SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION 



Our current worship schedule is as follows:

8:00 AM Rite I Holy Eucharist Service

10:30 AM Rite II Holy Eucharist Service. This service will also be live streamed. 

Live Stream links can be found on our CEC Facebook Page and our CEC YouTube Page.

If you receive an email and/or text message from Fr. Richard or the Christ Episcopal Staff requesting money or gift cards please DO NOT RESPOND, instead, contact Fr. Richard or the staff directly. Thank you.

Adult Sunday School - The Way of Love

Join Father Richard in the Library on Sundays at 9:00 a.m., now through the end of the Spring, for lessons on The Way of Love: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest. We will spend three weeks with each of these practices to help us deepen our discipleship in following Jesus.

Going forward, the Prayer Shawl ministry will meet quarterly. I spoke to Project Linus and they are looking forward to getting together with us. They meet on the 4th Saturday of the month from 10-12am in the Parish Hall. They bring sewing machines to finish their blankets and lots of fabric for people to use to make blankets. I know some of you have made blankets for Project Linus in the past and I’m sure they will appreciate future donations from our congregation. I have details for Project Linus blankets which must be specific sizes. I also have patterns for lap blankets that can be sewn for our church family and crochet patterns for our prayer shawls and cancer caps. Since we met this month, our next quarterly meeting will be Saturday, April 25 from 10:00 to 12:00 in the Parish Hall with Project Linus. Please continue to knit, crochet and sew your contributions to these ministries. When you complete your prayer shawls, blankets and cancer caps you may bring them to church and place them in the basket in the sacristy so they can be blessed. Please be sure to add a label and cross to your prayer shawls. These can be found inside the bucket of blessed shawls and caps. If you sew blankets for Project Linus, hold them until our quarterly meeting. If you are interested in learning how to make any of these items, please come to our next in-person meeting. If you know how to knit, crochet or sew and would like a pattern or need supplies, please contact me. Thank you for your continued participation in this ministry. Mary Wybenga (303) 587-2373 or ejayw@msn.com.

Join us for a delicious tradition! Our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will be held on Tuesday, February 17, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the parish hall. This family-friendly event is a wonderful way to gather in fellowship before the season of Lent. Enjoy pancakes, sausages, and good company as we celebrate together. All are welcome—come hungry and bring a friend! 

We will have TWO Ash Wednesday services on February 18 at 12:00 and 6:30 PM. Join us.

On February 21, 2026, the Wellness Commission will host its annual Lenten Retreat.

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This year's topic is Healing with all your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind. You can register online HERE. You will also be able to register by signing up on a sheet in the narthex on Sundays. The hours will be 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in the Family Life Center Parish Hall. There is a $5.00 Registration fee to help cover the cost of materials, breakfast and lunch. Devotional books are available. $1.00 per copy donation requested.

Questions? contact Linda Dozier / 512-925-2103.

Vestry Meeting Summary – January 19, 2026

On January 19, 2026, our Vestry gathered via Zoom for an engaging meeting that lasted from 7:00 to 8:24 PM. It was a time of reflection, planning, and community spirit as we came together to discuss the future of Christ Episcopal Church.

Opening Prayer

We kicked off the meeting with a heartfelt prayer led by Richard, who reminded us that this day marked the Feast of the Confession of St. Peter. It set a positive tone for our discussions.

Celebrating God’s Kingdom

During our "Heart" segment, members shared uplifting stories about witnessing God’s presence in our lives. From the generous help with packing to touching exchanges during services, it was a beautiful reminder of our community’s spirit.

Positive Updates

We celebrated several successes:

• Communion Ministry: Bringing communion to our homebound members has been a rewarding experience, with many expressing gratitude.
• Budget Process: Sandee has been diligently working on the budget, while Cullen is transitioning smoothly into her new role as Parish Administrator.
• Community Support: The church freezer is filling up, ensuring we can meet the needs of those around us.

Areas for Improvement

We also discussed some areas needing attention:

• A proposal to change the timing of our vestry meetings will be considered by the new vestry starting in February.
• Ongoing maintenance issues, including a door problem and the dishwasher, were noted. We encourage everyone to report any concerns through the sexton box.

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars for these important dates:

• February 8: Scout Sunday
• February 16: Our next Vestry Meeting at 6:30 PM
• February 17: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Family Game Night
• February 21: Lent Retreat

Financial Overview

We reviewed the December financials, which showed a deficit of $25K—slightly better than expected. The 2026 budget was also approved, with anticipated revenue of $283,411 and a planned deficit of $32,932.

Vestry Elections

Exciting news! Some of our vestry members will continue their terms, and we are actively recruiting two more members to strengthen our team. Official elections were held during the annual meeting. 

Maintenance Updates

Special thanks to John Wilbanks for helping out with maintenance projects while Josiah recovers from surgery, including addressing electrical issues in Kids Kingdom. We’re committed to keeping our facilities safe and welcoming.

Closing Remarks

As we wrapped up the meeting, special thanks were given to Lu, Patty, and Barbara for their dedicated service on the vestry. Your contributions have made a lasting impact!

Our next meeting is scheduled for February 16, 2026, at 6:30 PM, and I encourage everyone to join us as we continue our important work together.

