The King’s Messenger Christ the King Lutheran Church, a caring community committed to

empower all people to know Christ and to make Christ known.

July, 2020—Volume 56, Issue 7

Welcome to Summer at Christ the King… We’re planning great things!

Each week we’ll discover how God’s grace is being revealed around us.

Announcing…

Grace is Still Unfolding Friends & Family Summer Celebration! Sunday, July 26th at the McConnell St. parking lot of CTK

6:30pm Praise Service followed by live music by the Praise Band.

Bring your own lawn chairs, snacks/beverage & masks.

*Please bring a donation of a personal care item for the Dignity Drive*

Sunday, July 12, 10:30am Proposed Budget for 2020-21 meeting, either in person (masks required) in the fireside room or via Zoom. The council has made significant reductions in next year’s budget and aligns with our reality of our congregation size and giving patterns. The review process of the budget allows you to hear the proposed budget and ask questions. Zoom = Register Online

Sunday, July 26, at 10:30am Attend our Annual Meeting,

either in person (masks required), or via Zoom. Participate in the life of the congregation and help us look toward the future in a new way. We must have 100 members for a quorum.

Budget Forum and Annual Meeting Scheduled

Financial Update—from Chris Austin, Treasurer

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place for us to is at home. But for those who wish to re-gather in person for worship, outdoors is safer than indoors. We hope to return to worship and other ministry gatherings in the fall, but no date has been set as we need to assess when we can do this safely. Worship do know when we gather for worship, worship will be different. Small groups of 10 or less are now able to resume and can be coordinated with the church office. Masks are required when you come to church, whether it is

Many of us are tired of being in isolation since COVID-19 moved us to “shelter in place” back in March. However, the virus is not tired, nor is God tired of blessing us with love and grace. Places of worship are required to put together a preparedness plan for reopening our building to safely meet for worship and groups gathering here at Christ the King. The plan is extensive and is based on guidelines provided by the Center for Disease and Control (CDC) and the MN Department of Health. The safest

stopping in the office, attending a meeting, or gathering for worship, either indoors or outdoors. Re-think the mask as a form of discipleship or spiritual practice: picking up the cross and following Jesus, a way of loving your neighbor while loving yourself. We will keep you posted as you move into different phases of reopening up for worship and ministry. Stay safe, stay well, practice patience. We miss you but are grateful God continue to bless and be with us.

Covid-19 UPDATE

Give

electronically

here!

New Member Class– Thursday, July 16 at 6:30pm Are you interested in joining Christ the King or know of someone who is looking for a new church home? A new member class is being offered on Thursday, July 16, at 6:30pm. Our class will be on zoom or in person (limited size for in-person meeting). New members will be received at the 6:00pm outdoor worship service on Wednesday, July 22, prior to our annual meeting on Sunday, July 26. Call the church office to sign up at 507-345-5056.

Bridging Transitions—An Update from Bridge Pastor Audrey

“What future we will find ourselves in depends not only on the behavior of the virus, but on the actions of

people – as individuals, churches, communities, and governments. The way forward will not be a matter of following a timetable, but of faithfully discerning the signs of the times, and responding accordingly. It has always been that way for the church: “You have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown….”, a statement from the Wisconsin Conference of Churches. As we navigate these uncharted waters of doing ministry differently during a pandemic, we trust on the Holy Spirit to guide us, we will try new things and/or adapt former ministry practices, i.e. “try, fail, and try again” (one of my favorite leadership mantras). Essential for all is to draw on the love and grace Jesus modeled for us. As I begin my 6 month time with you, I have not met many of you face to face. Hopefully, I will be able to meet you face to face before your call your new senior pastor. Thank you for the many different ways you show care, love, and support to the ministry of Christ the King.

As we move forward into a new phase while doing ministry during COVID-19, we walk slowly reopening. I would like to invite you to help. Continue to pray for God’s Church, the call committee, and the community here at Christ the King. I do not believe God is testing us with this virus, but God does provide us with the opportunity to “reset”, even re-imagine new ways to be church. We are church wherever we may be, i.e. at home, in the grocery store, at work, school, or at the cabin up north. The church is not about the building. We continue to grow in our faith, while creating and nurturing community, and serving our neighbors in new ways. The pastors, deacons, and staff cannot do it alone. I would love to hear your ideas on what God might be calling the people of Christ the King to be about while we continue to live with this pandemic. Please contact me if you would like to be part of a conversation on what “new ways being church” during and after COVID 19 might look like. These ideas will help your new pastor as well. Please contact me at audreyl@ctkmankato.org May God continue to bless you.

