I was given a beautiful wooden cross by Rebecca as a thank you gift for Altar Guild work. It’s small and smooth; handcrafted with care. I carried that cross in my car and reached for it often when I felt the urge to cuss or complain. I still cussed and complained often but less often. Recently we had a sprinkler failure in New Brick at Christ Church when a 3-inch pipe burst opening a dime-sized hole and gushing gallons of water that devasted two floors of drywall, insulation, electrical systems and flooring. As Co-chairs of Buildings and Grounds George Toth quickly began work with many others to make repairs and recover. I quickly reached for my cross and began carrying it in my pocket. It’s sometimes a worry stone and sometimes a reminder that we’re not alone in our work or struggles. It’s always a strength to me as it represents His strength. Thank you, Rebecca

I am still recovering from the dismay over the abysmal performance of the Kansas City Chiefs at the Super Bowl. You can call it a malaise, or something worse than that. I haven’t been able to recover from it. My feelings are like the pandemic, it fluctuates between extreme anger and kind disquiet. I just couldn’t believe that the Chiefs could play like that. "Were the players psychologically prepared for battle?" I asked. You might have been close by to have heard my screaming and shouting over such an awful performance. Is Fr. Manny a Kansas City Chiefs fan? Not really, no. I had followed them all through the season, though, and am highly impressed by the skill of their quarterback Patrick Mahomes. I'm especially impressed with the way he can take over a game and make incredible plays that can make you go gaga. But at this year’s Super Bowl, that Patrick Mahomes seemed to be nowhere to be found. I wondered, "Why?" I, for one, believed that the Chiefs would blow the Buccaneers out of the water, so to speak. After all, the Chiefs had been a high-performing football team until then, and their statistics were, as they say, off the chain. The Buccaneers were a good team, but when compared to the Chiefs they were the weaker of the two. So, what happened? I do not know. The Buccaneers had an old guard in QB Tom Brady, and you not only write him off at your own risk but to be so successful against such an opponent, you have to dig a little deeper. The problem is that we sometimes tend to minimize our own strength and our capacity to punch above our weight. We have a tendency to write ourselves off and can then lose the fight before the first punch is ever thrown. We can measure our weakness against the other’s strength, instead of our strength against their strength. But remember the wonderful story of David and Goliath? Although David was a young lad, he didn’t measure his weakness against that of Goliath, even though Goliath measured his strength against David’s weakness. David measured his strength against Goliath’s strength and then thundered these words “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” David knew he possessed something that Goliath had derided. On the battlefield, David killed Goliath. He was the strongest and most well-armed of the two, so, what happened? The irony of life is that our biggest weakness can become our biggest strength. There’s a story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy soon began lessons with an old Japanese Judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move. “Sensei,” the boy finally said, “shouldn’t I be learning more moves?” “This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know,” the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy then deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced; for a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. “No,” the sensei insisted, “let him continue.” Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament - he was now the champion. On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. “Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move? What happened?" “You won for two reasons,” the sensei answered. “First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.” The boy’s biggest weakness had become his biggest strength. Sometimes our biggest weakness can become our biggest strength. What weaknesses do you have? What are your strengths? Can you turn those weaknesses into strengths? Can you maximize your strengths? One of the values I have found about Lent is in dwelling on our weaknesses - though not with the desire of glorying in them. Oftentimes, those weaknesses become the pathway to our sins. They also become so challenging that we sort of give up on ourselves and write ourselves off, and we can even discourage ourselves from taking the steps that could convince us that we can beat any team - even the Kansas City Chiefs. We tend to forget Paul’s confession in 2 Corinthians 12 - “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” This confession wasn’t pulled out of thin air; it was Paul’s reality. He was keenly aware that he couldn’t win any battle by himself alone. It reminds me of David’s thunderous response to Goliath: “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” I have come to believe that we don’t make ourselves strong. We are strong because we possess something that our Goliath constantly derides. We are strong because we possess something that the adversary cannot contend with. That ‘something’ makes us strong in our weakness, and so we walk and not faint, we run and are not weary, and we win the battles against the Goliaths of our lives. I think I know what happened... I came to discover that within me resides a power that is greater than any power in the world. (1 John 4:4) And to be successful against any adversary or opponent, I have to dig a little deeper. Manny.

