Reflection
Ed Barton
Oil for the Lamps
Ed Barton
Every estate lawyer knows the midnight phone call. A family in a hospital hallway asks whether Mom ever signed anything. Often she meant to. The forms were on the kitchen counter...under the mail...for six years. The five foolish bridesmaids in Matthew’s parable got their own version of that call.
In October a brave crowd of us spent four Sundays in the Parish Hall talking about death over coffee and the Minton's breakfast casserole. (Only Episcopalians would call that a fun morning. And it was.) This week’s readings wrap up that month.
Paul writes to the Thessalonians so they “may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” He never tells them to stop grieving. Christians grieve. We cry at the funeral, then we go eat in the Parish Hall. We just grieve knowing how the story ends.
In the Gospel, all ten bridesmaids fall asleep. What sets them apart is the oil, and some preparation can’t be borrowed. Nobody else can mend your relationships, tell your family what you want, or sign your health care directive once you can’t. Trust me, the lawyer in me has checked.
Both readings use the Greek word for a town’s welcoming committee walking out to greet an arriving dignitary and bring them home. Picture the best airport pickup ever. The living and those who have fallen asleep will make that walk with Jesus together, lamps lit.
So this week, encourage one another. Check your oil. And maybe move those forms off the kitchen counter.
The bridegroom is coming.
Sunday Service
8 November 2026
The Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 27
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: Candice Baughman*
Eucharistic Minister: John Okerman
Altar Guild: June Cook, Kris Whitely
Bread Ministry: Jerlyn Caba
Readers: Jason Wells, Tierney Wells
Ushers: Grace Minton, Jim Minton
Eucharistic Visitor: Maggie Collinge
Organist: Lynne Berg/June Cook
Coffee Hour Hosts: The OPOP Team
*Candice Baughman is the Parish Mobilizer for One Parish One Prisoner (OPOP) with Underground Ministries, where she works alongside faith communities and people preparing to return home from incarceration to build relationships rooted in belonging, dignity, and mutual transformation. Candice brings her own lived experience of incarceration and reentry to this work. After serving 77 months at the Washington Corrections Center for Women, she returned home in May 2023 with the support of her own OPOP team from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Olympia.
Readings
Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16
Psalm 70
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13
Readings may also be found in the Episcopal Lectionary.
Hymns
H 11 - Awake, My Soul
LEVAS 14 - Soon and Very Soon
H 58 - Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
H 596 - Judge Eternal, Throned in Splendor
H 690 - Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Bulletin Link: November 8 Holy Eucharist
YouTube Sunday Service Link
Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour follows the service. Homilist Candice Baughman will be joining us. All are welcome.
Announcements
Guest Homilist from OPOP
Dan Moore
Candice Baughman
Please join us on Sunday, November 8, for a special homily to be presented by Candice Baughman, Parish Mobilizer with the One Parish One Prisoner (OPOP) central team.
Candice brings lived experience from both inside and outside the walls of incarceration. She will help us learn more about OPOP and how we can develop our parish’s relationship with Alivia, our sponsored friend who is currently incarcerated and expected to be released in late 2027. We look forward to hearing Candice’s personal story and perspective as we continue our journey of friendship and support with Alivia. In addition to the homily, Candice is invited to Coffee Hour following the service, to take questions and hear from our general congregation.
A Joyful Noise November 2026
Find all the November news at A Joyful Noise November 2026.
This Week at Christ Church…
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 pm
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. No experience is necessary; Todd will guide you through the time.
All are welcome.
Questions? Please contact Todd Fifield.
Evening Prayer
Jim Minton
Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00-6:30 pm
Christ Church Sanctuary
November 11 Presider: Jim Minton
All are welcome.
Men’s Group
Tom Young
Weekly on Fridays
9-10 am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
All are welcome.
Questions? Please contact Tom Young.
The Red Door Thrift Shop Update
Dawn Jex
Hello Everyone and Happy Holidays!
It totally feels like Christmas today because Christmas JOY has exploded all over the shop in the last two days! There are ornaments and lights and snowmen galore. The customers can see the goodies from outdoors. The music will be playing and we will be displaying all things red white and green by the door. LOL
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to see photos and videos.
We do still have a few Thanksgiving and Fall items on display as well and they are right in the middle of the shop as you come inside.
But we have so many boxes of Christmas in the garage - we HOPE we can get them all over here and on display before the actual Holy DAY.
We also have two new volunteers in donations. Please welcome Barb who started last week and Christine who starts today! We are so grateful for your willingness to be of service at The Red Door. We appreciate you.
We are still looking for a few more people so ask your friends and neighbors please.
Sales are going well, In fact we have reached a new total amount for the year - the highest we've ever had since I've started working here - which was four years ago today! Good job everyone....It feels really good to do something good for others doesn't it?
I believe our grant application process has closed and we will be announcing in November who the grant recipients are. I will get more info on that at our committee meeting next week.
That's all for now. Happy Holidays and see you soon!
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
Tino & family
Family & friends of Val, 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