February-March 2017
CHRIST THE KING
LUTHERAN CHURCH
King’s Chronicles
“One Response Christians Need to Drop: ‘Whatever!’”
Jesus says: “...let your ‘yes’ really mean ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ really mean ‘no.’” Matthew 5:37
Inside this issue:
Divine Worship/
Lenten Dinners/
Altar Flowers
2
Confirmation
Instruction/
Confirmand’s
Retreat
3
Preschool
Happenings/News
Briefs
4
Youth Group News/ 5
Elder’s Corner
Official Acts/
Stewardship
6
Dear Friends in Christ,
The words we use tell a lot about our
attitudes and the depth or shallowness of our
faith in Jesus. Jesus knew that words matter,
and He took time in His ministry to make sure
His followers understood that they bore a holy
responsibility to the Heavenly Father and to
others regarding the words they choose. So
true for us too.
In the verses which surround Matthew 5:37,
Jesus was making His point that we are to use
the freedom from sin He came to win for us
on Calvary as a privilege to be of service to
others, not as liberty to do as we like or treat
others merely as we like. So, we are not to
tell falsehoods (v.33), rather, we are to speak
the truth with love (Eph. 4:15). Our answers
are to be truthful. If we mean “yes,” then we
are to say “yes.” If we mean “no,” we are to
say “no” and not cloud the circumstances
with indecisive language or words suggesting
that issues don’t matter.
One of the ways that we can mindlessly
convert our Christian freedom into selfish
liberty is by taking on some of the dismissive
language that is so commonly used every day
around us. One word that is being used in
one of the most condescending, sinful ways in
casual conversation is the word
“whatever!” In and of itself, the word does
have its proper place. For instance it can
indicate a certain, legitimate matter of choice
enjoyed by an individual. Presented with
legitimate choices, someone could offer us
the expression “Whatever you choose!”
But sadly, “whatever” is not being used so
positively. Most of the time you hear people
using it to indicate that what others have said
to them is not even worthy of
consideration. “Whatever” therefore becomes
a highly dismissive response. It ends the
conversation disrespectfully by as much as
telling others: “I don’t agree with you, I don’t
want to hear what you say, and I am finished
with you.” When people use this word, they
are often likewise communicating to others
that there are no moral or ethical absolutes to
be acknowledged before God. If we have
taken on this colloquialism in life, we need to
do some thinking…because there could be no
more unchristian or arrogant way of treating
another human being than to use the word
“whatever” as so many are using it.
Having bought and cleansed us from our
sin, Jesus wants us to present a different
culture and attitude with our words. We are
called to present His culture of faith and truth
and caring. “Whatever” not only fails to do
this, it can easily destroy our witness to God’s
Word and ways or treat His Word as
meaningless.
And we can’t forget that
responding to others this way is simply a
horrible and arrogant way of handling
others. While we may daily deal with people
who seem far from the Kingdom of God, we
believers are never called by Jesus to dismiss
them or to treat them arrogantly. Forgiven
and strengthened by Jesus, our fear and
anger is put aside. His Spirit makes us able
to respond to others by lovingly but plainly
saying: “yes” or “no,” based upon whether or
not Jesus said “yes” or a “no” about the
subject at hand. Of course, you have to know
His Word to respond appropriately! That’s
why Christ the King Church and Preschool is
here. No one will ever be won for Christ by
arrogance or condescension. And remember
that the indecision which a trite “whatever”
response provides gives no effective witness
to a God and Savior who is so clear in His
Word about His purpose to forgive and save
sinners like us, as well as His desire for us to
treat others and value them, patiently loving
them into His Kingdom.
As we continue to worship weekly and hear
Jesus’ Word, we are given the strength to
resist the “whatever” culture that works daily
to destroy relationships with Christ and with
others. Come to worship and receive the
Means of Grace weekly…for in them God will
give you His Holy power to help you let your
“yes” really mean “yes!” and your “no” really
mean “no!” That is our Lord’s way not only to
an effective witness, but to an effective way
of relating to others… even with others with
whom we may presently disagree!
Leaving the “whatevers” behind with you
through Jesus’ grace and power,
Pastor Boelter
Page 2
Divine Worship
Sunday Worship
8:15am & 10:45am
Holy Communion
1st & 3rd Sunday
8:15am
2nd & 4th Sunday
10:45am
Monday Worship
7:00pm
2nd & 4th Mondays of
the month
Lent Begins Ash Wednesday, March 1
This year we will celebrate the Suffering and Death of our Savior Jesus Christ on
Wednesdays in Lent with a worship series entitled: “At the Crossroads.” We will
worship each Wednesday morning at 11:15 A.M. and each Wednesday evening at
7:00 P.M. Our services are about one-half-hour in length. Holy Communion will be
celebrated only on Ash Wednesday at both services.
