First Sunday after the Epiphany with the Rev. Emmanuel Ato Mercer 8:00 a.m. in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with music in New Brick 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 confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen . Today's Readings: Isaiah 43:1-7 Psalm 29 Acts 8:14-17 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Holy Eucharist Livestream: Our service livestream begins at approximately 10:20 a.m. this Sunday. The service leaflet for this worship service is here .

Sunday School, Christ Church's fun, friendly, and engaging gathering for children, begins immediately after 9:00 a.m. Children and Family Worship in New Brick, and they meet in the classrooms adjoining the Great Hall (lower level of New Brick). We also have an 8:00 worship in Old Brick and one with choir and music in New Brick at 10:30., plus a great adult discussion series called "Theology of Justice," a parenting group, and coffee hour fellowship. Learn about all of our Sunday morning gatherings at https://www.christchurchcolumbia.org/sundays If you would like to register your child for Sunday School, you can find the links at www.christchurchcolumbia.org/sunday-school , and if you have any questions, please email info@christchurchcolumbia.org and we'll be happy to help you. EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE. www.christchurchcolumbia.org

Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting on Monday, Jan. 13 Learn the many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, Jan. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope. The Zoom link is here , the Meeting ID is 892 6873 6183 , and the Passcode is Outreach! See you on Zoom! DreamBuilders Meeting - This Sunday Join us for the DreamBuilders General Meeting this Sunday, January 12th, at 3 p.m. at Temple Isaiah - Come hear about all the work we will be doing in 2025! We have a spring project with the ARC of Howard County in April, and we are talking with Bridges to Housing Stability about renovating one of their properties as soon as January! And we’ll be returning to Kentucky in June for another blitz build. We’ve got a great video to show off our 2024 Kentucky team, featuring our own Christ Church missioners, Jasmine, Alexander, and Kiona, along with their teammates. Help the Homeless on Monday, Jan. 13, by Preparing a Dish for Grassroots’ Emergency Shelter or Serving a Meal at Its Day Resource Center On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church provides a hot midday meal for the homeless at the Day Resource Center (DRC) and drops off dinner for 50 to 70 residents at its Emergency Shelter, formerly called the Live-In Facility. We last participated on Dec. 9 (see photos). Both are 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 DRC.   To join us on Monday, Jan. 13, please check our DRC online signup form , which describes the midday meal procedure. Drop-off time is 12:45 p.m. in the parking lot near Old Brick for DRC’s side dishes. Later, parishioners who cook or shop for the evening meal at Grassroots’ shelter arrive in the Old Brick parking lot between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. Get details in our Grassroots online signup form . Grassroots staff serves the evening meal. It’s efficient to provide for both venues on the same day. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried chicken entrees. Thank you!  Christ Church Donates $500 to Home of Our Own Howard To help formerly homeless families get a fresh start, the Outreach Commission in December approved sending $500 of Vestry-approved funds to support a nonprofit organization that works closely with several of our partners. Home of Our Own Howard, Inc. (HOOO) provides new or gently-used donated furniture and household items to families in need. For example, Bridges to Housing Stability collaborates with HOOO to equip clients as they achieve housing. The same furniture that recipients welcome can also be a burden to residents who must downsize; the Outreach Commission has referred parishioners to HOOO as they cope with that process.   The organization expressed gratitude and described plans to put the donation to good use. HOOO’s goal is to enhance the comfort, dignity, and quality of life of residents in transition to permanent housing. Most items are donated, but some things, such as mattresses, are purchased directly. In addition, HOOO currently utilizes a space that has been lent to the organization but envisions operating from its own warehouse to have a bigger impact in the community.   “Words really can’t express how grateful I am for Christ Episcopal Church’s generosity,” wrote HOOO Vice President Moses Matthews. The funds were derived from parishioners' contributions to Christ Church. Thank you to everyone who made this donation possible!  