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 appreciate the beauty and power of language and how carefully crafted words can inspire us, renew us and lift us up, taking us to places we never thought possible and making us yearn for something new and different, a new beginning if you will.      The mystery lies in John’s claim that God’s self-communication, the Word which was in the beginning with God, and through which God created the world, has now come to live among us as a human being-how extraordinary is that?       Two things worth pointing out: First - The way God created the world was by speaking creation into being. Second - When God speaks; stuff happens.      The good news is, when God speaks into the mess void of our often disordered lives, new creation emerges-a new creation which gives meaning and substance to our daily experience with God and others.      For those of us who may not know, the Greek word for word is logos, from which we get the word logic. Greek philosophers in antiquity spent time talking about the logos of things or the logic of things. To know the logos of something is to know why those things exist.  And unless you understand the reason why something exists, you are going to have problems with it. Take your microwave for instance. We all know that microwaves are for warming food, thawing fish or meat or for some simple cooking, like oatmeal.      To understand the use of the microwave is to know that you cannot use it as a rice cooker-no matter how much time you put rice in a microwave, it cannot cook your rice for you. To know the logic of something is to know why it exists, the reason behind its existence.           The Greek philosophers at the time when John wrote his gospel believed that human beings had a logos-in other words human beings had a reason for their existence. But it is only when you can discern that logos through philosophical reasoning, and apply yourself to that logic can your life go well.        It was within this society of varying degrees of philosophies that John changed human thought by saying, for the very first time that there is a reason for your life, there is something you should be living for. And it is not an abstract principle discernible through philosophical means, but it is through a person that you can come to know and love-Jesus Christ. It is through a relationship of love with Jesus Christ. And this Jesus made his home with us and lived among us.      The word that John used for lived is tabernacle-Jesus became a tabernacle in our midst. This idea takes us back to Exodus 40-when Moses and Aaron made a tabernacle in the wilderness, where presence of the glorious living God rested within the tabernacle. To see the tabernacle was to acknowledge the presence of God. This image represents the essence of Jesus presence among us.        The point of the incarnation then is, since it is the creator of the world who made us for himself, and has pitched his tent among us, it is only when we know and love him that we would be aligning with our logos, it is only when we know and love him that we would know the logic of our existence.      And at no time of the year does this revelation come alive than at Christmas. Christmas reminds us that the incarnate God who pitched his tent in our midst, in spite of who we are did so because of love. And it is only the gift of love that can help us unravel the mystery of the incarnation. It is only the gift of love that can help us understand the beginning of everything.      The incarnation is the beginning of everything and it embraces the idea of love that comes alive because of presence. If you love someone, the greatest gift you can offer is your presence. If you are not present, how can you prove your love? Here’s a meaningful declaration when you are in love ‘Darling, I am here for you.’ Your presence is as important and essential and that cannot be bought with money. Christmas reminds us that God proved God’s love with God’s presence.      Do you know what your logos or logic is? Sometimes we confuse our logic or logos with our jobs. But your logos or logic isn’t your job. You are not your job. Your logos or your logic is to make creation anew every day. Your logic is to partner with God to renew God’s creation every day. And the beauty is, you can use your job to make creation anew.        Here’s a story for you. Gillian Lynne is one of the famous ballerinas in England. Gillain is a dancer but long before she became a dancer, she struggled in school, so her mother, took her to the doctor and explained about her fidgeting and lack of focus.      Upon listening to the mother, the doctor told Gillian that he needed to talk to her mother privately. He turned on the radio and walked out. He then encouraged Gillian’s mother to look at Gillian, who was dancing to the radio. The doctor told the mother that she was a dancer and encouraged her to take her to a dance school.      That was the beginning of everything for Gillian. A discovery that made creation new for her and all who loved her. Who is it that said that God cannot begin again or begin anew with us? Who is it that said a new creation isn’t possible, that the beginning of everything isn’t possible. Remember, with God all this are possible. And like Gillian, a new beginning awaits all of us because Christ is born tonight.      Miss Dixie asked her Sunday school class to draw pictures of their favorite Bible stories, She was puzzled by Larry’s picture of four people on an airplane, so she asked Larry, which story are you illustrating? “Oh, that’s Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus on their flight to Egypt.” But who’s the fourth person, Larry? Asked Ms. Dixie. “Oh, that’s Pontius the Pilot.”      To say that God is with us is to say that God stepped into our humanity so that we might step into his divinity. It means that God is not a distant deity but a God who draws near to us-shares our joys, our sorrows, our ups and our downs, who opens heaven to earth and earth to heaven. This is the beauty of the incarnation-the invisible God made visible through the birth of a fragile baby and who speaks the word into our silence and inspires us to make creation anew every single day.      Oscar Wilde, an Irish poet once wrote these words “You don’t have to love someone for their looks or their clothes or for the fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear.” The song that I hear is one of a king, a priest and a prophet who loves you and I unconditionally, came into our world as a baby, made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf and empowers us to sacrifice, to make room, to let love overflow in our lives and to bring to life the glory that lives in us.      May you hear the song that invites you into God’s deeper relationship of humble obedience, joy, peace and love. A song that ushers in the new beginnings that we know is possible. Merry Christmas, my beloved. May this night be the beginning of everything for you. Amen.

