It started as a youth group fundraiser that the youth put on for several years. When the group no longer sponsored the sale, many of the vendors were wishing to continue so some adults took over. The Craft Fair was intended to be a way of showing the congregation what talents the members have and let people know who to go to if you need help with a craft or would like to learn a new skill. Another way to connect. Before Covid, we had over 30 vendors. Since then, our numbers h

There has been a hint of autumn in the air these past few days. Children are excitedly (or perhaps begrudgingly!) shopping for new school supplies, and families are doing their best to savor the last fleeting moments of summer vacation. Here at Christ the King, we're preparing for a busy and exciting new ministry year. Program calendars are being finalized, classrooms and supply closets are getting reorganized, and we're learning everything we can about next summer’s ELCA Na

By the end of August many folks are winding up summer travel, while others are already back to school. I sometimes think about the visual where the motion of a person jumping is broken into fifty or more images. The person leaps off the ground forward, but then fifty additional images leap in succession. The first image lands, and then one-by-one the others arrive. Several solitaire card games in a line move piles or decks of cards the same way. The motion from August to Sept

Why We Sing Together There is something truly remarkable that happens when a room full of people lifts their voices together in song. It’s more than just a musical tradition—it is a deeply spiritual practice that unites our hearts, roots us in Scripture, and creates an atmosphere where God’s presence is celebrated. When we sing together as a congregation, we aren't just passive listeners; we are active participants in worship. Congregational singing reminds us that no matter

At the first meeting of the Doughnut Whole Gang in September 2019, Todd Wulf asked, “this summer, I noticed that the lights on CTK’s sign are not working. Could we use our Wholey Dough weekly offering to pay for repairs?” Todd asked Jim Weyers if he could repair it, while Todd cleaned the background, and repainted the black letters. At our next meeting Todd commented “this sign is over 20 years old and is showing its age. Could we check if we could raise funds for a new e

Dear members in Christ, I have never written a blog before so please forgive any rambling. I had the privilege and honor to lead our group of intrepid youth and adults on our backpacking trip to Christikon Bible Camp in McLeod, Montana. Pastor Dennis mentioned in a sermon that at one point or another, everyone is alone in the wilderness like Jesus was during his temptation. That wilderness could be a loss of a loved one, job related, health struggles, or even spiritual stru

A video study last fall that began with no expectations has turned into a group of people who continue to want to have Faith conversations together. They decided to name themselves “Faith & Friends”, and would love to have you join for our new study starting this September. It's a 6 week video series called “A Purpose Driven Life.” Where the idea of another Bible study began… One of the ways God has stretched my faith was by leading me to step out of my comfort zone and invit

Being new to Christ the King, I felt welcomed from the first day. Everyone I meet has a smile and kind words to share. Transitions can be challenging and while CtK awaits a new pastor, the strength that members of this church exemplify assures me I'm in the right place. The role as Communications Coordinator is something I am passionate about and where I can use the gifts God has given me. My background is in theatre management as the administrator for Jubricosa, a non-profit

Attention: Women of Christ the King (and friends)! Do you find yourself feeling disconnected from people in your life? Maybe you feel stressed by all the changes in our world, or maybe you want to take some time to relax, meet other women, and just hang out? Come and see what has been put together by some caring women from our synod to help us learn, share our faith, connect with others and just have some fun. You are invited to attend the WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Luth

As a community of faith, we are called to love our neighbors not just in words, but through our actions. For many families, putting food on the table and affording basic everyday essentials remains a daily struggle. We can make a tangible difference. We are collecting donations for the Dale/Hortonville community food pantry, and your generosity can help bring comfort and relief to families in need. This will be an ongoing collection, and items will be delivered periodically a

This summer, children are invited to discover what it means to love boldly, help generously, and welcome others with open hearts at our upcoming “Who Is My Neighbor?” Vacation Bible School. At the center of this year’s theme is the Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25–37, where Jesus teaches that being a neighbor is not about where someone lives, what they look like, or whether they are just like us. A true neighbor is the one who shows mercy, crosses boundaries, and

The Season of Harvest: Living in God's Abundance "The harvest is plentiful..." — Matthew 9:37 There is something special about harvest season. Fields that were once planted with small seeds become filled with crops ready to be gathered. Farmers understand that harvest does not happen overnight. It comes after months of preparation, faith, patience, and hard work. The same principle applies to our spiritual lives. Throughout Scripture, God uses the imagery of planting, sowing,

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.” This was our Psalm for last Sunday and it got me thinking. Making a “joyful noise” when we gather for worship is easy at CTK. Coming “into his presence with singing” on a Sunday morning, no problem (we are blessed with an amazing music program). But, but what about the rest of the week? How do we remain “joyful” when a loved one is ill? When we are strugglin

Nothing of significance happened, that we know about, on the site of Christ the King Lutheran Church in 1318. However, 1,318 is a significant number at Christ the King because that is the amount of Thrivent Choice Dollars that members directed to be used for its ministry during the first four months of 2026. Thrivent Choice Dollars are charitable grant funds distributed by Thrivent that eligible clients with membership can direct to enrolled churches and nonprofits. Church

"I thank my God every time I remember you." (Philippians 1:3).After 6 wonderful years of ministry together at Christ the King, I am writing to share that I will be retiring starting in June. I joined the team during a very difficult and uncertain season—both here and in the world around us. When Pastor Dara posted, “I’m looking for a graphic designer,” I remember thinking, Well, I’m a graphic designer. So I replied, “What do you need help with?” What I didn’t realize at the t

We have a group of knitters and crocheters at CtK affectionately known as the Knit-Wits. Yes, a long history behind that name! We will have a presence in church this coming Sunday May 31 as Pastor Dennis will formally pray over the Prayer Shawls we have available for people to take for someone in need of prayer, blessing or healing. However, the Prayer Shawls are only one of the projects this group has undertaken in the past few years. We have prayer squares currently availa

Pentecost is often described as the birthday of the church—but it is also a reminder that the Holy Spirit does not stay inside church walls. In Numbers 11, God’s Spirit spills beyond the expected leaders. In John 20, Jesus breathes the Spirit into fearful disciples hiding behind locked doors. Both stories remind us that the Spirit works through ordinary people in ordinary places. This year, I found myself seriously considering retirement after 36 years of teaching leadership

What are you doing this summer on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 6:00-7:30? Do you want to make new friends and get to know one another in a relaxed environment? Have you ever wanted to share things about yourself in a supportive atmosphere? We would love for you to join us! Come to the table and get to know one another through “Faith Talks with Friends.” We will discuss random questions about ourselves and our Faith in a fun and supportive environment. Join us as

At Christ the King ELCA Church, an important and hope-filled season has begun. We are excited to share that our Ministry Site Profile (MSP) has officially been posted, marking a significant step forward in our search for a new pastor. This moment reflects months of thoughtful preparation—prayerfully discerning who we are as a congregation, how God is calling us forward, and what gifts we seek in our next pastoral leader. Partnering with the Synod Our Call Committee has begun

Friends and partners in Christ at Christ the King Lutheran Church: Our church is in a time of change. Together, we want to be wise with the resources God has given us, and we also want to get ready to welcome a new pastor. With that in mind, after much prayer and thoughtful discussion, your church council recently decided to refinance the church mortgage. Refinancing the mortgage is not just about the numbers. It helps free up money now for the work of our church. Bette