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Christ Our King's Programs!

We have a wide variety of programs to help you with your faith journey. Information about them can be found here. We will be adding and updating the information in this section frequently, so please check back often.

Please use the links below to find out more about some of our programs.

Sparklers

The Sparklers group provides fun and interesting social gatherings for those who are available during the day for trips, talk and being together in Christian love and friendship.

In the past, the Sparklers have had guest speakers, including a local storyteller. Day trips have included treks to nurseries and botanic gardens and usually include lunch at a favorite restaurant.

Three times a year, the Sparklers gather to hand write notes to 80 veterans at Perry Point Hospital. Our annual auction provides food, fun and funds for the Valentine boxes sent each February to our youth away from home in college. Other activities include refreshments and conversation close to home for those unable to travel long distances. Transportation can usually be arranged.

The board meets the 1st Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m. in the library. The Group will meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month for: trips, projects, and programs.

You are welcome to join with this group for any or all of our activities. If you have any questions, please contact:

Terri Johnson
Doris Menikheim
Pat Van Evera

Welcome to Christ Our King Sunday School!

Our Sunday School occurs during the school year (Sept.-June) and is held from 9:45 – 10:45 between our 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship services. We offer classes for children from PreK through 5th grade and for youth grades 6-12. Sunday school kicks off the year with Rally Day, usually the Sunday after Labor Day. Rally Day offers activities and information about classes for all ages as well as time for parents to register children and youth for Sunday school. Classes begin in earnest the following Sunday. Nursery care available during Sunday school for the youngest members of our church family. Our Bible-centered curriculum called Faith Weavers, by Group Publishing.

The objective of this curriculum is to actively engage children and youth in coming to know God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in a personal way using scripture as our central focus and the Faith Weavers curriculum as our guide. Each week participating children and youth study the same Bible passage; the message is tailored to the ages of the children.

Students receive a handout each Sunday, which reviews the lesson as well as offers ideas and questions for at-home discussions/activities during the week. We also send home other communications to keep everyone informed of special events and activities.

Our Sunday school youth and children support three missions during the year with their Sunday school offerings. The children are involved in choosing the missions they will support. Theses missions include one local, one national, and one international focus each year.

In addition to Sunday school, we offer two programs for children ages 4 – 3rd grade during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. After the “Message for Children” they are dismissed to Children’s Church (ages 4-2nd grade) or Junior Worship (3rd graders). Children’s Church offers fun, Bible-centered activities. The Junior Worship program teaches these children about our order of worship and prepares them for meaningful worship with their church family. This program typically occurs from mid-September through the beginning of Lent.

Parents are encouraged to attend our adult education classes. We are striving to provide an enriching learning experience for the whole church family. Please Join Us! If you wish to contact us with concerns or questions, email Gwen Paduch, gwenatcok@verizon.net or call the church office at 410-838-4698.

In Christ's Love,
The Children's Ministry
Gwen Paduch, Director of The Children's Ministry

Adult Education

The purpose of Adult education is to provide opportunities to study and become enriched by the knowledge and power of the scriptures.

All adults are invited to attend. Emmanuel Bible Class meets in the Library. Topic classes meet in the Genesis Room and or the Great Hall, every Sunday during the public school calendar year from 9:45 â¤" 10:45 a.m. every Sunday morning.

If you are interested in Adult education, please attend any or all classes.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Carol Mueller

Children’s Church

The purpose of the Children's Ministry is to provide an enriching, enjoyable hour for children ages 4-8 during worship. Activities will include stories, videos, crafts, singing, and prayer built around a weekly theme.

Children's Church is held in the co-op Nursery in the education building.

If you are interested in participating in this ministry or have any questions, please contact:

Gwen Paduch

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour provides an opportunity for fellowship between the 8:15 and 11:00 service or after summer worship. Volunteers are always needed to host this very popular time between services.

Everyone is invited to attend and everyone is encouraged to host coffee hour. Coffee Hour is held in the Genesis Annex at 9:45 a.m. In the summer it is held outside, weather permitting after the service.

If you are interested in hosting, all instructions are given to you before your date to host. Basically, it is your responsibility to have the coffee ready at 9:45 a.m. and to provide a snack, which may be purchased or baked yourself.

