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Special points of interest:

Lefse Bake Date

Wedding Coordinator Opening

CTK Kids & Youth Pages

Valley Scare for Grades 7-12

First Communion Faith Lab

A Message from Pastor Tim 2

Connections Ministry Training 2

Circle of Hope in October 3

Exciting Library News! 3

Interim Ministry Update/Chart 4

Prayer Article 5

Inside this issue:

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Volume 55 Issue 10

October, 2019

Tuesday Morning Coffee & Conversation Hosted by Pastor John Petersen

Beginning October 15th at 9:00am in the Fireside Room

I was eight years old when my grandmother introduced me to – actually got me hooked on coffee. It consisted of half cream, a spoonful of sugar and the rest was her famous egg coffee in a chipped porcelain cup. I’ve been drinking it ever since, only without the cream and sugar. I don’t recall just when I got hooked on reading and studying scripture, but when I’m not doing it with others, I miss it dearly.

So, I invite you to join me on Tuesday mornings at 9:00am to share in these two favorite passions of mine – Coffee and Conversation about scripture. Each week we will dig into the three lessons (and occasionally the Psalm) assigned for the coming week’s worship. On occasion, we may invite a special speaker or have a special seasonal program. We’ll have some conversation about that. There, of course will be plenty of coffee, juice, water and an occasional snack.

We will kick off Tuesday Morning Coffee & Conversation on October 15th at 9:00 in the Fireside Room.

Sunday

November

10th

More exciting

info to come!

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By Pastor Tim

Living in the Gray Space

As much as we would like to be, or as much as we try to force it to be, the world is not black and white. There are very few decisions or scenarios in the world that are that cut and dry. Much more often, the decisions and scenarios we encounter in life have no easy answer. The answers are neither entirely black nor entirely white, but are gray.

We do not like the gray. We do not like the feeling of uncertainty that comes with living in what is known as “liminal space.” We do not like not knowing which way

to go or how to proceed. We especially do not like the sense of powerlessness we feel in those times. Often, we are forced into the liminal spaces of our lives due to events out of our control and we are suddenly forced into a new reality. Maybe you are in a season of waiting, or you might be in-between jobs, or are waiting on a medical diagnosis, or you have a big decision to make with no clear answer. These are all examples of liminal or gray spaces. Then it becomes our task to try to live in the gray space. Moreover, I think that we at Christ the King have found ourselves in one of those gray spaces at a time of transition between Senior Pastors.

So how do we live in the gray space? What does that look like? Often when we encounter a gray time in our lives we resist. We cling tightly to what we had known because we are afraid of the unknown. That is only natu-ral. However, I think to truly live and thrive in the gray spaces of life we need to jump in with both feet. That is when things get interesting and exciting!

As hard as it can be, I tend to find the gray space exciting, especially for us at Christ the King. The gray space is a time to ask questions and explore. The gray space is a time of intentionality, a time for self-reflection and examination. It is a time to remember who we are and whose we are. It is a time to re-root ourselves in our identity, and then explore the endless possibilities of the future. It means discerning where the Holy Spirit is leading us and working within us. It means asking the question, what is God already doing here? Where do we see God already showing up at Christ the King? That is what truly gets me excited in exploring and discerning where God is already working in and among us, and finding out what the future holds for us.

One of the main reasons I am a Lutheran is because I think Lutheran theology in particular, offers us a great

framework for living in these gray spaces. Martin Luther’s Theology of the Cross tells us that Jesus lived in the

grayest space of all, as both fully God and fully human. Jesus lived through the transitions of life and knows

what it is like to live in that space, to feel that anxiety and uncertainty. Because of that, we are not alone. God

promises to meet us in the gray space, God is found in the gray space. God will be with us in and through it all.

I know and trust that God will be with us in this time of transition, and as uncertain as it might feel at times,

God is there in that uncertainty. We do not do this work alone, we do it together and we ask God to help us.

Thanks be to God!