The Spiritual Life Commission invites everyone to join us on Zoom for our Wednesday Evening Lenten Series, which centers on our 2021 theme - Be God's Light that Shines in the Darkness. Each week, we will host a presenter who gives their perspective on this theme, and tonight we're blessed to have the Right Reverend Robert Ihloff offer his perspective. Everyone is welcome to be with us for the start of this popular series. We sent the Zoom details out earlier, but if you would like them sent to you directly, please email us at info@christchurchcolumbia.org

Merciful Father, may the presence of our Lenten observance make us your obedient people. May the love within us be seen in what we do and lead us to the joy of Easter. Eternal Father, turn our hearts to you. By seeking your kingdom and loving one another, may we become a people who worship you in spirit and truth. Lord, may everything we do, begin with your inspiration, continue with your help, and reach perfection under your guidance. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reign with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. AMEN

Two Evenings at the Kitchen Table with Dr. Harolyn Belcher February 23rd and March 2nd at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom Dr. Harolyn Belcher, a Christ Church parishioner, Professor of Pediatrics, and Vice President at Johns Hopkins Hospital invites us to join her on Zoom* for a pair of Tuesday evenings - February 23rd and March 2nd - at 7:30 p.m. each night. The virtual gathering on February 23rd will be centered around the latest COVID-19 vaccine information and March 2nd focuses on how we all can help to ensure child and youth health and well-being. We sent the Zoom link out earlier this week and hope that you all will join us for this important series. If you need the link and details, please email us at info@christchurchcolumbia.org

I am the Light of the World by Malcolm Guite I see your world in the light that shines behind me Lit by a sun whose rays I cannot see, The smallest gleam of light still seems to find me Or find the child who’s hiding deep inside me. I see your light reflected in the water, Or kindled suddenly in someone’s eyes, It shimmers through the living leaves of summer, Or spills from silver veins in leaden skies, It gathers in the candles at our vespers It concentrates in tiny drops of dew At times it sings for joy, at times it whispers, But all the time it calls me back to you. I follow you upstream through this dark night My saviour, source, and spring, my life and light.

BE GOD’S LIGHT THAT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS A MEDITATION LITANY FOR LENT In the Book of Genesis we read: “Then God said, “let there be light’, and there was light.” Almighty God, shine your light on us and on our world during this Lenten season. Dispel our fears and uncertainties, our anger and our selfishness. Break into our hearts with your light and make our world new. Lord, hear my prayer. Throughout the books of the Bible, we hear the stories of ordinary people following your light. We hear the story of the magi, who, having seen a new star in the heavens, followed it to find their new king - an entirely different kind of king whose life and death would change the world. We pray that we may see such a new star in the heavens of our lives. We pray for the grace and strength to believe in You and to follow your light, wherever You may lead us. Lord, hear my prayer. Lord, we are tired. We are tired of the worry and the anxiety and the uncertainty and the enmity and the division. Set your light before us. Help us see in it the pure light of hope. Help us each pick up that candle to be your light and your hope in our world. Help us to act, each in our own way, to bring your light to others, to those dear to us and to complete strangers, to people who are literally our neighbors and to people whom we will never meet, to your children who are sick and your children who are in need. Lord, hear my prayer. In the words of the old hymn, Lord, “dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid.” We see your light in the work of good people, of all kinds, of all faiths and nations and races, of all political beliefs. Open our eyes to your light that is within each of us, within each person, without exception. Use your light to illuminate what unites us. Cast your light into the darkness of our worst behavior, scattering our pride and self-centeredness, our impatience and our lashing out. Shine your light brightly on the paths that we should follow as we try to follow You. Lord, hear my prayer. Your light shines without fail. It is there, even when, especially when, we think we can’t see it, giving us hope and courage and strength to do what we know we should, what we know we must. By your grace, may we individually and together be your lights in our world, bringing hope and solace and cheer and optimism and help and peace to your children, in our homes, in our communities, in our nation, across our world. Lord, hear my prayer. “And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.” Jesus, our Bright Morning Star, the Light of the World, light our way as we step from out of the darkness and into the light of hope. AMEN.

Today is the First Sunday in Lent. Collect of the Day: Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Readings for today: Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-9 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15 Sermon for Today: Father Manny's Sermon text can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here.

