Weekly Update 26 September 2025

Reflection

Diane Caningon

Diane
Canington

Amos 6: 1a, 4-7

The Lord declares judgement against Damascus and other nations for their atrocities including the use of sledge against Giliad and the sale of captives to Edom vowing to send fire upon their strongholds.

Today's Reflection is a cautionary tale for the greed, dishonesty, and corruption that exists not only in American society but is also widespread in many other countries.

Let's take a look at the subject of greed and how it affects not only individuals, but society as a whole.  If we are called upon to pay significantly more for goods and services, we may be endangering our health and well being   For example, if an individual cannot afford to pay for health insurance, due to higher premiums or reduced contributions from the government, we may no longer be able to have access to health insurance and thus risk a higher probability of illness or early death.

In the case of goods and services, we may be forced to purchase less healthy food, at a cheaper price, in order to make ends meet.  As pertains to the automotive industry, we may need to postpone the purchase or repair of a vehicle, thus creating a risk of an accident.

Dishonesty hurts the persons (s) being taken advantage of and damages the integrity of the perpetrator.  If someone is robbed, for instance, the person being robbed may then not be able to replace a needed possession and the robber, if caught, may spend considerable time in prison, destroying not only his life but that of his family.

Corruption is a cancer of the soul.  To deceive others in order to enrich oneself, is creating a climate of repeated corruption because the person(s) finds he can get away with it and not be punished. 

This sad commentary can be found in individuals as well as corporations and governments . 

Our mission, as Christians, is to check ourselves for any greed, dishonesty or corruption that may be lurking in our lives and to own it,  work through it, and pray for forgiveness and a renewal of spirit.  We must be sensitive and involved in helping  those who are sick and weak in spirit, to give to those who are poor, and lend our talents to those who are struggling with everyday life situations.  God demands nothing less from us.

Sunday Services

Sunday, 28 September 2025
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Year C Proper 21

Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
9:30 am
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
1300 “O” Avenue, Anacortes
Presider: June Cook

Christ Church 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: Melissa Simonsen
Readers: MJ Barrett, John Okerman
Ushers: Betty Anne McCoy, Frank McCoy
Musicians: The Banjo Band
Coffee Hour Host: Myrna McIalwain

Readings
Amos 6:1a, 4-7
Psalm 146
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Luke 16:19-31
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.

Hymns
We Are Called
Spirit of the Living God
For the Fruit of All Creation
Christ, Be Our Light!

Bulletin Link: 28 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 focuses on intentionally making space to live as a faithful apprentice of Jesus.
Meetings are held on 2nd & 4th Sundays at 12:15 pm.

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.

Red Door Tree Dedication Ceremony

Sunday, October 5
1pm
Red Door Thrift Shop, 1019 Seventh Street
We will be dedicating trees in memory of several Red Door volunteers/supporters.
All are welcome.

An Invitation: Ecumenical Hymn Sing

Sunday, October 12
2pm
Hosted at Westminster Presbyterian Church by Westminster Church and Anacortes Lutheran Church.
When you arrive you’ll have the chance to write the names of your favorite hymns on slips of paper and place them in a basket. The we’ll draw hymns! If your hymn is drawn, we’ll all sing it! We will be using a variety of hymnals from the Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian traditions. Laurie Julius-Carver of Anacortes Lutheran and Bev Bowen of Westminster will provide the music. Please join us!

Fall Book Study: The Four Vision Quests of Jesus

Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of The Four Vision Quests of Jesus by Steven Charleston, Episcopal bishop and member of the Choctaw Nation. This powerful book invites us to see Jesus’ ministry through the lens of Indigenous wisdom and spirituality, offering new insights into discipleship and faith.

We will gather on Sundays after Coffee Hour on the following dates: October 19, November 2*, November 16, and November 30. This book study will be facilitated by Melissa Simonsen and Maggie Collinge. All are welcome—whether you’ve read every page or just want to listen in on the conversation! You can buy the book from your preferred bookseller, or contact Melissa for a copy! 

*The November 2nd class will start slightly later than the others, as there is a special coffee hour on All Saints Sunday!

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.

Todd Fifield

Evening Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00 - 6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
October 1 Presider: Todd Fifield
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

Dawn Jex

Dawn Jex, Red Door Manager

Hello Everyone,

And Poof! Just like that, it is the end of September already! The shop is festooned with all things fall and Halloween and we even have a spooky window on the west side of the building! Lots of sales are going on this week: blue tagged clothing, pillows, stuffed animals AND a flash sale on Socks and rag bags of T-shirts! Lots of goodies. 

Glasses and Sunglasses - I have been lazy about doing anything with readers and sunglasses. So while I was on vacation, my brain kept prodding me to do better. So now, readers and sunglasses will go on one of those black jewelry trays on the shelf with the jewelry. They are all $1.00 a pair but they will not get knocked around or scuffed because we are taking better care of them. If we get some REALLY pricey sunglasses we can mark those higher according to their value. Thank you. 

Sweats Bin - I just spoke to Debbie about this today. We've been getting in some really nice sweatpants and sweatshirts. We are going to create a big bin for them and put them all together on the black shelving unit. They will be priced appropriately (according to brand and condition) and put in the bin. Men and Womens items together. Thank you. 

Addition Update - Things are looking good. The painter is here this morning making everything look pretty and bright. The plastic wall in the pricing area is supposed to be coming down today so we can begin using the back bathroom again and Mr. Simonson is outside digging up the area in the sidewalk where the trees will be planted tomorrow!

The calendars for October are up on the wall in the back room. 

The holidays are here and things will be getting busier every day from now till Christmas. Hold on! It's going to be a fun and exciting few months!

Warm, cinnamon scented hugs!
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

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

Shelley
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