Weekly Update 13 December 2024
Advent
The Advent wreath in the church marks the four Sundays of waiting for the birth of the Christ child. This Sunday, three candles on our Advent wreath will be lit.
The Creche in front of the altar represents the nativity story. The scene will gradually fill in as we move through Advent. Together, we wait patiently for the birth of the Christ child. The rose-colored candle honors Mary, because without the mother, Mary, there wouldn’t be a baby!
Reflection
Grace Minton
Grace Minton
We are blessed with a truly compassionate and thoughtful Bishop! A few days ago Bishop Phil LaBelle released an Advent message in the form of a short video in which he referred to a book entitled The Advent Conspiracy, which encourages us to get away from the consumerism surrounding our culture and back to the real meaning of the season, that of looking forward to the second coming of our Christ. The book suggests four ways to achieve that goal.
Worship fully—to engage with a living God. This season is an invitation to watch and wait for the coming of Christ.
Spend less—to spend less on those gifts which are really unnecessary, especially when credit card debt in this country is at an all-time high.
Give more—give things that encourage and build our relations with those to whom we are giving and learn from each other. Gifts of time are a perfect example.
Love all—give gifts that might have impact on those around the world who so desperately need help.
Bishop Phil suggested that doing just one or two of these things would help to banish the conspiracy of consumerism and help us to realize the true meaning of Advent which is to draw closer to the One who is coming again.
Bishop Phil’s Advent message is available on the Diocesan website. A link to the message is also available in the Announcements.
Sunday Services
Sunday, 15 December 2024
The Third Sunday of Advent
Year C
Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
9:30 am
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
1300 “O” Avenue, Anacortes
Presider: Melissa Simonsen
Christ Church Holy Eucharist
10:30 am
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
The service is also available on YouTube.
Servers
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Deacon: The Rev. Eric Johnson
Homilist: Emily Sander
Eucharistic Minister: Jason Wells
Readers: Diane Guinn, John Guinn
Ushers: Jerlyn Caba, Geoff Holmes
Altar Guild: Martie Arnold, Zoanne Hyland
Bread Ministry: Stephanie Galbraith & Dan Moore
Organist: Lynne Berg
Eucharistic Visitor: Maggie Collinge
Coffee Hour Hosts: Diane & John Guinn
Readings
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Canticle 9
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.
Hymns
H 59 - Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding
H 679 - Surely It is God Who Saves Me
H 75 - There’s a Voice in the Wilderness Crying
H 60 - Creator of the Stars of Night
LEVAS 14 - Soon and Very Soon
Designated Plate Offering
The loose plate offering this Sunday is designated for A Simple Gesture, an organization that keeps local food banks and pantries stocked with food and supplies. Donations by check should be made to Christ Church with A Simple Gesture in the memo line. Thank you!
Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour follows the service. All are welcome.
Announcements
A Joyful Noise December 2024
Find all the December news at A Joyful Noise December 2024.
Bishop Phil LaBelle’s Advent Message
Advent 2024: A Message from Bishop LaBelle
Clark McKee Memorial Service
The family of Clark McKee, former member of Christ Church who visited just recently, let us know that Clark passed on to his new life in Christ on November 27. The family will be holding a Memorial Service for Clark at Christ Church on Saturday, January 11, at 2pm, with a Reception following in the Parish Hall Gathering Room. All are welcome.
Thank You
Thank you to all who rang bells last weekend to assist the Salvation Army in their fundraising efforts. Pictured at right are Tom Young and Sharman Badgett-Young singing, while Dan Moore provides the music.
Thank you!
Bishop’s Committee Meeting
The Bishop’s Committee meets on Monday, December 16.
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.
Advent Concert with Trio Affettuoso
Trio Affettuoso
Thursday, December 19
6pm
Lynne Berg on harpsichord
Shelley Ross on flute
John Flancher on flute & bass
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
Blue Christmas Evening Prayer Service
Saturday, December 21
7pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
Please join us for this quiet, contemplative service held on the evening of the winter solstice. This day, which has the longest night and the shortest day, is symbolic of our darker nights when we find ourselves grieving, lonely, or longing for something better. This Blue service is a beautiful way to make space during the Advent season for those suffering any kind of loss - whether the loss of a person, a dream, finances, stability, health, or more.
Presider: The Rev. Diane Ramerman
All are welcome.
Greening of the Church
The Altar Guild invites you to join them for the Greening of the Church.
Sunday, December 22
Following the 10:30 am service
All are welcome.
Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist
Tuesday, December 24
4pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Courtney Jones
All are welcome.
Christmas Day Morning Prayer
Wednesday, December 25
10:30 am
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
All are welcome.
Annual Reports
Annual Reports are due by January 2.
Please email your report, as a Word document, to Marcy at office@christchurchanacortes.org, with “Annual Report 2024” as the subject.
If you are including a photo, please send separately, as a jpg.
Thank you!
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
1:15 – 1:45 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome to join in this short, simple service: a Scripture reading, twenty minutes of silence, an intercessory prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer.
Questions? Please contact Maggie Collinge.
Men’s Group
The Men’s Group meets weekly on Fridays.
9:00 – 10:00 am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Questions? Please contact Deacon Eric Johnson.
Gentle Yoga Class
No class in December.
Class will resume in January.
The Red Door Thrift Shop
Weekly News
Dawn Jex, Red Door Manager
Dawn Jex
Hello everyone!
Happy 2 year anniversary y’all! We have been together as a team for two years now and look at all the wonderful things we have accomplished. The Red Door is a busy, happening shop where people come to visit with their friends and neighbors, they shop and make donations and we raised a ton of money to give away! I am blown away by all that we have accomplished in the last two years and look forward to what we may be able to achieve this coming year. Maybe we will even get started on building our addition!
There's not much new in the shop this week. Debbie has brought over all of the XMas boxes from the garage and the last few items will be going out this week. Just in time for it all to go on sale Next Week! We only have 7 more Red Door shopping days before Christmas so if there is something you've had your eye on next week is the time to scoop it up!
Debbie and I are so grateful for all of you. We will be providing some holiday cookies next week for the volunteers to enjoy. If you'd like to bring something to share we would love that. It's our little way of saying Thank You for all of your hard work this year.
I have had a couple of gift certificates returned to me. Jennie Wallis I need your new address and also Judah Henderson. Please shoot me an email with the correct info so I can update it on the roster. And I will put your gift certificates on the bulletin board in the shop.
We will be closed only on Christmas Day this month and only on New Year Day next month.
Something I could use help with: I really need someone to be in the Donation Center on Fridays from 1-3. If you know of someone who might be interested, please send them my way.
Love y'all - See you soon!
Dawn
Christ Church’s Red Door Thrift Shop is located at 1019 Seventh Street in Anacortes.
Red Door Thrift Shop
360.293.8027
Red Door Shopping Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday: 10am – 3pm
Red Door Donation Hours:
Monday & Wednesday: 10am – 1pm
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday: 10am – 3pm
Profits generated at the Red Door Thrift Shop fund Christ Church’s Community Support program.
Shoppers, Volunteers, & Donations are always welcome!
Day by Day
Day by Day daily devotions may be accessed at the following link:
Day by Day Daily Devotion.
Prayer List
Dale
Zoanne
Linda
Jim
Tom
Karen
Leslie
Diana
Val
John
John & Mary
Tony & family, & Brendan, family & friends of Mary