Please sign up for your opportunity to meet the congregation by calling:

Jean Voss

Nursery Committee

The Nursery Committee at Christ Our King is responsible for improving the quality of care in the Nursery Program. Anyone who is interested in caring for and helping the youngest children in our church are encouraged to assist.

If you are interested in joining this committee, please contact:

Gwen Paduch

Facilities

The Facilities Ministry is responsible to the church membership through the Session for operation, maintenance, and repair of the building, grounds, and utilities systems that are COK property. This, with the help of God, is accomplished through commitment by volunteers for specific support functions augmented by service contracts where appropriate.

The ministry is organized to operate along functional lines. Five teams have been established (each with a leader) for buildings, grounds, HVAC, water/sewage, and electrical. The teams operate freely within their discipline but in cooperation with the others. The effort is coordinated under the chairperson of the ministry. This system expands the need for participation on each of our teams. Volunteers have stepped forward to lead each team. Others agreed to help, however, more help is needed.

Typical functions of each team include the following:

a) Identification of tasks that must be accomplished.
b) Deciding which tasks can be done by team members or which require a group effort such as a work party.
c) Selecting services that must be accomplished by contract and administering these contracts.
d) Contracting tasks that are not appropriate for volunteers and must be done by contact.
e) Prioritizing tasks so as to maximize use of effort and funds.
f) Providing input for development of the annual budget.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to join the Facilities Ministry volunteer force. Currently, Bill Elkin leads the buildings team, John Marple leads the grounds team, Pete Gerard temporarily heads the HVAC team, and Allen Andreycak the electric team.

If you are interested in becoming a member of this ministry, please contact:
Daneene Lucas, Chairperson

Ushering Hosts Ministry

The Ushering Hosts Ministry provides ushers for the worship services.

Any church member is invited to participate in this ministry. (The head usher should be a deacon). Normally, the 8:15 service requires two ushers and the 11:00 service requires four. All you need to do is contact a deacon and let them know you are interested next time they are head usher.

The actual ushering occurs during the worship service.

This is a great way to serve Christ Our King and to meet other church members.

If you are interested in adding your name to the list of ushers deacons can call, please contact:

Jay Dann

Membership Assimilation

The purpose of this ministry is to identify, train and oversee a sponsor for each new member family for a period of one year. The volunteer members develop literature detailing the ministries and opportunities at COK, as well as plan social gatherings as fellowship connection points for new members. This group also arranges for a facilities and sanctuary tour for new members. Every 3 to 5 years a new pictorial directory is prepared and distributed. Any volunteer in this ministry will be required to work closely with new members and volunteer development in order to find a Mniche” for each new member.

Everyone who has skills, experience, or interest in the above is welcome to attend. At this time there are three active members:

If you are interested or have questions regarding this ministry please contact:

Gene Vande Kieft

Mother’s Enrichment

The Mother's Enrichment group provides fellowship and support to women who want to be motivated and led by Gods Word in all of their responsibilities.

The group is open to any member of Christ Our King or First Presbyterian. We are currently a group of mothers of all ages with children ages 0-10. We welcome any mothers with older children too.

At this time there are fifteen active members in this group. We meet in the Genesis Room at Christ Our King on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 9:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., September through June. Childcare is provided in the nursery.
If you are interested in this group, please come to any meeting or contact:

Gwen Paduch

Handbells

The handbell choir provides music for the 11:00 worship service once a month and sometimes provides music for the 8:15 service. In order to grow as musicians, we attend bell seminars occasionally. Generally it is best if an individual has some experience reading music. If interested in learning or if a person has previous experience in playing the bells please speak to the music director about openings. We can always use substitutes!

This group meets to practice every Thursday evening at 8:45 p.m.

Adult Choir

The Adult Choir purpose is to MSing Glory to God”. We sing for the 11:00 worship service and the 8:15 service occasionally. We like to expand our repertoire of worship music, grow as musicians and have Fun!

Anyone interested in singing with this group, including high school students, is invited to attend. We meet in the choir room on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. to practice and sing every Sunday at the 11:00 service.

Children’s or Youth Choir group sings for the worship service at 8:15 and 11:00 approximately once a month.

The Children's choir is set up for all students from 2nd through 6th grades. The children meet in the music room in the Education Building Sunday mornings from 9:15 c 9:45 a.m.

