Epiphany I at Christ Church 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Sunday School, Adult Forum, and all other formation classes resume this Sunday. Collect for Today: Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly conf

I give great thanks to God for the New Year and for each of you, my beloved and faithful parishioners.  I offer thanks to you for the many ways in which you bless this community of faith with your faithfulness. I give thanks to God for the opportunity of serving you and for beginning this new year with you. My heart always burns with love for you and for walking alongside you in faith, and I am grateful for the positive energy that abounds here at Christ Church. Each new year

Help Grassroots by Providing Food for the Homeless on Monday, Jan. 12 On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church serves a hot midday meal at the Day Resource Center (DRC) that is operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center . A team led by Outreach member Shahra Toth makes side dishes and desserts that we serve in person after car-pooling to the Leola Dorsey Center in Jessup. To help on Monday, Jan. 12, please check our DRC online signup form , which describes

Christmas II at Christ Church 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Sunday School, Adult Forum, and all other formation classes are off this Sunday, and will return next weekend, on January 11, 2026. Collect for Today: O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humani

Join seekers of a deeper relationship with the Divine at the 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment. CSN offers free experiences for the community that engage the mind, body, and spirit by offering safe spaces to explore an array of opportunities for spiritual growth. This special gathering is for anyone interested in spiritual nourishment, regardless of religious affiliation or spiritual beliefs. Come for one session or the entire morning; our tentative schedule is be

We all know that it's the time of year when we make New Year's resolutions - and we also know how difficult it can be to maintain them - so let's try and make it a little easier to do so. Jane Adams, Christ Church parishioner and certified instructor, will be teaching a basic exercise class at Christ Church this month, a way to comfortably and safely get your body accustomed to a path of fitness and good health. She will provide resistance bands and all other accessories need

Happy New Year, to everyone both near and far! Let us enter this new year with the love that God has given to us, and pray that God’s steadfast love and faithfulness sustain us as we carry out Christ Church's 2026 Spiritual Life Theme - "Building Relationships through LOVE"   #buildingrelationships   #episcomd   #hocomd   #episcopalchurch   #Godslove   #ourlove   #helpothers

Christ Church Helps Disabled Residents of Philip’s House in Uganda Gain Christmas Cheer, a Brighter New Year Christ Church continues to support the disabled residents of Philip’s House, which operates on such a tight budget that its Christmas celebration would have been impossible without your generosity. Thank you! The Outreach Commission in November approved sending $800 of Vestry-approved funds to support the home in Kampala, Uganda. Of these funds, $500 was designated for

Happy New Year! The first worship at Christ Church in 2026 takes place in New Brick at 10:00 a.m., so gather with us in person or online this Thursday, January 1, 2026. The service leaflet can be found at https://cecliturgy.org/TheHolyName2026 .

Christmas I at Christ Church 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Sunday School, Adult Forum, and all other formation classes are off this Sunday, and will return next weekend, on January 8, 2026. Collect for Today: Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord,

With Christmas around the corner, these beautiful Advent poems written by parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, have taken on even more wonderful significance and provided power over the entire season. Thank you for being so willing to share your art with us, Pam. You can find all of them on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you have found them restorative, comforting, and inspirational throughout this Advent season. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd  

It's been two thousand years since the night that shepherds watched their flocks and an angel appeared to them with the message of the good news of a Savior’s birth. It's been over two thousand years since God directly intervened in human history, with majesty and mystery. The world since then has been daily transformed by ordinary people who have felt themselves transformed and their lives saved by the good news of Jesus Christ. The gospel’s joy rests in the fact that each a

Christmas Eve, 2025 Building Relationships Through Love. Rev. Emmanuel Mercer      “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.” John’s prologue is so beautiful and awe-inspiring. I get chills whenever I read that text because it points to the beginning of everything.      Its beauty rests, first in the poetry and second, the mystery that it evokes. The poetry gives us the chance to a

Christ Church on Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Pageant at 4:00 p.m. in New Brick Holy Eucharist at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. in the New Brick Sanctuary and via the CEC website , Facebook, and YouTube Our incredible youth are featured in the 4:00 Christmas Eve worship, a family service that includes a live Nativity. They each have a role and began rehearsals, so join us on Wednesday afternoon, December 24th, to see their wonderful telling of this beautiful story. T

As we begin Christmas week, these beautiful Advent poems written by parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, take on more significance and power. You can view them on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

Christ Church Helps the Homeless by Donating to Grassroots, Buying Clothing to Replenish the Shelves at Its Day Resource Center Your generosity has eased the lives of our homeless neighbors, who rely on the food and clothing available at the Day Resource Center in Jessup. That is one of three sites operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center , which provides free, 24-hour behavioral health, crisis intervention, and homeless services. The Outreach Commission recent

Our incredible youth are featured in the 4:00 Christmas Eve worship, a family service that includes a live Nativity. They each have a role and began rehearsals, so join us on Wednesday afternoon, December 24th, to see their wonderful telling of this beautiful story. That evening, our extraordinary choir and instrumentalists will lead the seasonal music presentation before both uplifting services, so arrive at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. to grab great seats and join us as we celebrate

As we begin Christmas week, these beautiful Advent poems written by parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, take on more significance and power. You can view them on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

After worship this morning, our parish family got together and prepared Christ Church for Christmas - we call it "The Greening of the Church." Come and see the beautiful transformation for yourself, as we present our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in the New Brick Sanctuary later this afternoon. Christ Church presents this service each year, a truly remarkable gathering whose origins date back to the late 19th century in England. The glorious carols, anthems, and hymns a

