Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it. Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures. The Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith. Because of it, you freely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serve everyone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise the God who has shown you such grace. - Martin Luther


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving! And Thanksgiving Eve!

All are invited to join in a service of Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 27th, at 7:00pm. Come for Scripture, song, and stories of Thanksgiving, and then be sure to stay for the Pie-Luck!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

PB&A = Success! Thank You!

The first annual PB&A (Potato Bar & Auction) is in the history books, and was a great success.
The CtK Family & Youth Team (and all the youth and their families) want to say THANKS to the donors, the helpers, the eaters, the bidders... anyone and everyone who helped make the event not just a success ($2750 raised!) but also a ton of fun.

Thank you!!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The Beginning of a Great Tradition



It's gonna be great!!

The Family & Youth Ministry Team is launching what is hoped to be the "first annual" PB&A - a baked potato bar and silent auction. Come and eat all you want (suggested donation is $5/person)
and bid on some great items - lots of handmade and homemade gifts (perfect for Christmas gift-giving - things you can't find at the mall!), gift baskets, service items, gift certificates (weekend in a Big Sky condo, anyone?) and MORE!

All funds raised will support the Family & Youth Ministry of the congregation, especially summer 2014 camps for middle and high school youth.

Please invite your friends and neighbors to join you - this promises to be a great event!

Friday, November 1, 2013

All Saints' Sunday

Blessed All Saints' Day!
All Saints’ Day is November 1st each year, but since the first doesn't always land on a Sunday, many churches celebrate All Saints' Sunday on the first Sunday of November. This year, we celebrate All Saints on November 3rd.
The word saint comes from the Latin word sanctus and refers to the holy — that is, “set apart for the service of God.” In some of St. Paul’s letters to the churches he founded, he called all the members “saints.” Later, Christians who distinguished themselves by their zeal for Christ, especially the martyrs, were honored after their death by being canonized as saints.

The word “saint” was placed before their Christian name. The pages of Christian history books are filled with the stories of these very special servants of God.

Several became the patron saints of countries. Ireland’s saint is St. Patrick, England’s is St. George and Scotland’s is St. Andrew.

While the United States has no particular saint, Christians here should appreciate all the faithful people who served Christ courageously and delivered the faith to us to follow. We should also remember that in baptism, God names us "set apart for the service of God" - we, too, are saints.

This Sunday, those present in worship will have the opportunity to light a candle in honor or remembrance of saints in their lives. There's something about the concrete action of lighting a candle and letting the light of its flame shine that touches people deep in their souls. Candle lighting is a wonderful ritual action for families to do together, especially in concert with conversation about those who have gone before us, and those who strengthen our faith now.