Weekly Update 12 September 2025

Reflection

The Rev. Courtney Jones

The Reverend
Courtney Jones

Wrestling with Sin

Last week in his homily, Ed Barton observed that perhaps we Episcopalians don’t talk about sin enough. This Sunday’s Gospel gives us another chance to wrestle with that difficult theme.

The reading describes religious leaders grumbling about Jesus because he “eats with tax collectors and sinners.” This phrase could just as easily be translated “notorious sinners and sinners.” Tax collectors were despised not only because they worked for the occupying Roman government, but also because their pay depended on how much they could overcharge. Their “extra fees” were enforced by Roman soldiers, which meant that tax collectors profited from both exploitation and the threat of state violence. It is not hard to sympathize with the frustration of the religious leaders - tax collectors were corrupt. Jesus eats with them anyway. 

Why? Because Jesus loves them. Jesus has the power to save them from their sins, and that salvation begins in relationship. 

But what does it mean to be “saved from sin”? 

I think part of why we Episcopalians don’t like this sort of language is that we live in a polarized culture that is quick to judge the perceived “sins” of others. The culture is already saturated with finger-pointing and feelings of guilt. But neither of those things leads to healthy repentance. In his book, Why Go to Church, Timothy Radcliffe suggests that repentance is less about wallowing in guilt and more about waking up—to God, to ourselves, and to one another. Radcliffe tells the following story:  

 A famous Hasidic Rabbi called Zusia said: 'When I shall face [judgment before God], I shall not be asked why I was not Abraham, Jacob or Moses. I shall be asked why I was not Zusia.’ 

Sin, Radcliffe suggests, is the result of being something or someone other than the person God is calling us to be. 

In Scripture, the most common Greek word for sin is hamartia—an archery term meaning “to miss the mark.” The bad news is that we all miss the mark sometimes. The good news is that Jesus welcomes us to his table anyway - even tax collectors!  In this unconditional love, we find not condemnation, but transformation. Over time, our repetitive experience of the reality of God’s love for us frees us from the fear, guilt, and anxiety that cause us to chase after unhealthy things.

This is what salvation looks like in real time: being transformed, little by little, into the people God has always called us to be.

Sunday Services

Sunday, 14 September 2025
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Year C Proper 19

Chandler’s Square Holy Eucharist
9:15 am
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
1300 “O” Avenue, Anacortes
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg

Christ Church Holy Eucharist

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

Servers
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Deacon & Homilist: The Rev. Eric Johnson
Eucharistic Minister: MJ Barrett
Altar Guild: June Cook, Kris Whitely
Bread Ministry: Jim Minton
Readers: Jason Wells, Tierney Wells
Ushers: June Cook, Jim Minton
Organist: Lynne Berg
Eucharistic Visitor: John Okerman
Coffee Hour Hosts: Betty Anne & Frank McCoy

Readings
Exodus 32:7-14
Psalm 51:1-11
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.

Hymns
H 410 - Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
H 489 - The Great Creator of the Worlds
H 645 - The King of Love My Shepherd Is
MHSO 131 - We Are a Part of All Creation
H 708 - Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

Bulletin Link: 14 September 2025
YouTube Sunday Service Link

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

Adult Faith Formation: Zimzum Discipleship
12:15 pm
Parish Hall Conference Room
All are welcome.
Zimzum Discipleship sessions are held on 2nd & 4th Sundays
Questions? Please contact Betty Anne McCoy, bamccoy41@gmail.com

Zimzum discipleship is a practice centered around intentionally creating space in one's life for God, others, and the created world. 

Announcements

A Joyful Noise September 2025

Find all the September news at A Joyful Noise September 2025.

Blessing of the Animals

All are
welcome.

Sunday, October 5
12:15 pm
Christ Church Lawn
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones

Please bring your beloved pet to Christ Church for a Blessing! You may also bring a photo of your pet to be blessed. There will be Blessing Certificates and, of course, Treats!

Please invite your friends and neighbors, human, furry, and feathered. All are welcome.

Questions? Please contact Shirley Barrett, shirleybarrett062@gmail.com, 360-305-1305

Bishop’s Committee Meeting

The Bishop’s Committee will meet on Monday, September 15.
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.

Pastoral Care Ministry Team Meeting

Thursday, September 18
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room
The Pastoral Care Ministry Team, led by Maggie Collinge, includes members Shirley Barrett, Ed Barton, Kris Whitely, Creamy Wilkins-Manning, Tom Young, and The Rev. Vicki Johnson.

Weekly Prayer Services

Maggie
Collinge

Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
1:15 - 1:45 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome at this short, simple service: a scripture reading, 20 minutes of silence, an intercessory prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer. 
Questions?
Please contact Maggie Collinge, 360-202-5588.

Sharman
Badgett-Young

Evening Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00 - 6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
September 17 Presider: Sharman Badgett-Young
Questions?
Please contact The Rev. Vicki Johnson, 509-302-7364.

The Rev. Eric
Johnson

Men’s Group

The Men’s Group meets 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

Red Door
Manager
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

Margaret
Mary
Bob & Gaylene
Diane
Rev. Rilla & family
Linda, sister-in-law of Lynne
Creamy
Myrna
Arra, aunt of Carol
Sandy
Dale
Zoanne
Linda
Tom
Karen
Leslie
Diana
Val
John
Foundation for Academic Endeavors
Pete & Charlene, O’Donnell Family, Brendan, and Sandy, family & friends of Mary