CCC Calls for Translators, Shoppers and More in the New Year Columbia Community Care (CCC) has called for volunteers at its distribution sites and for translators and “shoppers” at its pantry in the Long Reach Village Center. A fter a holiday break. home delivery resumed on Jan. 3 to those without transportation. A shopper fulfills their grocery lists at the CCC pantry, located at Suite 107, 8775 Cloudleap Ct. , and then delivers goods to the recipients’ homes. To volunteer, go to “ Volunteer Opportunities .”   Those who need help are urged to go to “Get Help” on CCC’s website.   Please keep collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Our point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bin and delivers its contents. FISH Asks for Volunteers As Well as Groceries and Toiletries in its Bin and Basket  FISH of Howard County is calling for new volunteers. If you are interested, ask parishioner Andy DeLong, who is FISH treasurer and a newly-elected board member of the nonprofit, which provides committed support to Howard County residents. Please continue to put non-perishable foods and toiletries in the FISH basket at the altar or in the marked yellow bin on the breezeway between Old Brick and Parish Hall. The neighbors you help are grateful for all you do in their support. Lake Elkhorn Middle School Kindness Pantry for January It's been humbling to see the number of you who have volunteered to assist with the new LEMS Kindness Pantry. Thank you! We only need a few more contributions for the next Lake Elkhorn Middle School Kindness Pantry on Monday, January 13, between 2 and 4:00 p.m. As you know, struggling families are in greater need during the winter. In December, we had very few items left by the end of the two hours the pantry was open. There were families from all backgrounds, including a family from Afghanistan who had only been in the US for a week. There is a blue bin in the New Brick Narthex where you can contribute. The list of items has changed from last month, so please click on the Sign Up Genius link below and put your name next to the items you would like to give. We need your contributions by Sunday, January 12, at the very latest. Visit  our SignUp Genius list  for all the details. Thank you so much for your generosity! Let Cathy Whittaker know if you have questions - lems@christchurchcolumbia.org Sutton Scholars Fundraiser at TopGolf - February 20 Join the Board of  Sutton Scholars for a fundraiser partnering with TopGolf in Baltimore. The Sutton Scholars High School Enrichment Program helps Baltimore City high school students become confident, competent, and capable contributors to their communities by equipping them with the life skills that are essential for academic, workplace, and personal success. Whether you are a golf aficionado or want to have a fun night out with friends, we invite you to gather at TopGolf on Thursday, February 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Learn more here . MOCC School Fundraiser Christian Beginnings Preschool is a Christ-centered and ADW-approved preschool that is fully accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education. They offer classes for three- and four-year-olds (pre-K) during the school year. Their philosophy is that our students will begin to see God in their world and in others while learning and playing in a joyous Christian setting. The school offers a Christian foundation with an emphasis on kindness, caring, and seeing & sharing the love of God in many ways. This school was established in 1996 by Ed Chrzanowski’s mother, Marie Rose Chrzanowski. CBP continues as an amazing learning experience for the children of the St. John Vianney Catholic Church community and serves as a testament to her memory. The MOCC are asking the Christ Church family to help us support our brother Ed, and honor his mother’s memory by making a contribution to the continued mission of this amazing program. The goal is to make a donation in Rose’s name to the preschool. We will be collecting donations for the next few months, and they canbe made by using Realm (choose "Men of Christ Church" in the FUND dropdown and write "preschool fundraiser" in the memo line) or by check. The MOCC thanks everyone in advance for their generosity as we look to provide a token of gratitude for the legacy of a wonderful soul and educator. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Duane Smith at mocc@christchurchcolumbia.org In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org . Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.

FIRST WEDNESDAY FELLOWSHIP Tonight, January 8 6 p.m. in New Brick The very first FWF of 2025 contains food to warm the insides and a game to warm the heart! Please bring soup, salad, or a dessert to share, and be sure to bring a baby photo of yourself for a little game and fun times for everyone! See you there!