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 .

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 confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17 Psalm 29 Sermon for This Sunday: Parishioner Leah Chrest delivers today's sermon, and you can view it in the video below once the service starts. Leah is also part of the leadership team at the Center for Spiritual Nourishment, and you can learn about the CSN here . Leah's sermon text can also be read here . Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins at approximately 10:20 a.m. this Sunday. The service leaflet for this worship service is here .

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, month, week, and day brings its own challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, challenges can be life-transforming; they shape us, as someone once said: "Stay with the discomfort; that’s where true transformation comes from." Opportunities, on the other hand, open a different window for us; they offer us a view that helps us develop a perspective, and they also reveal our true character - what we are made of, and to an extent, what we worship.  With our best efforts, we handle those challenges and opportunities. But we do so bearing in mind that although there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to the challenges and opportunities that life presents to us, there is one source from which springs forth wisdom, faith, determination, perseverance, and courage to handle both the challenges and opportunities that come our way.  I have no doubt that there is one source that opens our eyes to the opportunities that come our way and teaches us the best way to take advantage of them in the service of the greater good. It is that one source that generates within us the strength to embrace challenges and even find the silver lining in them.  To acknowledge this source is to reject these substitutes for God - wealth, power, pleasure, and honor. For some of us, these are the gods we have built for ourselves because they provide us with some latitude and control over them. But there’s no way we can serve these gods and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus, in one of his admonitions, said this: "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot worship God and money." This is the highest test of our loyalty, and our choices betray our faithfulness.  The question "What do you worship?" arises because we can tell a great deal about a person from what they worship or where their loyalty lies.  Romano Guardini, in his book The Lord , writes about wrestling with Christmas. One day, he was standing at the manger, looking intently at it and trying to understand why: "Why did God do this?" An older person who stood nearby and overheard him responded, "Well, because love does things like that." You and I may never understand why the God who needs nothing from us, and has no lack, would decide to become a human being. Think about the depth of love that we have been loved by this God, that this God would decide to do something like that for you and for me. While I admire the love symbolized by the baby in the manger, we are not only supposed to look at it but also to ask, "What do you want from me? What is the gift that we can give in return for this love?" To ask these questions is to reflect on your faithfulness. For what would be the gain if you embrace the gift from the manger, but miss the salvation that Jesus offers?  There’s a story of a monk who was teaching his students about enlightenment. He gave them a hypothetical: "If you are holding a cup of coffee and someone bumps into you and you spill the coffee, why did you spill the coffee?" The entire class answered, "Because someone bumped into me." "No," said the monk, "You spilled the coffee because there was coffee in your cup - that was what you were carrying. Had you been carrying tea in your cup, you would have spilled tea. Whatever you carry is what you will spill out." Life, I am afraid, is the same way. When life shakes you - which it will - whatever you are carrying inside of you will spill out of you. If you are carrying anger, fear, hatred, bigotry, pride, and a host of vices, that is what will spill out. But if you are carrying compassion, love, empathy, kindness, grace, authenticity, and a host of virtues, then that is what will spill out of you. The point is this: It has to do with what is inside of you. And for me, the good news is that this is primarily determined by what you worship. As we begin this new year, what comes to mind are not only the values I carry, but also who brings them to life and gives them meaning. So then, whether it is I who carries them or you who carries them, we can insist on their relevance and power in every situation of our lives. It is for this reason that, despite all the challenges in our world and in our individual lives, I remain hopeful.  And this hope is grounded in the faithfulness and trustworthiness of the one whom I worship.  If there is some joy to be found in all of this, it is the joy of knowing that the only gift worthy of all that I am and you are, all that I will be and you will be, and all that we have, is the gift of our salvation which lies softly in a lowly manger, surrounded by God’s creatures of cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, ox, donkeys, camels, chickens among others. Here’s a poem for you. It was written by Edward Everett Hale:  I cannot do everything,  but still can do something. And because I cannot  Do everything  I will not refuse to do  The something that I can do. Each of us can do something. And the least that we can do is to honor each moment of our lives with a choice that honors the God who comes to us in the most unusual way, in the form of a baby. And then invites us to offer what we have.  Surprisingly, all that God asks of us is a grateful heart. This year will be a great year because we can turn our hearts in faithfulness to the God who knows each of us by name and invites our loyal worship. To the God who reveals the self to us in the form of a baby, to this God be praise, glory, honor, and thanksgiving. Happy New Year. Manny+

