Weekly Update 25 September 2026

Reflection

John Okerman

Father, I Will Go and Work in Your Vineyard Today

John Okerman

In the Parable of the Two Sons, (Matthew 21:28-32) a father asks his two sons to go and work in the vineyard today. The first son says, “I will not work in the vineyard!” Later, however, he changes his mind and goes to work in the vineyard. The father then turns to his second son and asks the same question. The second son replies, “Yes, I will go and work in the vineyard today, father.” However, the second son never arrives to work the vineyard.

Jesus asks which son did the father’s will? The answer is obvious – the first son.

Jesus then makes some interesting observations.

Tax collectors and prostitutes were considered sinners and looked down upon by society but were like the first son. They lived a lifestyle that was against God and God’s will but repented and followed God.

The religious leaders were like the second son. The chief priests and elders of the temple claimed obedience to God but did not truly obey. They possessed the language and appearance of faith, but those whom they judged often showed greater repentance and obedience. God values genuine repentance and obedience more than religious words and appearances.

God cares about what we do, not just what we say! Many people are religious, believe in God, and profess to follow Christ. However, their actions are like the second son. They are planning to follow Christ - someday! Today, they are busy doing other things and will follow Christ when it’s convenient. They plan to do something but need to focus on other issues. Life is busy, times are hard, and other issues have priority. They are religious, attend church, know Scripture, and still resist God’s will.

The tax collectors and prostitutes were considered the worst sinners of their day. Yet Jesus welcomed them to God’s kingdom because they repented and followed God. This means no matter what our past, how many times we are “distracted”, or attend church but “aren’t really there”, when we turn to God we are welcomed.

Are your actions are not matching what God is asking of you. You are challenged to choose one specific action and do it. These actions can be small acts of faithfulness and obedience. These are some ideas. You may already know.

• Is there a person I need to forgive?

• Is there a conversation I need to have?

• Is there an act of service I’ve been meaning to take?

• Is there another step of faith I need to take?

Are you available to work in God’s vineyard? God values genuine repentance and obedience more than religious words and appearances. Every small act of obedience is a way of saying, “Father, I will go and work in Your vineyard today!”

Anti-Racism Training

Saturday, September 26
10 am - 3 pm
Presenter: The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson
Zoom
Please register to obtain the Zoom link.

Sunday Service

27 September 2026
The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 21

Season of Creation
Morning Prayer

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

Servers
Presider: Ed Barton
Homilist: Shirley Barrett
Altar Guild: Melissa Simonsen
Readers: Todd Fifield, Judy McClelland
Ushers: Jerlyn Caba, Geoff Holmes
Organist: Lynne Berg

Readings
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Psalm 25:1-8
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32
Readings may be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.

Hymns
H 368 - Holy Father, Great Creator
H 654 - Day by Day
H 60 - Creator of the Stars of Night
H 344 - Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing

Bulletin Link: September 27 Morning Prayer
YouTube Sunday Service Link

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

Faith Formation
Zimzum Discipleship
12:15-1:15 pm
Parish Hall Conference Room
Sunday’s Topic: Silence & Meditation
Reading: Luke 5:12-16
Please join us for this small-group practice rooted in reflection, conversation, and shared spiritual growth.
All are welcome.

Announcements

Church Office

Marcy will be away from the office September 28 through October 9. During this time, June Cook will be responding to phone calls and emails received at the office phone number and email address. There will not be a Weekly Update during this time.
The Season of Creation bulletin and October 4 bulletin insert are available on the church website.

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 4
Following the service
Christ Church lawn
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg

Please bring your beloved pet to Christ Church for a Blessing! 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.

Faith Formation Series
Last Things: Preparing for a Christian Death

Ed Barton

Sundays in October
12:15* - 1:15 pm
Parish Hall
Ed Barton will lead us through what we believe about death and resurrection, what the Prayer Book offers at the bedside and the funeral, and the basic documents that let your wishes be honored.

