Grace Notes: February 9, 2026

Dear Faithful People of Christ the King Lutheran Church,

Basking in the light of Christ, we also rejoice with our newly baptized member, Shichu Wang, a 25-year-old Rice student, born in Inner Mongolia, China and with our chapter of the ELCA’s AAMPARO ministry supporting immigrants and refugees in Houston and throughout our nation.

Next Sunday we celebrate the last Sunday after Epiphany, the Transfiguration of Christ, at each of our morning liturgies, (and at our growing Saturday 6:00 pm Contemplative Communion, “burying the Alleluia” in preparation for Lent. It’s a busy day that also includes:

9:45-10:45 a.m.    Part 2 Annual Meeting with 2026 Stewardship Kickoff

12:15 p.m.             Festive Carnival Brunch concluding with Handel’s Hallelujah

3:30 p.m.               Blessing of our Synod’s new office at our Memorial Campus

Lent will begin on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

We are using these last two Sundays before Lent to praise God for the members of our congregation who worked, mostly quietly and behind the scenes, to meet the incredible challenges and grasp the great opportunities of last year. They are each receiving a “Christ the King” cross made by members of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, Palestine. They and their contributions of time, talent, expertise, and finances are:

 Legal work, lease agreements, community relationships:  Oliver Doolin, Alicia Goodrow*, Russell Post, Lucky Suahalla, Lee Tweat

Property repairs, refresh, and renewal at our two campuses: Peter Boecher, Judy Hungerford, Maureen Lamson, Gaelyn Lescher*, Tim Vuong*, Jim Wilcockson

Specialized Memorial Campus repair and replacements: Henry Goodrow*, Robert Hoover

Parsonage purchase, preparation, and sale: Susan Lundgren, Angella and Jesus’ Ortega

Memorial Garden renewal and care Vicki Gorman, Elizabeth and Tor Kragas

Communion bread baking:  Bette Bowers*, Linda Marx*

Maintaining assisting ministers’ excellence: Trish Chapman

Planning and leading the 2025 Christ the King Festival: Terri Koehler, Karli McGowen, Beverly Davis

Extraordinary Congregation Council service in extraordinary times: Whitney Adams, Chris Bryant, Erin Gough, Federico Salas-Isnardi, Eldon Thomas*

*Will be recognized on February 15, 2026.

For all they’ve done, Thanks!  For all who servant leaders who will be, Yes!

Peace and Joy – and Courage,

Mandy

Amandus J. Derr

Interim Senior Pastor

 Watch for times and places for Rice Boulevard re-paving. See map.