As we begin Christmas week, these beautiful Advent poems written by parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, take on more significance and power. You can view them on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

As we begin Christmas week, these beautiful Advent poems written by parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, take on more significance and power. You can view them on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

As we approach Christmas week, these beautiful Advent poems written by parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, take on more significance and power. You can view them on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

As we approach Christmas week, these poems written by parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, take on more significance and power. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

Bridges’ Guilford House Gets a Facelift, and Christ Church Makes a Donation Volunteers from Christ Episcopal Church worked during several outings this fall to spiff up a townhouse that is owned by Bridges to Housing Stability . The Howard County property needed TLC inside and out. Known as Guilford House , it is the home of several returning citizens who have gotten their lives on track after incarceration. Bridges operates this transitional housing in partnership with the Ho

Parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

Christ Church will hold a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in New Brick, a truly wonderful gathering whose origins date back to the late 19th century in England. All are most welcome to join us in this celebration of glorious carols, anthems, and hymns led by our wonderful choir, interspersed with Bible passages. We will host a reception with beverages and hors d'oeuvres before the service, so come to the Narthex at 5:00. We will then enter the sanctuary at 6 p.m. for an e

Parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

Parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

Parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

Advent III at Christ Church 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Sunday School (Pageant Rehearsal), Adult Forum, and all other formation and fellowship gatherings take place this Sunday morning. Join us! Collect for Today: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us;

Parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

Gather with us this Saturday, December 13, as Mike Looney @mikelooney is ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons by the Diocese of Maryland! As a Seminarian at Christ Church for the past few years, Mike's been a vital part of our parish, and The Center for Spiritual Nourishment has now become a permanent part of our common life. It's been a true joy to witness Mike's walk firsthand, and now we get to celebrate with him as he takes this next step in his faith journey. We'll ga

Parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

This is part 2 of two; read part one here Sometime after he got his new gig, in another storm, Stuart saw a young woman stuck on the side of the road with a smoking engine and a frightful face. He pulled over. “I… I can’t pay you,” she whispered. Stuart smiled. “You don’t have to,” he said. “Just pass the kindness forward.” Because you never know whom you’re stopping for, and you never know whom you become the moment you decide to stop. That, to me, was such a powerful expres

Parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

Christ Church Sends Aid to Episcopal Relief & Development to Help Jamaica Cope in the Aftermath of Hurricane Melissa After Hurricane Melissa struck the Caribbean in late October as a powerful Category 5 storm, Jamaica is facing a long recovery process. A report by NPR that aired on Dec. 1 describes a town where not a single house survived. At its December meeting, the Outreach Commission approved a donation of $200 to Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD), which said in an o

Saint Nicholas, the third-century Bishop of Myra, serves as an example of living out service to Jesus Christ by showing God’s love to others through his protection of children, sailors, and all in trouble and need. St. Nicholas Day is traditionally celebrated on December 6, but since our Sunday services were the following day this year, Saint Nicholas took time out of his busy schedule to stop and say "Hello!" to our children at the 9 a.m. Family Worship. Mother Marcia and Ja

Parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

Parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

Parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

The weeks leading up to Christmas can be a pressured time, and frazzled nerves can cause us to get beside ourselves. In addition, the impact of losing a loved one has been felt by all of us at one time or another. To comfort us all, we encourage you to gather with us for our combination Taizé / Rosemary for Remembrance service, a worship that’s created to support those who have experienced loss this year, as well as those dealing with an added amount of strain or stress durin

Parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt, has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and we hope you find them restorative, comforting, and inspirational. We are so grateful for Pam and her willingness to share her art with us. #adventpoem   #poems   #episcomd   #hocomd   #poetrylovers   #poetry   #poetryislife   #poetryoftheday

Advent II at Christ Church 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Sunday School, Adult Forum, and all other formation and fellowship gatherings resume this Sunday morning. Join us! Collect for Today: Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the

During Advent at Christ Church this year, we have many ways - Morning Prayer livestreams, Evening Vespers livestreams, in-person and virtual fellowship gatherings, to name but a few - that you can celebrate this most blessed season. One such way is with our Poems for Advent, by Christ Church parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt. She has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, an

This past Saturday, we hosted a retreat for the confirmation class. Part of our conversation covered our covenantal relationship with God, identifying our unique gifts and the best possible ways that we could channel those gifts in service to God and neighbor. Before the retreat concluded, I shared my closing thoughts with the group. Those closing thoughts were the four things that I believe helps drive a meaningful and thriving life and faithful person. It isn’t about being

ADVENT QUIET DAY Presented by the Christ Church Spiritual Life Commission and led by The Rev. Timothy Grayson Saturday, Dec. 6, from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon in Old Brick Everyone is welcome to join us as Advent Quiet Day gathers in Old Brick this Saturday. This special Christ Church tradition marks the start of the Advent season and helps us to focus and retain our perspective in these hectic weeks leading up to Christmas. We are grateful to have the Rev. Timothy Grayson leadi

During Advent at Christ Church this year, we have many ways - Morning Prayer livestreams, Evening Vespers livestreams, in-person and virtual fellowship gatherings, to name but a few - that you can celebrate this most blessed season. One such way is with our Poems for Advent, by Christ Church parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt. She has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, an

During Advent at Christ Church this year, we have many ways - Morning Prayer livestreams, Evening Vespers livestreams, in-person and virtual fellowship gatherings, to name but a few - that you can celebrate this most blessed season. One such way is with our Poems for Advent, by Christ Church parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt. She has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, an