A Joyful Noise January 2026
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Senior Warden Message
Tom Young, Senior Warden
Tom Young
The 12 days of Christmas end on January 6, which is known as the day of Epiphany. The word Epiphany means a moment of sudden revelation or insight. In the context of Christmas, it is the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as first represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12). An Epiphany is a manifestation of God showing himself to humanity in tangible ways. Other epiphanies come to mind: the baptism of Jesus, where the heavens opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, and God’s voice declared Him His Son (Matthew 3:13-17); and the miracle at Cana, Jesus’ first public miracle, turning water into wine. (John 2:1-11).
My prayer for all of us is that 2026 is a year full of health, joy, peace, and Epiphanies.
…they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:9-11)
Sunday Presentation
Steeples & Peoples: North Sea Edition
Emily Sander
Sunday, January 4
Following Coffee Hour
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Join Emily Sander for the North Sea edition of her Steeples & Peoples journey.
“Steeples & Peoples returns with a second edition, this time exploring the UK with a brief Danish detour. Building on last year’s Baltic churches presentation, this slideshow highlights churches, cathedrals, and sacred spaces visited across Denmark, Scotland, and England. Alongside Christian places of worship, it also touches on older spiritual and cultural sites that reflect how people have gathered and made meaning across the centuries.”
All are welcome.
The Red Door Thrift Shop
Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Monday, January 5
11am
Red Door Thrift Shop
1019 Seventh Street, Anacortes
Help celebrate the new addition to the Red Door Thrift Shop!
The Feast of the Epiphany Holy Eucharist Service
Tuesday, January 6
6pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Diane Ramerman
All are welcome.
Winter Concert
Featuring Satellite String Quartet
with Lily Iverson (violin), Ryder Iverson (viola), Finley Otterness (cello), & Joseph Zhou (violin)
Wednesday, January 7
7pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
Winter Concert Program
All-Hands Sunday Liturgy Team Meeting
The Rev. Courtney Jones
The Reverend
Courtney Jones
Sunday, January 11
12:30–2:00pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
Who Should Attend
Everyone involved in Sunday worship. This includes clergy, worship leaders, readers, ushers, acolytes/Eucharistic ministers, Altar Guild members, and anyone who regularly serves in the liturgy.
What to Expect
The purpose of this meeting is two-fold:
1. To update and drill our safety procedures.
2. To “tune up” our Sunday morning liturgy.
We’ll begin with prayer and a brief reflection on our ministry of hospitality, followed by a practical emergency-preparedness training. We’ll then break into small groups to review best practices for readers, ushers, worship leaders, EMs/acolytes etc.
If you serve in any Sunday role, or if you would like to start, please plan to attend. Your presence helps us offer worship that is safe, welcoming, and beautifully executed.
Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 25
Following the 10:30 am service*
Parish Hall Gathering Room
*We will celebrate Holy Eucharist on Sunday, January 25, rather than our usual 4th Sunday Morning Prayer. Morning Prayer will he held on the 3rd Sunday, January 18.
We will be electing two Bishop’s Committee members and our 2026 Diocesan Convention Delegates and Alternates. We will take a look back at 2025 and a look ahead at 2026. The 2026 Operating Fund Budget, which has been approved by the Bishop’s Committee, will be presented.
Please plan to attend the meeting.
Your participation is important to the life of our church.
Christ Church Leadership Retreat 2026
The Rev. Courtney Jones
Saturday, January 31
10:00am–4:00pm
Christ Church
Theme: “Equipped for Shared Ministry”
Who Should Attend
Congregational leaders, including the Bishop’s Committee, chairs of ministries, members of various committees, and the Ministry Support Circle.
What to Expect
Facilitators include the Vicar, Wardens, and (pending confirmation) a representative from the Bishop’s Office.
Our goals for the day are to renew our shared leadership, orient new leaders, and discern a common vision for mission in 2026 and beyond.
After lunch, committee members who are not part of the Bishop’s Committee or Ministry Support Circle may depart. The BC and MSC will continue with their respective annual retreat meetings, including the BC’s organizational work for the year ahead.
If you serve on the BC, MSC, or chair/participate in a committee, please plan to attend as we enter 2026 equipped for our shared ministry together.
Adult Faith Formation
Zimzum Discipleship
Our Zimzum Discipleship gatherings will resume in February.
2nd & 4th Sundays, following the service.
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. Please check the Weekly Updates for the Youth Group schedule.
All youth in middle school and high school are welcome to join in.
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.
January Designated Plate Offering
The plate offering on Sunday, January 18, 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
Monday, January 19
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.
Evening Prayer Services
Regular Evening Prayer services will resume on January 14.
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 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.
Sunday Services
Please check your Weekly Update for each week’s Servers & Hymns.
YEAR A
4 January 2026
The Second Sunday after Christmas Day
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Readings:
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 84: 1-8
Ephesians 1:3-6; 15-19a
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
11 January 2026
The First Sunday after the Epiphany:
The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Readings:
Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 29
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17
18 January 2026
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
10:30 am Morning Prayer
Christ Church Sanctuary
Readings:
Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 40:1-12
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:29-42
25 January 2026
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Readings:
Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 5-13
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23