If you are interested in any of these groups, please come to rehearsal or contact:

Cheryl Tyler

Women’s Association

The Women's Association furthers the Christian Fellowship among women.

Every member or guests of Christ Our King is invited to attend. Every woman is an automatic member when they join the church.

Twice yearly dinners are planned, featuring different speakers and themes. A mission project is addressed at each dinner. Past projects have included a free will offering that ultimately allowed the purchase of shoes and clothing for needy elementary school students in Havre de Grace, as well as a baby shower for the Alpha Glory Pregnancy Center.

Depending on the function we have between 40 - 60 active members at times. The group meets in the Genesis Room twice a year for dinners or luncheons.

If you are interested in this group please come to the function or contact:

Mary Cardwell

Hospitality - Church Dinners

The purpose of the Hospitality committee is to provide fellowship among members and guests of Christ Our King. Duties include assisting with Congregational Meetings, Advent Dinner and any special occasions.

This Ministry currently has eight regular members. Everyone is invited to attend or help out during any of these functions, which occur in the Great Hall.

If you are interested in attending or helping out during our Church Dinners, please contact:

Mary Cardwell
Joni Poust

Covenant Groups

Covenant groups have been a part of Christ Our Kings Church community since it was founded in 1965. Covenant groups offer members to get to know a smaller group of people that they might not necessarily encounter. These groups of ten to twelve people take turns meeting at various times each month in each members home to discuss a chosen book or subject. The literature chosen is oriented toward scripture.

Some groups meet once a month, others twice a month. The gatherings are more frequent during the school year with picnics and barbecues suggested for the summer months to keep in touch.

In addition to food and fellowship, a covenant group offers opportunity for prayer together, as well as intercessory prayer. Established covenant groups as well as new groups are always changing.

If you hare interested in joining a Covenant group, please contact:

Rev. Linda Nepstad at the church office:

410-838-4698

Morning Prayer & Bible Study Group

This group provides regular and consistent opportunity for intercessory prayer and bible study in an atmosphere of fellowship. Any woman who would like to join is invited. Baby sitting can be arranged if necessary. We meet in the Genesis Room every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. We generally follow the school year calendar. Starting in September and ending in June.

If you are interested in joining our group please contact:

Lu Gerard
The Office

Library Committee

The Library Committee's purpose is to build and maintain the church library as the budget permits and to encourage more extensive use of it. Our goal is to have a truly valuable Christian resource center for all ages. All church family members are encouraged to use the Library.

The Library Committee's goals include replacing older editions of current books with newer editions. A recommended list of titles is being prepared and monetary contributions are welcome. The committee plans to use contributions toward the purchase of new resource materials for covenant groups and bible study, as well as adding new shelves and child-size furniture.

Volunteers with library-related experience will greatly enhance this ministry currently being formed and anyone interested in being a part should contact:

Bonnie Ballard

Missions Ministry

The Missions Ministry directs the missions program at Christ Our King Church and educates the congregation about the Bibles guidance in the area of stewardship.

Christ Our King's Mission Ministry encompasses the nation, as well as the world. Some missions include Harford Hospice, Meals on Wheels, The Presbyterian Home of Maryland, and various missions in Haiti. A complete list, including descriptions, is printed in the "Acts of the Christians" available in the church office.

Anyone interested in the direction of our Churchs Mission program is invited to attend our meetings held on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Genesis Room of the Education Building.

Our members include three active elders and two active deacons, two inactive elders and numerous Mission Liaisons. We are currently seeking additional individuals interested in church missions.

If you are interested in becoming a part of this ministry please contact:

Mike Myers

Worship

The Worship Ministry works closely with the Pastors, assisting them in providing for the ongoing worship experience at COK.

The responsibilities of the Worship Ministry are:

- To provide training and schedule Elder assistants in worship
- To provide training and schedule for serving Communion
- To participate in the upkeep and selection of Paraments and worship linens
- To provide the elements for all Communion services, including special services
- To provide support and resources for Ministry of Music
- To plan with the Pastors the components of worship for the flow and continuity of the services
- Adopt procedures and guidelines for weddings held at COK.

Interested members of the congregation, active officers, the choir director and organist are all invited to attend the Worship ministry team.

If you are interested in becoming a member of this ministry, please contact:

Pastor Nepstad
Steve Zimmermann