10 Days of Prayer - Day 6

Day 6 Monday, October 31st - The ministries of our congregation, their leaders and participants
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. - Ephesians 4:11-13

Again, thank God for the church, which is always Christ's church, and for our congregation. Thank God for those ministries of our congregation which have most profoundly influenced your life. Thank God for those who lead and participate in these ministries, being especially thankful for their willingness to give generously of their time and talents. Ask God to strengthen the ministries of our congregation, that we might ever more effectively proclaim God's love to our members, our community, and our world.

10 Days of Prayer - Day 5

Day 5 Friday, October 28th Unity among members of our congregation
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. - Ephesians 4:1-3

Thank God for the church, which is always Christ's church, and for our congregation. Thank God for those people in our congregation who have most profoundly influenced your life. Acknowledge before God that in times of change, well-meaning people often have differences of opinion. Ask God to build up our congregation, and bring unity of purpose to all members.

Thursday Thought

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.
Have you used one to say "thank you"?
-William Arthur Ward

A Silent Witness

It is customary, especially in Central Europe, for the faithful to bless their houses at the Epiphany with chalk. They write over their front door: 20 + C + M + B + 11. Obviously, the digits, which appear at the beginning and end of the line, designate the New Year. ‘CMB’ stands for the traditional names of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar) and also signifies the Latin prayer Christus Mansionem Benedicat or ‘May Christ bless this dwelling!’

We blessed our home in the beginning of 2010. Little did we know then how many visitors would inquire about the numbers and letters written above our front door. It has created some spirit filled conversations with neighbors and sales people alike.

The Epiphany blessing has become a witness to our Christian faith.

May Christ bless this dwelling. Indeed!

10 Days of Prayer - Day 4

Day 4 Thursday, October 27th - Rededication of your life to God
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2

Thank God that in the waters of baptism you have been claimed as God's own child, and through the blood of the cross have been forgiven all your sins. Acknowledge before God the countless ways in which this world pulls you away from God and God's will for your life, and seeks to conform you to its way. Be specific about those areas in which the urge to conform is the strongest. Ask God to transform you so that your life might reflect God's will, and that you might reflect God's love to those around you.

10 Days of Prayer - Day 3

Day 3 Wednesday, October 26th - Deeper trust in God
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6

Give thanks that God has come to you first in God's Son, Jesus our Savior. Give thanks also that you can come to God for guidance as you walk life's ways. Ask God to work in you through the Holy Spirit to deepen your trust in God and your reliance on God's guidance.

10 Days of Prayer - Day 2

The 10 Days of Prayer for Rooted in Faith, Growing in Giving continue. Thank you for joining the congregation on this journey of faith!

Day 2 Tuesday, October 25th - Gratitude to God for God's grace and blessings
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits - who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. - Psalm 103:1-5

Thank God for all the blessings God has showered upon you. Be specific. List important things first, and then get to possessions. Ask God to guide you in your use of these blessings - your time, your talents, and your treasure. Consider areas in which you face challenges giving God credit for your blessings. Ask for special help in these.

10 Days of Prayer - Day 1

As part of Rooted in Faith, Growing in Giving - CtK's campaign to reduce (eliminate?!) the mortgage, share God's blessings with others and engage in some ministry enhancing projects in the building, the campaign Leadership Team is asking every household to participate in 10 days of prayer. The request is very simple – that for each of these ten days you spend five minutes in prayer for the congregation. Take five minutes each day to read the daily scripture passage and pray. You can use these guides or pray as God leads you. If you live with others, it would be great if for the ten days this prayer time could be a part of your family devotions.

Day 1 - Monday, October 24th - Guided by the Gospel
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. - John 3:16

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. - Ephesians 2:8

Offer a prayer of thanks that God loves us, forgives us, and redeems us as a pure gift. Pray that this wonderful Gospel message will guide us in all that we do as a congregation and as individuals. Ask God to guide you so the decisions you make, the way you relate to other people, and the actions you take might reflect the good and gracious news of God's love.

Thursday Thought

"The church is only the church when it is there for others."
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

What do YOU think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation...

ELCA Global Links

Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Lutheran African peace activist

Leymah Roberta Gbowee, a Lutheran Liberian peace activist, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Read this story and more at www.elca.org/news (click on News Releases in the left-hand column).

Apply now to be an ELCA Young Adult in Global Mission
Young adults (ages 19-29) are invited to apply to serve for a year in an international program in Argentina and Uruguay, Jerusalem / West Bank, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Central / Eastern Europe, Southern Africa and the United Kingdom. See www.elca.org/yagm.

Support the ELCA Malaria Campaign
Malaria claims the life of a child every 45 seconds. You can help. Your gifts to the ELCA Malaria Campaign provide mosquito nets, medication, health care, education and more to eliminate deaths from this disease -- for good. Give now: www.elca.org/malariadonate.

Wittenberg, Germany: ’The Reform Continues’
The Rev. Arden Haug, new director for the ELCA Wittenberg Center, reflects on 500 years of reform and the ELCA's participation in the anniversary of the Reformation. Read the entire story at www.elca.org/handinhand; click either the copy-ready bulletin insert or the Fall 2011 issue of the Hand in Hand newsletter.

