Holy Week and Easter at
Christ the King 2008
Palm Sunday Worship
Saturday, March 15th – 6:00pm
Sunday, March 16th – 8:30am and 11:00am
Cross-Generational Sunday School at 9:45am
Making Palm Crosses together
Maundy Thursday Worship
March 20th
Foot-washing, Holy Communion, and
The Stripping of the Altar
7:30pm
Good Friday Worship
March 21st
10:00am – Children’s Service
12:00noon – Great Falls Ecumenical Council’s Three-Hour
Service @ St. Francis Episcopal
Holy Communion and The 7 Last Words of Christ
7:30pm – Tenebrae Good Friday Service
The Great Easter Vigil
Saturday, March 22nd
6:00pmEaster Sunrise Service – 6:30 am at Great Falls National
Park
Easter Festival Worship
Sunday, March 23rd
8:30am and 11:00am
Brass, Tympani, and Choirs
Easter Breakfast served from 9:30am to 10:45am
Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
Pastor Paul’s Pen
Rev.
Paul F. Gysan
I’ve always
thought this was a foolish question. The
angels said to Mary, ‘Why are you
weeping?” (John 20:11). I’ve
wept in many graveyards. There are those
graveyards in Castalia, Ohio, Pemberville, Ohio, Azle, Texas, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, and Florida. Mary said, “They have taken away my
Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.”
During this Lenten Season I’ve been pondering whether “Jesus’ body has really been stolen.” Mary was concerned about Jesus’ Body. She said, “They’ve taken away my Jesus; oh, they’ve taken him away.” As I ponder Jesus, he came to live among us as a servant. Jesus suffered and died for the “world.” And Jesus invites us to follow him.
Maybe the world has stolen Jesus? Has the Easter bunny stolen Jesus? Has theology that says, “Believe and God will bless you and give you all the gold you need” stolen Jesus? There is so much that we hear and feel that runs contrary to the life of Jesus who called you and me through the Gospel by name at our baptism, and wants us to die with him, and rise to a servant life!
I hope and pray that during this Lenten Season, as we journey into Holy Week and Easter, that we might hear our named called by Jesus. The gardener didn’t steal the body. Jesus is risen, and the risen body said, “Mary.” And what did she say? Mary answered, “Rabbouni!” which means “teacher.” She wanted to embrace him and hold
him, but Jesus said to her that she needed to announce that “he is risen” to others.
Don’t let Jesus be stolen from you by the world! Use these days in Lent to “Take Up Something” as a servant of God. Get back to the real Jesus, the one who heard the people’s shouts on Palm Sunday of Hosanna (meaning “Save us now we pray”), and via the cross and resurrection give salvation to this world, to you and me! Don’t let anybody “steal Jesus from you.”
PSPS
Pastor Scott’s Post Scripts
Move Over Oprah,
Easter is the real ‘Big Gift.’
In just a few weeks from the time this article was written, Oprah Winfrey’s reality show, ‘The Big Gift’ will have begun broadcasting as a crew of people are ‘challenged to give’ and give abundantly. In just a few short weeks the church will celebrate once again the real ‘big gift’ in Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s on this day (and season!) that we celebrate God’s victory of sin and death in the resurrection.
As we travel through the seven Sundays of the Easter Season this year we hear why Easter is the real ‘big gift.’ Certainly many of us celebrate this season on Easter Sunday…church attendance is way up, the chairs are in the narthex, the offering plates over flow and we serve a breakfast. But the next week the church is practically deserted. I know that Pastor Gysan once said that if there were just as many or more people in church the second Sunday of Easter as there was on Easter, he would preach from the roof. I would do the same.
I think we miss much of the Easter story if we don’t come back for all seven Sundays of the Easter Season. All seven Sundays we hear exciting stories of those early disciples of Jesus shocked and practically paralyzed by the traumatic and sudden events of Holy Week. We find those disciples in all interesting places and situations, yet the risen Christ comes into their presence erasing doubts, calming fears, feeding the hungry, and promising them his presence into eternity.
