting for
the
Confirmed Adults prior to the Congregational
Meeting on February 3rd.
Christmas Cantata
Thanks to the King's Choir plus a few additional singers for a wonderful job presenting our Christmas Cantata "Walk in the Light" by Lani Smith. You all put in your best efforts and were filled with the Holy Spirit in your singing. I know the congregation enjoyed it and several people commented how much they liked seeing you up front, and how wonderful you sounded. Lynne Roots, our narrator, was fabulous as always, and Andrew Dobos, our accompanist, never ceases to amaze me in the beautiful notes he can get from even a dynamically limited instrument like the electronic keyboard. Thanks to Pastor Scott who jumped in at the last moment to hook up a monitor to the keyboard so that the choir could hear it better. I look forward to many musical offerings in the New Year!
Musical Musings
As of this writing the season of Advent continues to unfold, providing us with a time of preparation for Christmas. Spiritually, we're preparing our minds and hearts to receive anew the Christ Child... musically (you knew that was coming), we're preparing to support and assist in corporate worship. Our musicians - children, youth, and adult - are practicing their craft in order to help provide a most meaningful celebration of the Christmas miracle. The members of the King's Ringers and King's Orchestra look forward to sharing their gift of music with you. By the time some of you read this, Christmas Day may be in your memories. May the Christmas Spirit be with us all throughout the New Year.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Andrew
“Part
of a disciple’s job description
is to
study Scripture diligently”
Mother’s Day Out News
Christmas greetings from Mother’s Day Out!
The Mother’s Day Out program presented our version of the Christmas story for our family and friends to enjoy. The pastors read the Christmas story and the children sang “Away in the Manger”, “A Musicbox Nativity” and “The Angel Band”. Some of our older children played the tone chimes during “Away in the Manger”. Their excitement shown through! A special thank you to the Pastors and Miss Jane for sharing your time and talents with us.
Registration for the 2008-2009 program year will begin the at the end of January. Registration will occur in Fellowship Hall on the following days:
P Monday, January 28th for our currently enrolled families
P Tuesday, January 29th for members of Christ the King who are not currently enrolled
P Wednesday January 30th for Open Registration.
Anyone interested in program information or a program tour can call 703-759-6935 or stop by the MDO office M-F from 9:00-2:00.
MDO has been blessed this year in many ways - God has brought together an amazing staff and we have a terrific group of children who bring smiles to our lives each day. We have also received from many kind donations - including some amazing new toys from our friends at Back to Basics Toys and some “pre-loved” toys by the Tozer family.
May the New Year bring many blessings to you and your family!
Peace, Karen Anderson, Director
Video Small Group
Join a new small group meeting on Wednesday, January 9th, from 7:00 - 9:00pm. We will view a video, relating to Christian themes, have some time for fellowship and take time for ourselves! We’ll meet in the youth room. The video for January (postponed from December) will be Amazing Grace, based on the true story of William Wilberforce, a British statesman and reformer from the early part of the 19th century. This feature film chronicles his extraordinary contributions to the world, primarily his 20-year fight to abolish the British slave trade, which he won in 1807. Wilberforce was also instrumental in passing legislation to abolish slavery in the British colonies, a victory he won just three days before his death in 1833.
Small Group on Prayer
Join our small group meeting on the 2nd & 4th Mondays of each month, 7:00 - 9:00pm. We seek to encourage spiritual growth through fellowship, prayer, Christian studies and care for one another. We are currently doing a study on Prayer by Bill Hybels, founder and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. It’s time to make time for God. The Creator of the universe wants to have a dynamic relationship with you. If you long for a spiritual life that is deep, fruitful, and profoundly real, these studies will help you draw heart to heart with God. The key is prayer. Authentic, courageous, direct communication with God. Each session in Prayer will give you a new window of insight. You’ll receive courage to lift “dangerous prayers” with a confident heart. You’ll discover how to handle the disappointment of unanswered prayer. And you’ll be moved to a depth of honesty in prayer that will surprise you. Join us! For further information, contact Amy or Mike Swineford 703-481-6488 or 703-759-6068.
Confirmation Coordinator Opening
for 2008-09 Confirmation Year
Confirmation is a pastoral educational ministry for our 7th and 8th graders that prepares them for their affirmation of baptism, and transition into taking primary responsibility for their own discipleship journey. As the pastors and the learning team begin planning for Confirmation 2008-09, we are looking for an adult who has a calling, ‘an itch,’ or ‘an interest’ in working closely with the pastors and learning team in helping coordinate and lead this important ministry.
There is a time commitment with this position, yet it is very rewarding as you see youth transform into young adults with incredible faith. If you are interested in possibly being a part of this transformational ministry, or for more information, please contact Pastor Scott.
Confirmation Mentor Programmed
Postponed for 2007-08
Over the
course of the last fall, many in the congregation had volunteered their time
and their faith story to be a Confirmation Mentor for this 2007-08 Confirmation
year.
Unfortunately,
for one reason or another, we did not have enough potential mentors from the
congregation step forward to make the mentor program work for this year. While this is a disappointment to be sure, we
hope that those who stepped forward and even more congregation members will be
willing to being a mentor in the future as we plan for the 2008-09 Confirmation
Year.
A special
thanks to Melanie Miller-Cvilikas who coordinated this effort this year, making
many phone calls, and sending lots of emails.
Please keep this important ministry in your prayers in the days ahead.
YOU
H and Family News
For
Youth Updates check-out www.ctkyouth.org
Family Ski Trip
It is that time to
start thinking about the annual ski trip.
As we wait for the ground hog to see his shadow we will be doing it on
the slopes. February 2nd,
Ground Hog’s day is the day we will be going skiing. If you are interested in skiing with your
family please contact Kara Haug at kara.haug@verizon.net.
“Part of a disciple’s job description
is to serve for the sake of others”
Thrivent Builds with
Habitat of Northern Virginia
Volunteer
efforts continue as we get closer to completion. It now looks like dedication of the condo, we
are helping sponsor, will be in January or maybe February. While the furnaces have been installed,
unfortunately the main power lines to the condo have not. Thus the cold weather presents a challenge
but temporary gas powered space heaters are now operational. Kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities are
now in and the kitchen and laundry appliances have been delivered. Volunteers from Christ the Servant Lutheran
Church recently completed the tile work in the bathrooms. There continues to be opportunities to help
complete common areas and other units on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you are interested please contact Allen
Wild for more details.
Thrivent Builds with Loudoun
Habitat
The
individual house that the seven Lutheran Churches in Loudoun County have
sponsored in St. Louis, VA (near Middleburg) has been completed and was
dedicated on December 15th.
Thrivent Financial has just announced that a $65,000 grant has been
approved for the building of another house in St. Louis, again being sponsored
by the Lutheran Churches in Loudoun.
This is a project we may wish to help in 2008.
Cedars Luncheon