The Columbia Weekly
January 6, 2022
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A Message from Pastor Scott |
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What does an encounter with God look like? There are many stories in the Bible where people have a holy encounter with the living God: God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day; God spoke to Hagar through an angel; and God appeared to Isaiah in a vision at the Temple. These are all clear and obvious encounters with God.
But God also encounters us in less obvious ways. In fact, most people did not realize that they were encountering God in the person of Jesus; they often questioned his authority, challenged his good works, doubted his calling, and resisted his teaching. Encounters with God are not always obvious and may be more common than we realize.
In Matthew 25, Jesus indicates that when we visit the sick, feed the hungry, and offer hospitality to a stranger, that we are actually encountering Him in these acts. We often just need to open our eyes in order to see that God is present in ways we do not realize, even in small, daily events.
We will continue to explore what it means to encounter God in our sermons for the next two Sundays. I invite you to “come and see” by encountering God in each other, in worship, and in the small acts of kindness that you can offer to people.
Grace and Peace,
Scott
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The submission deadline for Columbia Weekly articles is Wednesdays at 2:00PM. |
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Offering Envelopes for 2022 are available in the Gathering Area and in the church office, weekdays 8:30AM – 4:30PM.
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Ellen Torongo Scholarships
Each year as part of Ellen Torongo’s legacy, the Presbyterian Women’s Association has awarded college scholarships to active members of our church community.
- Scholarship #1 is open to women ages thirty or older, seeking to advance their education, acquire new skills, or update present skills.
- Scholarship #2 is for high-school-graduate children of single parents. Both applicants and their parent must be active members of Columbia.
- Scholarship #3 is to help first-generation college students between ages 18-24 pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited institution. “First generation” is defined as a person whose parent or parents have not obtained a post-secondary degree.
- Scholarship #4 is open to children of Missionaries who are/were active members of Columbia and whose mission is supported by Columbia.
If you have questions about the application or wish to make a contribution to the scholarship fund, contact Judy Falk at 360 574-1252 or judyfalk81@gmail.com
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Movie Night
Friday, January 14
6:00PM - Fellowship Hall - Bring your own dinner
7:00PM - Chapel - Movie
This month we will be viewing "Birdman of Alcatraz."
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Tim's Bible Club 2022
There was a glitch with the mobile app syncing with the correct Bible list. This issue has been resolved.
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GIFT Women's Study
Wednesday Evening Group
6-7:30PM in Room LL6
We'll be working through Jesus and Women: In the First Century and Now, a video-based 7-week study which includes a participant study guide. From the publisher: "Join biblical culturalist Kristi McLelland on those dusty roads as she transports you back to Jesus’ world, following in the footsteps of the women who came face-to-face with the Living God. Over 7 sessions, examine the historical and cultural climate of first-century Middle Eastern society to not only understand Jesus more deeply but to fuel your worship of Him today." Childcare is available by RSVP (please let us know ASAP). Women of all ages are invited to join our inter-generational study. Questions? Contact Rachel Grice: ragrice@spu.edu or (206) 719-1726. Study books are available for $18 at first study.
GIFT Women's Study
Tuesday Morning Group
9:30 - 11:30AM in the Chapel
Our group is beginning a study on the book of Nehemiah by Kelly Minter. In this 7-session Bible study, Nehemiah’s heart for the oppressed, suffering and poor is a beacon of light that shines on the call of the church to be the hands and feet of Jesus. This study also addresses teamwork, integrity, generosity, truth in culture, God’s compassion, and much more. The cost of the book is $15. For more information, contact Sheri Borrevik, sheriborrevik@comcast.net.
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Animate: Bible Series
January 9 – February 27
10:30-11:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall
In a time when the Bible is used in religious, political, and social debates, it is increasingly important for Christians to understand the challenges and opportunities of using and misusing the Bible. Beginning January 9, join us in the Fellowship Hall for a class called Animate: Bible. We will use this video-based series to explore questions like: How did the Bible come to be? How should we interpret the Bible? How do the Old and New Testament fit together? Is the Bible relevant in today’s world? Each week a different theologian will speak to us on the video and launch us into a healthy and vibrant conversation about the Bible. Books will be available for purchase at the first class for $15.
