Weekly Update 3 April 2026

Reflection

The Rev. Courtney Jones

The Reverend
‍ ‍ Courtney Jones

The thing that I find most striking in the Gospel of Matthew’s account of Easter morning is that the women - Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” - leave the tomb “with fear and great joy.”  

Fear and great joy. 

At first glance, these two emotions don’t seem like they belong together. But the women at the tomb have just witnessed something incredible. The two Marys have experienced a seismic shift - both literally and figuratively. The earth has shaken. The tomb is empty. The guards faint. The world as they know it is all shook up.

And maybe that’s where we find ourselves this Easter: in a world that seems all shook up. News of war. Uncertainty in the wider world. Changes close to home that leave us wondering what comes next.

We are a community in transition - marking endings, welcoming new beginnings, and discerning what new life is being born in this moment. 

The good news of Easter is that things are all shook up. While we still may have fears about our current reality to contend with, they are transformed in the light of the resurrection. They do not get the last word.

We can leave Easter morning like the women leaving the tomb. With fear and great joy. Trusting that Jesus is going out ahead of us into Galilee - back to the ordinary places of our lives, where resurrection is already unfolding. 

Sunday Service

Sunday, 5 April 2026
The Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Sunday

Holy Eucharist

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

Servers
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Deacon : The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Eucharistic Minister: MJ Barrett
Altar Guild: Mary Gronholt
Bread Ministry: Jim Minton
Readers: Jason Wells, Tierney Wells
Ushers: Grace Minton, Jim Minton
Organist: Lynne Berg
Eucharistic Visitor: Maggie Collinge
Coffee Hour Hosts: Hospitality Committee

Readings
Jeremiah 31:1-6
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 28:1-10
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.

Hymns
H 207 - Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Alleluia!
WLP 783 - Heleluyan
H 205 - Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing!
H 182 - Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing
LEVAS 41 - Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia

Bulletin Link: 5 April 2026
YouTube Sunday Service Link

Coffee Hour
A festive Easter Coffee Hour follows the service.
All are welcome.

Announcements

A Joyful Noise April 2026

Find all the April news, including information on the Good Friday and Easter Vigil services, at A Joyful Noise April 2026.

A Fond Farewell

The Reverend
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.

Centering Prayer

Maggie
‍ ‍ Collinge

Wednesdays
1:15-1:45 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
Questions?
Please contact Maggie Collinge, 360-202-5588, collingmargaret72@gmail.com

Evening Prayer

Jim Minton

Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
April 8 Presider: Jim Minton
All are welcome.
Questions?
Please contact The Rev. Vicki Johnson, 509-302-7364, vicki_johnson66@yahoo.com

Men’s Group

Tom Young

Weekly on Fridays
8:00 - 9:00 am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Questions?
Please contact Tom Young, 425-263-1916, seathos@comcast.net
All are welcome.

The Red Door Thrift Shop Update

Dawn Jex

Dawn Jex, Red Door Manager

Hello Everyone,

Goodness, time is just flying by. I don't know about you but I'm really looking forward to spring weather, more sunshine and later sunsets. 

One of our volunteers had a superb suggestion last week and I just wanted to share it with you. Meg, who works in donations on Friday mornings, suggested that I put up a copy of the grant recipients on the wall in donations so that if anyone asks us, "Where does the money go?" We will have a image to which we can refer. She plans to choose her top 3 favorite grant recipients so she can tell folks about them. Isn't that a great idea? As of today, the pages are up by the back door for our reference. Thanks Meg!

I will be in Georgia for the rest of this week attending a memorial for my husband's parents. Debbie will be covering my shifts Wednesday through Friday. We will be back to our normal schedule next week. I will also be out later this month to help my mother post-surgery. Those dates are: 4/15-4/17.

We are now in the process of switching over our seasonal clothing storage. We have priced and put out all of the spring clothing and will now begin to store heavy winter gear. Remember it should be brand new with tags or of very high quality for us to store it. The big green bin in donations is where winter items are stored. Large Winter coats can hang on a hanger up above the goodwill area.

Last note - Be sure to put like items with like items. All swimsuits should be in the bin together - not some on hangers and some in the bin. Please only keep full Swimsuits - one piece or two pieces together. Thank you

Much love and hugs all around,
Happy April,
Dawn

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

Proceeds 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

Rev. Eric & Lynette
Charlene
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
Pete, Charlene, Michele, & Rachel, family & friends of Mary