This week, with the return of the Midweek Meditation, we reflect further on Easter by way of wonderful organ music performed by Mary Joy Silmaro and a poem, “Many Steps,” by Tomas Tranströmer, shared by a member of Christ the King Church recently with Pastor Duane. How would you respond if someone told you that you are an “icon”? The return of CTK’s Midweek Meditation will give you clues, and encouraging beauty for the days ahead.
Welcome to Christ the King Church!
We are a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. We are committed to the mission of proclaiming to the world the message of God’s reconciling work revealed in Jesus Christ and proceeding in the Spirit of God.
Our faith calls us to be an inclusive community welcoming people of all cultures, races, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
Learn how to become a member.
Sermon for April 11, 2021
2nd Sunday of Easter. 4, 11, 2021. Series B.
Vicar Sergio Rodriguez
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our risen Lord Jesus Christ, who breathes upon us the Spirit. Amen.
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed. Alleluia!
“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
In the power of the Spirit, Jesus sends forth his disciples with this commission to forgive or to retain the sins of any. Though this commandment is as clear as day, one must ask how does forgiveness relate to the retaining of sins? If you retain the sins of any, they are retained. Such phrase, beyond simplistically interrupting our Easter joy, has a sort of ominous tone; a kind of unforgivable sin lurking in the foreground. When may sins be retained? Why ought we to retain sins? Who ought to forgive or not forgive? Continue reading
Sunday Forum
Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Online
If you would like the link to the meeting please contact us.
An Exploration of Vocation
We continue our Sunday Forum series about “Vocation,” What is it? Is it our daily paid “job?” Just what is the vocation of pastors and deacons? What are and how do we all identify our vocations as the baptized laity, including as heads of families? This week our Deacons Rick Erickson, Beth Hartfiel, and Courtney Webb will share how they understand their vocations. On the 25th, Deacon Ben will facilitate a discussion on the vocation of parenting and other means of nurturing children; and we’ll conclude with testimonies from “amongst us” as to how our daily vocations and professional roles align. A rich and inspiring set of reflections will help build and heal us as we grow in faith and action.April 18: The Vocation of Deacon
Deacons are bridges between the church and the community. Enjoy a conversation with Christ the King Deacons: Rick Erickson, Cantor; Beth Hartfiel, Church Administration; Courtney Webb, Chaplain; as they share their specific vocational “calls.” Continue reading
Sunday Worship – 11:00 am In Person and Online
11:00 a.m. on Facebook, YouTube
11:00 a.m. In Person Outdoor in South Parking Lot
Drive-through distribution of Holy Communion from 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Bulletin Readings
The Easter season celebrates the resurrected presence of Jesus among his people in the power of the Holy Spirit. However, such joy does not indicate an end to human brokenness. From the story of the first Christian community in Jerusalem (Acts 4-5) to the story of the disciples quarantining behind closed doors, examples of human brokenness bring a stark realism to life with God through Christ in the power of the Spirit. It is precisely in and through such a community that God in Christ brings forth peace and forgiveness, a forgiveness that envelops trauma. Through the gift of forgiveness, our risen, crucified Lord enters into broken relationships that we may evermore be knit together in the Spirit of Love. Vicar Sergio Rodriguez provides this message of forgiveness and faith this 2nd Sunday of Easter at 11a.m. either in person outdoors at 11am or worship with us via the streamed worship service beginning at 11 am (and accessible anytime thereafter) on Facebook or YouTube.
Drive-through distribution of Holy Communion will be available from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Drive to the building entrance area in the west parking lot off Rice Blvd where ministers will welcome you. Please remain in your car and masked.
Sermon for Easter – April 4, 2021
Sermon for B Easter 1 Sunday of the Resurrection – April 4, 2021
Based on Mark 16:1-8
Duane H. Larson, Senior Pastor
Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Greetings to you in the name of the Raised Crucified Lord!
Here we are. It is wonderful that many of us can gather safely together. We do not like that it is another Easter under COVID conditions. But thanks to the promise of faithful lives and good science, we can see the light from here. We must not spike the ball before we cross the goal line (parson the mixed metaphor). We sense a coming freedom that we have not felt in some 14 months. We can see the light from here. And there is a greater light yet. Indeed, we see the light of Easter from here. Continue reading