A Joyful Noise January 2025
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Senior Warden Message
Grace Minton, Senior Warden
The Beauty of the Christmas Season
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.
(Isaiah 35:1-2)
Grace Minton
This prophetic announcement is as valuable today as ever, reminding us that we have hope for the future. The meaningful services we hold at Christ Church, most recently those in Advent and Christmas, represent our own faith and hope.
The Advent Concert performed by the Trio Affettuoso was simply beautiful and if you missed it this year, I hope you’ll be able to attend next year. Lynne Berg and her fellow musicians are not only remarkably talented, but friendly and willing to share their knowledge.
The Rev. Diane Ramerman
Blue Christmas Service
The “Blue Christmas” Evening Prayer Service was a beautiful candlelit service led by Rev. Diane “recognizing that this is not a season of joy for everyone”. There were several in attendance who had never before attended Christ Church but were moved by recent losses to attend this service. The Blue Christmas service clearly presented a chance to mourn as well as a chance for hope. Don Bergner’s flute solo was a hauntingly somber start to the Evening Prayer service. I feel confident that this service will resume its place in the Christmas week tradition.
The Eve of the Nativity Eucharist was magnificent! The church was beautifully decorated with greens and poinsettias, and it was wonderful to have the church filled to capacity. Rev. Courtney’s homily was thoughtful, thought-provoking and excellent—as we have come to expect.
Deacon Vicki led the Christmas Morning Prayer Service and delivered a timely homily reminding us of the Work of Christmas, the full 12 days of Christmas. It was a warm and intimate service in direct contrast to the previous evening, and it was absolutely perfect!
Christmas isn’t over, but I hope we all give thanks for our Clergy, Organist and choir, Marcy (for the many bulletins), the Altar Guild for all their hard work, and the Hospitality Team—Jerlyn and Judy and Sara Fifield--for all their planning, Christmas baking and hot cider! We rejoice and we work together in faith.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19)
Youth Group
Youth Group meets on January 8 & 22.
6-7:30 pm, beginning with dinner
Parish Hall Gathering Room
We use the Journey to Adulthood (J2A) youth ministry program, endorsed by the Episcopal Church. The lessons are organized around self, society, and spirituality and allow youth to explore these themes through discussion, Bible study, games, crafts, and the occasional off-site trip or service project.
Youth Group Leaders are Melissa Simonsen, Mark Perschbacher, and The Rev. Courtney Jones.
Clark McKee Memorial Service
Saturday, January 11
2pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
A reception will follow in the Parish Hall Gathering Room.
All are welcome.
January Designated Plate Offering
The plate offering on Sunday, January 19, is designated for Chaplains on the Harbor.
Chaplains on the Harbor are a group of chaplains who seek to build a freedom church of the poor by pastoring, organizing, and empowering the leadership of poor people in Grays Harbor County. The people that they serve are caught in a constant struggle to survive. Chaplains on the Harbor stands alongside this community by…
Providing spiritual and material support to people in jail and on the streets, including meals, laundry and shower facilities, and a small clothing bank
Creating wrap-around support toward healing
Supporting the leadership and expertise of poor people
Building regenerative community ownership through community-led social enterprise and job creation
Learn more at Chaplains on the Harbor.
Donations by check should be made to Christ Church with Chaplains on the Harbor in the memo line. Thank you!
Bishop’s Committee Meeting
The Bishop’s Committee meets on Monday, January 20.
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.
Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 26
Following the 10:30 am service
We will be electing four Bishop’s Committee members and our 2025 Diocesan Convention Delegates and Alternates. We will take a look back at 2024 and a look ahead at 2025. The 2025 Operating Fund Budget, which has been approved by the Bishop’s Committee, will be presented.
The following candidates will be presented for election:
Bishop’s Committee
Three-year term: Geoff Holmes, Margaret Whatley
Two-year term: Kris Whitely
Young Adult One-year term: Siriana Simonsen
Diocesan Convention Delegates
Ed Barton
Emily Sander
Diocesan Convention Alternates
Stephanie Galbraith
Dan Moore
Nominations will also be taken from the floor in all categories.
Please plan to attend the meeting.
Your participation is important to the life of our church.
Red Door Thrift Shop
Christ Church’s Red Door Thrift Shop is located at 1019 Seventh Street in Anacortes.
360-293-8027, Red Door Thrift Shop
Red Door Shopping Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday: 10am – 3pm
Red Door Donation Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 10am – 1pm
Profits generated at the Red Door Thrift Shop fund Christ Church’s Community Support program.
Shoppers, Volunteers, & Donations are always welcome!
Celebrations!!!
Happy Birthday Wishes to…
…Judith Render on January 4
……Bonita Janz on January 21
………June Cook on January 29
Please send the month & date of your birthday, baptismal date, anniversary, and/or other special occasions so we can help you celebrate your blessings in the Joyful Noise.
Church Services
Please check your Weekly Update for each week’s Servers & Hymns.
YEAR C
5 January 2025
The Second Sunday after Christmas Day
9:30 am Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
1300 O Avenue, Anacortes
10:30 am Christ Church Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
Presider: The Reverend Courtney Jones
Readings:
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 84:1-8
Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a
Matthew 2:1-12
12 January 2025
The First Sunday after the Epiphany:
The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ
9:15 am Chandler’s Square Holy Eucharist
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
10:30 am Christ Church Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
Presider: The Reverend Keith Axberg
Readings
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
19 January 2025
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
9:30 am Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
10:30 am Christ Church Morning Prayer*
*Updated
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: Melissa Simonsen
Readings:
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
26 January 2025
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany
9:30 am Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
10:30 am Christ Church Holy Eucharist*
*Updated
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Readings:
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21