-Pastor Tim

Humankind. Let’s be both. We have all had struggles, some worse than others. Let us all be better together. The Connections Shelter helps neighbors who face food, housing & employment insecurity with resources and assistance. Christ the King will be hosting the Connections Shelter this upcoming season the first full week in November, January & March. Great news for this year is Covenant Family Church (709 N Riverfront) has agreed to be the shelter site for the entire 2019 - 2020 season. As a congregation, we will still provide the volunteers and food for our weeks, but without the disruption of moving our guests each week. Want to learn more? There are two training sessions at Covenant coming up on Tuesday, October 1st @ 7:00pm & Sunday, October 6th @ 4:00 pm. Training sessions are not mandatory to volunteer. Please plan to be a part of this important ministry this season, you won’t be disappointed! More information and sign-up for November is coming soon.

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You are invited to STEP UP TO THE PLATE with a cash donation!

Christ the King’s Circle of Hope will be assembling “Meals-to-Go” for clients of The Reach. Your cash donations will be used to purchase bulk food items requiring no preparation while meeting nutritional needs. The food items will be packaged in bags as “to go” meals by the Circle of Hope.

The Reach is a drop-in center for homeless youth and youth who are at risk of being homeless. They provide education and support to young people who don’t have the support of family and friends. In

the past your gifts have been put to good use and are greatly appreciated.

Please drop off cash gifts on October 9, 12, or 13 at the Circle of Hope display in the Narthex

New Issues of Christ in Our Home for October-December Devotionals are now available in the church narthex...pick up a copy today!

Wedding Coordinator We are looking for a person who would like to be the wedding coordinator at Christ the King. You would work with couples who are going to be married at CTK; which involves meeting with them, showing them the church, working with the pastor who is presiding at the wedding and being at the wedding. CTK has about 10-12 weddings a year. See if God is calling you to do this wonderful ministry! Contact Amy Olsen if you are interested.

From the Library We'd like to call your attention to these books about courageous people...

We Carry Kevin-Six Friends, Three Countries, No Wheelchairs By Kevin Chandler

I'll Push You --A Journey of 500 Miles. Two Best Friends and One Wheelchair By Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck

When You Can't Come Back--Surgical Loss of a Baseball Player's Arm By Dave and Jan Dravecky

Unbroken- A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption By Laura Hillenbrand

A Boy From C-11 Case 9164--A Memoir By Harvey Ronglien

We’re ready to launch our automated library system! We have a wonderful church library here at Christ the King. We feature many fiction, non-fiction, biographies, children’s and reference books. Stop in to check out our titles. We are hoping to soon have access via our church website. Our books are available to check out using our self serve checkout system. Refer to the sign on the table by the book return box for instructions.

~Lefse Bake~ Saturday, November 23rd

Plan ahead and mark your calendars!

We are in need of more birthday cards for our 65+ card

ministry. If you have cards laying around your home you’d like to

donate, please drop them off in the church office.

You can purchase & donate as well . Thank you!

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From Pastor Rick White… The chart that follows is an estimation of how the search for your new Settled Senior Pastor will progress. Please keep in mind that the date windows for each activity or task are subject to adjustment as the situation unfolds, but my hope is that the Call Committee will be all set to begin accepting names for the Senior Pastor position by the first of the year. Please keep this process and especially those who are elected to serve as members of the Call Committee in your prayers!

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Parish News Christian Love and Sympathy to

Rick and Cynthia Steinberg and family upon the death of Cindy’s mom, Orrie Shoff, who passed away on September 3rd. Orrie was the grandmother of our music director Garrett (and Anastasia) Steinberg.

Marlys Stutz and Steve & Jill Isakson and family upon the death of their husband/father, Stan Stutz, who passed away on September 6th.

Baptized in September... Harper Jo Kreinbring, daughter of Nick and Megan was baptized on September 7th.

Oct. 2 Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Oct. 9 Chicken/Rice Casserole

Oct. 16 Egg Bake

Oct. 23 Philly Cheese Steak Sand.

Oct. 30 Chicken Tenders

Prayer Article Series submitted by Pastor Donohue Sarff With Christ in The School of Prayer – Seventh Lesson – by Andrew Murray

How much more the Holy Spirit or The All-Comprehensive Gift “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” Luke 11:13 In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord had already given utterance to His wonderful How much more? Here in Luke, where He repeats the question, there is a difference. Instead of speaking as then, of giving good gifts, he says “How much more shall the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit?” He thus teaches us that the chief and the best of these gifts is the Holy Spirit, or rather, that in this gift all others are comprised. The Holy Spirit is the first of the Father’s gifts, and the one He delights most to bestow. The Holy Spirit is therefore the gift we ought first and chiefly to seek.