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Outdoor Worship

Wednesday evening outdoor worship services begin on July 1, at 6:00 p.m., in the parking lot—face masks required. Chairs will be provided or you can bring your own lawn chairs. Please sit in the designated areas as the space is set up to practice social distancing. Worship will be different in person as there will be no passing of the peace, no offering plates, or coffee fellowship. No hymnals will be used, nor will we be able to sing. Here is an opportunity to be creative in the music… use sign language or gestures, tap your toes, or bring a rhythm instrument to play. Music will be provided by the band. A worship bulletin will be provided on our website that you can print beforehand or access the website by your phone. Communion will be provided on Wednesday evening as you will be able to pick up prepackaged bread and cups with grape juice. Offering plates will be provided at the table where you pick up your communion

cups. Follow the instructions of the hospitality disciples when you arrive at the church parking lot. In case of rain, join us at home as the service will be livestreamed.

Sunday Live-Stream Services Continue / TV Broadcast

We continue to offer livestream services on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. This is the safest way for everyone to join us to worship. The services are also available on Spectrum/Charter channel 181 and Consolidated Communications channel 7 on Sundays at 3:00pm and Tuesdays at 10:00am.

Drive Thru Farewell planned for Pastor Tim

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Pastor Tim’s last Sunday at Christ the King is this Sunday, June 28. All are invited to come to a “drive-thru farewell” honoring Pastor Tim Bowman from 10:30-11:30am that day. He will also be participating in our first outdoor worship service with communion on this Wednesday, July 1 where we will send him off with

a ritual for “God’s Speed & Farewell”. We are grateful for Pastor Tim’s faithful service here at Christ the King and trust that God will continue to bless him and use his gifts in God’s church. Thank you Pastor Tim for the many different ways you have witnessed and proclaimed God’s love and grace with us this past year.

“Just Mercy” Movies & Spirituality Group Via Zoom The death of George Floyd has started a movement in our world as we address racism, a pandemic that has been going on for many years and needs to stop. How do we come together as a community of faith here at CTK to educate ourselves more on racism, find ways to walk in solidarity with our brown and black skin and indigenous brothers and sisters and work for justice? Deacon Billie Jo and Pastor Audrey, while attending a rally here in Mankato for Juneteenth, began to share ideas of offering book discussions, forums,

and movies in small groups, either in person or zoom. On Tuesday, July 14, at 7:00pm, you are invited to participate in our “first” Movies & Spirituality group as we will discuss the movie “Just Mercy”. Please

watch the movie prior to the zoom gathering (currently it is free on Amazon Prime). “Just Mercy” is a true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us and fix our broken systems of justice. If you are not able to watch the movie, listen to a presentation at the Westminster Forum, by the author of “Just Mercy” Brian Stevenson http://www.westminsterforum.org/speaker/bryan-stevenson/ Contact Deacon Billie Jo or Pastor Audrey if you have any questions.

July 15th - “Give Something Away Day” Let's celebrate together by filling the ECHO bin. Our Dignity Drives to collect personal care products for ECHO have been so successful that we are setting the third week of every month as ECHO week! Did you know that ECHO serves up to 1700 families each week? By collecting personal care items for ECHO to distribute, you make it possible to eliminate humiliation and offer hope to thousands in our community. Items may be dropped off in the bin in the Pfau St entrance to the church, brought to outdoor worship Wednesday night, or save it and donate it the night of the “Grace is Still Unfolding” Friends and Family Event on July 26th beginning at 6:30pm. Here are some suggestions for items that are needed: Freshen Up – Beat the July heat - Body wash, antibacterial hand soap, hand soap (not antibacterial), bar soap,

deodorant/antiperspirant, hand sanitizer No More Bad Hair Day - Tame your locks - hair brushes, combs, shampoo, or con-ditioner. The Unmentionables - Keep the privates clean - feminine hygiene products, male hygiene products, toilet paper, baby wipes, diapers, incontinence pads, etc. Clean Sweep - Make your space sparkle - dish soap, toilet bowl cleaner, sanitizing cleaning wipes, laundry soap, paper towels, etc. Show Off Your Grill - Make the enamel shine - toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, etc.

New Church Office Hours Beginning the week of July 6th…

Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-4:00pm Friday: 9:00am-12Noon

Please Note: The church office will be closed on Friday, July 3rd to observe Independence Day

Lutheran Campus Ministry Campus Cupboard—Now Receiving Matching Donations!

Call Committee Update Dear Congregants,

Greetings from your Senior Pastor Call Committee. We pray that this message finds you in good health as we look forward to the time this month or in the foreseeable future when we shall see you all at church.