I don’t know about you but there are many times in my life where I feel like one of those early disciples where things happen in my life beyond my control where I want to seclude myself in a room. Things happen in our lives beyond our control that affect us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. There are times in our lives where we feel like those disciples in those dark hours between the crucifixion and resurrection. We feel alone, in pain, scared, depressed, or perhaps let fear get the best of us.
But like those early disciples and the moments that follow the resurrection, Christ appears to us in the midst of our pains and sorrows. Christ is made known to us through the community we call the church because it’s the church that walks with us in deep valleys, faces challenges with us, gives us hope when all seems hopeless and celebrates with us in times of joy.
Tony Campolo, theologian, author, and dynamic speaker writes in one of his books, ‘It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming.’ In other words, yeah…there are a lot of Good Fridays in our lives where our hopes and dreams, our lives seem to be decimated by all kinds of things. Sometimes we even feel like we are on that cross on Calvary. But life does not stop there. The promise we live in, the promise revealed to us for seven weeks, and the ‘big gift’ we have and celebrate is that Jesus rose from the dead…and that Jesus is present with us, everyday of our lives, to the end of the age. Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
President’s Commentary
Allen Wild
Many thanks to our Fellowship Ministry chairs, Kathi Evans and Kim Kennedy, for organizing the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper along with the many volunteers who helped. And of course we thank all those who attended. It was a memorable fellowship evening.
In last month’s King’s Herald and in the 2007 Annual Report I mentioned the financial challenges we face in 2008. As giving in 2007 was less than expected, the financial reserves we have as we start 2008 are significantly less than a year ago. This makes it more difficult for the council to manage our budget especially without knowing the amount of expected offerings. So we again ask that members who have not pledged please consider doing so. Pledge forms are available in the church office.
We are thankful my request for a stewardship committee has been answered. Greta Rymal, Tom Cooper, Marian Zimmerman, Gary Peterson, Doug Gaibler and Floyd Gaibler have offered to serve and we are especially grateful that Floyd has agreed to chair the committee. The committee will be seeking to help resolve the shortfall between offerings and budgeted expenses.
For those who attended the Congregational Meeting on February 3rd, Thank you. The proposed budget was passed with the knowledge that it contained a “Leap of Faith” income line item of about $40,000. This was a surprise to some and a few members were concerned by the term. The budget proposed by the council reflected only a two percent increase over last year which doesn’t even cover inflation. Therefore the council is hopeful that the congregation will respond with an increase in their giving. The council will strive to minimize the expenses of all discretionary line items.
If you are a faithful reader of each month’s King’s Herald you know that I often seek feed back from the congregation regarding what you like and what you think needs “improvement”. So I wish to share with you a recent comment I received. Quote: “Members should be more reverent once they enter the sanctuary. It was very noisy and people continued to talk/laugh even after music started. To me the sanctuary is not the place to continue to socialize.” End Quote. We are all guilty of this on occasion so I just ask that we be considerate of others. Thanks.
The Sound B e t w e e n
A Thank You
By: Kara Haug
Instead of writing a normal article I decided that I would spend sometime saying thank you. During the week of February 6th – 12th, I spent my continuing education time in Anaheim, CA, at the Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza. This event is for ELCA youth ministers, lay people, volunteers, and pastors who have a passion for youth ministry. Last year was my first time attending in Tampa FL where I met four amazing people whom I instantly connected with. I was very excited to know that I was going to spend another week with these four individuals.
The ELCA has the only youth ministry network of this kind. We spent a week learning about current issues facing youth ministry and the church. We spent time together in prayer and worship. Most importantly though we spent time networking with one another where we share apart of ourselves and remember our dreams and goals.
I spent a good portion of my time in deep conversation with the four youth ministers I became close to, as well as some old friends from my seminary. I found myself laughing a lot and crying from time to time. In all it was a great week where I discovered more about myself and remembered little parts of myself lost along the way.
