A Joyful Noise
March 2026
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Senior Warden Message
Tom Young, Senior Warden
Lay Aside Every Weight this Lent
. . . let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily distracts.
(from Hebrews 12:1)
Tom Young
This verse from Hebrews, which I am repeating from last year, still rings true - especially during Lent. The author is encouraging us to lay aside the things that plague us; all the worldly concerns that distract us and cause us to overlook God’s amazing saving grace. I especially need to slow down, breathe, listen, and pray.
There is no better time than the season of Lent to lay aside our worries, if only for a moment each day. To turn away from the distractions that are constantly begging for our attention. Christ Church has some great tools to help us do just that! Besides our Sunday morning Eucharist, Wednesday Evening Prayer helps me center myself mid-week. Zimzum Discipleship classes are ongoing on 2nd and 4th Sundays. In addition, beginning on the first Sunday in March, Rev. Courtney is leading a new series called Sunday Morning Shenanigans. The title alone makes me want to attend, as I am still learning what it means to be Episcopalian. Watch the weekly updates for the full schedule and class descriptions.
Lastly, I recommend the Morning Office on page 137 of the Book of Common Prayer, which the Men’s Group does at the beginning of every meeting. Try it, you’ll like it!
A Letter from The Rev. Eric Johnson
A Word as We Prepare to Leave for Alabama
The Rev. Eric Johnson
Lynette and I expect to move to Birmingham, Alabama, on May Day. Lynette’s Alzheimer’s is slowly progressing, and we both believe it would be better to be near our daughter sooner rather than later.
When we arrived in Anacorte s twenty-five years ago, I had a three-part retirement plan:
1. write the Great American Novel;
2. invest wisely in lottery tickets; and
3. live off the proceeds.
As it turns out, I neither wrote nor invested. (Apparently both require discipline.)
Instead, Anacortes changed the trajectory of my life toward things I never imagined: helping start a homeless shelter, being ordained a deacon, serving on City Council, and becoming fully engaged in a congregation committed to total common ministry — where everyone takes seriously the call to live out their baptismal vows.
Christ Church has been the base camp from which I set out on all these unexpected adventures. It has been the place I returned to — to be grounded in prayer, nourished at the altar, and supported by a loving community. Whatever I’ve been able to do in this town has flowed from this place.
You have prayed for us. You have trusted us. You have challenged and encouraged us. You have shown us what it looks like to follow Jesus together, faithfully and with plenty of humor.
We truly expected that Anacortes would be our final resting place, in more ways than one. Instead, we are being called to travel again. And if this community has taught us anything, it is that Jesus never stops calling us into new adventures and changed lives.
We leave with gratitude deeper than I can express. The friendships, the shared work, the worship, the ordinary Sundays — all of it has formed us.
Thank you for being our base camp.
With affection and abiding gratitude,
Eric (and Lynette)
Faith Formation Opportunities
Sunday Morning Shenanigans:
Exploring the Episcopal Church and Its Liturgy
The Reverend
Courtney Jones
Sundays, March 1, March 15, & April 19
12:15 - 1:15 pm
Parish Hall Conference Room
Please join Rev. Courtney & friends for a three-part series in exploring the Episcopal Church and its liturgy.
Designed for all who want to deepen their understanding of our worship.
Topics in This Series:
March 1
The Liturgy of the Word
March 15
The Liturgy of the Table
April 19
What Makes the Episcopal Church “Episcopal”?
Questions will be invited! Curiosity is highly encouraged.
All are welcome.
Zimzum Discipleship
Zimzum meets on 2nd & 4th Sundays
March 8 & 22
12:15 - 1:15 pm
Parish Hall Conference Room
Mary Ellen
Huggins
Zimzum Discipleship is a small-group practice rooted in reflection, conversation, and shared spiritual growth. These gatherings create space to notice where God is at work in our lives, listen deeply to one another, and discern how our faith takes shape in everyday living.
Questions? Please contact Mary Ellen Huggins, hugginsmaryellen@gmail.com
All are welcome.
Wednesday Evening Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 8, at 2am.
Time to Spring forward!
March Designated Plate Offering
The plate offering on Sunday, March 15, is designated for the Foundation for Academic Endeavors.
The mission of the Foundation for Academic Endeavors (FAE) is to collectively break down barriers to educational achievement for diverse students, educators, and families. Working with families with students in kindergarten through college, FAE offers a variety of programs to help prepare parents and students for the future. FAE’s Summer programs are an opportunity for fun, culturally uplifting, and academically challenging summer learning for under-resourced pre-k through high school students and families in our Skagit Valley communities.
Learn more at Foundation for Academic Endeavors.
Donations by check should be made to Christ Church with Foundation for Academic Endeavors in the memo line.
Bishop’s Committee Meeting
Monday, March 16
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.
Pastoral Care Ministry Meeting
Thursday, March 19
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
Sunday, March 29
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Presider: The Rev. Diane Ramerman
Please meet in the Parish Hall Gathering Room.
We will process to the church following the Blessing of the Palms.
Christ Church’s Holy Week schedule will be available in the April Joyful Noise.
Christ Church Youth Group
Christ Church’s Youth Group meets monthly for a special activity. Please contact Melissa Simonsen at mvsimonsen@gmail.com for the Youth Group schedule.
All youth in middle school and high school are welcome to join in.
Men’s Group
The Men’s Group meets weekly on Fridays.
8-9am
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…
…Zoanne Hyland on March 3
……Lorne Render on March 5
………Maja Simonsen on March 12
…………Erick Simonsen on March 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
1 March 2026
The Second Sunday in Lent
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Homilist: Sharman Badgett-Young
Readings:
Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17
8 March 2026
The Third Sunday in Lent
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Homilist: MJ Barrett
Readings:
Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42
15 March 2026
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Homilist: Todd Fifield
Readings:
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
22 March 2026
The Fifth Sunday in Lent
10:30 am Morning Prayer
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: Ed Barton
Homilist: John Okerman
Readings:
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 130
Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45
29 March 2026
Palm Sunday
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Diane Ramerman
Homilist: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Readings:
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 27:11-54