The Columbia Weekly
May 19, 2022
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A Message from Pastor Scott
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“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have within you.” 1 Peter 3:15
Why do people suffer? This is one of the thorniest philosophical, theological, and practical questions that people have ever wrestled with. To suffer is to be a victim of someone or some circumstance where you experience harm and pain. Sometimes we are victims of our own behavior and choices, but often, suffering seems to appears out of the blue: cancer strikes, a car accident occurs, random violence raises its ugly head. Sometimes we can point to an evil source to explain suffering, sometimes we even suffer for doing good. Suffering seems to be a part of the human experience from which no one escapes.
The gospel’s answer to suffering is not to explain it, but rather to defeat evil, suffering and death by the power of the resurrection. When we experience that power through an encounter with God, and enter into a life changing relationship with Jesus, then we have our answer, which is to live into the true and certain hope of the resurrection, ascension, and enthronement of the Lord Jesus, who sweeps us all up with him on His coattails of salvation.
The answer that we give to the problem of suffering is not a well-crafted argument, rather it is a well-lived life, a sanctified life, as Peter calls it. We live and tell of the hope that is within us, the sure and certain hope of the presence of Emmanuel and the new life that is offered through Him. We will still suffer, just like everyone else, but now we suffer with the knowledge that our pain will come to an end, and that God promises to wipe away every tear and heal every wound.
Grace and Peace,
Scott
This week's sermon passage is 1 Peter 3:8-22
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Journey Class
Sunday, June 5
10:30AM-2:00PM
Fellowship Hall
Contact Terry Hurley in the church office to register
Seeking more information on what Columbia's all about? Looking for ways to get more involved or to join the church? Please join us for an engaging class led by Pastor Scott. Lunch and childcare (by reservation only) are provided.
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Vacation Bible School
June 27 - July 1
Ages 5yrs (by 8/31/22) through 5th grade
Registration closes May 31
At Monumental VBS, kids celebrate God’s greatness! Monumental is filled with awesome Bible-learning experiences, team-building games, and unforgettable Bible songs. Space is limited so register early.
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Guys & Kids Annual Campout
August 19-21
Clear Lake Campground - Mt. Hood
SAVE THE DATE!
As you’re planning your summer activities, don’t forget to include the weekend of the Guys and Kids Campout. Bring your kiddos (boys & girls) or just come as you are! Put it on your summer calendar now and watch for registration to open in July.
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Quarterly Blood Drive Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to all who came to give blood Monday! The Deacons report that 36 donors gave 35 units of blood. The efficient Red Cross staff barely gave donors a chance to read their books! Red Cross assigned us 62 slots, but turnout has been down across donation sites in May and ours was no different. We will have another chance to save lives on August 15.
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Upcoming Youth Schedule
- May 22 – Last school-year High School Youth Group @ 6PM
- May 25 – Last school-year Middle School Youth Group @ 6PM
*Youth Group will begin again in mid-June. There will not be youth Sunday school during the summer.
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High School Work Camp
July 5-6
$15
Click here to register. Registration closes June 1.
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Middle School Bike Hike
July 31-August 6
$375
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Scholarships are available for all youth camps and retreats. Please contact
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Pastor Nominating Committee
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People from a lot of churches at last week’s Dunamis Conference prayed for our Pastor Nominating Committee. We ask you to please join them and hold the committee in prayer. We have been surprised that the number of PIFs (Presbyterian speak for resume) is lower than expected, which may reflect national trends. But we proceed with faith that God has chosen someone for Columbia, and He will lead us to that person.
Please pray:
- For each committee member by name: Andy Woodrow, Beth Burton, Chris Keinath, Connie Warner, Dan Zeamer, John Van Zytveld, Karen Wheeler, KT Teng, Mary Sisson, Matt Hoffman, Ron Prill and Wendy Ovall
- For each person who has submitted a PIF, that God would lead them in their search
- For the person God has for Columbia.
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
How to Talk with Those who are Hurting
Sunday, May 22
10:30-11:30AM
Fellowship Hall & Zoom
We live in a very different world than we did two years ago, before an unexpected pandemic changed us forever. Some of us experienced loss on a very personal level, others have been affected by losses in our neighborhoods, schools, churches, and communities. People all around us are hurting, and we want to reach out and help but don’t know how.
Are you afraid to talk with someone who is hurting because it might make things worse or you don’t know what to say? Join Nancie Parmenter, faith community nurse, to discuss how we can be there for those around us who are hurting.
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"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the love of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, NRSV)
Last week we included testimonials from Stephen Ministry care receivers who had experienced the blessing of distinctively Christian care-giving from a Stephen Minister in their congregation. This week we will see testimonials from Stephen Ministers who have provided distinctively Christian care-giving to care receivers in their congregations - people who are experiencing difficult times and need someone to walk along beside them. Here are just a few Stephen Minister testimonials from the over 600,000 trained Stephen Ministers, who are serving in over 30,000 congregations:
- “Stephen Minister training taught me how to be a caregiver, but even more, it taught me how to live life in a new way—sharing Christ’s love with other people. It’s an awesome blessing to be used by God to bring hope and healing to someone else.” ~Mike, Carpenter - Kennesaw, Georgia
- “Stephen Ministry has enhanced every relationship I have. Now I can listen and be there without feeling like I have to rush in and try to fix things—which my 15-year-old really appreciates! I’m much more at peace in difficult situations because I realize that it’s not me, but Christ within me, who does the work.” ~Yvette, Accountant - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- “Since becoming a Stephen Minister, I’ve experienced a richness of God’s grace beyond anything I could have imagined. To truly listen with the ears of Christ, to see others through his eyes, to know his heart, to see Jesus working through me to touch the life of someone else is a window into heaven.” ~William, Business Owner - Katy, Texas
Later this summer members of our congregation will have the opportunity to volunteer to become Stephen Ministers, and experience the rewards of enhancing their Christian care-giving skills and serving others in need. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Jan Kennedy Ferguson, (jwkennedy20@gmail.com) Stephen Leader Coordinator, for more information.
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Save the Date:
- All-Church Gathering #1 - June 23
- Vacation Bible School - June 27-July 1
- High School Work Camp - July 5-6
- Kid's Morning Out #1 - July 6
- High School Camp Spalding - July 10-16
- Parent's Night Out #1 - July 19
- Kid's Morning Out #2 - July 27
- Kid's Morning Out #3 - August 3
- Middle School Bike Hike - July 31-August 6
- All-Church Gathering #2 - August 11
- Parent's Night Out #2 - August 16
- Guys & Kids Campout - August 19-21
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In Sympathy:
- Bob and Sharon Barnett and family, on the death of their son, John, on May 4.
In Concern:
- Ted Buck - recovering from heart bypass surgery
- Harry Kiick - health concerns
- Jo Fuller - in rehab with health concerns
- Pat Baldridge – recovering from heart valve repair surgery
- Jean Sarchet - health concerns
- Judi Trist - undergoing cancer treatment
- LeOla Pearson - on hospice
- David Peterson - treatment for lung cancer
- Jim Waltz - recovering from surgery
- Sheila Hockley - health concerns
- Todd Carroll - treatment for cancer
- 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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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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