Thank you CTK for providing me with the opportunity to go to such an event. Through it I have made lifetime friends and have gained such crucial knowledge that will help me be a better minister.
Kingdom Kindred
No need to journey to NY City. Herndon HS brought Cabaret 2008 to a number of delighted listeners. A participant and soloist in the wonderful event was Kathryn (Kat) Miller-Cvilikas…Kathryn and Nina Beaulieu (Oakton HS) were chosen for District Chorus. They were chosen out of hundreds of VA singers to be part of this chorus. One of the songs they sang was a requiem that was written about the Tsunami and Katrina victims, the first time this song was sung in the state of Virginia. Melanie Miller-Cvilikas was the District Committee Parent Chair for this event…Allen Wild presented the Habitat Bible to one of 12 families at the dedication of the Westbrook Forest Habitat house that Lutherans in northern Virginia built in conjunction with help from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Pastor Gysan led the opening prayer and litany. About 225 people attended the ceremony. Along with Allen, other attendees were Pastor Scott, Art and Kathy Evans…Our prayers are with Carol Jones, whose mother died…Many thanks to all those who helped with the Shrove Tuesday Mardi Gras Pancake Party. To the Congregational Life Committee of Amy Swineford, Kathy Evans, Kim Kennedy who coordinated this event and to ALL the workers, including Patti Weaver for the fantastic pictures she took. About 120 people attended this event. TJ Takis was crowed “King.” Didn’t he look good with a crown that continued to fall down over his small head and a scepter (“a plumber’s tool”), and congratulations also to “Queen Gracei Glanowski” (Grandaughter of Larry and Patsy Fann). Both were crowned having found the baby “Jesus” in their piece of cake, and both helped lead the grand processional as attendees journeyed outside to burn the palms…Jill Neaves found a newspaper obituary for William Bivins in a Bible in the youth room. The date of the obituary was Nov. 7, 1985. William was the brother of former member Luther Bivins. Isn’t it amazing what you find in a Bible?
Prayer
Concerns
Kay Teach, Martha Gaibler, Adam
& Ruth Meidinger, Frank Whitesell, Richard Schumaker, John Kraft, Tom
Harris, Robert Herres, Mary & David Gibson, Janey Rice, Patricia Mort,
Hilton Patterson, Charles Reges, Anna Walker, Danny Friedheim, Joni Wallace,
John Corey, Roy Miller, The Northington Family, Dick Christenson, Scott Durig,
Heather Drake, Lindsey & Judith, Jay Davis & Judy McGinnis, Shawn
Costigan, Nick Cafferky, Debbie Lorentsan, Robin Allen, Lou Rege, Helen Lokker,
Katarina Savino, Lloyd Smith, Karley Hogarth, the McCaffrey family, Bobby
Alexander, Laurus Newby, Jennifer Kwiatek, Tatiana Serafin, Jack Dezzutti,
David Nichols, Rex Medcalf, Lynne Roots, Dave White, Debbie Lorenston, Jane
May.
Grieving – Carol Jones and family at the death
of her mother.
Births – Jason Michael, son of John and
Jennifer Hanna; Grayson, son of David and Meegan Jowdy; Alexander, son of Mark
and Christine Dumas.
Military
Personnel – Stacy
Caum, Chris Nogle, Steve Beckwith, Jonathan Reading, Chad Isabelle, Nate
Seymour, Sgt. John Heikkenin, Lt. Bryan Dahlquist & Nicolas Turk, Ben
Eckert, HM3 Mathew Cirillo, Art Humphries on assignment for one year in
Baghdad.
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.
March 1 & 2 - 4th Sunday
in Lent
A look at Jesus healing a blind man.
Serving Others
4 pm Saturday wedding of Andy Wild &
Kristen Hart
March 8 & 9 - 5th Sunday in
Lent
A look at Jesus raising Lazarus.