On weekdays during the season of Lent, we post daily meditations on our website, and on Sundays this year we include a piece of music, as well. These songs are submitted by parish family members and friends of Christ Church, and meant to uplift, comfort, and inspire. We hope that you enjoy. There's a grace when the heart is under fire Another way when the walls are closing in And when I look at the space between Where I used to be and this reckoning I know I will never be alone There was another in the fire Standing next to me There was another in the waters Holding back the seas And should I ever need reminding Of how I've been set free There is a cross that bears the burden Where another died for me There is another in the fire All my debt left for dead beneath the waters I'm no longer a slave to my sin anymore And should I fall in the space between What remains of me and this reckoning Either way I won't bow To the things of this world And I know I will never be alone There is another in the fire Standing next to me There is another in the waters Holding back the seas And should I ever need reminding What power set me free There is a grave that holds no body And now that power lives in me There is another in the fire There is another in the fire There is another in the fire There is another in the fire (I can see) I can see the light in the darkness As the darkness bows to Him I can hear the roar in the heavens As the space between wears thin I can feel the ground shake beneath us As the prison walls cave in Nothing stands between us Nothing stands between us There is no other name But the name that is Jesus He who was and still is And will be through it all So come what may in the space between All the things unseen And this reckoning And I know I will never be alone (I know, come on) And I know I will never be alone There'll be another in the fire Standing next to me There'll be another in the waters Holding back the seas And should I ever need reminding How good You've been to me I'll count the joy come every battle 'Cause I know that's where You'll be And I can see the light in the darkness As the darkness bows to Him I can hear the roar in the heavens As the space between wears thin I can feel the ground shake beneath us As the prison walls cave in Nothing stands between us Nothing stands between us There'll be another in the fire Standing next to me There'll be another in the waters Holding back the seas And should I ever need reminding How good You've been to me I'll count the joy come every battle 'Cause I know that's where You'll be by Hillsong