Many of those involved in the Passion of Jesus came to crossroads in life and had to
decide which way to go. Some chose well, and others did not, and the stories of those
at various crossroads help us to know what to do and what not to do when we meet
similar crossroads in our lives. Each service emphasizes to us how our Savior Jesus
Christ and His cross lead us to follow the path of God’s will not only this Lenten
Season, but every day on our Christian journey.
Lenten Midweek Dinners
Dinners will be held each
Wednesday in our Library from
March 1 to April 5 from 5:30 PM
until 6:45. Plan to join us for
fellowship and a meal after work,
and then worship with us at 7:00
P.M. More information to
come! Would you like to help us
provide one of our dinners? Call
the church office for more
information.
Our Lenten Wednesday Meditations will be as follows:
 Ash Wednesday, March 1 “Confession” Ps. 32: 1-5 King David reaches
the crossroad of Confession.
 Lenten Midweek II Wednesday, March 8 “Betrayal” Judas Iscariot
reaches a crossroad between listening to Jesus or Satan Jn. 13: 21-30.
 Lenten Midweek III Wednesday, March 15 “Judgment” Pontius Pilate
comes to a crossroad regarding Jesus Mt. 27: 11-26.
 Lenten Midweek IV Wednesday, March 22 “Compassion” Lk. 22: 4751 At a crossroad in the middle of His saving work, Jesus chooses to
show compassion to His enemy.
 Lenten Midweek V Wednesday, March 29 “Declaration” LK 22:54-62
Peter comes to a crossroad about Jesus
 Lenten Midweek VI Wednesday, April 5 “Obedience” Mt.26: 36-46 Jesus
comes to a crossroad involving obedience
Come and join us as we follow our Savior’s footsteps to Calvary!
Altar Flowers
We have been notified by Conner Park Florist that the
price of our Altar Flowers is going up. We have been
paying $15 a vase for a number of years, and, like
everything, the cost of flowers has also increased.
Effective immediately, the cost of each vase of Altar
Flowers will be $18. Obviously if you schedule both
vases the cost will be $36. Please also let the church
office know what sentiment you would like published for
the week your flowers are scheduled. You can pay for
your flowers by writing a check and placing it in the
offering plate marked “Altar Flowers.”
Also, if you have any special requests (larger vase of
flowers, a particular color or flower type) please contact
Pam Zimmer. She will be happy to contact Conner Park
with your request.
The flower chart is located in the Welcome Center and if
you would like to sign up for a particular time, you may
do it there. When no one schedules the flowers, the
church has to pay for them, so it would be nice to have
all available times scheduled.
Our Sunday Morning Bible Class 9:30 A.M. we will be
finishing up our discussion of Predestination in February.
We will begin a new study in March during the Lenten
Season.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study 10:00 A.M. we will be
soon concluding our study of the Book of Acts. Our new
study will be announced soon.
Sunrise Assisted Living Services (Mack/Brys
Avenues) continue each month on the 1st and 3rd
Thursday of each month at 10:30 A.M. Join us as
we gather with our friends at Sunrise Assisted
Living for a service of prayer and God’s Word, and
share His love with the residents and friends we
have made there.
Pray the Litany with us every 2nd and 4th Saturday of
the month at 9:30 A.M. in our small chapel. Join us
as we bring our personal prayers and our prayers
for others before God’s throne of grace in
preparation for Divine Worship the next day. Along
with our prayers, we likewise have a reading from
God’s Word, and a daily meditation on God’s Word.
Service lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Page 3
Confirmation Instruction Has Begun!
We are very happy for the strong start we’ve been able to make this season as
Confirmation Classes began once more on January 3rd. At the present, 8 students have
started their instruction this year in Level I taught by Mrs. Jan Ropes. Level II has two
students and our Level III Class, which will be confirmed in October, has four students.
