Weekly Update 11 April 2025
Reflection
The Rev. Eric Johnson
The Rev. Eric Johnson
Author Jerusalem Jackson Greer is this year’s writer for Episcopal Relief and Development’s Lenten meditations, in which she explores how our ordinary common lives can teach us something about the love of God. I’ve enjoyed reading this series of meditations throughout Lent. You can find them at 2025 Lenten Meditations Episcopal Relief and Development.
The following reflection is from this series.
I ran away once. I don’t remember the reason or the point I was trying to make, but I do remember that I packed a knapsack and hiked into the small stretch of forest that separated our house from a nursing home. Once there, I sat on a large tree stump, with God next to me, for maybe an hour. Then, hungry and bored, I gave up and went home.
I don’t think anyone missed me, even though I had tried to time my demonstrative act as close to dinner as possible, thinking someone might notice if I didn’t show up for a meal. But I didn’t last that long; my family didn’t notice, and whatever point I was trying to make that day died along with my frailty in the forest.
I didn’t know it then, but what I practiced there on that stump was a kind of spiritual self- reflection. I, God with me, came to the end of myself, to the end of my twelve-year-old will. I recognized at that moment that I was not the center of anyone’s world but my own, and therefore, the only attention I would garner at that moment was also my own, which seemed pointless. So, I went home, back into the fray of community and family, back to being a part of a greater whole.
Learning to be honest with ourselves about ourselves is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and those we love. When we, with God’s help, through God’s presence, reach a place where we can admit without rancor that we are not, in fact, the center of anyone’s universe but our own (nor should we be), our place within the larger community becomes a shared gift instead of demand, an honor instead of a right, a joy instead of a burden.
-Jerusalem Jackson Greer
Sunday Services
Sunday, 13 April 2025
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
Year C
Chandler’s Square Holy Eucharist
9:15 am
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
1300 “O” Avenue, Anacortes
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Christ Church Holy Eucharist
10:30 am
The service will begin in the Parish Hall Gathering Room with the Blessing of the Palms. We will then process to the Sanctuary for the service.
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
The service is also available on YouTube.
Servers
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Deacon: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Eucharistic Minister: Shirley Barrett
Readers: Sharman Badgett-Young, Tom Young
Ushers: Carleton Manning, Creamy Wilkins-Manning
Altar Guild: June Cook, Kris Whitely
Bread Ministry: Jerlyn Caba
Organist: Lynne Berg
Eucharistic Visitor: John Okerman
Coffee Hour Host: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Readings
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 23:1-49
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.
Hymns
H 154 - All Glory, Laud, and Honor
H 156 - Ride On! Ride On in Majesty!
H 474 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
H 168 - O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded
H 158 - Ah, Holy Jesus
Bulletin link 04/13/2025
YouTube Sunday Service Link
Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour follows the service. All are welcome.
At this special Coffee Hour, we will be celebrating the 90th Birthday of Creamy Wilkins-Manning.
Note: No Episco-Questions class this Sunday.
Announcements
A Joyful Noise April 2025
Find all the April news at A Joyful Noise April 2025.
The Rev.
Courtney
Jones
Pastoral & Confession Appointments
The Rev. Courtney Jones is available during Lent to meet for pastoral and confession appointments. Please make an appointment with Rev. Courtney by visiting her pastoral calendar and booking a time or by emailing her at therevecj@gmail.com.
Holy Week Services
Listening to the Voices of Women in the Bible & Laying Down the Stones
Monday, April 14
6pm
In the first part of our service we will listen to the voices of women in the Bible, women who were often silenced, ignored, or undervalued.
In the second part of the service we will focus on laying down the stones that weigh us down with feelings of unworthiness, guilt, or despair and we will pick up new stones of strength, hope, and healing.
Presider: Shirley Barrett
The Way of the Cross
Tuesday, April 15
Noon
You are invited to make your way through the stations posted in the church, as the assembled group offers the prayers provided at each station.
Presider: The Rev. Eric Johnson
Tenebrae
Wednesday, April 16
6pm
Our Tenebrae service symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
Presider: The Rev. Diane Ramerman
Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 17
6 pm
Agape Meal & Holy Eucharist in the Sanctuary, followed by optional Foot Washing and Stripping of the Altar.
Please sign up on the sheet in the parish hall.
Presider: The Rev. Cristi Chapman
Homilist: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Good Friday
Friday, April 18
Noon
Service of Solemn Collects & Anthems
The offering at this service is designated for the Diocese of Jerusalem.
Presiders: The Rev. Cristi Chapman & The Rev. Eric Johnson
Homilist: The Rev. Eric Johnson
The Great Vigil of Easter
Saturday, April 19
8pm
Holy Eucharist & Holy Baptism
We will begin on the church lawn with the Blessing of the New Fire, then proceed to the Sanctuary.
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Homilist: Emily Sander
The Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 20
10:30 am
Holy Eucharist
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Godly Play will meet in the Children’s Room.
A festive Coffee Hour & Easter Egg Hunt will follow the service.
Youth Group
Youth Group will meet on Thursday, April 17, to join in the 6pm Maundy Thursday Agape Dinner and Eucharist and to prepare for the children’s Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Day.
Men’s Group
The Men’s Group meets weekly on Fridays.
9:00 – 10:00 am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Questions? Please contact The Rev. Eric Johnson.
All are welcome.
The Red Door Thrift Shop
Weekly News
Dawn Jex, Red Door Manager
Dawn Jex
Good Morning Everyone!
I received this note from Betty Anne McCoy this week: "Long time Red Door volunteer, Phyllis Rasavage passed away in January. She was a special person and very dedicated. She drove over from Mt. Vernon every week to price clothes. She worked at the old Mouse House before we transitioned to The Red Door and then moved from the commercial street location to the current one. There is a video of her service on Facebook."
Online Sales Presence
I am looking for a volunteer who would like to help us have more of an online presence. This may look like selling things on Facebook Marketplace to help us have a wider reach. This person may be able to work from Home. I can send you pictures of items to list and sell. Maybe this would also be a position where you would research unusual/valuable items? Give me a call at 360-631-0587 so we can discuss this further.
Greeting Cards
From now on, we will process greeting cards immediately and put them out on the rack. If you notice the rack is getting full, please remove some of the older cards and replace them with newer ones. The small bin for seasonal cards is still under the table but it is only for specific holidays or for small amounts of cards. If you get Christmas cards, they can go out in the Christmas box in the donations center.
Love and Hugs to everyone! You are doing a great job. We can do this.
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
Michael & Rev. Rilla
Myrna
Mary and family
Arra
Sandy
Keegen
Dale
Zoanne
Linda
Tom
Karen
Leslie
Diana
Val
John
Brendan, Jennifer, Glen, Donna, & Family of Tony, friends of Mary