The Columbia Weekly
February 16, 2023
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A Message from Pastor Scott |
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“Leaving home is a denial of the spiritual reality that I belong to God with every part of my being, that God holds me safe in an eternal embrace... Leaving home is living as though I do not yet have a home and must look far and wide to find one.”
Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son
The Bible could be called a story about leaving home – leaving the Garden of Eden and going to a far country where temptation and danger abound. It is also a story about coming home – to God and the new creation. The story of the Prodigal Son captures this leaving and returning like no other story. When we look closely at the Prodigal Son story, we see ourselves in each character – the younger wayward son, the older judgmental son, and even the compassionate and forgiving father. Henri Nouwen brings out the deep lessons of this story in his book, The Return of the Prodigal Son. Reflecting on Rembrandt’s masterpiece on the Prodigal Son, Nouwen puts all of his perceptive skills to use in seeing great wisdom and spiritual lessons within Rembrandt’s painting.
During the season of Lent, we will be studying and preaching on Nouwen’s book and the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son. Join us on Wednesday evenings to study the book, or come to the Sunday morning adult class (10:30AM in the Fellowship Hall) for Ken Bailey’s video study on the Prodigal Son. You can also read the book on your own or in your small group. Each Sunday we will preach on part of the story. The book and study guide can be purchased for $14 and picked up in the Gathering Area beginning this Sunday. May we all have a rich and blessed journey with Henri Nouwen and Rembrandt through Lent.
Pastor Scott
This Sunday, former CPC Middle School Youth Director, Jim McLaughlin will deliver the message.
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Men’s Retreat: A New Balance on Life
March 3-5 - Registration closes Monday, February 20
Aldersgate Retreat Center, Turner, OR
The Men’s Retreat has been a great time for the men of Columbia to get away for some good fellowship and fantastic teaching in the relaxing atmosphere at Aldersgate Retreat Center. This year we welcome Rev. John Moser as our speaker. Using his love of scripture, humor, vulnerability, and the stories of people he has walked alongside, John invites us to grow and be balanced as followers of Jesus.
The retreat will be on March 3-5 and registration is now open! First time retreat attenders will get a $25 discount! Click the button below to register.
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Calling All Singers!
Realizing that not everyone is able to make a weekly commitment to singing in the choir, we would like to invite anyone who is interested to join us for one Sunday as we sing, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” Practice is Thursday, February 23 from 7-7:45PM in the sanctuary. We will sing the anthem on Sunday, February 26 at the 9:00AM service. No pressure, this is a group effort! Simply come to practice on Thursday and we will have music for you.
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Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 22
6:00PM
Please join us for a worship service which will mark the beginning of the season of Lent. The service will include intergenerational leadership and includes prayer, songs, and a brief message. The service will be about thirty minutes long and includes the imposition of ashes.
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Let’s Do Lunch on February 26
12:00PM
Fellowship Hall
If you are new to Columbia, whether you have joined the church or not, the pastors and staff would love to buy you lunch and get to know you better! Join us for an informal time of conversation and breaking bread together.
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PW Gathering
Saturday, March 4
Noon - 2:00PM
Join us for a luncheon and program. Suggested donation is $12.00. Former airline attendants will share their interesting experiences. Sign up in the Gathering area on after services on Sundays.
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2023 Children & Youth Summer Internships
Applications Due: Sunday, March 5
High School students and college-aged young adults are invited to apply to be an intern for the summer of 2023. This 9-week internship gives you the opportunity to grow in your gifts and skills as they relate to ministry with children or youth. There are both paid and volunteer opportunities. Click Here for more information and a link to the application.
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High School Work Camp
Registration Deadline: Saturday, March 18
July 1-8
Montgomery, Alabama
Click Here to hear Pastor Matt share a bit about how this year's Work Camp came to be, some of the objectives of the trip, the importance of the Work Camp Auction, and an invitation to register. Click the button below to register now.
