An Invitation

This video was sent last September, as an invitation to the National Youth Gathering. Though the registration deadline has come and gone, it's still a good introduction to what the Gathering is about.

New Youth Blog

There's another CtK blog! It's Lutheran Youth in Service, and its beginning its life as a blog with updates on the 2009 ELCA National Youth Gathering in New Orleans (and preparations for the Gathering).
Be sure to check it often come the last half of July - CtK youth will be posting regularly from the road, their college tour, and the Gathering in New Orleans!

Video Contest

Were in you worship this past Sunday? If so, keep Davin, the little boy who was baptized, in your prayers this week. If not - you missed a great Sunday - and you can still keep all those baptized in our congregation in your prayers.
After worship on Sunday the filming began for CtK's entry in the ELCA's video contest. Using the ELCA's new tag line: "God's work. Our hands." our congregational video will be highlighting our ministry with Family Promise. Once the contest entry deadline is here, there will be online voting for a favorite. The top ten will then be evaluated by judges, and the winning congregation will receive a $5000 ministry grant!
Want to learn more about the contest (including how you could win a $2500 individual prize)? Watch the video below, or click here:



And if you decide to enter the contest yourself, let us know - we'd love to see your work!

Change the World

The 2009 ELCA National Youth Gathering will be in New Orleans at the end of July. Four youth and two staff members from Christ the King will be among the thousands of folks gathered to worship, learn and serve.
There are many ways to support the Gathering. You can help our youth raise funds for their trip by having your car washed in the Albertsons parking lot this Saturday morning (beginning at 10am) or buying stock in their trip. Each share of stock costs $25 - the dividends include access to their trip blog while they're in New Orleans, a postcard and souvenir from New Orleans, and a ticket to the share-holders' meeting and dinner on the 31st of July. Contact Steph, our Director of Family and Youth Ministry or the Church Office for more information about these opportunities.

Another way to support the whole Youth Gathering is to donate funds for the service projects the youth will do in New Orleans. This on-line giving opportunity allows us to purchase the items youth will use during their service experiences in New Orleans. The best part is that the items will remain in New Orleans when ELCA youth leave - things like school supplies, household maintenance items and tools, trees and grass. Check it out!

Churchwide Assembly Preparations

Christ the King is one of more than 10,000 congregations of our church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Just as synods (we're part of the Montana Synod) meet in assembly every year, the whole ELCA gathers every other year in Churchwide Assembly. It happens this year in August in Minneapolis. Ever wondered what happens at a Churchwide Assembly? Curious what the hot topics will be this year? Check out the 2009 Churchwide Assembly Update.

Seeds Grow

Technically, I'm supposed to be working on Sunday's sermon at the moment. Of course that requires the occasional check of my email... maybe a colleague has had a breakthrough... :)
I subscribe to a "lectionary comic" called Agnus Day, and each week I get an email with a funny take on something from the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday. The comic strips don't always help with the sermon prep, especially during those weeks when I'm planning to preach on another lesson (from 2 Cor this week). But still, I usually enjoy them. I hope you enjoy it this week, too.