As we reflect on the importance of Epiphany, Christ Church Sunday Circle will explore the Theology of Justice. Beginning next Sunday, January 12th in Old Brick, we will examine how some African American Civil Rights leaders have approached the justice issue. We are glad that Professor Arthur Sutherland, a scholar at Loyola University will be leading three classes. Our Deacon postulant will conclude our series with a class on Jesus and the Justice of God. January 12: W.E.B. DuBois - Prof. Arthur Sutherland January 19: MLK - Prof. Arthur Sutherland January 26: Howard Thurman - Prof. Arthur Sutherland February 2: Jesus and the Justice of God - Rebecca Warlow

Center for Spiritual Nourishment 2nd Saturday of each month Start the new year among seekers of a deeper relationship with the Divine at the 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment. The 2nd Saturday CSN offers experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit by offering safe spaces to explore an array of opportunities for spiritual growth. The CSN is for anyone interested in spiritual nourishment, regardless of religious affiliation or spiritual beliefs. Come for one session or the entire morning. Join us this Saturday, January 11th as we offer: Drawn to God: Praying through Art led by Jenn Todd Lavanish God gave everyone a gift - a special aptitude, ability, power or talent. And gifts are meant to be an act. Drawn to God is a place for spiritual nourishment through the practice of creating ways to engage with God. This is a short session of fellowship in process oriented art projects - art as prayer, and prayer as art. No matter what gifts or talents you bring, you will be inspired to become a maker - and to enjoy a moment of creative flow. Plus, it is just fun to make things! After all, the joy is in the journey, and your creation is your reward. There are two sessions; join us for one, or both. Contemplative Meditation led by Leah Chrest Discover the desire God has to commune with us and how to inwardly attune ourselves to the Spirit's voice.  Learn (briefly) about the history of contemplative Christianity, study the power of breathwork, be led through guided visualizations, become proficient in multiple techniques for stilling the mind, and practice drawing focus into your heart center.  In a mixture of teaching, discussion, and practice, strengthen your ability to engage in the equally important side of the conversation with God--if prayer is talking to the Lord, meditation is listening to God’s voice, and being changed by God’s presence. There are two sessions; join us for one, or both. Yoga led by Jane Adams The word yoga means union. Yoga is a centuries-old sacred practice for integrating and unifying body, mind, soul, and spirit and involves the entire person. There is often breathwork and meditation, along with physical asanas or movements. This yoga practice will be customized to meet the needs of the practitioners who show up. If students prefer, they may practice seated in a chair. Yoga class will take place in the sanctuary. Unlocking the Mystery of Life film screening and discussion hosted by George Toth We shall explore the coincidental wonders of our little planet within the wondrous cosmos and present some intriguing evidence of intelligent design and purpose in the movie “Priviledged Planet”.  Question how the extraordinary is possible: accident or guided.  Learn about some extraordinary coincidences that point to God, and consequently allow us to say "There are NO coincidences" without violating any aspect of Free Will. Spiritual Direction by Andrea Noel In this spiritual discernment and direction group we will practice listening deeply to each other using prompts from scripture, poetry, nature, and our bodies. These practices are designed to help us notice and respond to the voice of the Holy moving in our lives. There are two sessions; join us for one, or both. Sacred Calm: How Polyvagal Theory Deepens Spiritual Connection led by George Lovera and Jack Mangold Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, reveals how our nervous system drives our feelings of safety and connection, influencing everything from calm to stress responses. In spiritual practice, this understanding can transform how we experience faith. By engaging in prayer, meditation, and vibrant communal worship, we can intentionally calm our nervous system, deepen our sense of belonging, and open ourselves to the sacred in new and powerful ways. George Lovera, MAT and Jack Mangold, LCSW-C, will be hosting this interactive, informative, and fun presentation. There are two sessions; join us for one, or both. Have Questions? Wish to Help Lead Future CSN Sessions?

