Weekly Update 10 July 2026
Reflection
John Okerman
Loving Your Neighbor
John Okerman
Doris would have had the muffins ready at church. Instead, at age 80, she was pushed into the passenger seat of her own car and kidnapped by a young man named Jesse. As he drove her from ATM to ATM, Doris chose not fear but conversation. She asked his name. She asked why. She listened. And she told him the truth: addiction was destroying his life, and he needed help only God could give.
At each stop, Doris reminded Jesse that he was loved by God and worthy of a different life. When he finally left her, he helped her out of the car, buckled her seatbelt, and kissed her cheek. Months later, at his trial, Doris told the judge Jesse was guilty — but she also insisted he needed a real drug‑rehab program so he could reclaim his life.
Doris loved her enemy. She stepped toward him with compassion and a desire for his welfare because she believed God’s love extended to Jesse just as God’s love extended to her.
This week’s Gospel, Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23, The Parable of the Sower, reminds us that God’s word is like seed scattered on all kinds of soil. Some hearts are hard, some distracted, some choked by fear or pain — yet God keeps sowing. Doris’ response shows what “good soil” looks like: an open heart that invites God’s love to take root and bear fruit, even in a moment of danger. The “good soil” of Doris became a harvest of compassion, truth, and hope.
Jesus teaches:
“Love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself.”
(Matthew 22:37–39)
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
(Matthew 5:43–44)
“Do good… bless… pray.”
(Luke 6:27–28)
Our hearts are complicated. We don’t intend harm, yet we often hesitate to respond to suffering or injustice. But God is deeply interested in our hearts — hearts created to love God and neighbor, hearts meant to be good soil where compassion can grow.
Doris shows us what happens when God’s word finds room to flourish. Her story invites us to ask: What kind of soil is my heart today? And how might God help your heart become a place where love — even love for an enemy — can take root and bear fruit. May God cultivate in us hearts ready to receive, and to share, the love that transforms lives.
Thanks be to God!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sunday Service
Sunday, 12 July 2026
The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 10
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: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Homilist: Maggie Collinge
Eucharistic Minister: Jason Wells
Altar Guild: June Cook, Kris Whitely
Bread Ministry: Jim Minton
Readers: Diane Guinn, John Guinn
Ushers: Betty Anne McCoy, Frank McCoy
Eucharistic Visitor: John Okerman
Organist: Lynne Berg
Readings
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65:1-14
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.
Hymns
H 48 - O Day of Radiant Gladness
H 644 - How Sweet the Name of Jesus
LEVAS 184 - Blessed Assurance
H 482 - Lord of All Hopefulness
H 632 - O Christ, the Word Incarnate
Bulletin Link: 12 July 2026
YouTube Sunday Service Link
Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour follows the service. All are welcome.
Faith Formation
Zimzum Discipleship
12:15-1:15
Parish Hall Conference Room
Mary Ellen
Huggins
We will continue our discussion of Reconciliation, using Lectio Divina to reflect on the readings. We’ll begin by reading Matthew 18: 21-35 and the Parable of the Talents using the lens provided by Lectio Divina.
Read the text slowly aloud. Sit for a time and notice where your heart takes you.
Meditate on a word or phrase that has caught your attention. Or imagine taking on a role in this narrative and playing it over again in your mind.
Pray the passage aloud slowly again, or simply pray the word or phrase that has taken your attention.
Quietly consider how this passage might lead you to live more faithfully as a disciple of Jesus, and let the Spirit guide you as to next steps for contemplative living.
-Mary Ellen
All are welcome.
Questions regarding Faith Formation? Please contact Mary Ellen Huggins, 425-330-3640, hugginsmaryellen@gmail.com
Announcements
A Joyful Noise July 2026
Find all the July news at A Joyful Noise July 2026.
Christ Church Ministry Support Circle
June Cook
June Cook
Topics discussed at the July 6 meeting of the Ministry Support Circle:
-Circle Letters of Recommendation for potential postulants Sharman, Ed, and Todd
-Iona application process
-Potential applicants for new Diocesan Discernment cycle
The Christ Church Ministry Support Circle comprises The Rev. Vicki Johnson, Diane Canington, June Cook, Maggie Collinge, and Melissa Simonsen.
Centering Prayer
Maggie
Collinge
Weekly on 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
The Rev. Vicki
Johnson
Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
July 15 Presider: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
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.
Save the Date…
Theology Potluck
Saturday, July 25
5:00 pm
Fifield Farm, 1119 41st Street, Anacortes
Presentation: The Usefulness of Heresy
Presenter: John Delautre
Over the centuries the Christian church has pursued, and often disagreed over, the true “content” of faith and the question of how believers should understand the meaning of the “Christ event.” Was he human, divine, somehow both, other? Since he was undeniably Jewish, what is our obligation to Judaism and its practices? Scripture makes no explicit reference to the Trinity, so where does that notion come from and why does it seem so important? From the earliest days of the church interpretations of these issues emerged that differed radically from what became accepted doctrine. And some of these “minority” opinions - also known as heresies - in their own time and place may well have been in the majority. This informal overview will explore some of the most durable questions about Christian faith and along the way help us understand what we ourselves believe. —John Delautre
Mass on the Grass
Sunday, August 2
10:30 am Outdoor Holy Eucharist service
Christ Church lawn
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Homilist: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Musical Guests: The Steel Band from Pacific Lutheran University
A Potluck Picnic will follow the service.
Invite a friend! All are welcome.
The Red Door Thrift Shop Update
Dawn Jex
Dawn Jex, Red Door Manager
Hello all you fabulous people!
I hope you had a fun and enjoyable holiday weekend! The sun was out, the weather was great and we live in a beautiful place to enjoy! Hope you were able to get outside and see some of it.
We have been getting some encouraging reviews on square lately. Every time someone makes a purchase through our square system, they are sent a chance to give us some feedback and lately it's been really good! We had one that said, "really reasonable prices" and also one that said, "The volunteers are the best - so fun!" So whatever you are doing - keep it up. You are creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for our shoppers and for the other volunteers as well. Great job!
A few notes:
—When working on clothing, if you get an item that has a lot of hair on it - please try to remove the hair before pricing and putting it out on the racks. Hairy items don't sell and they look awful. use the lint roller and if the hair won't come off - feel free to donate that item to NWC.
—Please be extremely picky about what you keep for Winter Clothing Storage. Our current storage area is very full and we still have a few months to go before we begin to put those items out. Also winter boots should not be out at this time. We will start putting them out in September/October. Thank you!
—Also, remember that we do not keep travel memorabilia. If you get a Tshirt that says, "Reno Nevada or The Bahamas" Feel free to donate them to NWC. These items while cute, do not sell here. We only keep items that say Anacortes or San Juan Islands, or something local. Sports teams that are local can be kept as well. If you have questions, please let me know.
Our Volunteer Appreciation Potluck is coming up at the end of August. I will be ordering some BBQ from Dad's diner and I am also making devilled eggs - What are YOU bringing? Please sign up on the sheet on the bullectin board.
I think that's all for now - or at least all I can remember HA!
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
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
Family & friends of Creamy
Rev. Eric & Lynette
Charlene
John, brother of Lynne, & family
Diane
Myrna
Arra, aunt of Carol
Sandy
Dale
Zoanne
Tom
Leslie
John
Ken & Dana, Pete & Charlene & family, and Rachel, family & friends of Mary