Just a reminder about our Confirmation Program. Students truly need a Sunday School
background by the time of confirmation in order to prepare them for their instruction in the Catechism. Students
with little knowledge of the basics of God’s Word or with no experience in Sunday School or in worship will find the
subjects of our program much more difficult, and application of spiritual concepts harder to comprehend. While
some “catching up” can be done in Confirmation Class, our program is designed to move students through a very
specific course of study and to help them grow in knowledge of the Word and more importantly, in the depth of
their faith in Jesus. Worship becomes the main crucible in which students begin to watch, learn and understand
how everything taught in Confirmation Class comes together in the life of the Church. Regular, family worship is
therefore essential because one of the end goals for each of our students is the faithful reception of the
Sacrament of the Altar. Our program requires a commitment on the part of parents and children alike toward a 3
year intensive study of God’s Word and the 6 Chief Teachings of the Scriptures. Parents must consent to our
program in order for their children to participate. Children may not simply “drop in” for class in this program.
Parents are also asked to make a commitment to oversee the studies of their children, support the students in
those studies and bring them faithfully to worship. Sunday School classes on Sunday morning are assumed for
every single confirmation student.
The spiritual growth that our confirmation students experience month by month and year by year is significant
and marvelous to watch. Our three-year program actually passes by very quickly, and much is accomplished by
God’s Holy Spirit. With faithful and diligent study, students grow in God’s Word and in His grace through our
program, and we see God the Holy Spirit keeping the very promises He makes to us and our children to grow our
baptismal faith.
Every year, we take into consideration any and all students who may have some special learning needs. We ask
that parents share those needs with Mrs. Ropes and Pastor Boelter at the start of the program. The value of
students fellowshipping and studying God’s Word together in a classroom setting with their teachers cannot be
overstated. While we ask that parents and students make Confirmation Classes a number one priority during
these three years, we understand that there are times when illness or other family events necessitate an absence
from their class experience. This needs to be the exception however, and not the rule. Our instructors have been
diligent in working with parents to accomplish their children’s studies when exceptions have needed to be
made. We simply ask that if an absence is going to take place, that parents inform Pastor Boelter or Mrs. Ropes
ahead of the class, and then take the necessary steps to make sure that the work is sufficiently completed. Makeup sessions are available but determined by the schedule of the instructors when necessary.
We thank the Lord for the opportunity to impart the Gospel to these 14 young students at this time. A special
thank you to Mrs. Ropes for her years and years of continuous dedication to our Confirmation Instruction Program
and in assisting our pastors in the instruction of our youth.
Confirmand’s Winter Retreat! Fri- Sat January 24-25!
Our Annual Confirmand’s Winter Retreat will be held again this year at Grace Lutheran Church, Redford Township,
MI on Friday evening February 24 from 7:30 P.M. until Saturday morning, February 25 th at 10:00 A.M. This is a
joint retreat of the English District Lutheran Churches in our Detroit and Windsor Circuits of churches. The
overnight retreat is a time for our youth to meet and study and fellowship with the confirmands and pastors from
our sister congregations. The retreat will feature worship, devotions, a special service project, games, and Bible
Studies and sectional studies led by our pastors. Students should eat supper Friday evening at home prior to our
departure. Mrs. Josefiak and Pastor Boelter will be chaperoning our students from CtK. We will be meeting at and
leaving the CtK parking lot for the retreat at approximately 6:30 P.M. January 24 th. This retreat is part of our
Confirmation Instruction Program, and all present confirmands are invited and encouraged to attend. Breakfast
will be served at Grace Lutheran for all participants. We will return home approximately 11:00 A.M. Saturday
morning. Participating congregations and pastors thus far: Shepherd King Lutheran, Christ the King, Good
Shepherd, Toledo, St. Paul Lutheran, St. Clair Shores, Grace Lutheran Church, Redford Township, and Risen Christ
Lutheran, Plymouth. Our confirmation students who have attended these retreats have enjoyed them greatly over
the years. Mark your calendars!
Page 4
Preschool Happenings
Our Classrooms
The children will be enjoying our Valentine parties in February. Making those
Valentine’s is a great way to practice writing their names. The four-year-olds
will enjoy a field trip to Extreme Gymnastics on February 9th. We will enjoy our
Winter Break from February 20-24th. During this time the three-year-olds will
be having Parent/Teacher Conferences with Ms. Hartzell.
Preschool Sunday and Lutheran Schools Week
Our preschoolers are excited to be singing some songs at Christ the
King’s annual Preschool Sunday on March 19th at the 10:45 A.M.
service. Members of Christ the King are welcome and encouraged to
attend the service and the reception afterwards. This is a great
opportunity to make our preschool families feel welcome and it would be
great to personally invite them to come and worship with us again!
