Weekly Update 20 February 2026

Reflection

The Rev. Courtney Jones

Rev. Courtney Jones

Our Gospel for this Sunday finds Jesus going into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by the devil, to fast, and to pray. Have you ever noticed how often in Scripture things happen in the wilderness?

Abraham is asked to leave his comfortable life in Haran and enter the wilderness. There, God makes a covenant with him.

Jacob flees from his family and enters the wilderness. There, he wrestles with God and is blessed.

It is in the wilderness that Moses encounters the burning bush and receives his calling to lead God’s people out of Egypt.

Fleeing Jezebel, Elijah goes into the wilderness. There, God attends to his needs and restores him.

John the Baptist centers his ministry not in the synagogues of the cities, but in the wilderness.

After the crucifixion, two grieving disciples leave Jerusalem, and as they walk along a wilderness road, they are joined by a third man who turns out to be Jesus.

Philip leaves a successful ministry to meet an Ethiopian on a wilderness road.

Paul is traveling a wilderness road when he has his dramatic conversion.

Time after time in Scripture, the wilderness is the locus of contact between God and God’s people.
Why? I suspect that, at least for some of us, wilderness is necessary.

Times when we are out of our comfort zone,
              when we can’t go on autopilot,
              when we must be acutely attentive to the world around us – 

these are often the times when we become most aware of our dependence on God.

I hope that, in this Lenten season, you’ve chosen a practice or rule of life that helps you cultivate this “necessary wilderness.” Something that makes you just slightly uncomfortable. Something that requires you to periodically focus your attention. Something that makes you aware of the presence of God.

Courtney+

PS – If you’re still discerning a Lenten practice, I encourage you to create a simple Rule of Life. It’s not too late.

Sunday Service

Sunday, 22 February 2026
The First Sunday in Lent

Morning Prayer

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

Servers
Presider: Jim Minton
Homilist: Shirley Barrett
Altar Guild: Jim Minton
Readers: Diane Guinn, John Guinn
Ushers: Jerlyn Caba, Geoff Holmes
Organist: Lynne Berg
Coffee Hour Hosts: Mary Ellen & Wes Huggins

Readings
Psalm 32
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.

Hymns
H 150 - Forty Days and Forty Nights
H 142 - Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days
H 559 - Lead Us, Heavenly Father

Bulletin Link: 22 February 2026
YouTube Sunday Service Link

Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour follows the service. All are welcome.

Faith Formation
Zimzum Discipleship

Zim Zum will meet this Sunday, February 22nd.
12:15 - 1:15 pm
Parish Hall Conference Room

We will continue to discuss  Creation Justice, focusing on a reading from Mark 10:17-27, and  excerpts from two authors who discuss the following ideas:
-Using Less and Sharing More
-Abundance and Reciprocity

Here is the LINK to our February 22nd Zim Zum Resource.
You can reach out to Mary Ellen Huggins if you have any questions.
Mary Ellen
425-330-3640
hugginsmaryellen@gmail.com

Announcements

Note from Rev. Courtney

During the season of Lent, we invite you to enter the sanctuary in silence as we prepare our hearts for worship. Lent is a time of reflection, repentance, and renewed attentiveness to God’s presence. Keeping silence before the liturgy is meant to help us gently set aside the noise and busyness of the rest of the world and make space for contemplation.

ecj+

A Lenten Message from Bishop Philip LaBelle

Bishop LaBelle’s Lenten Message

Diocesan Class for Confirmation, Reception, & Reaffirmation

The online Diocesan class for those preparing for Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation begins this Sunday, February 22.

Classes will be held on Zoom on Sunday evenings, February 22 through April 19, exclusive of Easter Sunday.

Please register at Diocese of Olympia Adult Confirmation Series.

This course provides space to engage Christian faith, Episcopal theology, and discipleship in conversation with others across the diocese. Classes will be led by a variety of personalities from across the Diocese, including Rev. Courtney Jones and Bishop Phil LaBelle. It is well-suited for adults seeking a deeper grounding in faith or preparing to be confirmed, received, or to reaffirm their baptismal vows on Cathedral Day, which will be held at St. Mark’s Cathedral on April 25. 

Evening Prayer

‍ ‍ Sharman
Badgett-Young

Wednesday, February 25
6:00 - 6:30 pm
Presider: Sharman Badgett-Young
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.

Men’s Group

The Reverend
Eric Johnson

Weekly on Fridays
8-9am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Questions?
Please contact The Rev. Eric Johnson at anacorteseric@gmail.com
All are welcome.

One Parish One Prisoner (OPOP) Meeting

Friday, February 27
6pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room

Disability Day of Mourning Vigil

Saturday, February 28
2pm
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Seattle
Please contact MJ Barrett, mbarrett1910@gmail.com, for more information.

Mini-Series: Sunday Morning Shenanigans

The Episcopal Church and Its Liturgy

Sundays, March 1, March 15, & April 19
12:15 pm
Facilitator: Rev. Courtney & friends
Parish Hall Conference Room

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”?

Designed for all who want to deepen their understanding of our worship.
Questions will be invited! 
Curiosity is highly encouraged. 

The Red Door Thrift Shop Update

Dawn Jex

Dawn Jex, Red Door Manager

Hello Everyone!

I asked my husband last night what he was going to give up for Lent and he just groaned at me! LOL. I hope you all are doing well. I know I am looking forward to spring even though we may still have a bit of really cold weather to get through. 

I want to keep it short today because we all lead busy lives. I have a few permanent shifts that are available if you'd like to switch to something new or try a different day:
Friday morning Clothing Pricer 10am - 12:30pm
Tuesday morning Cashier Assistant 11am-1pm

We are in the process of pricing and procuring some new donations parking signs. I know what we currently have is not perfect but please keep using them until we get the new ones. We need to encourage our donors to park in the correct spots, so we don't inconvenience our neighbors or make the alleyway unsafe for other drivers.

I will be working on the March calendars shortly and will send them in a subsequent email.  

Happy Easter Season - SOON!!!
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, Rachel, and Charlene, family & friends of Mary