Parents, we need your hands-on help with the Work Camp Auction! Please Click Here to complete a survey on how you are able to help.
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Work Camp Auction
Sunday, March 19
12:00PM
CPC Gym & Fellowship Hall
Please save the date for the Work Camp Auction and consider donating. An email with more detailed instructions regarding the auction (including how to register) will be coming soon.
If you'd like to donate, popular donations include: the use of vacation homes, unique experiences, gift cards or items purchased from local businesses, the donation of your unique talents and skills. Please no “rummage sale” items – donations should be new or in like-new condition. If in doubt, please contact Amanda Stimmel regarding your donation.
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Ellen Torongo Scholarships
Applications due Wednesday, March 1
Since 1997 college scholarships have been awarded by the CPC Presbyterian Women’s Association to active members of our church community. This was named for Ellen Torongo, a former school librarian and Charter member of CPC.
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Scholarship #1 is open to women ages thirty or older, seeking to advance their education, acquire new skills, or update present skills.
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Scholarship #2 is for high- school- graduate children of single parents. Both applicants and their parent must be active members of Columbia.
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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.
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Scholarship #4 is open to children of Missionaries who are/were active members of Columbia and whose mission is supported by Columbia.
Donations are welcome. Please make checks payable to CPC Presbyterian Women with ET Scholarships in the memo line.
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Former and Current Deacons and Elders
Please check your email (and junk email) at the beginning of each month for an email from Beth Burton asking for volunteers to serve communion for the upcoming month. We want everyone who is eligible to serve, to have the opportunity to do so. If you are interested in serving, you will need to respond to that email, when it comes. Thank you! If you have any questions, please reach out to Beth at 360-909-8829.
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The Deacons say “thank you” to all who gave blood Monday. We collected 45 units of blood — enough to potentially save 135 lives!
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The Linen Closet
Providing Comfort, Hope, and Dignity through Linens
The Linen Closet is collecting new twin sheets for transitional shelters on Sunday, February 19, as part of our second annual Love Your Neighbor campaign.
- You can drop off new twin sheet sets in the Gathering Area at the Missions table. Your donations provide comfort, hope and dignity to people in crisis.
Follow us on instagram @thelinenclosetloves to see the impact of your donations in communities. We are on a mission of love! Won't you join us?
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Mental Health First Aid Training
We all know someone who is struggling with mental health issues.The Health Ministry Team is once again offering a FREE course ($20 for printed materials)—Mental Health First Aid—to teach you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance challenges among adults. More information and the specifics of the course are found in this flyer. Space is limited so sign up as soon as possible for this helpful course taught by Pam Stover and Pastor Ted.
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February is Heart Health Month
In this Healthy Heart Month, it is important to know and recognize the 5 major early warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack in yourself, someone you live with, or someone at church—chest pain, weakness or nausea, with or without sweating, pain in the jaw, neck, or back; pain in one or both arms and shoulders; shortness of breath. Click here. to learn more about the differences of symptoms between men and women as well other facts about heart attacks. If you are living with someone at risk for a heart attack, consider taking a Heartsaver CPR course, available through Clark County Fire District 5, https://www.ccfd5.org/courses/heartsaver-cpraed-first-aid/heartsaver-cpr
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In Sympathy:
- Larry Peterson and family on the death of David Peterson on February 8. A service for David and Carol will be held in the Sanctuary on Saturday, March 11 at 1:00PM.
In Concern:
- Ilona Kecskemethy - health concerns
- Russ Parker - preventative cancer treatments
- Kay Thorpe - recovering from a stroke
- Trish Johnston - recovering from shoulder surgery
- Jeannie Vanderwal - recovering from surgery
- Mary Carlson - health concerns
- 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
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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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The submission deadline for Columbia Weekly articles is Wednesdays at 2:00PM. |
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805 Columbia Ridge Dr.
Vancouver, WA 98664
(360) 694-7549
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