October 4
What We Believe Happens
*This session will begin following Blessing of the Animals.

October 11
The Church at the Bedside

October 18
The Documents that Carry Your Wishes

October 25
Your Funeral and Your Last Gift
At this session, you will have the opportunity to fill out a Christ Church funeral planning record.

Come to one session or all four.
The series closes on All Saints Sunday, November 1.
Questions? Please contact Ed Barton.
All are welcome. 

Season of Creation Film

My Octopus Teacher
Wednesday, October 7
6:30 pm, following Evening Prayer
Parish Hall Gathering Room

To celebrate the Season of Creation, you are invited to view the 2021 Oscar- and BAFTA-winning documentary, My Octopus Teacher. We'll gather at 6:30 pm to share snacks; the movie will start shortly afterward.

This story of a photographer and the octopus he befriends includes spectacular underwater scenery in a kelp forest off the South African Coast during a year of the octopus' life.

Following the film, we'll share scripture and a few discussion questions.

"So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm..." (Genesis 1:21a)

Centering Prayer

Maggie
‍ ‍ Collinge

Weekly on Wednesdays
1:15-1:45 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
All are welcome.
Questions? Please contact Maggie Collinge.

Meditation/Silent Prayer

Todd Fifield

Weekly on Wednesdays
5:00 - 5:15 pm: 1st period Meditation
5:15 - 5:20 pm: Walking Meditation or Break
5:25 - 5:40pm: 2nd period Meditation
Christ Church Sanctuary

Come dwell in silent prayer. This is a quiet, intentional time to be still in God’s presence–to pray, reflect, or simply rest. There will be two 15-minute periods of silent prayer, with a 5-minute walking meditation/break between them. Come for one period or stay for both. No experience is necessary; Todd will guide you through the time.
All are welcome.
Questions? Please contact Todd Fifield.

Evening Prayer

The Rev. Vicki
Johnson

Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
September 30 Presider: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
All are welcome.

Men’s Group

Tom Young

Weekly on Fridays
8:00 - 9:00 am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
All are welcome.
Questions? Please contact Tom Young.

The Red Door Thrift Shop Update

Dawn Jex

Hello Everyone,

Just a few notes to catch you up on what's going on this week. 

I am heading down to Nola and Mississippi for the next few days. I leave on 9/23 and will be back at work on 9/30. Debbie and Angelique and Claire will be sharing the Person In Charge duties while I am gone. There is a calendar on the office door showing the plan. I will also write up some notes for this time period and place them above that calendar. 

A big thank you to everyone for helping out this month. I know it's been crazy schedule-wise and I totally appreciate you upending your plans to be available. Hopefully after this week I won't be going anywhere for a LONG while!

I am currently looking for some volunteers to come in on Wednesday mornings to help out with pricing hard goods. We have a crew who come in for the afternoon and they are awesome but I would love to have one or two folks who can come in at the same time as the donations crew and work 10-12 to help us keep up.   Please let me know if that is you. 

We are also in need of volunteers to help cover the donations area in the afternoons on Tuesday and Thursday. Eric T will be out for a while so this will be a fill-in shift until he is back. Even if you've never done donations - we can train you. :)

Take a look at the calendars for October to see what else is available. I know we are needing some fill-in cashiers for Thursday afternoons for Angelique while she is gone. Anywhere you see a circled name that means that person will be out. 

We will be doing a BIG, BLOW OUT Halloween display on 9/30. We have a lot of the decor and some of the costumes waiting in the back room. I know it's tempting to put them out but please wait so that I can do a HUGE display on 9/30. Please and Thank you. 

Sales this week are:
Harley and Leather gear half price
Women's Shoes half price
Puzzles and Games half price
White tagged clothing 50 cents each. 

Hugs to Everyone!
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

Val
Family & friends of Dee, Diane, Sarah, and Creamy
Tony
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