“Caring for One Another in Authentic
Community”
Lift Every Voice And Sing
The Great Falls Ecumenical Council invites you to attend “Lift Every Voice” celebrating the Spirit in Song. Gather Sunday March 2nd, at 3:00pm, at St. Francis Episcopal Church on Georgetown Pike. Come and hear a number of choirs – The Mosaic Harmony (60 Voice Interfaith Choir of Oakton), Mt. Olive Baptist Gospel Chorus of Rectortown, The Virginia Echoes of Carterville Baptist Church in Vienna, Voices for Christ from Oak Grove Baptist Church in Sterling, and the Mass Choir of Salem Baptist Church, Great Falls. This is a spiritual experience you will never forget!
Sing With the King’s Choir at Easter
Do you yearn to sing in a choir at Easter time? Would you like to really learn Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” so you can sing it with gusto? We would like to give you that opportunity. There will be two special rehearsals for people who would like to join our “Easter Choir.” The first rehearsal will be on Palm Sunday 3/16 at 12:15pm, and the second will be Saturday morning 3/22 at 10:00am. We will be rehearsing the HC and a new anthem with handbells & the King’s Kids children’s choir called “Celebrate This Glorious Day!” If you are interested in this Easter Choir opportunity, please contact Jane Cooper at 703-759-3919, or check the response sheet. Let us join together to make beautiful music fitting for the worship of our Lord!
“Part
of a disciple’s job description
is to
study Scripture diligently”
Adult Sunday School Class
Join others in Luther’s Lounge as we continue
a six week class entitled Road
To Coronation. We will journey beside Jesus on His walk to
the cross, examining the distinct passion narratives in each of the four
Gospels. This class concludes on Palm Sunday.
Greeting from Mother’s Day Out!
Our themes this month have included Chinese New Year’s, Valentines and community helpers. The children have had a lot of fun creating projects from these themes – including Chinese lanterns, Pandas made from hearts and Valentine heart headbands. They also had a lot of fun receiving red envelopes with “lucky money” and exchanging Valentines with their friends. Our community helper unit brought visits from some of our favorites – including the postal carrier and the Great Falls Fire Department.
We held registration for the 2008/2009 school year in January. Although several of our classes are full, we do have a limited number of spaces still available in some classes. Please stop by for a facility tour or call 703/759-6935 for more information.
We are in need of teachers for our Infant/Toddler room. If you’re interested in helping out, please contact me to see if we can work something out.
Peace, Karen Anderson, Director
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.
Great Falls $5,000 Scholarship
The Great Falls Lions Club is offering a $5,000 collage scholarship to be awarded to a junior or senior. The selection criteria will be based on community participation and related activities.
The deadline for applications is March 16th. Interested applicants please contact Bob Mickert, John Roots, or Carleton Ruthling.
YOU
H and Family News
For
Youth Updates check-out www.ctkyouth.org
Girl’s Bible Study
Starting on Tuesday, March 4th, at 7:00pm, there will be a weekly girl’s bible study. The Bible study will be hosted by Kara Haug and Victoria Wagner at Victoria’s house. We will be learning about the women of the Bible and the many roles they played. If you are interested in attending please contact Kara at kara.haug@verizon.net.
Youth Board Meeting
There will be another youth board meeting on Wednesday, March 5th, at 6:00pm. We will meet again at Greenberry’s coffee house like last time. Please come with more ideas.
Souper Bowl of Caring
Our Souper Bowl once again decided the winner of the actual Super Bowl! The NY Giants received $211.05 in donations while the Patriots received $135.81. That makes a total of $346.86 given to help the fight against World Hunger. A big thank you to all those who helped in the fight.
Easter Breakfast
Between services the youth will hold an Easter Breakfast fundraiser for their summer trips and regular youth programming. Please remember that help is needed for set up, cooking, serving, and clean up. Let Kara know ASAP when you will be able to help. You can email her at kara.haug@verizon.net.