Weekend Retreat for the Widowed, Divorced and

Separated Are you or someone you know grieving the loss of a spouse or partner through separation, divorce or death? Beginning Experience of Rochester and SE MN, is offering a Christian-based weekend retreat to help with the process of grieving this loss. Retreat is located at Assisi Heights, 1101 14th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901; October 25-27, 2019. Through this experience participants learn to love themselves, others, and God in a renewed way, helping them move forward to a new beginning. For more information and/or an application contact Beginning Experience Rochester/SE MN at beminnesota@gmail.com or leave a message at 507-261-8248. Visit our website at www.beminnesota.org. Registrations will be accepted until October 14, 2019.

SE MN Men’s Retreat—Finding Your Sweet Spot Men today lead busy lives, constantly managing responsibilities with jobs and families while trying to be involved in the church and community. This is far from easy. In order for men to have the life they wish to live, they need to examine their lives to gain an understanding of their unique gift and God-given callings.

With the help of Jim Troe, the men’s retreat at Good Earth Village in Spring Valley, MN on November 15-16 will be an opportunity to rest from the daily grind and help you “Find Your Sweet Spot”. It will be a time for men to meet with other men who are being outfitted to live out their calling as men of God. This event is sponsored by the SE MN Lutheran Men in Mission. For a registration form and more info, go to http://semnsynod.org/lmm/.

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Visit us online!

www.ctkmankato.org

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 252

Mankato, MN 56001

Contact the Staff Christ the King’s Phone Number: 507-345-5056

Pastor Rick White: ext. 23 / pastorrick@ctkmankato.org

Pastor Timothy Bowman: ext. 26 / timothyb@ctkmankato.org

Pastor John Petersen: ext. 24 / johnp@ctkmankato.org

Billie Jo Wicks, Deacon of Faith Formation : ext. 19 / billiejow@ctkmankato.org

Accounting Office: ext. 22 / accounting@ctkmankato.org

Al Lee, Technology Arts Director: ext. 36 / all@ctkmankato.org

Amy Olsen, Communications Director: ext. 21 / amyo@ctkmankato.org

Chuck Hoogland, Organist: ext. 25 / chuckh@ctkmankato.org

Garrett Steinberg, Director of Creative Arts: ext. 37 garretts@ctkmankato.org

Justine Carlson, Opportunity Coordinator: ext. 38 / justinec@ctkmankato.org

Rick Weber, Property Manager: ext. 11 rickw@ctkmankato.org

Robin Hughes, Choir Director: robinh@ctkmankato.org

Wendy Paulson, Director of Children’s Ministries: ext. 20 / wendyp@ctkmankato.org

222 Pfau Street Mankato, MN 56001

Deadline for Newsletter Articles Next Month: Monday, October 21st

Phone: 507-345-5056 Fax: 507-345-6115

Address Service Requested

CTK Lutheran Church is a caring community committed to empower all people

to know Christ and to make Christ known.

Weekly Worship Schedule

Wednesdays

6:15pm

Saturdays

5:30pm

Sundays 8:15am, 9:30am

*Communion on 1st, 3rd and 5th weekend

————

Worship services are broadcast on

Charter channel 181 and

Consolidated Communications

channel 7 Sundays at 3:00pm and Tuesdays at 10:00am. Church Office Hours

Monday-Thursday ~ 8:00am-4:00pm Friday ~ 8:00am-2:00pm

Saturday-Sunday ~ By Appointment

From the Desk of Opportunity Coordinator Justine Carlson justinec@ctkmankato.org / 345-5056 ext. 38

Serving Christ’s Church in October

OPEN = If you are available to fill this spot contact Justine

Greeters: 8:15 & 9:30 6 Larry & Pam Anderson 13 OPEN 20 Jerry & Kathy Bodelson 27 Brad & Karen Walker

Lectors: Listed as 5:30 / 8:15 & 9:30 / 6:15 5/6/9 Randy Rose/Eileen Campbell & Josh Lorenz/Steve Mork 12/13/16 Sue Moore/Gary Rudolf & Karen Mesrobian/OPEN 19/20/23 Becky Rose/Jim Hatleli & OPEN/Nancy Patterson 26/27/30 Jennifer Olseth/Jan Meier & Marlin Spangrud/Kathy Mork