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 the procedure. Drop-off time is 12:45 p.m. in the parking lot near Old Brick for DRC’s side dishes. We last participated on Dec. 8 (see photos). Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entree. Thank you! During the winter months, Christ Church has paused our previous delivery of an evening meal at the Grassroots Emergency Shelter. Other congregations involved in the Code Blue and Cold Weather Shelter programs are handling those duties instead. Mark your calendars: Our next date for an evening meal drop-off and delivery of dishes will be Monday, April 13. If you want to plan ahead, go to our Grassroots online signup form . Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting next Monday, January 12 Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting next Monday, Jan. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission addresses many areas of need and spans local, national, and international levels. It's a tough time for many individuals and families, so if you feel called to assist in any way, we can help get you started with a ministry that speaks to you. We hope you'll join us for a brief time next Monday evening. Email us for the Zoom link - outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org . Christ Church Provides Warm Coats for Kids at St. Luke's Youth Center On Dec. 6, representatives of Christ Church attended Christmas festivities for St. Luke’s Youth Center ( SLYC ) in what has become a holiday tradition. And in a related tradition, we arranged to once again provide warm coats for children who lacked suitable outerwear as winter approached.   On Dec. 8, Outreach Commission member Michon Semon delivered 39 coats for the West Baltimore youth, including one in an infant size. Outreach member Dione Mahoney had volunteered to shop local thrift stores and others added a few gently-used coats for girls and boys. The purchases cost $321, drawn from Vestry-approved Outreach funds that come from your contributions to Christ Church. Thanks to you, SLYC students were all set to return to school after the holiday break.   “The members of Christ Church have truly shown to be a blessing to SLYC,” wrote Program Director Danny Simmons. She, along with Engagement Coordinator Darlene “Grandma” Clark, received the coats. It was Clark who dressed as Mrs. Claus at SLYC’s Christmas Cafe, held at a partner church (see photos).     SLYC is a collaborative of West Baltimore families who together provide youth with critical resources, life-enriching experiences, and a safety-net of support. Many of you may recall hearing from Clark last summer when she visited Christ Church to recruit volunteers and tell us about accomplishments. (To view Clark’s remarks at a worship service, go to Pentecost V: July 13, 2025 on the Christ Church YouTube channel. The SLYC portion of the video is from 1:03:30 to 1:10:06. )   Read about SLYC’s impressive results in a 2024 Impact Report . Christ Church is among many supportive parishes in the diocese. The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland is a partner, and its reparations task force awarded a grant to SYLC in 2022. Bring Non-Perishable Foods, Household Supplies and Diapers for CCC/FISH Columbia Community Care (CCC) has reopened after shutting down operations over the holidays. Distributions are on Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or while supplies last. The three distribution sites are located at Long Reach Village Center , Suite 107, 8775 Cloudleap Ct., Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd., and The Barn at Oakland Mills Village Center, 5853 Robert Oliver Place, all in Columbia, MD. People who require home deliveries should go to “Get Help” on CCC’s website to make a request.   FISH and CCC partnered last year and merged their pantries. FISH continues to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. Please put non-perishable food and personal care products in the altar basket or in a bin just inside the Parish Hall. Look for a combo label “FISH/CCC”. Please bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes.  DreamBuilders - Upcoming Save-the-Dates February 8th, 2:00 p.m. at Temple Isaiah - DreamBuilders General Meeting · Come hear about our plans for the year, and how you can get involved. We’ll have descriptions of upcoming trips and local projects, too. There will be lots of pictures of projects past and lots of people who can answer any questions. March 14th, 5 - 8 p.m. at Temple Isaiah - DreamBuilders Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction · Come enjoy a spaghetti dinner and bid on a wide and wonderful variety of items and activities, all in support of DreamBuilders. This is our largest fundraising event of the year. Proceeds help make our building projects possible.  We will need lots of help to make this event a success, and we will be looking for donations for the auction, too. The LEMS Kindness Pantry Returns in 2026 We have probably all had moments when we have said, or at least thought, that 2025 was a tough year for too many people. And it has been, particularly for those who struggle economically or physically.   Yet when I look back on 2025, I am so amazed by what all of you have done to make life a little better for the students and families of Lake Elkhorn Middle School by providing items for our Kindness Pantry. There are many stomachs that weren't hungry and bodies that weren't cold because you contributed. You packed book bags and brought them to the school to help students start the school year with the supplies they needed. You were God's hands and feet in our community.   In addition, many of you contributed funds that supported events such as Shrek - the school play, the multicultural dinner, the Turkey Trot, and costumes for the science teachers. Some of you became tutors, and lunchroom aides, or attended school events like the amazing one for Black History Month. Our first request for 2026 is to replenish the Kindness Pantry. The items should be placed in the blue bin in the narthex at New Brick by next Sunday, January 18.  Please click this SignUpGenius link and let us know what you can bring. And don't forget to let us know if you would like to become more involved by distributing food at the next PopUp Pantry on January 21, or by becoming a lunchroom aide, or tutor. We would love to have you! Email LEMS@christchurchcolumbia.org MOCC's Comfort Cases Update Thanks to everyone who has already contributed to the MOCC's current R.A.K. ( Random Act of Kindness ), supporting Comfort Cases. In our country today, the number of kids entering the foster care system is steadily rising, and that's where Comfort Cases come in - they're a small duffel bag or backpack designed to provide a bit of comfort for youth as they enter the local foster care system. Every donation aims to provide comfort to those who are experiencing this firsthand. You can find the donation bin in the Narthex, and in February, you'll be able to meet and speak with the founder of Comfort Cases, Rob Scheer. Rob will share details about Comfort Cases with the congregation during the 10:30 service on Sunday, February 8th. In the meantime, you can read about Rob 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.