24- hour Famine
The 15 youth who participated in the 24 hour famine did a great job and had a lot of fun. They spent their 24 hours learning about world hunger and the many working poor in the United States. They worshipped together and shared faith stories. For fun they rocked out to guitar hero, watched classic comedic movies, played kick ball, card games, and stayed up late into the wee hours of the morning. Thank you to all the parents who prepared such wonderful food for our dinner after our fast. It tasted great!
“Part of a disciple’s job description
is to serve for the sake of others”
http://myweb.cableone.net/LESMBETH/index.htm
Coat Drive – Big Success
Thanks to all who donated winter coats for our coat drive! We delivered 85 coats and over a dozen sweaters to the Hunter Mill Coat Closet in Reston. Special thanks to Christine Chadwick, Nina Beaulieu, Bernie Hough and Nancy & Andrew Miner for making the deliveries.
Martha’s Table Update
On Sunday, February 10th, about 50 members of the congregation assembled 1000 turkey and cheese sandwiches for the needy. These sandwiches were delivered by Tracey Maxwell and Mary Wilson to Martha’s Table, an organization that serves the homeless and hungry in Washington DC. Thank you to all who assisted with this project and to Thrivent Financial for providing the funds for the sandwich supplies!
Blood Drive Update
Thank you to all the CTK members who donated blood at the INOVA Dulles Blood Center this month – including Nancy Miner, Daneene Mills, Kathy Schlaich, Carolyn Clark, Erika Smith, Pastor Gysan, Tracey Shenk. It is not too late to donate! Blood is always needed and just one pint of blood can help save the lives of several people! Call the center at 1-866-BLOODSAVES to schedule your appointment.
Rebuilding Together
Mark you calendars! The date for Rebuilding Together (formerly Christmas in April) is Saturday, April 26th. More information about this year’s home improvement project will soon be available. Watch the Sunday bulletins for updates and to sign up.
NOVACO GALA
Join the “Victory Over Violence Gala & Auction” Friday, April 25th, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Fairfax, 3950 Fair Ridge Dr. at 7:30pm. Live music, Swing Band, String Quartet, and our fabulous “Silent & Live Auction.” For more information contact www.novaco.org.
NOVACO
On Monday, February 11th, Christ The King prepared and served dinner to NOVACO clients at their weekly Life Skills session held at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Fairfax. They enjoyed a delicious pasta dish prepared by Mary Rambo, along with salad and dessert. Please contact our NOVACO liaisons, Susan Boruff, Trudy Fleit or Kathy Schlaich to find out how you can help our NOVACO family. The next Life Skills Dinner is scheduled for May 12th.
SWATT (Seniors With Available Time &
Talent) Team Update
Dave & Judy Lombardo, Art Evans, Charles Schwab, Sheryl McEwan, Carolyn Clark, Pastor Paul & LaVonne journeyed to New Windsor, MD on February 22nd to help Church World Service pack items to be sent overseas.
NOVACO Hosts Second Annual Gala
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and NOVACO, an organization which provides housing and services to victims of domestic abuse, will host their second annual Victory Over Violence Gala on Friday, April 25th, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 3950 Fair Ridge Drive in Fairfax at 7:30pm.
The gala will raise funds and awareness for domestic violence through ticket sales, a silent and live auction and donations.
If you would like to attend, tickets can be purchased online at www.novaco.org. If you’d like to make a donation, contact Andrea or Victoria at 703-218-3984 or info@novaco.org. Committee members are welcome.
Christ the King is a sponsor of a NOVACO family. For more information regarding our family, contact Susan Boruff, Trudy Fleit or Kathy Schlaich.
Eagle Scout Project
Watch upcoming bulletins for more details! On April 5th, Alex Swineford will host an Eagle Scout Project to remove the old, damaged pear trees that are in the middle of the rear parking area, and have them replaced with sycamore trees. He will be seeking adults that can handle chain saws, and youth (and more adults) to help drag the limbs to a “chipping” area. He is also seeking donations to help defray the costs of the new trees & to rent a chipper & stump grinder. If you have a good source for a chipper or stump grinder, please let him know at 703-481-6488, or Swineford.family@verizon.net.