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Men’s Retreat
March 4-6
Aldersgate Retreat Center
Yes that’s right, after a year off due to COVID, we are planning to get together again for a retreat full of great teaching, worship, and fellowship. So put on your calendar March 4-6, when we will gather at Aldersgate Retreat and Conference Center. We have reserved semi-private rooms (shared with only one other person) for your comfort and safety. More details will follow.
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January 9 - NO Middle or High School Sunday School, please attend worship service.
January 9 - NO High School Youth Group, we will begin on Jan. 16
January 12 – Middle School Youth Group, 6:00-7:30pm
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All Church Ski Day and High School Ski Retreat
All high school youth, as well as the entire church community, are invited to a fun day of skiing or snowboarding at Mt. Hood on Saturday, February 19.
High School Details: We will meet at the Youth Center at 5:30am and return around 7:00pm. Cost of the retreat depends on your age and whether you are skiing/snowboarding or not. Please register online, click here. We are in need of an additional 2-3 drivers, please contact Katie Mrochko, katie@columbiapresbyterian.org if you are interested in driving a church van (must pass a background check and complete additional screening paperwork for driving). Registration Deadline: Sunday, January 30.
Congregation Member Details: We would love it if you met us up on the mountain! The high school youth should arrive to Timberline around 8:30am and leave around 4:30pm. You are welcome to come earlier or stay later, but make sure to pop into the lodge to say hello and hit the slopes with a student or two.
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Work Camp Auction
Please reserve the afternoon of Sunday, March 20 for our Annual Work Camp Auction. Whether in-person or virtual, this is a wonderful event that supports the Youth Work Camp as well as McLoughlin Middle School and Compassion Vancouver (who both receive 10% of the proceeds!). Another way you can support is through contributions toward the Work Camp Auction. Popular donations include: the use of vacation homes, unique experiences, gift cards or items purchased from local businesses, or donation of your unique talents and skills. If in doubt, please contact Amanda Stimmel regarding your donation at awstimmel@gmail.com
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CPC-supported Local and Global Missions
Global:
- Senegal
- Haiti Foundation of Hope
- Clean Water for Haiti
Local:
- Clark County Food Bank
- Habitat for Humanity
- Compassion Vancouver
- MAC (Marshall Elementary & McLoughlin Middle School Connection)
- The Linen Closet
- Open House Ministries
- WHO (Winter Hospitality Overflow)
- YoungLife/YoungLives
Missionaries:
- Tyndale Bible Translators – The Mattocks and The Nies
- France – The Nagelkirks
- Arabian Gulf Connection – The Armerdings
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Greetings from Senegal to All of CPC
This message came through Leopold Diouf, our long-term, “boots on the ground” coordinator in Senegal. It is from the Kollore Gui Federation Leader, Birame Ndoye and is addressed to all of CPC. (The Federation consists of a group of villages that are the original ones we worked with from 1998-2009 in partnership with World Vision.) Columbia still supports holistic
(Leopold Diouf)aaaaevangelism in this area.
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Birame says:
"Hello Leopold, I greet you and charge you to convey my greetings to our partners and our friends. May God grant us peace and health, especially in this period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We also pray for our CPC partners; may God give them peace because their peace is also ours. We called them "our friends" but we are relatives. If we can drink clean water; that our children can go to school and be successful, and if we can wash ourselves the way we want, it is because of them. Please send them my best wishes for this New Year. May this year, 2022, be a year of blessing. May God eradicate this disease from the face of the earth. Amen, Jerejef, Jerejef (translation – Thank you. Thank you.)"
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Weekly Events January 7-13 |
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In Celebration:
- Congratulations to Molly & Devon Howe on the birth of Michael Joseph Eugene Howe on January 3. He joins big sister Lilli. Grandparents are Mike and Pat Wheeler.
In Sympathy:
- Richard Malin and family on the death of Joyce on December 30.
- A memorial service for Richard Dixon will be at 1:00PM this Saturday, January 8 here at Columbia.
In Concern:
- John Prutsman - heart surgery on January 12
- David Peterson - diagnosed with cancer
- Sandra Bell - treatment for cancer
- Imogene Doden - recovering from auto accident
- 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
Thank You:
- Thank you to the many members who sent beautiful cards following my sister's death. The messages expressed love and providded comfort and peace. ~Karen Demko
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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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