The Columbia Weekly
March 9, 2023
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A Message from Pastor Matt |
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CPC Friends,
Every Wednesday the staff gathers for a staff meeting. We do all sorts of things at these meetings. We look at church calendars, solve technical problems, and plan for the big stuff at CPC. But, we also do check-ins on each other, try to celebrate good things that have been happening at CPC, pray, and check in on pastoral care. But, we begin each meeting with the whole staff by doing a short devotional.
This week Pastor Scott read from Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve hide in the garden from God. There is a sense of shame and vulnerability because of what they have done, and in the story God is calling out to them. It was a great devotional because it connected with aspects of our Prodigal Son parable that we have been focused on lately. For various reasons in life, we run off and then attempt to hide from God. We can hide from His truth, accountability, and even His gracious reception at times. I found myself listening to the passage and asking, “In what ways am I hiding from the compassionate care or loving honesty of God?” and “Where do I find myself distant from God at this moment?”
This Sunday we are going to read about the elder son in the parable and hear a little bit about why Jesus tells parables at all. But, most of all, we are going to hear about the ways in which we can sometimes get more distant from God while being absolutely sure we are working hard at being in lockstep with him. We can hide from God’s invitation to compassion. There is no parable (my opinion) that can be read again and again with so many angles to consider it from, as the parable of the prodigal. Come and enjoy some art, some questions that don’t have easy answers, and a Bible story that is worth wrestling with once again this Sunday. You can do that in-person or online. Worship can happen even if you feel you are in a distant land.
Praying for you all today. God be with you.
Pastor Matt
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Movie Night
Friday, March 10
Chapel
Bring your own brown bag dinner at 6:00PM
Movie begins at 7:00PM
The March movie is "True Grit," starring John Wayne.
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Don't forget to set your clock ahead one hour Saturday night.
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A Study of the Parables of Jesus
Sundays - 10:30-11:30AM
Fellowship Hall
Dr. Ken Bailey was at Columbia in October, 2013 and presented the parables of Jesus in Luke from a Middle Eastern Cultural view. Adult Ministries is currently using Dr. Bailey’s videos on Jesus’ parables from Luke’s gospel for their Sunday class. This class is facilitated by Frank Wolz and Bill Wheeler.
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High School Work Camp
Registrations Due: Saturday, March 18
July 1-8
Montgomery, AL
Time is running out to register for this summer’s Work Camp. All current 9-12th grade youth are encouraged to join us this summer. Our planning team is hard at work to blend together service opportunities, times of learning and listening, and play in this year’s trip to Montgomery, AL. Please note that participation in the Work Camp Auction (both March 18 and 19) as well as a work party on May 6 are expected. If you cannot make any of these dates, please let us know right away and we will come up with alternative arrangements.
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Work Camp Auction
Register Now
Sunday, March 19
12:00PM
CPC Gym & Fellowship Hall
Everyone is invited to an amazing time of fellowship at the Work Camp Auction! There will be opportunities to eat together, play together, and outbid each other on a variety of items. Register now and RSVP for lunch, sponsor an activity, purchase some raffle tickets and then return on March 14 to start bidding on silent auction items and previewing live auction items at www.auctria.events/CPCYouthAuction2023. You can look forward to things like box seats to Hairspray the musical, an authenticated signed Yogi Berra baseball, season tickets to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, a homemade pie from Rachael Lafferty, sailing on the Columbia River with the Nie family, work parties from the high school youth and much, much more. There are also smaller items in the silent auction such as wine tastings, kid’s games and activities, a quilt kit, and other food items. Please register right away so we can save your seat!
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Join Aslan's Army!
Friday, March 24
5:30-8:30PM
Parent’s Night Out is FULL, with a wait-list! If you are available to volunteer for this event, please contact Tifny Mathena, tifny@columbiapresbyterian.org.