Malawi: Walking together in Christ
"We must listen to the voice of each other as well as to the voice of Jesus. What is he saying to us as we move together and hold hands in this journey of accompaniment?" Hear more from Bishop Bvumbe of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi in a short video at www.elca.org/companionvoices.

Advocating with our companions
Companion churches living under political oppression or danger request not only your prayers but also your public voice on their behalf to the larger church, governments and international agencies of the world. Learn how some ELCA members received the training and motivation to do so. See www.elca.org/companionadvocating.

Guyana: A holistic ministry
Prior to becoming a missionary pastor, Richard Young had a full-time private practice of obstetrics and gynecology. Richard reflects on using health care skills within the context of ministry as a witness and service of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Guyana. Watch a short video at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand.

Sponsors needed for missionaries in Argentina
You can be a sponsor for the Rev. Dr. Jose Rodriguez, who serves as chancellor at the seminary of the Lutheran Church in Argentina, and his wife, Kathryn Bake, who serves the church as coordinator for event planning. Sponsors from Nebraska, Texas, and the Chicago area are especially welcomed to minimize their travel time and maximize their effectiveness while on home leave. For more information, visit www.elca.org/missionarysponsorship or call 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2657.

Glocal Mission Gathering in Cary, N.C., January 27-28
Equip yourself for God's work in today's global and local realities. Find more information and registration at www.elca.org/glocal.

Learn more about companion synod relationships
Online profiles have been updated by the ELCA Grand Canyon, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Northern Great Lakes, Southeastern Iowa, and Southern Ohio Synods. Learn of new developments in companion synod relationships at www.elca.org/companionsynodprofiles.

In our prayers
Give thanks for Carol and the Rev. James Sack, serving with the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. James teaches pastoral care and counseling at the Japan Lutheran Theological College and Seminary, Tokyo. Carol reaches out to those facing death with a harp ministry. (This prayer for October 29 is available along with daily prayers from around the globe at www.elca.org/prayerventures.)

Thursday Thought Part 2

Hat tip to Matt H. for sending this video to the Rooted in Faith, Growing in Giving Leadership Team.
Go watch it. Please.


"Bread for me is a material problem.
Bread for my neighbor is a spiritual problem."
—Nikolai Berdyaev

What do you think of the video?

Thursday Thought

"Bread for me is a material problem.
Bread for my neighbor is a spiritual problem."

—Nikolai Berdyaev

What do YOU think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation!

African Children's Choir in Concert at CtK

Christ the King Lutheran Church will be hosting the African Children's Choir in concert next Wednesday, October 12th, at 7pm. This is a great opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to join you for a fun and uplifting experience, celebrating the love of God!
Admission is free, and doors open at 6:15pm (last time CtK hosted the African Children's Choir the place was packed; you might try to get here on the early side!). A freewill offering to support the choir will be received.
Many thanks to all the host families, meal providers and other volunteers who will make this a great success! Your ministry of hospitality is very much appreciated and we thank God for you!

Thursday Thought

"If a person gets his attitude toward money right, it will straighten out almost every other area in his life."
- Billly Graham

What do YOU think? Leave a comment below.

A gift from St. Francis

Today is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.

In celebration of this beloved saint and witness to the gospel, here is a prayer attributed to him. May it bless your day.

A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where is there hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and
it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Sunday School is for Grown-Ups, Too!!

All of the adult education classes on Sunday mornings are kicking off October with new topics:

Adult Forum meets in the social hall and will be using a DVD series for learning and to spark conversation: Biblical Stewardship: Our Duty and Delight.


Biblical Stewardship: Our Duty & Delight from Select Learning on Vimeo.

Manna for Moms usually meets in the sanctuary, and will be spending a month learning about and discussing "Children and Materialsim."

The Digging Deeper class meets in the church office, and will be reading a book this month, Giving to God: The Bible's Good News about Living a Generous Life, by Mark Allan Powell. Copies are available in the church office for $13. Participants will be expected to read 25-45 pages at home each week, and then discuss the readings as a group (a reading schedule is also available).

We all know that everything we have is a gift from God. But sometimes it's hard to know just how to give back to God. How much is enough? What does the Bible really say? What should giving look like in our everyday lives? Filled with good news for followers of Jesus, Giving to God shows Christians the way to a better life and a better relationship both with their money and with God.
Popular author and Bible scholar Mark Allan Powell presents stewardship as an act of worship, an expression of faith, and a discipline for spiritual growth. Faithful use of our time, talents, and treasures starts with a deep, satisfying relationship with the God to whom we belong. We can then learn, says Powell, to give gladly and generously out of our heartfelt connection with God. The second part of the book applies these principles to today's complicated world.
After providing answers to practical questions about living and giving, Powell lays out a specific plan for a generous life that Christians can embrace as both a duty and a delight.
Informative, concise, and wise, Giving to God gives us resources to think carefully about how best to use the treasures, material and otherwise, that God has given us. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter make this book particularly useful for church study groups.