Please consider this the sixth of our updates which will continue to be monthly at a minimum. Even as the church building is opening, our ability to gather in person is still hindered. So, please feel free to contact us at our email addresses if you have any comments and/or questions. Please remember while we will do our best to make all aware "where we are" and "where we shall be going", some mat-ters must remain confidential.

We reviewed the latest Rostered Minister Profiles submitted to us by the Synod and have interviewed one of the two submitted candidates. As before, we listened to sermons, read what is happening at their present congregation and reviewed additional information submitted by the candidate. While the first interview of the Candidate has occurred, we have yet to vote on an invitation for further communication with the interviewee as of this writing. The second Candidate has decided to wait and review our amended Site Profile before accepting our invitation for an interview. With |Pastor Tim's leaving, it becomes incumbent upon us to revise CtK's Site Profile with the SEMN Synod office. By the time you read this, the editing process

and submission to the Synod office will be complete.

We thank the congregation for the seven new nominated candidates. We have submitted the congregation nominated Pastor's names to the Synod. they will begin the contact process and be back to us shortly with the names and profiles of those nominated candidates who have agreed to be considered.

As our building opens, your Call Committee continues to "meet" by way of email, text and google. This work is just foundation for our weekly meetings on Thursdays by Zoom. We look forward to that time when we feel "comfortable" sharing the same space for our meetings.

We ask all for your prayers as we enter this phase of the Call process. We understand that it is difficult at times to wait (almost every meeting includes a devotion discussing the wait) for our new Senior Pastor. We can offer up no more than to trust that God will present that Candidate for our Call at the right time.

We pray you all will be safe and healthy,

Todd Lundquist, Chairperson Andrea Petzel, Vice Chairperson Kate Hansen, Secretary Amy Baack Darcie Jacobs Tyler Maas Dan Rickbeil

Jim Hatleli, Alternate Di Storvick, Alternate

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The Campus Cupboard is having a busy Summer! In May, more than 4,400 pounds of food were distributed to an average of around 60 studentS per week. We are pleased to report that The Campus Cupboard has been awarded an “Open Your Hearts Grant” from Hunger Solutions. The grant will provide matching funds for all monetary donations received during the month of July, up to $4000. (Food and gift card donations will not be matched).

Those who wish to contribute can send checks payable to LCM Crossroads (Please put Campus Cupboard on the the memo line) to LCM Crossroads, 331 Dillon Ave,

Mankato ,or if online giving is preferred, go to https://crossroadsatmnsu.org and select the donate tab and the click the link on the right. (Please specify your donation as outreach.)

We’re looking for donations of masks,

either home-made or store purchased…

please drop them off at the church office. Thank you!

With Christ in the School of Prayer – Sixteenth Lesson – by Andrew Murray (pages 113-122) Speedily, though bearing long OR The Power of Persevering Prayer “And Jesus spoke a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray and not to faint ... And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And

shall not God avenge His own elect which cry to Him day and night, and He is longsuffering over them? I say unto you, that He will avenge them speedily.” Luke 18:1-8 Of all the mysteries of the prayer world, the need of persevering prayer

is one of the greatest. That the Lord, who is so loving and longing to bless, should have to be supplicated time after time, sometimes year after year, before the answer comes, we cannot easily understand. It is by faith alone the difficulty is overcome. (Murray uses the farmer as an illustration.) Behold the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth. And it is the Father, in whose hands are the times and the seasons, who alone knows the moment when the soul or the Church is ripened to that fulness of faith in which it can really take and keep the blessing. The insight into this truth leads the believer to cultivate the corresponding dispositions: patience and faith, waiting and hasting, are the secrets of his perseverance.

With Christ in the School of Prayer, by Pastor Donohue

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Summer is Here—Let’s Make S’mores Mix! From our Rainbow Room Coordinator, Ingrid Winkler… There is a camp treat people make, and everyone wants more and more and more of it! Do you know what it is? S’mores! Kids will love making and eating S’more Snack Mix. Help the kids mix up their own S’more Snack Mix.

What you’ll need: A zip-top bag for each child Mini marshmallows Chocolate Chips Golden Grahams Cereal Serving Spoons/Scoops Optional mix-ins: dried cranberries, coconut flakes, sunflower seeds

Putting it together: Open your bag. Put in two scoops of cereal. Add a scoop of marshmallows and a scoop of chocolate chips. YUM! (now add other things if you like, and shake it all together).

