A Joyful Noise December 2025

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Senior Warden Message

Tom Young, Senior Warden

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation:
everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ,
and has given us the ministry of reconciliation;
(2 Corinthians 5:17-18)

Tom Young

Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation, the beginning of a new liturgical year. We are starting off this year with a bang! For one thing, the Red Door Thrift Shop has undergone a major renovation. For another thing, we will be embarking (with Diocesan approval) on a new ministry in 2026 called Old Friends Club. For yet a third thing, well, read on.

This Sunday, December 7, (the second Sunday of Advent), Christ Church officially enters into a new ministry, one that follows Jesus’ directive in Matthew 25:36: “…I was in prison and you visited me.”  While we may not be visiting an inmate in prison, we will be doing much more. That ministry is called One Parish One Prisoner (OPOP). It’s based on the idea that the number of churches in Washington state is nearly the same as the number of prisoners in Washington prisons. Why not help released prisoners make successful transitions back to society? 

Christ Church will be assigned one prisoner, soon to be released. A blessing will be performed during the service.  Afterwards an orientation will be led by the OPOP Programs Manager, Alvin Shim. A Christ Church team has already formed and will be attending that event, but anyone interested in how this ministry works is welcome to attend. Check out the OPOP website for more info.

And these are just a few of many ways to walk with Christ. I am very grateful for the many opportunities available to us through Christ Church! And I’m thankful also for the servant hearts that surround me every time I walk into its doors.

I was naked and you gave me clothing,
I was sick and you took care of me,
I was in prison and you visited me. (Matthew 25:36)

One Parish One Prisoner Ministry Blessing

Sunday, December 7
The One Parish One Prisoner program pairs a church with a soon to be released prisoner to help them make a successful transition back into society. This new ministry at Christ Church will be blessed during the 10:30 am service. Learn all about the One Parish One Prisoner ministry at an orientation following the service.
Learn more at One Parish One Prisoner.
Questions? Please contact Rev. Eric Johnson, anacorteseric@gmail.com

Advent Taize Service & Potluck Soup Supper

Wednesday, December 17
6pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
Musicians: The Banjo Band
A potluck Soup Supper will follow in the Parish Hall Gathering Room.
All are welcome.

Greening of the Church

Sunday, December 21
Following the 10:30am service.

All are invited to join the Altar Guild in preparing the church for the Christmas season.

Blue Christmas Evening Prayer Service

Sunday, December 21
6pm
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.

Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist Services

Wednesday, December 24
Christ Church Sanctuary
3pm
Presider: The Rev. Diane Ramerman
Homilist: The Rev. Courtney Jones
6pm
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Courtney Jones
All are welcome.

Christmas Day Morning Prayer Service

Thursday, December 25
Christ Church Sanctuary
10:30am
Presider: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
All are welcome.

Community Support Disbursements

The Reverend
Eric Johnson

At their November meeting, the Bishop’s Committee approved the following Community Support grants, as recommended by Community Support Chair Rev. Eric Johnson and his Community Support Committee.

Sheltering the Homeless:
Anacortes Family Center - $5,000
Anacortes Family Center-Motel Voucher program - $4,000
Family Promise - $2,000

Feeding the Hungry:
Salvation Army - $4,000
Food to Go - $3,000

Nurturing Families & Children:
Anacortes Music Project - $2,000
Foundation for Academic Endeavors - $3,000
Friends of the Anacortes Public Library - $3,000
Anacortes Schools Foundation - $1,000
Anacortes Boys & Girls Club - $3,500
Community Action - $2,000
Epting Foundation for the Arts - $1,000
Fidalgo Danceworks - $2,500
Hospice of the NW Foundation - $2,000
Island Health Foundation - $1,000
Underground Writing - $2,000
Skagit Gleaners - $2,000
Skagit Habitat for Humanity - $2,000
Youthnet - $2,000

Welcoming Foreigners:
Paths to Understanding - $2,000

Caring for Creation:
Skagit Humane Society - $1,000

Christ Church’s Community Support Fund is funded entirely by the profits generated at the Red Door Thrift Shop.

Thank you to the Red Door’s dedicated staff and volunteers!

