Worship & Music Ministries: Upcoming Events & Items of Interest
updated 2/4/10

Abendmusik is our series of concerts, arts events and worship that is offered free to the public. It is our mission to reach out into the community and invite newcomers to our programs, and to make most programs child friendly. A season brochure is available in the Atrium.  Donations are always welcome. Become a Friend of Abendmusik by making your check out to Christ the King and note in the memo line, “Abendmusik.”

Upcoming Abendmusik Events:
Christ the King Cabaret: The Best of Broadway - Saturday, February 13 at 7:30 pm. (free of charge and open to the public) 

Cabaret has been rescheduled to Friday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. (Dinner at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall - make reservations through the church office.

What better way to celebrate the day of love than with an evening of some of the most loved music in the world?  Our choristers, children’s choirs, ringers and instrumentalists sing and play Broadway’s best. It’s fun for all ages.  A catered dinner precedes the cabaret at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall (dinner cost: $7/adults; $4/children; $21 max. per family; make reservations through the Church Office)

Transfiguration: celebrated Saturday-Sunday, February 13-14 
The Transfiguration of Jesus is celebrated as the Last Sunday before Ash Wednesday.  It is an event reported by the Synoptic Gospels in which Jesus was transfigured upon a mountain (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:1-8, Luke 9:28-36). Jesus becomes radiant, speaks with Moses and Elijah, and is called "Son" by God.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: February 16 at 6 p.m.
Our annual fellowship event takes place in the Fellowship Hall.  Free will offering.  Ministry leaders host the event.  Fun for the whole family.

Ash Wednesday: February 17 - Noon & 7 p.m. (Chancel Choir at 7 p.m. only)
Christians gather on Ash Wednesday to mark the beginning of Lent's baptismal preparation for Easter.  On this day, the people of God receive an ashen cross on the forehead (a gesture rooted in baptism), hear the solemn proclamation to keep a fast in preparation for Easter's feast, and contemplate anew the ongoing meaning of baptismal initiation into the Lord's death and resurrection.  While marked with the ashes of human mortality, the church hears God's promise of forgiveness and tastes God's mercy in the bread of life and the cup of salvation.  From this solemn liturgy, the church goes forth on its journey to the great baptismal feast of Easter.

Wednesdays in Lent Series at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary – February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24
The programs will also include short meditations by our pastors, and traditional worship in different formats each week: Midweek Prayer during Lent, Ecumenical Service for Christian Unity, Taizé Service with Healing, Night Prayer (Compline) and Responsive Prayer.  Programs are half hour in length.  Child care provided.
 
What is Lent?
Lent is a 40-day liturgical season that begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes at the Great Vigil of Easter.  Sundays are not included in the 40-day count because every Sunday is a joyful celebration of Jesus' resurrection.  Though not biblical, Lent has long been a tradition in the Christian Church, and it is thought that the tradition of the 40 days recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11).  Lent is considered a time of penance and discipline.  Because of Lent's penitential nature, worship tends to be more solemn, and purple is the liturgical color of the season. Many congregations hold special mid-week worship services and promote other devotional activities to help their members concentrate on the Lenten disciplines of fasting, almsgiving (charity) and prayer.  Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent.  The Sunday of the Passion or Palm Sunday begins the last week of Lent, known as Holy Week.  During this holiest time of the church year, the worship services relive the final week of our Lord's human life.  Holy Week includes Maundy Thursday, when Christians observe Christ's "Last Supper" -- the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion -- and the mandate to serve one another in love.  Good Friday commemorates the imprisonment, trial and death by crucifixion of Jesus. Lent culminates on Saturday evening of Holy Week in the Great Vigil of Easter, when Christians gather in darkness, light new fire, and celebrate the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies in the resurrection of Christ.

LPM Atlanta (Leadership Program for Musicians).  This joint project of the ELCA, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and UCC churches prepares capable and confident worship leaders who will enable their congregations to sing well and take their part in the liturgy of the church.  Anyone who loves good music and liturgy in the church will benefit and is welcome to attend!  John Marsh serves as national LPM Chair, and as one of three coordinators for Atlanta.   For more information, see www.lpm-online.org, click on this link for a brochure.