It’s Nearing Time for Take-Out to Assist Bridges to Housing Stability Once again, we have the opportunity to help end homelessness in Howard County by eating out. A local restaurant is participating in a benefit for Bridges to Housing Stability from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on February 24th. That is Shake Shack Donation Day. On that website for the event, you’ll find a flyer to download, so please spread the word. The restaurant is located on the plaza at Columbia Mall, 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044. Please use the code DONATION on the Shack App, web, or kiosk when checking out so that 25% of your total meal purchase will go directly to Bridges. Christ Church has a warm relationship in helping Bridges. We participated in a countywide chili cook-off, Holier Than Thou, in 2019 and surpassed our fundraising a year ago at our own cook-off. That effort on Feb. 9, 2020, which included the Youth Group’s collection from Souper Bowl Sunday, raised $1,000. And that, in turn, led to Christ Church winning a Silver Ladle Award during the Chili & Challenge virtual fundraiser held last fall by the nonprofit. In its February newsletter, you can read about work that your donations support, including help for a mother of four. She writes, “I got behind on my rent when I was laid off from my job due to COVID-19 and then got very sick with COVID-19 and pneumonia. All of my kids were sick, too.” Bridges’ newsletter includes a timely excerpt of an article on racial inequities in housing, selected for Black History Month. And there’s a shout-out to Christ Church for our support of the January restaurant benefit, at Coal Fire in Ellicott City. That means we’ve set the bar high for participation next week at Shake Shack. So please plan to turn out on February 24th. Save the Dates: March 15 and April 19 to Help Feed the Hungry at Grassroots Once again, parishioners and volunteers who join their efforts are looking ahead to the monthly meal that we provide for Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. Save the dates and times: March 15 and April 19, arriving between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. at the parking lot outside Old Brick. Plan to bring a side dish, a dessert, or items for their pantry to be enjoyed round-the-clock by the 50 residents of the live-in facility on Freetown Rd. And now that we have launched an electronic registry to improve planning, please sign up online no later than noon on the Sunday prior to the meal on Monday. Click on the Christ Church Grassroots Meal link on SignUpGenius to learn which items are requested and to tell coordinators what you plan to bring. During the pandemic, Christ Church began these parking-lot drop-offs in lieu of the monthly meals that we once provided in-person at another Grassroots facility, the Dorsey/Rt. 1 Day Resource Center. That facility remains closed due to the coronavirus, except for curbside distribution of non-perishables. In this pandemic-era tradition, co-coordinator Nancy Winchester acquires fried chicken at Weis and meets the other volunteers as they enter the Christ Church parking lot. Nancy then transports the food to Freetown Road for handoff to the staff of Grassroots. Additional participants — and the resulting side dishes, desserts, fruit, and granola bars to complement our main course — are welcome. Be sure to wear a mask with multiple layers and plan to practice social distancing to keep everyone safe. For questions in addition to the information available at the sign-up link, ask Nancy or co-coordinator Shahra Toth or email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. On their own, parishioners at Christ Church have signed up to provide the evening meal on several evenings recently for the 50 adults and children. Consider pitching in, by picking a date to provide an entree and side dishes, or just the entree. Grassroots encourages an order of 12 pizzas -- four with cheese and the rest with meat (any kind), or rotisserie chickens (12 to make a meal), but discourages lasagna or other pasta entrees. Another welcome option is takeout from restaurants to help the workforce. Here is a link to the sign-up list that's maintained by Grassroots. Share the News of a Pop-Up Pantry on Feb. 19 in Jessup If you or someone you know is in need of food, the Howard County government is spreading the word. A pop-up pantry will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, February 19th at the Ridgely Run Community Center, 8400 Mission Road in Jessup. The county’s Office of Human Rights and Equity’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission and the Harriet Tubman Foundation of Howard County are the sponsors. Drives Continue to Collect Diapers and Personal Care Items for CCC and Non-liquid, Non-perishable Foods for FISH Parishioners are asked to support Columbia Community Care (CCC), an all-volunteer effort that came together in Howard County in response to the pandemic, by collecting diapers, baby wipes, and personal care items. CCC needs women’s sanitary care products, soaps, shampoo, deodorant, and other toiletries. Please put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” just inside the Parish Hall door. You can drop off items on weekdays until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 to let them know when you are coming. Meanwhile, the basket of groceries for FISH of Howard County that once stood at the altar has been replaced by a yellow bin, marked “FISH” on the breezeway between the Parish Hall and Old Brick. During winter, please contribute items such as cereal and granola bars that will not freeze. Please do NOT bring canned goods, liquids in plastic such as juices and salad dressing, or glass containers. February LEMS Committee Update LEMS teachers will be returning to the school building this month. To help the teachers and staff feel appreciated, the LEMS provided goodie bags for each of them, as requested by the school principal. The LEMS committee is continuing to provide food for ten families one weekend a month. If anyone is interested in volunteering with the monthly bulk purchasing, bagging, and delivering to the school when New Brick reopens please contact the committee. With local COVID cases still elevated we are following strict safety precautions and will expect the same of all volunteers. If you have any questions, please contact lemspc@christchurchcolumbia.org. WOCC Outreach - Seafarer’s Donations For years, the WOCC has been involved in providing requested items to Seafarers. Below is a list of the types of magazines, books, and DVD’s/CD’s to be donated. If you can help, it would be greatly appreciated. The Seafarer’s bin is in the lower level, near the bottom of the steps, in the Parish House. Suggested Items needed: · Bible in modern English (or Tagalog, Russian, or Chinese), · Times/Newsweek/etc. up to 3 months old · Sports Illustrated/People/etc. up to 6 months · Cars/Computers/Consumers magazines - up to 1 year · Reader’s Digest up to a couple of years · National Geographic (post-2000) · Books (except for Bibles) are less often requested, but some seafarers do appreciate action novels, as well as picture books about Baltimore or the U.S. · Action/adventure DVD’s. Recent popular CD’s. · Religious books (in easy English), DVD’s, CD’s; rosaries. 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.

Be with us for our annual Lenten Reflection Day, taking place virtually on Zoom this Saturday, February 20th. This contemplative gathering will be led by the Reverend Earl Mullins and begins at 10:00 a.m. with a Eucharist to follow. Reverend Mullins has more than thirty years of experience in ordained ministry and is a long-time friend of Christ Church. Everyone is welcome to join us for this special Saturday morning gathering - just email us at info@christchurchcolumbia.org for the Zoom details. Christ Church's Lenten season details and upcoming events are on this page. Also, be sure to check our daily Lenten Meditations each weekday morning.