Second Sunday after Christmas with the Rev. Emmanuel Ato Mercer 8:00 a.m. in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with music in New Brick Collect for Today: Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen . Today's Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-14 Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a Luke 2:41-52 Psalm 84 Sermon for Today: Father Manny delivers today's sermon, and you can view it once the 10:30 worship has begun. Holy Eucharist Livestream: Our service livestream begins at approximately 10:20 a.m. this Sunday. The service leaflet for this worship service is here .

A few days ago, we lost an illustrious son of the land - President Jimmy Carter. Although the passing of the former president was not, in itself, a surprise to many, it still was a surprise. Humans like you and me like to hold on to life. Life is so important to us that we want to hold on to life. And it often does not matter the cost involved. We know we miss our loved ones who pass away, but we all hate the idea of losing a loved one, even when we believe that the deceased will be in a better place. Many, many of us have experienced varying degrees of loss throughout the year. Some of these losses may have been unimaginable. Some may have been tolerable. But whatever the nature of the loss may have been, it is a loss, nonetheless, and it cuts through our core. I shared a few months ago about my experience with a cousin who passed away in Dubai. My brother who serves as a Member of Parliament lost his re-election. These are but a couple of significant losses of the past year. As a community of faith, we have also had some losses. One of our biggest losses is Deacon Denise, when she was transferred to St. Peter’s. We lost Ed and Nicole, who had to relocate to Ohio. We lost Mike, who had to be focused more on his internship at Anne Arundel Medical Center, and we lost Aisha, which was also a big loss to us. We also lost a few of our parishioners, many of whom have been a part of this community for years. I cannot begin to name the many losses that some of you have had to go through over the past year. I know some of us are still dealing with the effects of those losses. I am sure of this: that it is never easy to go through a loss, and I wouldn’t pretend to know how you feel. I can feel an ache like everyone else, but since I do not know how your ache feels, I can sympathize with you feel because I have felt an ache before, and I still ache over the personal losses of the past year. Our lives are such that there has never been a year where we found a perfect solution to all of our problems. To quote a New Zealand prayer, ‘what has been done, has been done, what has not been done has not been done, let it be.’ Each year leaves us with work done and work left undone. Each year offers us the opportunity to thank God for things and to pray to God for things. There will be things to sing about and things to cry about - that’s the nature of our story with God. I may not know what your struggles are, what your hopes for the New Year are, and what you desire for yourself and your loved ones. But there’s no doubt that a new year is like a sunrise in our lives. And similar to a line in a New Zealand prayer that I offer at every Vestry Meeting, each new day comes with new possibilities, and a new year offers us new possibilities.  Whatever the challenges of the past year may have been, one thing we know is that we cannot change the past. During my sabbatical, one of the books I read was The Courage To Be Disliked . It is a pretty interesting book, and I learned a lot from it. This is what the authors, Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga, write about the past: "Regardless of what happened in the past, it is the meaning that is attributed to it that determines the way someone’s present will be." The authors go on to write: "Life isn’t just hard. If the past determined everything and couldn’t be changed, we who are living today would no longer be able to take effective steps forward in our lives." But a new day marks a new sunrise for us, and waking up to see the sunrise means we have one more chance to make the changes that we can for the sake of the future. It is out of this conviction - that we ought to embrace new opportunities that help us move forward, and reject those things which will hold us back, take us back, or situate us in the dark chains of a past we cannot control - that I honor President Carter. There’s so much that we know and have come to appreciate about President Jimmy Carter. As painful and disappointing as losing his re-election may have been for him, he didn’t see himself constrained by the events of the past. Instead, he embraced the possibilities of a new day - the sunrise that opens the window to all that is possible. President Carter channeled his energy in serving the marginalized, both within this country and beyond. I imagine that at the back of his mind was this thought by Pablo Picasso: The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. And boy, did he do that! He gave, and gave, and gave, and gave. And he gave joyfully because the God he served, the God who proffers meaning to our lives and motivates us to embrace our purpose, loves a cheerful giver. He was a cheerful giver. And any cheerful giver knows all too well that whatever gift he or she possesses is meant to be given away.  