Weekly Update 23 January 2026

Reflection

John Okerman

John Okerman

In the Gospel for this coming Sunday, Matthew 4:12–23, John has been arrested and Jesus is beginning His public ministry. Jesus has been baptized by John and returned from 40 days and nights in the wilderness. He was repeatedly challenged by the devil during this time with God. These moments of uncertainty and concern are familiar to many of us. Jesus is stepping into His calling during a time of “stormy seas,” reminding us that God’s invitations often arrive in the midst of our own challenges. Matthew shows us that God meets us where life is actually happening.

Jesus leaves Nazareth and settles in Capernaum, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. This becomes the starting point of His ministry - His work among the poor and the forgotten, the sick and the suffering, and all who long for hope. Jesus begins His journey of discipleship, proclaiming God’s kingdom and embodying God’s compassion. God has called Jesus to begin His discipleship.

The call to discipleship for you is also an invitation from God. But it is rarely sudden or complete. Discipleship is a gradual process—a willingness to follow, not a demand for perfection. It is a reorientation of your life: opening your heart to Christ and allowing Him to reshape your priorities, your habits, and your relationships. Discipleship is active and ongoing, not a onetime conversion.

Jesus invites you to examine what you are currently following—ambition, fear, comfort, money, status, or security. Do these lead you towards the life God desires for you? Sometimes you must journey into our own “wilderness” to reflect on what you need to change in your life. What are you willing to release in order to follow Jesus more fully? What fears hold you back? What are your gifts, skills, and experiences God is giving you for this journey? Jesus’ invitation is simple: “Follow me.” He offers you a relationship, not a task list.

At the Sea of Galilee, Jesus sees two brothers, Simon (Who is called Peter.) and his brother, Andrew, casting their nets. He calls them to become “fishers of people,” inviting them to use their everyday skills for God’s purposes. Jesus makes the same offer to you. He invites you to use your unique talents to bless your neighbors and help shape the world into what God longs for it to be.

Simon and Andrew followed Jesus at a moment when they were simply preparing to fish. You may receive Jesus’ invitation during a stressful or complicated season, when dropping everything feels impossible. Yet Jesus still calls you into a relationship with Him. What shadows in your life need His light? What ordinary abilities might become instruments of grace for others? How will you welcome the kingdom of God into your life and into the lives of those around you?

Sunday Service

Sunday, 25 January 2026
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Year A

Holy Eucharist

10:30 am
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
The service is also available on YouTube.

Servers
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Deacons: The Rev. Eric Johnson & The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Homilist: Emily Sander
Eucharistic Minister: Melissa Simonsen
Altar Guild: Martie Arnold, Jim Minton
Bread Ministry: Stephanie Galbraith & Dan Moore
Readers: Judy McClelland, Shirley Barrett
Ushers: Diane Guinn, John Guinn
Organist: Lynne Berg/Mark Perschbacher
Coffee Hour Host: Hospitality Team

Readings
Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 5-13
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.

Hymns
H 135 - Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
H 533 - How Wondrous and Great Thy Works
WLP 757 - Will You Come and Follow Me
H 550 - Jesus Calls Us
LEVAS 136 - I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Bulletin Link: 25 January 2026
YouTube Sunday Service Link

Commissioning of Worship Leaders

We will be commissioning our Worship Leaders at the service.

Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting follows the service.
Parish Hall Gathering Room
We will be electing two new Bishop’s Committee members.
Nominees are Diana Hunt and Jim Minton.
All are welcome.

Announcements

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.

Altar Flowers

You are invited to provide altar flowers for our Sunday services.
Flowers may be given in honor or memory of a loved one or in celebration of any occasion.
Please sign up on the Flower Chart in the Parish Hall Gathering Room or notify Altar Guild Directress Mary Gronholt.
A check for the recommended donation of $45 may be made to Christ Church with “altar flowers” in the memo line. Please notify Marcy 2 weeks prior to your date with the dedication you would like printed in the bulletin. Many thanks to all of you who have so generously provided flowers.

Dinner at the Brick

Christ Church will host Dinner at the Brick on February 8, led by Stephanie Galbraith & Dan Moore.

‍ ‍ Dan & Stephanie

Dinner at the Brick, a program of Westminster Presbyterian Church, offers a free dinner to the community each Sunday at 4:30 pm.

Volunteers are needed to help with several jobs, including shopping, cooking, serving, setting up, and cleaning up. To volunteer, please contact Stephanie at sdgalbraith1963@gmail.com or Dan at dam1966@mac.com.

Adult Faith Formation

Mary Ellen
Huggins

Zimzum Discipleship gatherings will resume in February.
2nd & 4th Sundays
12:15 - 1:15 pm
Our topic for February: Creation Justice
All are welcome.
Questions? Please contact Mary Ellen Huggins, hugginsmaryellen@gmail.com, or The Rev. Eric Johnson, anacorteseric@gmail.com

Evening Prayer

The Rev.
Vicki Johnson

Weekly on Wednesdays
6pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
January 28 Presider: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
All are welcome.

Men’s Group

The Rev.
Eric Johnson

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 Update

Dawn Jex

Dawn Jex, Red Door Manager

Hello Everyone,

I'm going to start this email with shift availability because I usually forget to add that info. 

For February, I am looking for some cashiers to fill in on Thursday afternoons. That shift is 12:30-3pm and I need someone for every Thursday in February. Angelique is still on vacation with her hubby in New Zealand and we wish her a fabulous time AND we miss her! :)

I am also looking for a permanent Tuesday afternoon person for Donations. If you are a church member and you've been wondering how you can start helping at the Red Door, this one's for YOU! This shift is from 12:30-3pm and training is provided. 

Sales this week at the shop will be:
All Blue Tag Clothing is $1.00
All Pants $1.00
Our Big Doll House $100

Everything is going pretty smoothly at the shop. We are getting the hang of the new space and have figured out how to use it as best we can. Debbie and I are getting used to the new inventory control. Which is: donations folks put seasonal items in boxes, Debbie and/or I go through those items to make sure everything is a keeper. We then price everything in the box. Label and tape up the boxes. Then we take some of them over to the garage for storage. The pre-pricing will save us a LOT of time and frustration when each holiday comes around. Thank you ALL for your patience while we are learning.

Please remember for out-of-season clothing: to keep it in storage it should be brand new with tags, of high quality and/or name brand. Anything else can be donated to Northwest Center. If we already have some T-shirt rag bags out on the floor, extra ones can go to NWC also.

A big thank you to all of you for helping to keep your workstation clean! I have noticed that you are wiping down your table, helping to put everything away at the end of your shift, keeping everything neat and tidy. That is a BIG help for the folks who are coming in to work a shift after you. Thanks for being so kind to the others. 

If you have any questions or suggestions about shop operations, shop organization.... pretty much anything shop related please feel free to email me. I sometimes hear "whispers" about folks talking to each other with ideas.... but they don't get sent on to me. Please email me any or all of your suggestions and ideas so I can respond to them promptly. 

Hugs y'all and stay warm!
Dawn Jex

Christ Church’s Red Door Thrift Shop is located at 1019 Seventh Street in Anacortes.
Red Door Thrift Shop
360.202.9966

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

John, brother of Lynne, & family
Pat, mother of Dan
Creamy & family
Jim, father of Stephanie
Gaylene
Veronica
Mary
Diane
Rev. Rilla & family
Myrna
Arra, aunt of Carol
Sandy
Dale
Zoanne
Linda
Tom
Karen
Leslie
Diana
Val
John
Foundation for Academic Endeavors
Linda & Messina family, Basile family, Tammy, and Charlene, family & friends of Mary