Intercessors will be at the back of the church in the narthex to pray with anyone who would like special prayers during communion on Sundays. Often people will ask for prayers for healing for themselves or others, but any prayer request is welcomed. If you would like to pray with one of our prayer partners, you are encouraged to come forward for communion and then make your way to the narthex for additional prayers. If you have any questions about this ministry or are interested in becoming a prayer partner to pray with others, please contact Cindy Gravis or Fr. Richard.

If you would like to learn about other ways to financially contribute to the life and work of our parish, please contact our Treasurer.

And Mary Said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior..."

Luke 1:46-47 NRSV

CEC VESTRY MEETINGS

The Vestry usually meets on the third Monday of each month, at 7:00 p.m. Any congregant can attend a Vestry meeting and observe. Only Vestry members have voice and vote. Vestry meetings do become "closed" when discussing personnel issues or staff salaries. Vestry meets via Zoom. If you wish to attend, please notify Fr. Richard, and he will send you the Zoom link.

CEC Finances – Available in the Library

Quarterly financial statements are available on the bulletin board in the library following the vestry meeting.

Discipleship Group - This group meets the first and third Sunday of the month at 6:00 pm in the library. It includes study of the Sunday service gospel readings and is open to anyone wishing to participate. Please contact Bill Sterling at silverbillwes@gmail.com for more information.

The Senior Shepherds is a Service/Social organization at CEC. Anyone over the age of 50 in the church is welcome. We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 11:45 am in the Library for a delicious Potluck meal and lively conversation. A short program normally follows the meal. We do various interesting and creative service projects for the church children and the local community; host exciting outside speakers; visit unusual local places and have occasional seminars for better living. Contact: Fr. Richard at rector@cectx.org for more information. 

The Tuesday Book Club will begin a new book in February. Stay tuned for the title and the date we will start.

The Tuesday Book Club is reading The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. They survived more than 50 years of exile and the soul-crushing violence of oppression. Despite their hardships or, as they would say, because of them, they are two of the most joyful people on the planet. Currently, we will be meeting from 10:30-12:00 in the Outreach Room. We have about 12 regulars that come and go as their schedules permit. All are welcome: men and women, younger and older adults, introverts and extroverts and everyone in between. We enjoy seeing new faces and hearing differing thoughts.

Questions, please contact Mary Wybenga at EJayW@msn.com or at 303-587-2373.

Choir Practice is held every Thursday at 2:30 PM in the sanctuary. Anyone who is interested in joining, or getting more information on our choir, is invited to attend a practice. Questions? Contact Dave Gravis.

Ministry to and with Infants/Toddlers and their Families.

We have three spaces available to minister to our youngest members and their families on Sunday mornings.



1. Our church nursery is open from 9:00 am to noon. The nursery is located in the Family Life Center. The nursery serves children through the age of 4 and is open every Sunday morning.
2. A “soft” play space is located in the back of the sanctuary where children will find a small selection of toys and parents will find rocking chairs.
3. A “cry room” is located above the sanctuary and accessed by the stairs in the narthex/lobby of the church. The cry room contains comfortable seats, toys, and a changing table.

Children who are attending the 10:30 service participate in the service with their parents until after the Collect (the Prayer of the Day). After the Collect, the officiant calls all the children to the altar. The Children’s minister will select one of the children to come forward to be the children’s crucifer, who will lead, and the others will follow the cross out of the church to the Family Life Center. Children return at approximately The Peace in time for the Communion Service. Lessons will focus on learning about either the Gospel or Epistle or one of the Prophets or Kings.

Volunteers assist with the crafts, songs, prayers, or playing Bible games. Once a month or quarter, the children will ‘perform’ a song, recite a prayer or Bible verse, or act out a Bible story for the congregation at the end of the announcements.

If you are one of the volunteers for this ministry, you will be asked to help once a month or once every other month on the same Sunday of the month so that it is easier to remember when your commitment is. Swapping is, of course, allowed. Please join us in our fun way of learning about our belief, our faith practices, and Bible stories that we all remember from our youth!

If you can volunteer, please contact Sarah Martinez.

During youth group meetings, Roots teens discuss Christian educational topics. Teens have input into the selection of topics. Teens also participate in Service Projects such as Trunk or Treat and the Easter Egg Hunt in Spring. Teens also vote on Social activities/outings. Events in the past have included visiting a hay maze, meeting at movie theaters, ice skating, touring Main Street Bethlehem, having parties, swimming, hiking, etc. Join us!

Contacts: Ruth Sobieralski and Fr. Richard

Let us know if you're having a birthday or anniversary this month so we can celebrate with you. Be sure to come to church and get your birthday or anniversary blessing!

Birthdays: Dale Sanders, Ebbie Wright, Dick Christ, Madalyn Cartwright, Chris Smith, Linda Funderburg, Jeanne Sanders, Barbara Alvarez, Dalyn Livingston

All third party events held at the church are listed here. For parents, if at the church campus while the event(s) is taking place, children should be supervised by a trusted individual, as Safeguarded personnel / volunteers will not be present.

Upcoming Third Party Events:

AA Meeting - Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in the Library, Stone Building

ROCK Enrichment Academy - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, FLC and Grounds; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00-12:30 PM, Stone Building

PEACE Homeschool Village - Fridays, 8:00 AM - 4:30, PM, FLC and Grounds

Elections - February 17 through March 3, Outreach Room