President Carter said so many things but the one thing that in my mind captures his life is this: “Earlier in my life, I thought the things that mattered were the things that you could see, like your car, your house, your wealth, your property, your office. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve become convinced that the things that matter most are the things that you can’t see-the love you share with others, your inner purpose, your comfort with who you are.” As we celebrate the life of President Carter and bid farewell to a man who exemplified new beginnings, I am thankful that a new year marks a new beginning for all of us. Truth is, we can never change the past, but by the grace of God, we can change the future because we dare to embrace new beginnings. And so, with the gift of humility and gratitude, with prayers of hope, with faith and love, with the spirit of compassion and grace, and with a heart of fairness and justice, we will embrace the sunrise of a new day and a new year - because we know and believe that human possibilities are endless if we hold on to these gifts. More than the endless possibilities, God comes to us and assures us, I am El Shaddai - the God who will bring our possibilities to life.  My beloved, I wish you and yours a very Happy New Year! Manny+

Christ Church Provides Warm Coats for Kids at St. Luke's Youth Center On Dec. 7, representatives of Christ Church attended Christmas festivities for St. Luke’s Youth Center ( SLYC ), whose leaders shared the assessment that many children lacked suitable coats as winter approached. The Outreach Commission responded by committing to supply the West Baltimore youth with 37 coats, ranging in size from Toddler to Men’s X-Large. We faced a quick turnaround, given the need to outfit SLYC students by the time they would return to school after the holiday break. Outreach member Dione Mahoney volunteered to shop at local thrift stores, and others added a few coats. The purchases cost $328, drawn from Vestry-approved Outreach funds that come from your contributions to Christ Church.   On Dec. 14, Outreach member Michon Semon delivered the coats to SLYC, which is a collaborative of West Baltimore families who together provide youth with critical resources, life-enriching experiences, and a safety net of support. Engagement Coordinator Darlene “Grandma” Clark wrote: “T he members of Christ Church have truly shown to be a blessing to SLYC’s families. We are so grateful to you for your warmth, support, and love. The kids can’t say thank you enough!” Christ Church Helps Disabled Young Adults and Children at 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. The Outreach Commission in October approved sending $500 of Vestry-approved funds to support the home for young adults and several children in Kampala, Uganda. Thank you!   The Philip’s House’ founder, Jan Smart, is a friend and colleague of parishioners Teddy and Sonni Aribiah. Jan established the home as a memorial to her late brother, Philip, who was disabled. It is located on the grounds of an orphanage where Teddy grew up and that she visited this fall, spending time with Philip’s House residents (see photos).   During the pandemic, Christ Church made a strategic contribution of $1,770 that helps residents to this day. It was Summer 2020, when lockdowns had threatened a reliable food supply. Staff members used our funds to build a sturdy garden fence. Ever since, they no longer fear losing their home-grown produce to theft or animals.   Teddy and Sonni continue to update us about developments at Philip’s House, whose operations are overseen by the Hoffman Family Foundation . A t its December meeting , the Outreach Commission learned about progress at an in-house clinic that Christ Church supported last year. It is run by a pharmacist whose education was made possible by his sponsor, Jan, the Philip’s House founder. Lake Elkhorn Middle School Kindness Pantry for January One of the greatest joys in 2024 was partnering with many of you and the teachers and staff at Elkhorn Middle School to provide students and their families with support to grow socially and academically. There is tremendous need but there also are tremendous opportunities to help our local community. In 2024, we provided school supplies and backpacks, prizes for their Positive Behavior Program, snacks and awards for their Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, hats and gloves for students, a car seat for a newborn, and food for the Kindness Pantry, which we are staffing monthly. We still need contributions for the next Lake Elkhorn Middle School Kindness Pantry on Monday, January 13, between 2 and 4:00 p.m. As