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Dear faithful members of Christ the King Lutheran Church,

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before  us,  looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Every year, stewardship invites us to ask a faithful and honest question: What has God entrusted to us, and how will we offer it back to God? Hebrews gives us a vivid image for this response. We are not standing still. We are running the race God has set before us, encouraged by those who have gone before us – the great cloud of witnesses - and strengthened by Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

That race is not only about our personal faith. It is about how we live, serve, and share. Stewardship is the daily practice of laying aside what weighs us down and moving forward together in faith. It includes our treasure because the financial gifts we pledge and give make ministry possible. They support worship, music, pastoral care, outreach, formation, hospitality, justice, and the sacred work of keeping a church alive and responsive to God’s call. They also help us turn outward, joining God’s work of compassion and justice in Houston and, with our mission partners, throughout the world.

But stewardship has never been only about money. It is also about time: the hours we give to prayer, worship, learning, mentoring, visiting, welcoming, listening, showing up, and staying present. It is about talent: the gifts, wisdom, creativity, skills, compassion, leadership, patience, and courage God has entrusted to each of us. A congregation becomes strong when many people offer what they can, trusting that God blesses and multiplies the offering.

Christ the King Church does not run this race for itself alone. Following Christ, we run it for and with our neighbors: those who are hungry, unhoused, lonely, displaced, grieving, overlooked, or struggling to find their footing in this city we love. Houston is a place of remarkable energy, beauty, diversity, and possibility, and it is also a place where deep needs are close at hand. Our stewardship becomes a public witness when our time, talent, and treasure are offered in service to neighbors and in pursuit of a more just and compassionate community.

This season, I invite you to consider your part in the race before us. What weight might you lay aside so that you can serve with greater freedom? Where is God calling you to give time with more intention—in worship, in care for one another, and in service beyond our walls? What talent or experience might strengthen the life of the church or bless the wider Houston community? What financial commitment can you make so that our shared ministry may continue with faithfulness, hope, and joy? Please return your completed pledge in person or by mail or (fill out the link below) no later than Reformation Sunday, October 25, 2026.

2027 Pledge Form

Our giving is not a transaction. It is a testimony. It tells the truth about what we value, whom we trust, and where we believe God is leading us. Like the witnesses who surround us, we are called to live so that those who come after us will find faith, welcome, compassion, courage, and a community willing to stand with one another and with our neighbors in love.

Please pray about your pledge of time, talent, and treasure. Ask what God is encouraging you to offer. Talk with your household, notice what stirs your heart, and respond as generously and honestly as you can. Every gift matters, and every person has a place in this work of sustaining Christ the King Church, serving our neighbors, and bearing witness to God’s compassion and justice in Houston and throughout the world.

With gratitude for the race we are running together,
 
Amandus J. Derr
Interim Pastor