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 humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-14 Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a Luke 2:41-52 Psalm 84:1-8 Sermon for This Sunday: The Reverend Emmanuel Ato Mercer delivers today's sermon, and you can view it in the video below once the service starts. You can also read his sermon's text here . Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins at approximately 10:20 a.m. this Sunday. The service leaflet for this worship service is here .

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 needed for this hour-long session; all you need to do is wear comfortable sportswear and sneakers, and bring a bottle of water. Gather with us this Saturday morning, January 3rd at 10:30 in the lower level of New Brick, and get started on the road of exercise. You'll be able to do so under the leadership of a professional who can help you listen and respect your body's sensations, adjusting your practice without forcing things. With consistent exercise, your physical and mental abilities will naturally and steadily improve.  We hope to see you tomorrow, January 3, in Christ Church's New Brick building - 6800 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD 21045. #exercise #resolutions #newyearsresolution #fitness #loveyourbody #columbiamaryland #exercise2026

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 below. As we begin the new year, consider taking a break from the chaos and treating yourself to a peaceful morning in a soul-nurturing community. The 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment (CSN) provides opportunities for us to be in a closer relationship with God by offering an array of experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit. Programs for January center around the theme Sacred Visioning  and include a Conversation on Spiritual Practices, Spiritual Direction, Meditation, a film screening of Flywheel , and Sacred Art. If you want to learn more about future Center for Spiritual Nourishment events, submit your email address below to receive regularly updated information (we will not share or sell your address to anyone). Whether you've joined us before or are a first-timer, we are sure that there's something special waiting for you here. Everyone is welcome, and we hope to see you there! Schedule of Events: 8:30 – 9:00: Breakfast and social time 9:00 - 9:10: Outline the day's sessions 9:10 – 10:05: Sacred Visioning                     Spiritual Direction Group                    Drawn to God: Praying Through Art 9:10 – 11:15: Film screening: Flywheel 10:15 – 11:15: Christian Meditation · Contemplative Christianity                       Home and Spirit: Preparing for the Journey                      Spiritual Direction Group 11:30 – 11:50: Reflection Circle Join us on Saturday, January 10 as we offer: Spiritual Direction Group led by Carol Abbott In this spiritual discernment and direction group we 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. Drawn to God: Praying Through Art led by Jenn Lavanish, Mike Looney, &/or Leah Chrest God gave everyone a gift - a special aptitude, ability, power or talent. And gifts are meant to be an act. A verb  - to bestow, share and connect. Drawn to God  is a place for spiritual nourishment through the practice of creating.  Creating ways to engage with God. 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 enjoy a moment of creative flow. Plus it is just fun to make things. The joy is in the journey, your creation your reward. Film Screening: Flywheel led by George Toth When the Sinner Repents, Blessings Follow - Jay Austin wants to sell you a used car, but watch out! Many victims have fallen prey to his smiling face and hasty promises. Austin does everything his way until his dishonesty and manipulation are repeatedly exposed. Like many men, the masks he wears and the lies he tells disgust him. While having a classic convertible repaired, Austin begins a humorous and powerful journey to win back the hearts of his wife, his son and his community. In every man's life, there can be a turning point. Jay Austin takes it, and he never looks back. We may never walk a path similar to Jay, but we will all have to choose how to lead our lives. The result of our labors and lived lives with be a testament to the fact that “You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16) Sacred Visioning led by Toni Summerell We often limit ourselves in our vision of how we believe our lives can go.  