The Columbia Weekly
December 1, 2022
|
|
A Message from Jeff Haagenson |
|
I hope you all can join us for our annual Christmas Concert and Advent Festival this week!
The concert portion of the morning takes place at our regular worship times and is different from what you might experience at a typical Christmas concert. We incorporate the Christmas story from scripture and accentuate it with music, art, poetry and the singing of Christmas carols. The concert includes the adult choir, children’s choir, contemporary worship team, original paintings and poetry by our resident poet and artist Scott Poole, and carols sung by you - the congregation. We ask people to hold their applause so that each event can flow into the next to create a worshipful environment that is less like a performance and more like a worship service.
This Sunday creates a wonderful opportunity to invite friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, and anyone else who you think would enjoy the message of Christmas hope from the concert, as well as the fellowship, fun, and food of the Advent Festival. O come let us adore Him!
|
|
Celebrate the Christmas Season |
|
Christmas Concert and Advent Festival
Sunday, December 4
Join us for a celebration of Christmas and Advent! Here is the rundown of the morning’s festivities:
- Sanctuary: 9:00AM and 10:30AM Christmas Concert during worship
- Gym: (beginning at 9:30AM) Advent Festival crafts & devotionals
- Fellowship Hall: (beginning at 9:30AM) Refreshments and fellowship.
- Advent Photo Booth in the Gathering Area after each worship service
There will be no Sunday school or adult classes.
Please participate by bringing a plate of Christmas cookies, or a fruit/veggie plate to share. Plates can be brought to the Fellowship Hall when you arrive.
|
|
Service of Remembrance
Sunday, December 11
3:00PM in the Sanctuary
The holidays can be a difficult time for many of us, as they remind us of those who are no longer present to join with us in the celebration. Whatever the cause for grief, the Service of Remembrance is a time to gather with others in a spirit of worship to remember those loved ones and to take comfort in the goodness and faithfulness of God.
|
|
Reimbursement Deadline
All requests for reimbursement of expenses for 2022 must be submitted to the office by 4:00PM on Wednesday, December 14. Expenses submitted after the deadline will be reimbursed in 2023.
|
|
Contribution Deadline
All contributions for 2022 must be received in the church office by noon on Friday, December 30, OR postmarked by December 31. Contributions postmarked or delivered after the 31st will be posted to your account for 2023.
|
|
Christmas Joy Offering
This offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930's.
- The offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.
- The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families.
- Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years.
We will collect for this special offering during the month of December. Offering envelopes are available at the Welcome Desk.
|
|
Movie Night
Friday, December 9
Chapel
Bring your own brown bag dinner at 6:00PM
Movie begins at 7:00PM
December's movie will be Long Gray Line starring Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara. Based on the true story of Marty Maher, a humble Irish immigrant who rose through the ranks to become one of West Point's most beloved instructors. Newly arrived in America, Maher's first job was as a waiter at West Point. He quickly broke so much of the military academy's china that he was forced to join the army to repay his debts. Once enlisted he served his adopted nation with rare dedication. Spanning 50 years and two world wars, the film shows Maher at his best, molding and motivating the young men who would become America's heroes and presidents.
|
|
Presbyterian Women Gathering
Saturday, December 10
12:00-2:00PM
It's beginning to look like Christmas, so take a break before it gets too busy, and join the ladies of Columbia for a special afternoon for Tea and Treats with songs of the season led by Mary Sisson. To sign up contact Julie Mauk, 503-348-9820 or Barb Miller, 360-521-0773. $5 donation requested.
|
|
Young Adult Christmas Dinner
Wednesday, December 21
6:00PM
Join us in the Youth Center for a casual Christmas gathering over a shared meal and bring a white elephant gift to exchange! Please RSVP to katie@columbiapresbyterian.org by Wednesday, December 14.
|
|
Men's Breakfast
Saturday, January 21
Men mark your 2023 calendars - the next Men’s Breakfast is Saturday, January 21, from 8:00-9:30AM. We will enjoy good food, fellowship, and an informative talk. Details to follow, but plan now to attend.
|
|
Alternative Christmas Market 2022
The Alternative Christmas Market is a tradition at CPC. It is a great way to give a meaningful gift to someone. Here is how it works:
- Donate to a CPC mission and then give as a gift to friends, family, teachers, co-workers or neighbors.
- Last Sunday to pick up cards in the Gathering Area will be December 11.
CPC Local missions for 2022 are:
How to donate:
- Pay by check and designate the mission. Drop off check at worship service or church office. Mail to 8715 St. Helens Ave, Vancouver, WA 98664
- Go to “Give” on CPC phone app or website. Select the mission to which you wish to give: Habitat for Humanity, Open House Ministries and or Haiti Foundation of Hope
-
|
|
Flu Season
It’s that time again—flu season. According to the Washington Department of Health, there are more hospitalizations at this time, compared to the last 10 years at the same time! The symptoms are primarily respiratory, along with fatigue and sometimes, fever.
You don’t want to be sick during the holidays, and we want our faith community to stay well! Flu vaccine is readily available at most medical offices, clinics, and pharmacies. The Washington Department of Health strongly advises that everyone over 6 months of age get a shot, but particularly those under 5 and those over 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses. It takes about 2 weeks for the full effect of the vaccine so now is a great time to avoid or minimize illness at Christmas time and beyond.
You cannot get influenza from a vaccine! It is a killed vaccine, meaning it cannot cause the flu. But you might feel a little tired for a day or two, or have soreness or swelling at the site of the injection. A warm compress and a bit of aspirin, Tylenol, or ibuprofen, depending on your doctor’s advice, will help.
Most of the same recommendations for avoiding COVID-19 apply to influenza:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer when soap is not available, and hands are not visibly soiled
- Consider wearing a mask in crowded settings
- If you are sneezing or coughing, wear a mask or use the crook of your arm or a tissue to avoid getting germs onto your hands or spreading virus in the air
- Avoid close contact with sick individuals
- If you feel sick, stay home. (Washington Department of Health, 11/22/22)
WeCare Gifts
In the weeks before Thanksgiving, 50 households of older and somewhat isolated adults received a visit and a small WeCare gift. Volunteers from the Health Ministry Team and others made these visits to let these congregants know we care about them and are thinking of them. Many thanks to Rebecca and Paul Armerding, Louise and Lee Backman, Ted Buck, Carol and Randy Cate, Susan Gilbert, Katy Graham, Kathie Lasater, Linda Maddy, Tifny Mathena, Nancy Shoji, Peggy Swenson and partner Alice Lord-Unruh, and Pat Wheeler for your service.
|
|
In Sympathy:
- Shirley Waltz and family on the death of her husband, Jim, on December 1.
- Bea & Lyman Ritter on the death of Bea's sister and longtime member of Columbia, Norma Steen, on November 11.
In Concern:
- David Peterson - receiving immunotherapy treatment for cancer
- Lydia Tombarelli - recovering from car accident
- Angie Staley - treatment for breast cancer
- Harry Kiick - recovering from heart surgery
- Sheila Hockley - recovering from a fall and surgery
- Jim Jacobson - recovering from surgery
- Judi Trist - undergoing cancer treatment
- Barbara Van Nostern - recovering from a fall
|
|
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
|
|
The submission deadline for Columbia Weekly articles is Wednesdays at 2:00PM. |
|
805 Columbia Ridge Dr.
Vancouver, WA 98664
(360) 694-7549
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
