The Columbia Weekly
December 16, 2021
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A Message from Pastor Matt |
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Columbia Friends,
What a season this is! As I write this update, we sit on the verge of Christmas. I can honestly say it is my favorite season of the year and always has been. From Thanksgiving onward my excitement tends to grow (even in the difficult years) as the weeks go on. This year is no exception. I have found myself thankful and hopeful in a variety of ways these past weeks and months. I am thankful that our church continues in its faithful dedication to its mission to help folks in Clark County encounter Jesus Christ, be transformed by him, and then feel his powerful and risky call to go and serve the world! And while I long to see that mission be accomplished quickly, I find myself being reminded that the best work is done over time. It takes planning, waiting, and patient doing!
This week at Columbia we are going to hear about that kind of pacing. We will hear a story from Luke 1 that highlights the theme of waiting. This idea of waiting is not unfamiliar to us of course, and it wouldn’t have been unknown to people in the ancient world. The Jews in particular had been waiting for good news often during their history with God. But, this week we will hear a corner of the text that I had missed until just a few weeks ago. I think you will find it interesting. It’s a story of waiting, hopeful trust, worry, exclusion, tradition, welcome, confusion, and even terror. In the end, should you choose to join us, I hope it will enable you to remain hopeful and prayerful during this Christmas/Advent season. Our hope is that you will be able to trust and hope no matter what you are waiting for.
Thank you for being partners in this shared ministry to the world that Jesus loves enough to enter into.
Pastor Matt
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The submission deadline for Columbia Weekly articles is Wednesdays at 2:00PM. |
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Chaos and Creation: a study of Genesis
Sunday at 10:30AM
Fellowship Hall
Taught by Pastors Scott and Ted
Join us this week as we study Genesis 16:1-16.
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Christmas Eve Worship Reservations
4:00PM - Designed for families with young children
7:00PM - Traditional (childcare available)
Due to COVID regulations, masks are required. Click on the service time above to reserve your seats. If preferred, you may also call the office at 360-694-7549, to reserve your seat. If your plans change and you need to cancel your reservation, please contact the church office.
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Offering Envelopes for 2022 will be available beginning Sunday, January 2 at worship services and weekdays (8:30AM – 4:30PM) in the church office.
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2021 Contribution Deadline - All contributions for 2021 must received in the church office by noon on Friday, December 31, or postmarked by December 31.
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Tim's Bible Club 2022
This is a virtual group that commits to read through the Bible in one year using a reading list for each day provided by Tim Mauer. There are no meetings or committees - just an occasional email of encouragement throughout the year to keep you motivated.
The reading list for 2022 will be a traditional Old Testament to New Testament sequence with a narrative feel. The reading list is available here and will be live on the CPC app beginning January 1. Printed copies are available at the church office and in the Gathering Area outside the sanctuary.
If you are interested in joining, please email Tim at timothy.mauer@comcast.net or call the church office to sign up (360-694-7549). Reading begins on January 1.
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Youth & Children's Ministries |
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Youth Schedule
All youth Sunday School and Youth Group is on break through the end of the year. Sunday School and High School Youth Group will resume on January 9 and Middle School Youth Group will resume on January 12.
Children's Schedule
Children's Sunday school classes will take a break December 26 - January 2. Classes will resume on January 9.
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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance |
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Because of the devastating tornados in the Midwest this past week, Session has authorized a special disaster assistance offering that will be used by Presbyterian Disaster Aid to assist those in need to offer food, shelter, financial assistance, and eventually rebuilding efforts. You can give to this fund online (select the Tornado Relief option) or by mailing a check (write Tornado Relief on the memo line) to the church office at 8715 St. Helens Ave, Vancouver WA 98664. Click here to donate online.
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SPONSORING A CHILD IN LOUR-RIBOT, SENEGAL
As a followup to the video from last Sunday, here is a way to sponsor a child in our new Development Area---Go to mywv.worldvision.org/my/community?ID=210804 Scroll down past the map to SPONSOR A CHILD, then click Select GENDER, AGE, BIRTH MONTH, BIRTH DATE.
Children that fit your criteria will appear for LEARN MORE which will include a video and a SPONSOR button.
Questions: contact Nancy Johns, 360-624-6598, nanjohns11@gmail.com and she will help you get things set up.
Sponsorship provides base funding for a community to get the development work done that is needed-water, education, nutrition/health, child protection, livelihood development and Christian witness partnering with community members.
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Afghan Family Support
CPC has started a support group for an Afghan family settling in Vancouver. We are asking you to join this group and thanking those of you who have already volunteered. Some of the needs include schooling, transportation, jobs, housing, banking, stocking their cupboards, and learning to drive. For more information contact Connie Warner: conniepwarner@comcast.net
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Weekly Events December 17-23 |
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In Celebration:
- Congratulations to Peter and Amy Erickson, who wed on November 7.
In Sympathy:
- Pam Stover-Dixon and family, on the death of her husband, Richard, on December 7. A service will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, January 8, in the Sanctuary.
- Karen and Ed Demko on the death of Karen’s sister, Diane, on December 2.
- Gay Chronister and family on the death of her husband, Ron, on November 24.
In Concern:
- Sandra Bell - treatment for cancer
- Imogene Doden - recovering from auto accident
- Susan Tjahjadi - recovering from eye surgery
- Jenny Underwood - treatment for cancer
- Jim Waltz - recovering from a fall
- Sheila Hockley - recovering from a fall
- Todd Carroll - treatment for cancer
- Jeanene Polete - health concerns
- Dottie Scott - health concerns
- Barbara Van Nostern - lower back issues
- Jim Hudson - health concerns
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Ways to Give:
- By Mail or Bill Pay through your financial institution
cccccccSend checks to:
cccccccColumbia Presbyterian Church
ccccccc8715 St. Helens Ave
cccccccVancouver, WA 98664
Other Types of Giving:
- Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
- Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
- Stock
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805 Columbia Ridge Dr.
Vancouver, WA 98664
(360) 694-7549
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