you know, struggling families are in greater need during the winter. In December, we had very few items left by the end of the two hours the pantry was open. There were families from all backgrounds, including a family from Afghanistan who had only been in the US for a week. There is a blue bin in the New Brick Narthex where you can contribute. The list of items has changed from last month, so please click on the Sign Up Genius link below and put your name next to the items you would like to give. We need your contributions by Sunday, January 12, at the very latest. Visit our SignUp Genius list for all the details. Thank you so much for your generosity! Let Cathy Whittaker know if you have questions - lems@christchurchcolumbia.org  Across the Miles: Seize the Opportunity to Sponsor a Ugandan Student Leaders of the nonprofit, Friends of Sabina (FOS), are seeking sponsors for three teenage girls who excel academically and in dance or sports. The students are Marion Gift Nabwami, 14, Leticia Joy Nazziwa, 14, and Allen Nakasozi, 16. Read about their aspirations in the Outreach Blog of Dec. 26, 2024 . Full or half sponsorships are available for each student, who se families cannot afford their schooling. For information, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org . Columbia Community Care To Reopen After a Holiday Break Columbia Community Care (CCC) will gear up after its holiday break to reopen its pantry and all distribution sites on Saturday, Jan. 4. Those who need help are urged to go to “Get Help” on CCC’s website. To volunteer, go to “ Volunteer Opportunities . ”   Please keep collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Our point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bin and delivers its contents. FISH Asks for Volunteers As Well as Groceries and Toiletries in its Bin and Basket  FISH of Howard County is calling for new volunteers. If you are interested, ask parishioner Andy DeLong, who is FISH treasurer and a newly-elected board member of the nonprofit, which provides committed support to Howard County residents. Please continue to put non-perishable foods and toiletries in the FISH basket at the altar or in the marked yellow bin on the breezeway between Old Brick and Parish Hall. The neighbors you help are grateful for all you do in their support. DreamBuilders Has a Few Upcoming Events in 2025 Join us for our General Meeting on Sunday, January 12th, at 3 p.m. at Temple Isaiah - Come hear about all the work we will be doing in 2025! We have a spring project with the ARC of Howard County in April, and we are talking with Bridges to Housing Stability about renovating one of their properties as soon as January! And we’ll be returning to Kentucky in June for another blitz build. We’ve got a great video to show of our 2024 Kentucky team, featuring our own Christ Church missioners, Jasmine, Alexander and Kiona along withl their team mates.    And mark your calendars! The annual DreamBuilders Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction will take place on Saturday, March 8th at Temple Isaiah. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we’re going to need your help! We will be organizing donations for the silent auction soon. Blitz Builds are expensive, as we fund building materials as well as housing, food and transportation for our missioners.    To learn more, visit https://dreambuildersmd.org/ Sutton Scholars Fundraiser at TopGolf - February 20, 2025 Join the Board of  Sutton Scholars for a fundraiser partnering with TopGolf in Baltimore. The Sutton Scholars High School Enrichment Program helps Baltimore City high school students become confident, competent, and capable contributors to their communities by equipping them with the life skills that are essential for academic, workplace, and personal success. Whether you are a golf aficionado or want to have a fun night out with friends, we invite you to gather at TopGolf on Thursday, February 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Learn more here . In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org . Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.

The first Eucharist of 2025 takes place Wednesday morning at 10:00 in New Brick. Everyone is welcome to gather with us as we give thanks for the past year while praying for a peaceful, healthy, and happy new year for all in 2025. If you can't be with us, worship will be livestreamed below, and the service leaflet can be found here .

First Sunday after Christmas with the Rev. Emmanuel Ato Mercer 8:00 a.m. in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with music in New Brick Collect for Today: Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen . Today's Readings: Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 John 1:1-18 Psalm 147 Sermon for Today: Rebecca Warlow delivers today's sermon, and you can view it once the 10:30 worship has begun. Holy Eucharist Livestream: Our service livestream begins at approximately 10:20 a.m. this Sunday. The service leaflet for this worship service is here .