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Utmost Sunday Workout
Childcare Now Available Upon Request
Everyone, ages 13 and up, are invited to join in a weekly workout on Sundays at 12:30PM in the Utmost gym. Childcare (up to 10 years old) is now available upon request for parents who wish to attend! Workouts are designed to be strenuous and are best suited for those willing to be consistent with their participation. There is a suggested donation of $40/month. Please eat a snack before you come, wear your workout clothes (laced sneakers are required), and join us indoors at the upper level gym!
If you plan to attend, please email Anne Overton at utmostathletics@gmail.com by Saturday 12:00PM, so that coaches can be prepared for you. If you need childcare, please also indicate that in your email.
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One Great Hour of Sharing Offering
This special PCUSA offering helps to feed the hungry, aid and shelter people overcoming catastrophe and conflict, and to resource communities working to cast off the bonds of poverty and oppression. If you would like to give to this special offering, you may find OGHS envelopes at the Welcome Desk.
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Middle School Spring 'Splosion
April 21-23
Trout Creek – Corbett, OR
Spring 'Splosion is quickly approaching! We hope that all our 6-8th grade youth will attend this awesome weekend at Trout Creek in Corbett, Oregon. We spend a lot of time playing games, hanging out, worshiping, chatting in small group discussion time and much more. We hope that you can make it – and you’re welcome to bring a friend!
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Middle School Bike Hike
July 30-August 5
Farragut State Park – Athol, ID
Bike Hike is more than camping, biking, and traveling across the state – it is a week filled with friendship, worship, relaxation, challenge, and fun. All students currently in 6-8th grade are invited – and yes, you can bring a friend! Yesterday we held a parent-student information night, followed by our first leader’s meeting and we cannot wait to be singing around a campfire this summer! If you are interested in being a leader on Bike Hike, please reach out to Lydia - it is not too late and there are many different roles and skills needed.
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Summer Sale
August 10-12
Save the date for the annual church rummage sale. Start saving your items to donate which will be accepted August 6 & 7. Watch for details in the coming months.
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Maundy Thursday (April 6) at 7:00PM – We will have a service observing the Last Supper which will include communion, anointing, scripture readings, singing, and a meditation.
Good Friday (April 8) – You are invited to drop in to the Sanctuary for a simple prayer vigil anytime between 3:00-8:00PM. We will have a guided meditation that you may use to direct your prayers.
Easter Sunday (April 9) – Join us as we celebrate the resurrection!
7:30AM Traditional Service with the Adult Choir
9:00AM Traditional Service with the Adult Choir
10:30AM Contemporary Service
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GLIMPSES OF GOD IN SENEGAL
Sunday, March 26
9:00AM & 10:30AM
Chapel
The Senegal Go Team is excited to share the "Glimpses of God" they saw in Senegal on their recent trip, representing CPC as the hands and feet of Christ. From delivering clothing and medical supplies to the Falls who support the Talibe street boys to 2 new Christian churches to small groups of non-believers meeting to learn more about the Word, things are happening in Senegal. Please join the Go Team for highlights of the trip and encouraging stories of God's love in Senegal. The team thanks you all so much for your support!
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In Celebration:
- Congratulations to Beth Putney on accepting her first ordained call as a pastoral resident at San Marino Community Church in Southern California. Beth will finish her studies at Princeton Theological Seminary at the end of May. Information on her ordination service, to be held at CPC this summer, still to be determined.
In Concern:
- Mike Wheeler - recovering from shoulder surgery
- Pat Henderson - recovery & rehabilitation from partial hip replacement
- Dan Zeamer - recovering from surgery
- Ilona Kecskemethy - upcoming surgery
- Russ Parker - preventative cancer treatments
- Kay Thorpe - recovering from a stroke
- 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
Thank You:
A big thank you for the prayers and love shown to us. It’s difficult to convey what it has meant…but it has truly sustained us through these hard days and made all the difference.❤️ Kathy and Dan Zeamer
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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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