Adult Faith Formation

Zimzum Discipleship

Sunday, December 14
Following the 10:30 am service
Stop by Coffee Hour to pick up your coffee and treats and then join in our Zimzum gathering, where we will deepen our discussion around honoring the Sabbath.
We will consider Ignatius Loyola's thoughts about consumerism and his desire to be generous in his service towards God. Zimzum is about recognizing the space God has created for us to be in awe of his creation in community with others.
All are welcome.
Questions? Please contact Mary Ellen Huggins, hugginsmaryellen@gmail.com, or The Rev. Eric Johnson, anacorteseric@gmail.com

Christ Church Youth Group

Christ Church’s Youth Group meets monthly for a special activity.

On Sunday, December 21, we’ll meet for Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall Gathering Room, following the 10:30am church service. We’ll help with the Greening of the Church, have lunch, and talk about the Christmas story and what the Christmas season means to us. Then we’ll make Christmas cookies! We’ll conclude our time together by joining the Winter Solstice Luminaria Walk at Washington Park.

All youth in middle school and high school are welcome to join in.

In November, the Youth Group made Blessing Bags for those in need.

Youth Group leaders are Melissa Simonsen, Mark Perschbacher, and Rev. Courtney Jones. Questions? Please contact Melissa at mvsimonsen@gmail.com

Children’s Faith Formation: Godly Play

All children are welcome at Christ Church’s faith formation program for children, Godly Play.

Please check the Weekly Updates for the Godly Play schedule.

December Designated Plate Offering

The plate offering on Sunday, December 21, is designated for A Simple Gesture.

A Simple Gesture – Anacortes (ASG) is a volunteer-run non-profit 501c3 organization. Red bags are filled by donors and picked up bi-monthly by ASG volunteers. At Christ Church, you may fill the Simple Gesture container in the parish hall at any time. A Christ Church volunteer will make sure they are delivered to ASG. Food is weighed, sorted, and stocked in the food bank, and then is distributed into our community. ASG utilizes the food bank located at the Salvation Army. The majority of food is donated directly to The Salvation Army food bank and is also used to stock the Red Bag Pantries operated by ASG.

Red Bag Pantries (RBPs) are mini-food closets where anyone in need can find food without discrimination or questions.  Many people cannot get to the food bank when it is open, so RBPs have been established for public use at the Anacortes Senior Activity Center, Anacortes Fire Dept., and the Anacortes Public Library.

ASG partners with the Anacortes Public Library and the Anacortes Family Center to make emergency food boxes available to those in need. They also partner with Island Health by providing food and toiletries for the discharge packets for homeless patients.

Learn more at A Simple Gesture.

Donations by check should be made to Christ Church with A Simple Gesture in the memo line. Thank you!

Bishop’s Committee Meeting

Monday, December 15
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.

Pastoral Care Ministry Meeting

Thursday, December 18
4:30-6pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Questions? Please contact Maggie Collinge.

Wednesday Prayer Services

Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer will resume in the Spring.

Evening Prayer
Wednesdays, December 3 & 10
No Evening Prayer on December 17, 24, or 31.
6:00 - 6:30 pm
All are welcome.

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.

Red Door Thrift Shop

Christ Church’s Red Door Thrift Shop is located at 1019 Seventh Street in Anacortes.
360-202-9966, Red Door Thrift Shop

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!

Celebrations!!!

Happy Birthday to…
…Kaeti Barrett on December 8
……Dale Ramerman on December 14

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.

Sunday Services

Please check your Weekly Update for each week’s Servers & Hymns.

YEAR A

7 December 2025
The Second Sunday of Advent
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
Readings:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12

14 December 2025
The Third Sunday of Advent
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
Readings:
Isaiah 35:1-10
Canticle 3
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11

21 December 2025
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
Readings:
Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25

24 December 2025
The Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
3pm & 6pm Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes

25 December 2025
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
10:30 am Morning Prayer
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes

28 December 2025
The First Sunday after Christmas Day
10:30 am Morning Prayer
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
Readings:
Isaiah 61:10—62:3
Psalm 147: 13-21
Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7
John 1:1-18