A Joyful Noise April 2026
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Senior Warden Message
Tom Young, Senior Warden
We’re in Transition
Tom Young
Yes, this month we are losing our beloved Deacon Eric Johnson to Alabama (look out Birmingham!). And next month we are losing our beloved vicar, Courtney Jones (she’ll still be around periodically in her new roles). I credit both Courtney and Eric in leading me to a deeper faith. Henceforth we’ll be relying more on supply priests and possibly will bring on a new quarter-time vicar. No doubt about it, we’re a church in transition. But that’s not the Transition I’m talking about here.
What I’m referring to is the cross-shaped line between the time before the Resurrection and after the Resurrection. Before, death had the final say. We were pretty much toast, with little hope of saving ourselves from ourselves during our lifetimes, making the best of the time we have, passing on what we could to the next generation. Then something amazing happened: this man Jesus, the son of a carpenter, the Nazarene, scandalously claimed to be the Son of God. At the time, many saw and believed in Him, while many others didn’t. But then his ministry abruptly ended - he was killed, ignominiously and brutally nailed to a cross. End of story . . . or so they thought.
Then Sunday morning came. He rose again! Death was defeated, once and for all! The world was changed from a fallen world of darkness and death to a redeemed world of light and life eternal. Each year we celebrate this transition from the seasons of Lent to Eastertide, the two separated by Holy Week and Easter Sunday.
As we enter into these transitional times, may God’s peace remain with you!
Holy Week Services
All services will be held in the Christ Church Sanctuary.
The Monday and Saturday services will also be livestreamed.
Listening to the Voices of Women of Faith & Laying Down the Stones
Monday, March 30
6pm
In the first part of our service we will listen to the voices of women of faith, 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
Bulletin Link: Listening to the Voices of Women of Faith
YouTube Service Link
The Way of the Cross
Tuesday, March 31
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. Vicki Johnson
Bulletin Link: The Way of the Cross
Tenebrae
Wednesday, April 1
6pm
Our Tenebrae service symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
Presider: The Rev. Diane Ramerman
Bulletin Link: Tenebrae
Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 2
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 if you plan to attend this service.
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Homilist: Sharman Badgett-Young
Bulletin Link: Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Friday, April 3
Noon
Service of Solemn Collects & Anthems
The offering at this service is designated for the Diocese of Jerusalem.
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Homilist: Ed Barton
Bulletin Link: Good Friday
The Great Vigil of Easter
Saturday, April 4
8pm
Holy Eucharist
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: Todd Fifield
YouTube Service Link
The Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 5
10:30 am
Holy Eucharist
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Courtney Jones
A festive Coffee Hour will follow the service.
YouTube Service Link
A Fond Farewell
The Rev. Eric
Johnson
Sunday, April 12
Coffee Hour following the 10:30 am service
We will bid a very fond farewell to Deacon Eric Johnson and Lynette and celebrate Eric’s many years and accomplishments at Christ Church.
Faith Formation Opportunities
Zimzum Discipleship
Zimzum Discipleship
April 12 & 26
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.
The Rev. Courtney
Jones
Sunday Morning Shenanigans:
Exploring the Episcopal Church and Its Liturgy April 19
12:15 - 1:15 pm
Parish Hall Conference Room
Topic: The Liturgy of the Table
Facilitator: Rev. Courtney & friends
Questions will be invited!
All are welcome.
Maggie
Collinge
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
1:15-1:45 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
Questions?
Please contact Maggie Collinge, 360-202-5588, collingmargaret72@gmail.com
The Rev. Vicki
Johnson
Evening Prayer
Wednesdays, April 8, 15, 22, 29
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
Questions?
Please contact The Rev. Vicki Johnson, 509-302-7364, vicki_johnson66@yahoo.com
Pastoral Care Ministry Meeting
Thursday, April 16
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room
April Designated Plate Offering
The plate offering on Sunday, April 19, is designated for the The Diocese of Jerusalem.
The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia has maintained a long-standing companion relationship with the Diocese of Jerusalem which is home to about 7,000 Anglicans worshipping within 28 different congregations. It also is responsible for 30 institutions including schools, hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, retirement homes and guesthouses. The archbishop oversees all these parishes and institutions spread over 5 separate countries or territories: Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. The politics of each region make the administration of these ministries difficult and challenging. The Diocese actively responds to needs for healthcare and education in areas where many cannot afford it, making no distinction between religion, ethnicity, or gender. The diocese considers education to be a vital bridge-building contribution that helps bring stability to an otherwise troubled region.
Learn more at Diocese of Jerusalem.
Donations by check should be made to Christ Church with Diocese of Jerusalem in the memo line. The offering will be sent to the Diocese of Jerusalem through American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Thank you!
Bishop’s Committee Meeting
Monday, April 20
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.
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 Tom Young, 425-263-1916, seathos@comcast.net
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
Proceeds 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…
…Margo Huth on April 19
……MJ Barrett on April 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
5 April 2026
The Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Sunday
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Readings:
Jeremiah 31:1-6
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 28:1-10
12 April 2026
The Second Sunday of Easter
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Readings:
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31
19 April 2026
The Third Sunday of Easter
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Homilist: Maggie Collinge
Readings:
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35
26 April 2026
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
10:30 am Morning Prayer
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: Sharman Badgett-Young
Homilist: John Okerman
Readings:
Acts 2:42-47
Psalm 23
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10