Weekly Update 3 January 2025

Reflection

Diane Canington

Psalm 84:1-3

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts. 
My soul longs, indeed it faints, for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young at your altar,
O Lord of hosts, my king and my God. 

Happy are those who live in your house,
ever singing your praise.

Diane Canington

These poetic words fill me with a happiness that transcends explanation. I suppose that "awe" is the word I can use to most closely describe it.  A life is made of so many experiences and emotions, but the spiritual life calls us to a higher plane.  I find a lasting happiness, one not dependent on transitory things such as money, property, good looks and physical fitness, and the confidence in knowing that God is ever present.

The psalm sings out to God in praise for his creation.  How often do I thank God for the natural world he created:  the cedar trees growing outside my window, the seagulls and ravens, (with their breathtaking flight patterns), the soft rain that lulls me to sleep...I need to remind myself to make this a sacred habit.

I find that living in a state of gratitude fosters unexpected benefits in my daily life:  a greater appreciation of others, a more positive attitude, and an anticipation for what comes next.  Praise the Lord!

Sunday Services

Sunday, 5 January 2025
The Second Sunday after Christmas Day
Year C

Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
9:30 am
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
1300 “O” Avenue, Anacortes
Presider: Creamy Wilkins-Manning

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. Vicki Johnson
Homilist: MJ Barrett
Eucharistic Minister: Ed Barton
Readers: Jim Minton, Grace Minton
Ushers: Diane Guinn, John Guinn
Altar Guild: Mary Gronholt, Val Long
Bread Ministry: Jim Minton
Organist: Lynne Berg
Eucharistic Visitor: Maggie Collinge

Readings
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 84:1-8
Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a
Matthew 2:1-12
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.

Hymns
H 497 - How Bright Appears the Morning Star
H 96 - Angels We Have Heard on High
H 93 - Angels, from the Realms of Glory
H 117 - Brightest and Best
LEVAS 25 - That Boy-Child of Mary
H 102 - Once in Royal David’s City

Bulletin link 01/05/2025
YouTube Sunday Service Link

Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour follows the service. All are welcome.

Announcements

A Joyful Noise January 2025

Find all the January news at A Joyful Noise January 2025.

Youth Group

Youth Group meets on Wednesday, January 8.
6-7:30 pm, beginning with dinner
Parish Hall Gathering Room
All youth in Middle School & High School are welcome.

Clark McKee Memorial Service

Saturday, January 11
2pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
A reception will follow in the Parish Hall Gathering Room.
All are welcome.

Annual Meeting

Sunday, January 26
Following the 10:30 am service
Parish Hall Gathering Room
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 join in. Your participation is important to the life of our church.
All are welcome.

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 on January 11.
Class resumes on January 18.
Class meets on Saturdays, 10-11 am
Instructor: Dawn Jex
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Suggested Donation: $5
Please bring your own yoga mat.
All are welcome.

The Red Door Thrift Shop
Weekly News

Dawn Jex, Red Door Manager

Dawn Jex

Hi Folks!

I want to start by thanking each of you for your commitment to The Red Door over the course of the last year. I am so proud to know you all. I have seen you work extra shifts, do several different jobs, and you always answer when I call for help. And you are so kind to me personally. Thank you for your patience.  

We also reached or exceeded all of our goals for 2024. We were able to get the gift certificates up and running, we tried out Summer Saturdays and we exceeded our stretch goal of bringing in five new volunteers! Welcome to our latest volunteers: Liz, Elise, Aaron, Brennan, Diane and Leslie!

My goals for the New Year: To update our policy and procedure manual, to update any procedures that are out of date or unnecessary, and to start making some small but thoughtful price increases.  Don’t worry, we will still have the best prices around. And I’m still working on the most feasible organization for that dreaded back room! LOL

As we move into the new year we have a few shifts that need permanent coverage. We need a Thursday Morning cashier. We have temporary coverage for now but will need someone else soon. Maybe you know someone who would be great in this position?

I could also use some help in the donation center on Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons till the middle of January (12:30-3). Liz and Elise who work these shifts will be back but I’d like to have coverage while they are in Sunny Arizona. 

The Red Door Committee and I are also putting together a display that will go on the wall behind the cashier. This display will focus on our goals for the expansion project and invite the community to help us raise funds for the project. We are hoping to have that display up in the next couple of weeks. 

Donations remain light - as is normal for this time of year. So if you have a couple of bags to bring in this is the time to do it. 

Many hugs and thanks to all of you. I wish for us all a peaceful and happy New Year. 

Dawn Jex

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
Brendan, and Jennifer, family & friends of Mary