God’s vision is much larger than ours.  In this remarkable session, you will learn techniques to imagine and envision what God is calling you to build in your life.  Tools such as vision boards, guided meditation, and other discernment practices will be discussed.   Home and Spirit : Preparing for the Journey led by Michael Looney As we move into the New Year and the season of Epiphany, it is a great time to consider making a sacred space in our home for our spiritual practices and using the Blessing of a Home liturgy to prepare our homes. In addition to preparing our physical home we will also work to prepare our spiritual home (ourselves) with a breathing exercise for centering and preparing for prayer. 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.  This month, learn how listening with the heart provides clearer direction than thinking with the mind.  Practice drawing focus into your heart center and listening to divine guidance as you step into the new year.  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. Have Questions? Wish to Help Lead Future CSN Sessions?   #nourishyourspirit   #SpiritualNourishment   #allarewelcome   #RefreshYourSpirit   #refreshyourspirit   #hocomd   #episcomd   #columbiamd   #columbiamaryland

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 the annual Christmas party, which included a special meal and gifts for the disabled residents. The remaining $300 is to purchase pharmacy supplies, such as anti-malaria medicines. The donation to the Hoffman Family Foundation , which oversees Philip’s House operations, was derived from funds contributed to Christ Church by parishioners. A hearty thanks! This is in keeping with the mission of the Outreach Commission to support organizations – local, national, and international – that enhance the lives of people in need. The founder of Philip’s House, Jan Smart, is a close family friend of CEC parishioners Teddy and Sonni Aribiah, and their sons, Jonah and Luke. 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 the Aribiah family visited last summer, spending time at Philip’s House with its children and adults. 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, which in recent years has benefited from an in-house clinic. It is run by a pharmacist whose education was made possible by his sponsor, Jan, the Philip’s House founder. CCC Resumes Operations After Taking a Holiday Break Columbia Community Care (CCC) has announced that after shutting down operations for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, it will reopen on Saturday, Jan. 3. The three distribution sites are located at Long Reach Village Center, Suite 107, 8775 Cloudleap Ct., Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd., and The Barn at Oakland Mills Village Center, 5853 Robert Oliver Place, all in Columbia, MD. Hours are 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or while supplies last. People who require home deliveries should " Get Help " on CCC’s website to make a request. MOCC's Comfort Cases Donation Drive - FINAL DAYS! Thanks to everyone who has already contributed to the MOCC's current R.A.K. ( Random Act of Kindness ), supporting Comfort Cases. In our country today, the number of kids entering the foster care system is steadily rising, and that's where Comfort Cases come in - they're a small duffel bag or backpack designed to provide a bit of comfort for youth as they enter the local foster care system. Every donation aims to provide comfort to those who are experiencing this firsthand. The MOCC is accepting donations from now through January 10th, and you can see a donation bin in the Narthex. You can also speak with Duane Smith or any MOCC member to get more information about Comfort Cases. We are also taking donations for Comfort Cases at this Saturday's Christmas Dinner, so if you're coming, we hope that you'll consider bringing something to help this cause. 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.

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, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 John 1:1-18 Psalm 147:13-21 Sermon for This Sunday: The Reverend Emmanuel Ato Mercer delivers today's sermon, and you can view it in the video below once the service starts. Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins at approximately 10:20 a.m. this Sunday. The service leaflet for this worship service is here .