PRAYER CHAPEL: 8:15/9:30 6 Tammy Fienen/Sue Moore 13 Jerry & Kathy Bodelson/Jorun Meierding 20 Marlys Jorgensen/Kathy Sallstrom 27 OPEN/Marilyn Sarff

Communion Preparers 5/6 Lonnie & Bill Reemer 19/20 Barb Babel & Marlys Jorgenson

USHERS 5:30 L’Myra Hoogland 8:15 Ervin Johnson/Harvey Serr/Ken Wagner 9:30 Carol Schultz/Roy Schultz/ Jerry Bodelson/ Jason Beal 6:15 Adam Schendel/Mike & Wanda Lloyd ** We are in need of more people to usher at any of the services...if interested please contact Justine

COMMUNITY SUPPER SERVERS 2nd Kim’s Group: Ella, Ellie, Jayne, Julia, Mylee, Savannah, Tiegen Darcie’s Group: Alex, Christopher, Cole, Isaac, Sam, Sullivan, Tyler 9th Aaron/Stephen’s Group: Drew, Griffin, Isaac, Isaiah, Noah, Raleigh, Tyler Lisa/Michelle’s Group: Ava, Ava, Cordelia, Erica, Lillian, Morgan, Sierra 16th Melissa’s Group: Alison, Annika, Chloe, Drew, Eva, Lauren, Livia Birkmaiers/LorLee’s Group: Emmett, Evan, Mason, Sean, Tyler, Wilson, Zachary 23rd Heidi/Emily’s Group: Ethan, Garrett, Kaden, Michael, Myles, Samuel Renae/Samantha’s Group: Abby, Allison, Arianna, Eleanor, Elyse, Kylie, Lydia, Rylie 30th Stacey/Julie’s Group: Amanda, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Charley, Madelyn, Mika, Quinn, Sophia Brian’s Group: Avery, Brandon, Carter, Chase, Cory, Drew, Jack, Parker, Rob

2019/20

Children’s Ministry Schedule

Sunday

Worship: 9:30-10:30am

Rainbow Rm and JAM Grades 1-6: 9:30-10:30am

(Children begin in Worship and leave after King’s Kids)

Parents may pick up children at 10:30.

Wednesday

6:00pm: Rainbow Rm and Kids Klub Grades 1-4

(Children begin at Kids Klub; join Worship for King’s Kids)

Worship 6:15-7pm

7-7:30pm: Kids Klub Grades 5 & 6

Parents...give us a hand...we can’t do it without you!

All parents are scheduled for 2-4 consecutive weeks at least one time per year.

If you cannot commit to all scheduled dates, please find a replacement from your class list.

Don’t know other parents? Download the Church Life app where you have all CTK members right at your fingertips!

Volunteer schedules posted soon, be sure to check them out and mark your calendars. THANK YOU PARENTS!

Sunday JAM 5/6 Graders...

Have we got a deal for you!!!

As part of your faith formation,

we ask you to worship with your

families on the first Sunday of

each month.

During worship, you have the

opportunity to complete a

Worship Response Form.

Turn in your form for a

drawing—a special treat awaits

the winner!

First Communion Faith Lab

The Faith Lab for First Communion is scheduled for Sunday, November 3rd (new date), at 10:30am. Registration is available online at ctkmankato.org. First Communion Worship will be Wednesday, November 27 at 6:15pm.

CTK YOUTHO C T O B E R 2 0 1 9

Check Here to See What's What for Youth Grades 6-12

HAVE "BOO" REGISTEREDFOR VALLEYSCARE?! WE'LL HAVE A SPOOK-

TACULAR TIME!There is still space on our youth tripfor the annual Valleyscare event foryou AND friends! But don't wait toolong, or we're AFRAID you'll miss outon the spooky fun! Go online today toget signed up.

10-31 NO CLUB

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WINTER WARM-UPWe are excited for the WinterWarm-Up event on Wednesday,November 20. Chaplain Siri fromGustavus and some GAC studentswill be joining us for conversationon faith and science. Areachurches will join together atBethlehem for this awesomeevening of worship and learningtogether. Senior High,you arewelcome to join us! Chat with BillieJo if you want to know more!

CLUB RETREATSCLUB 7-October 26

CLUB 8-November 16