Parish News

We congratulate Ophira Joy Macheel, daughter of Brent & Joy Macheel, who will be baptized June 28th.

Sincere Christian Sympathy to… Floyd and Delpha Skelly & family upon the death of Eleanor Nelson, Floyd’s sister, who passed away June 1st. The family of Arlene James, who passed away on June 4th. Lois Martinson and family upon the death of her husband, Ronald, who passed away on June 15th. George Palmer; Terry and Laurie Palmer and family upon the death of their wife/mother, Dolores, who

passed away on June 18th.

Congratulations to Floyd and Delpha Skelly, who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on June 24th!

Attention Our Summer Kids Musical has been

cancelled due to the pandemic. See you at Christmas!

Baptisms at Christ the King Option 1-continue to wait out the pandemic

and plan to schedule a baptism at a later date when we can once again gather face-to-face for worship

Option 2-physical distance baptism with com-munity recognition of baptism at a later date

We will be holding physical baptisms on the last Sunday of each month this summer and were pleased to first welcome Tenley Jo Block to the family of God on Sunday, May 31st. If you would like more details on a physically distance baptism, please contact Deacon Billie Jo for more infor-mation.

It is our joy and duty to walk this faith journey with parents and all members of our faith commu-nity. Together we celebrate new life! We want to support and lift up our families in any way we can. Walking with you, Deacon Billie Jo Wicks & Pastor Audrey Lukasak

During this time of physical distancing and uncertainty, we have been working hard find ways connect with our members and friends and meet the needs of our people. Knowing that many baptisms have been put on hold until we can gather again, but yet uncertain of when we may be able to gather again, we have come up with a plan for those interested in having their child baptized.

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Sign up for our next Blood Drive on Monday, July 13th. Call 1-800-RedCross or go to redcrossblood.org to donate.

The July/August/September issue of Christ in our Home and July issues of “Taking Faith Home” are now available at the Pfau St. entrance of the church.

VBS—see Wendy’s CTK Kids Page for exciting news about the Amazing Race VBS, the social distance version. We’re going family style! Dates are July 27-31… sign up on our website today!

If you have a prayer request you’d like to submit to our email prayer circle, please contact Ingrid in the church office.

This—N—That

Add Christ the King to the Amazon

Smile App today! Go to

org.Amazon.com to get started.

222 Pfau Street

Mankato, MN 56001

Phone: 507-345-5056

Fax: 507-345-6115

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 252

Mankato, MN 56001

Visit us online!

www.ctkmankato.org

Weekly Worship Schedule Wednesdays –Outdoor

6:00pm (virtual if inclement weather)

Sundays –Virtual

9:30am

Virtual Communion 1st & 3rd Sundays

———— Worship services are

broadcast on Spectrum channel 181

and Consolidated

Communications channel 7

Sundays at 3:00pm and

Tuesdays at 10:00am

Deadline for Newsletter Articles Next Month: Monday, July 27

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

Pastor Audrey Lukasak: ext. 23 / audreyl@ctkmankato.org

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

Deacon Billie Jo Wicks: 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, Music Director: ext. 37 garretts@ctkmankato.org

Ingrid Winkler, Ministry Support Assistant: ext. 1 ingridw@ctkmankato.org

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

Office Hours Monday-Friday 9:00am-Noon til July 6

Starting July 6, 9:00am-4:00pm M-TH; 9:00am-Noon F

Every 1st, 3rd,

5th Sunday from

10:30am to 11:30am

We’re still hopeful this will happen and we’re working on a plan to keep it safe. Mark your calendars and stay tuned!

August 31-Sept 3 / Times to be determined

Amazing adventures for kids in grades 5-7

An adventurous, family-centered, & socially-distanced VBS

Monday-Thursday, July 27-30

Two Participation Tracks:

LIVE or Together in Spirit

Registration is now open on the CTK website*

“So then, with endurance, let’s run the race that is laid out in front of us…”

- Hebrews 12:1a TWO VBS TRACKS: 1. LIVE TRACK w ill take place from 6:30 -7:30pm (or until completed) each day 2. TOGETHER IN SPIRIT TRACK w il l take place at home or at the place of

your choosing each day. With both Tracks, you’ll record your times or responses for each challenge using our website. Each morning, we’ll send out a video clue to find the day’s location along with the leaderboard from the previous day. COVID-19 Note: For those taking part in the live track, activities can be done as a family group while social distancing from other families, or you can make your own small group of 10 or less. *Please register as a team. Each team must have at least 1 adult. Be sure to include the names of all participants.

It’s going to be a BLAST!!! We hope you’ll join us!