Throughout the week we will celebrate Lutheran Schools Week with fun
activities and dress up days. Watch for a Ram’s Horn night during this
special week! We will enjoy a TCBY night on Tuesday, March 14th.
Mom-to-Mom Sale
Mark your calendars and pass the word! The preschool’s annual spring Momto-Mom Sale will be held here at CtK on Saturday, March 11th from 8:30 A.
M. to 12:30 P.M. Table rental is $25.00 until February 3rd. After February
3rd, table rental will be $30.00 and is on a first come, first served basis. If
you don’t want to rent a space, but have some large items to sell, you can do
that too. Or, if you do not want to rent a table or put items in the “Big Item”
room, CtK preschool will accept gently used toy donations. All proceeds from
donated toys will go to the preschool. Plan to shop if you need any children’s
clothing, toys, or big items such as strollers, high chairs, rocking chairs, etc.
All items are gently used and are sold at great prices. This is great for moms
and also grandmas who may need some items when the grandkids come to
visit. For more information, see Christine Rhoton or email her at
[email protected] to obtain a contract.
News Briefs
Women’s Guild
The Women’s Guild meetings are on
the second Tuesday of the month
from September through May. We
meet in the Church Library at 11:30
A.M. Come join us! For more
information call Beverly
Zimmermann.
Preschool Olympics
Our next fundraiser is our 2nd annual
Preschool Olympics to be held on
March 1st and 2nd. During each
preschooler’s class time, they will be
participating in events such as the
Snowman Shuffle, Shotput Coin Toss,
Parachute Snowfall, Skeleton, and
Winter Wipeout Obstacle Course.
Family and friends will be sponsoring
our preschoolers for this event and
all proceeds go directly to the
preschool! There will be an
opportunity for you to sponsor a
preschooler after church on various
Sundays. You are also welcome to
come watch and cheer them on!
Registration
The preschool is in full swing with our
registration for our next school year.
We have had our Priority Registration
Night, Open House, and Library Fair.
Open Registration for new enrollees
begins on February 7th. Please spread
the word about our preschool
programs for threes and fours. There
are brochures in the Welcome Center
that are great to give someone who
may be interested in our program.
Chili and Soup Cook-Off
CtK along with First English Evangelical
Lutheran Church will have a Chili and Soup
Cook-Off at First English Church on Saturday,
February 11 at 6:00 P.M. Free will offering. Hot
dogs, coneys, salad, chips, and dessert are also
available. Beer and wine will be available for
purchase. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd,
and 3rd place in the cook-off. Registration forms
are available in the Welcome Center for anyone
interested in entering. Deadline is February
10th. Everyone is encouraged to come for fun
and fellowship even if you are not entering the
competition.
Page 5
Youth Group News
First, I would like to introduce our new Confirmation Students! I stopped by to introduce myself on January 24 th,
talk a little bit about our Youth Group and see if we can’t get this nice group of young people together on a regular
basis! I sent a form home with all of our confirmation students to complete and also to get some input from their
parents. I will be looking forward to getting those forms back and meeting one and all.
Friday, February 3rd – Comedy for a Cause – Doors open at 6:00 with the show starting at 7:00. at Woodside Bible
Church (Rochester Road & Square Lake). I will be driving and would like to leave by 4:30 or 5:00 if the kids would
like to get something to eat before the show. We did this once before and the show was very good! There is no
charge but I personally gave a free will offering on behalf of our group as the money raised goes to a home for
children called Promise Village. There will be three family friendly comedians – Max Winfrey who tells jokes and
puts on a juggling/knife throwing/audience participation style show…he’s been on America’s Got Talent. Then
there’s Daren Streblow who is best known for his observational style of humor and has opened for “Weird Al,” also
very funny. And then there’s Etta Mae Mumphries, the “altar” ego of comedian Karen Bankhead. She is known
affectionately as the “Geriatric Forrest Gump.”
February – Date to be Determined – Laser Tag or Bowling Outing….looking at planning something during the MidWinter School break….for those who might not be going to Florida! Waiting on those confirmation class surveys
and see what the kids think about this.
Friday evening/Saturday morning - February 24th – 25th – Confirmation Retreat at Grace Lutheran Church,
Redford. I hear last year the kids had a great time. I am going along this year to see for myself. Looking for 100%
attendance. See Pastor’s message for more details in this newsletter.
