When I read an obituary or preach a funeral message, I am always humbly aware that the short inadequate summary of a person’s life is never in fact the totality of who that person was. Not even close. It is in many ways unfair to even try to encapsulate a person’s rich and complicated life ..read more

Spring always moves at a frenetic pace; especially for families with school-age children, the days seemingly rush by towards the end of the school year. We at Christ the King pause on several occasions to recognize that time is inexorably passing and milestones are being reached and new paths are being created in the footsteps of ones already traveled. On two such occasions, we focus on our young people in their different stages of life: Confirmation and Graduation. Confirmation is both an ending and a beginning: two years of study are at an end, but the students’ journey into Christian adulth ..read more

What a March this has been! Tradition called for Romans to put down their swords in a ceasefire with whomever they were fighting during January and February, which meant that their wars would have resumed on March 1. Many experts believe that the Romans named March after Mars, the Roman god of war. March was for them a return to battle. What a March it continues to be at CTK! This March we remember, worship and commemorate that our Lord and Warrior Jesus Christ returned to earth to battle Satan, the Sanhedrin, many of His own disciples and yes, the Romans…in the most important conflict of all ..read more

Christmas 2023 at Christ the King saw standing-room only attendance at the 6PM Candlelight Service. The sanctuary was beautiful and the singing from both the choir loft and the nave was awesome. As we reflect on our beautiful Christmas services, the Board of Worship wishes to thank all the volunteers who regularly assist in ensuring that each service is conducted in an orderly, God-pleasing manner and in such a way that worship itself becomes an act of praise and thanksgiving for our Lord. The ELDERS, who assist the Pastors in leading worship by lectoring and offering Communion; The ALTAR GUI ..read more

Dear Christ the King Family, We all remember when our mom or dad would call us to get up in the morning and our reply would be “I’m up! I’m up!” as we snuggled deeper under the covers. It took a lot of prodding and not-so-gentle urging to get us up and going for the day. In this Stewardship season, we hear the clarion call to action: “O Church, Arise!” God bids us to metaphorically get out of bed, wipe the sleep from our eyes, and face whatever pitfalls and challenges lay ahead, armed with the Gospel and a deep desire to proclaim and live out the love of Christ in full view of an increasingly ..read more

From the September issue of The King’s Messenger…. I was about to begin writing a sermon on Romans 13:1-10 when I was reminded that it is my turn to write a newsletter article for our monthly publication. Since my “older-yet-better-like-fine-wine” mind does not transition well, I decided to meld this article into some side thoughts our Lord was planting in me to share from the pulpit. I will probably still preach it, but in case you sleep in on Sept. 10…. Just this morning I read in our local paper that most all national polls show that people around our country are very unhappy with the two f ..read more

We celebrate Christ the King’s high school, college, and professional school graduates. May God continue to richly bless them ..read more

When Christ the King Lutheran Church was just beginning, fellowship was an important and necessary ingredient to the growth of the membership, just as it is today. Beyond the quick hellos on a Sunday morning, the potluck supper provided time to relax, share food, and really get to know one another, becoming a family of believers over a plate of mac and cheese. Sixty years ago, families gathered, ate, enjoyed entertainment, and watched each other’s children. The men of the congregation hung curtains across the front of the room to hide the altar, and tables and chairs were arranged where just h ..read more

Did you know that Vacation Bible School can be successful with only a month’s planning time? It’s not recommended, but it’s totally possible, especially if the director has an excellent team of volunteers who step up to make VBS an exciting, fun-filled, faith-filled adventure. With the theme “Food Truck Party: On a Roll with God,” the children and staff were awed by decorated food trucks, miles of flags and a bazillion balloons festooning the hallways, and craft, science, Bible storytime, and recreation sessions all built around the daily specials: God is great! God is good! Let us thank G ..read more

At Christ the King, Memphis, congregants are accustomed to seeing the wagging tail and friendly eyes of Job Comfort Dog every Saturday and Sunday before and after worship. Children line up to pet this beautiful, well-trained golden retriever, and adults come by to get their weekly dose of that silky fur and calm countenance. Out in the community, however, Job’s appearance at places and events is anything but normal or routine. His extensive training as an LCC comfort dog makes him welcome wherever he goes Eyes light up in the common room of a nursing home as Job enters, children having a bad ..read more