When do we bury the alleluia?
Alleluia is appropriately bid farewell on the Sunday preceding Ash Wednesday (the Transfiguration of Our Lord, also called the last Sunday after the Epiphany). This is the last Sunday when alleluia will be used until the Vigil of Easter, or Easter Sunday for those congregations not holding a Vigil. The burial of the alleluia could otherwise be the culminating activity at a congregational Carnival (also known as Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday) celebration just before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

Is it appropriate to use alleluias at funerals during Lent?
The historic practice of most western liturgical churches is to fast from alleluias even at funeral during Lent. However, Christian funerals properly recall and celebrate our death and resurrection with Christ in baptism. The paschal candle is lighted at all funerals to remind us of the presence of the risen Christ with us. Christian funerals always proclaim the resurrection, pointing us toward Easter and toward the promise of eternal life with God. Because of their Easter orientation, it seems reasonable and pastoral to conclude that funerals may appropriately suspend the "rule" against using alleluias during Lent.

Chancel Choir
Newcomers are always welcome!  Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings, 7 p.m., in the Music Suite.  We alternate singing at the 9 & 11 o’clock services (and special events). Be part of the best small group (high school age and up) at CtK!
 
Celebration Ringers
New handbell ringers are always welcome.  Pianists and other instrumentalists find it an easy transition to bells, but anyone can learn.  We rehearse on Sundays at 5 p.m. (January 10 is our first rehearsal in the new year).  If you cannot be a regular ringer, consider being a sub (“an irregular ringer”) – someone who fills in when a regular ringer is gone.
 
Celebration Orchestra
Our instrumentalists (high school age and up) are the best!  If you play an instrument, we have a seat waiting for you!  Rehearsals are Tuesday at 7:15 p.m., in the Music Suite, and play two Sundays per month.  If cannot be with us all the time, play when you can.  We play a wide variety of music and I’ll work with you to be certain you are “up to speed!”

Worship Volunteers Needed
We are always in need of extra helpers for worship.  If you can help with our sound board, altar guild, usher, lay read, communion assist, please let Alicia Long know.  We will get you trained so you know what you will be doing.

Acolytes & Crucifers
Have you noticed our youth are taking leadership roles in worship as acolytes and crucifers?  We want our youth to help set a pattern for life that incorporates worship as a vital part of their lives.  

Saturday Night Together Worship (SNT) – YOU are welcome!
The Saturday Night Together music team invite you to visit this service at 5:30 each week in the chapel.  Enhancements of energy, spirit and connectedness give increased intimacy to worship.  Our music includes a wide range of hymns, spirituals, gospel, and familiar contemporary pieces with uplifting lyrics.  Contact Linda Sparks for more information at 678-640-8091.

Looking ahead  .  .  .

Peachtree Symphonic Winds: This wonderful Atlanta wind ensemble rehearses at Christ the King and performs at the church several times a year.  For details, see http://www.peachtreewinds.org/

Kindermusik: this wonderful music program for children increases cognitive as well as arts skills, and prepares them for school. Spring class information is now posted on this website on the Music page under Kindermusik.  Contact Judy Madson for complete details.

CtK Musical Ensembles are open to everyone - Newcomers always welcome!

Everyone is welcome in our musical groups!

Cherub Choir (Ages 2-5) – Sundays at 10:20 a.m. – KidZone Auditorium

Children’s Choir (Grades K-5) – Sundays, 9:30 a.m. - KidZone Auditorium OR Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. – Room 240

PROCLAIM (youth music; Grades 6-12) – Wednesdays, 6:30-7:15 p.m. – Room 155

Celebration Ringers (handbells; High school through Adults) – Sundays, 5:00-6:30 p.m. – Music Suite

Celebration Orchestra (high school-Adults) Tuesdays at 7:15 p.m. - Music Suite

Chancel Choir (high school-Adults) - Wednesdays 7 p.m. - Music Suite, Child care provided.

Saturday Night Together Worship Team - Saturdays at 4 p.m. – Chapel