Friday, March 3rd – Marty Fleszar, wife Noelle and sister Holly are back and looking forward to hosting a great
evening of games, music and a message for our young people. This will be held at CtK in our youth and “big”
rooms downstairs. Dinner will be served. More details to follow in the bulletin regarding the time.
March – Date to be Determined – Mr. Bohannon and I are trying to secure some Piston’s tickets to take the kids
to a basketball game. We’ll keep you posted!
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or with an interest to join me and get involved with an
activity or two!
Nancy Josefiak
Elder’s Corner
Paul Nuechterlein
As Elders and Pastor and all redeemed believers, it is our sincere responsibility to bear one another’s burdens and so
fulfill the law of Christ.
Let all of us look out not only for our own interests, but also for the interest of others. Let this mind be in you that was
also in Christ Jesus, who…..made Himself of no reputation taking the form of a bondservant.
Let us not be a burden to others, but instead carry the burden of those in need.
Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. His died for
all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
As Jesus showed first for us, rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior.
All of us be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not
returning evil for evil, but on the contrary blessing others, knowing that you were called to this behavior and it is well
pleasing to God.
Page 6
Official Acts
The following acts were performed or are scheduled to be performed by your Pastor
on behalf of the congregation:
Holy Baptism
Adult: William Craig Wengel, baptized December 18, 2016, Witnesses: Jennifer Wengel and Peggy Roach.
Infant: Claire Anne Tavery, infant daughter of Michael Paul Tavery and his wife, Julie ne’e Mack Tavery, born September
23, 2016 at St. John Hospital, Detroit. Baptized December 27, 2016. Baptismal sponsors: Benjamin Maters and
Elizabeth Laws.
Christian Burial
Gerald Charles Dewandeler, born April 24, 1928, died in the Lord January 3, 2017. Funeral service at A.H. Peters Funeral
Home, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, January 6, 2017. II Timothy 4:7-8. Interment: Cadillac Memorial Gardens East, Clinton
Township, MI. Pastor Boelter officiating.
Elaine Shirley Burns, born May 30, 1928, died in the Lord January 2, 2017 in Clinton Township, MI. Memorial Service held
Saturday, January 6, 2017 at Christ the King Lutheran Church. Cremation. Interment: Pending at The Great Lakes
Memorial Cemetery in Holly, MI. Acts 20:17ff. Pastor Boelter officiating.
Stewardship
Loving and Helping Others
God commands us to love one another even at some cost. Jesus said, “This is My commandment, that you love one
another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John
15:12) Jesus’ sacrificial love has set a standard that is higher than anything that has been done before or will happen
in the future.
However, we are blessed at times to hear of individuals who have gone above and beyond to share their love and
compassion for others. One such instance is Ray Blankenship who one summer morning was preparing his breakfast,
when he gazed out the window and saw a small girl being swept along in the rain-flooded drainage ditch beside his
Andover, Ohio home. Blankenship knew that farther downstream the ditch disappeared with a roar underneath a road
and then emptied into the main culvert. Ray dashed out the door and raced along the ditch, trying to get ahead of the
floundering child. Then he hurled himself into the deep, churning water. Blankenship surfaced and was able to grab the
child’s arm. They tumbled end over end. Within about three feet of the yawning culvert, Ray’s free hand felt something—
possibly a rock—protruding from one bank. He clung desperately, but the tremendous force of the water tried to tear
him and the child away. “If I can just hang on until help comes,” he thought. He did better than that. By the time fire
department rescuers arrived, Blankenship had pulled the girl to safety. Both were treated for shock.
On April 12, 1989, Ray Blankenship was awarded the Coast Guard’s Silver Lifesaving Medal. The award is fitting, for
this selfless person was at even greater risk to himself than most people knew. Ray Blankenship couldn’t swim. Even
though he couldn’t swim, he was willing to risk his own life to help a person who was in need.
As God’s people, our love for others comes from Him. “We love because He first loved us.” (I John 4:19) Because God
loved us so much that He would give His Son for us (John 3:16), we too, can love. God expects that the love He lavishes
on us will naturally flow out of us into others. Real love is evidenced by action, both in acts of love to fellow believers
and to our neighbors as well (Galatians 6:10). Many of us will never help someone in such a dramatic and heroic way as
Ray Blankenship’s, but as Christians we have the opportunity to share the Good News of life that comes through Jesus
by our words and deeds. May God always receive the glory in our acts of love.