Christ Church Blaine

We are still in the Easter Season – which spans the Resurrection, Ascension, and the Sending of the Spirit. These three major actions of our religious story are contained in one arc as we travel the 50 days of Easter. The liturgical color is white, and we have the notable inclusion of “alleluia” in our opening and in our dismissal. These will disappear again after Pentecost, so enjoy them while you can!

The Easter Season celebrates the three dimensions of the resurrection, ascension, and the sending of the Spirit. These fifty days, a seventh of the year, form our great “Sunday” of the year. Just as Sunday is both the first and the eighth day, so the “great Sunday” of the fifty days of Easter begins with the day of the resurrection and continues through eight Sundays, an octave of Sundays, a “week of weeks.” (Fr. Bosco Peters)

 sacred space – ancient prayers – joyful music – cute kids

In our worship cycle, in our liturgy, we are turning now towards the remembrance of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. We mark these days with special services of worship, prayer, and contemplation. I hope you will join your church family in this profound cycle of prayer.

We begin on Palm Sunday, April 1^st, with coffee and treats at 9:00, music and celebration – moving at 10:00 to our Holy Communion: celebrating with palms and telling the stories of Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. How often have we started a journey in joy, only to realize that betrayal, anger, and hatred seem to destroy all we hold dear? In this service, we are reminded that Christ walked that path in his own life. Starting in joyful praise, we end this service in stillness, solemnly remembering the path that Christ will follow.

The season of Lent is a time of reflection – where we ask God to forgive our sins. We also take responsibility for the ways in which we have wronged others, how we have fallen short in our lives, and take action to turn towards God and live in the ways God is calling us. In church this Sunday, we will say the 10 Commandments, and open our service with the confession of sin. It is a solemn beginning, penitential, and turns our attention immediately to the promise of God that when we confess our sins, we are forgiven. This is God’s promise to us, and it is abiding and true.

Some of us grow in grace on the ski slopes. Joy in God's creation!

The Sundays after Epiphany are characterized by green vestments and altar hangings. It is the in-between time, as we have celebrated Christmas and the Incarnation of Christ among us, and round the corner towards the Lenten season. This in-between time is not fallow though – quite the contrary. The readings are focused on the calling of the disciples and Jesus’ ministry (Gospel readings) and various readings about and by the prophets (Old Testament readings.)

The green color represents for us a symbol of our growing faith – we have experienced God’s incarnate presence among us, and we hear the prophetic call of God to us in our lives. How do we already respond? How will we continue to respond in ever more deepening ways as we grow in the love and grace of God? We sink our roots deeply in the study of scripture, in prayer, and in serving the needs of the world around us. We send forth shoots of new growth as we reach forward to the new life God is always calling us into. Be curious, be blessed, be joyful at God’s work in your life, and in the lives of those around you.

Blessings, Andrea

The Coat Drive – when it really matters

Keeping little hands warm!

(from left) Andrea, Jerry, Jeane, Ann - We blessed the coats before delivering them.

During the summer and early fall, when it was still warm and sunny, Christ Church collected piles and piles of coats for the Interfaith Coat Drive – in which the Community Assistance Program provided much of the leadership. Thank you to Jeane Austin, Ann Spooner, Colleen Gilliam, and Jerry Williams, for calling us to action.

Sorting & stacking the coats for delivery

Thank you to the many members of Christ Church who bought coats, and donated their unused coats, hats, and mittens. This week, as there is such cold weather, your faith in action is appreciated by so many families and children who can play, walk, work, and stay warm in the snow.

"Henry - let your light so shine..."

On Christmas Eve we baptized Henry. We received him into a huge family, which has promised to care for and nurture him. At our baptisms, a candle is presented, usually lit from the Paschal Candle. We lit his baptism candle from the Christ candle in the Advent Wreath. As I presented him with this light, I said “Henry, you are the light of the world. Let your light so shine, that others will see it and know the love and power of God.” He already knows exactly what that means.

We close our service on Christmas Eve by singing together Silent Night, holding candles. Everyone’s face is glowing with the lovely light. You looked like angels. Thank you for that moment.

The Gospel Story -

One of my favorite moments from Christmas Day was at the Gospel, when little Capella came to me and listened with all her heart. She held my robes, and looked up at me, and listened to the story. Capella was teaching us all how to listen,  how to go to the center of it all and hang on tight. Thank you, Capella, and thank you Wendy and Duncan for being in our lives!

Welcome Home to Christ Church!

Sunday Schedule - 

9:00 a.m. – Coffee & Snacks are out, conversation and preparation

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist  – with special music by our church members. Listen for preaching and teaching which is engaging and thought provoking, experience moments of silent prayer in community, watch for a blessing.  

We invite you to our home church – You will find people here who genuinely care for one another, and who gather for worship each week. We are very much like a family – many different ages and stages, personalities and quirks. We strive for authentic prayer, inspiring preaching, and worship in the Anglican/Episcopal tradition. We have several artists here, and you’ll see evidence of that in our banners and some of our stained glass windows.

Come as you are …  and Welcome Home.

We are located at 4th and Boblett, in Blaine, WA

Contact: 360-332-4113 emailatchristchurchblaine@gmail.com