Worship Services
9:00 & 10:30 AM Sundays

Phone: (360) 694-7549

The Columbia Weekly
September 2, 2021
A Message from Pastor Matt
Friends,

The chill of fall is in the air and as I write this, kids are walking past my house to school! We are also in some challenging times, as is always the case. But, at CPC, ministry continues. Backpacks are headed to Mac Middle School, student ministries are firing up, adult ministries is hosting the Growing Young Weekend in October, we just hosted a Columbia Future Forge dinner for the entire Clark College baseball team at CPC, and Clark's basketball team may soon join that ministry! And, for the first time, some of our adults from CPC will be on campus at a local high school, doing ministry through the Forge’s mentoring program.

So, though we are making COVID adjustments practically and emotionally, we are not quite where we once were, and the mission of our church to bless our community, form disciples, and help others to encounter this Jesus we have come to love and follow, is plowing forward in some remarkable ways. Crazier yet, is that we do this while trusting that our elders and lay leadership are now moving very tangibly in the direction of a new head of staff. That is incredible.

This Sunday, online and in person, we will be hearing from the Book of James. James is short, direct, and action oriented. This is a great text for us, as a community, to hear and part of it represents the bedrock of what led to the formation of the Columbia Future Forge. We like to say we are a church of growing disciples. Let’s all come and discern what that means and what it looks like to do so. We believe what James insists is true: Disciples move and do. Let’s explore the implications and questions about that this week! Hope to see you there…or online!!!

Pastor Matt
Worship Reminders
  • This Sunday, September 5, is Communion Sunday. COVID-responsible elements will be provided in the Worship Service, or you may bring your own.

  • Sunday services are at 9:00AM & 10:30AM. On September 12, we will return to a Traditional service at 9:00AM and a Contemporary service at 10:30AM. (Reminder: last week was the final Saturday evening service.)

  • The link to join the livestream is available on the homepage of our website. Look for the red "Watch Live" button in the upper right corner.
Update Regarding Face Coverings
Please watch the video message below from Pastor Scott and Pastor Matt about our care for you and what drives our Covid decisions as a church.
For the health and safety of our worshiping community, Columbia Presbyterian Church asks that all individuals wear a face covering while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Thank you for your love and patience as we navigate these difficult times.
Congregation Communications Team
Session has designated three elders - Nancy Johns, Ben Stimmel, and Bo Liebe - as the Congregational Communications Team. Our purpose is to communicate to the congregation on a regular basis about the process CPC is moving through to call a new pastor and answer any questions you might have. We will be updating the congregation on the progress of these activities on a regular basis through the Columbia Weekly, the website FAQ postings, in person, and individually as you contact us. For us, email is preferred just because it lets us share our correspondence.

These are exciting times! We want everyone to be comfortable that there is a process and where we are in it.

Contact the Congregational Communications Team: Nancy Johns (360-624-6598), Ben Stimmel (360-771-1509), or Bo Liebe (503-803-0127).
Announcements
Growing Young Weekend
October 8-10
$20 for Adults, $10 for Youth

Plan to come to this dynamic weekend of learning, listening, and growing with our speaker Steve Argue from Fuller Seminary and Fuller Youth Institute. Steve brings a passion for teaching and mentoring students, researching and learning about youth culture, training leaders, inspiring parents, and cultivating the church's imagination about how to reach a younger generation for Christ.
Be the Bridge Adult Class
Sundays, 9:00AM
Begins Sept. 12
Register and pick up your book in the Gathering Area this Sunday between services or in the church office.

How can you “Be the Bridge” of reconciliation in your community? This is an important question for us to ask as we face a world that is full of division. Ben Stimmel and Bernard Veljacic will host the “Be the Bridge” class, where we will talk about the biblical mandate for us to join with Christ in the ministry of racial reconciliation.   

“God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation... So we are ambassadors for Christ.” 
2 Corinthians 5:18, 20 
Journey Class
Sunday, Sept. 19, 10:30AM-2:00PM
Fellowship Hall

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. 
GIFT Women's Bible Study
Tuesdays, 9:30AM-11:30AM, Chapel
Begins Sept. 14
Questions? Contact Sheri Borrevik, 360-772-9207
Childcare Reservations: Email Terry Hurley

The mission of GIFT is to help women of all ages grow in faith together through friendship and discipleship. You are invited to join this group of women who not only study the Bible, but support and encourage each other in our lives and faith. In our fall study, “Jesus and Women: In the First Century and Now” by Kristi McLelland, we will discover the Bible through the lens of Middle Eastern culture as we follow in the footsteps of women who came face-to-face with Jesus.
Movie Night
Friday, Sept. 10
Brown bag dinner - 6:00PM, Fellowship Hall
Movie - 7:00PM, Chapel
The movie for this month is "Red."
Adult Choir
Questions? Contact Jeff Haagenson

Because of the latest mask mandate, the plans that were communicated for the adult choir have been put on hold. We will let you know a new plan as soon as we can determine the best way to move forward.
Dunamis Project 2 - In the Spirit’s Power
Oct. 20-23
Questions? Leadership Team listed below

In this second of six Dunamis Conferences, you will look at what Scripture teaches about how God’s Spirit calls us to cooperate with him, becoming people who change the world for the glory of Jesus Christ. The teaching will be onsite at the Columbia Presbyterian Church. Also included is a hosted, onsite contemplative prayer walk.

Children's and Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry for Fall 2021
Questions? Contact Lydia Tombarelli or Katie Mrochko

A Youth Ministry Newsletter was sent with all the details regarding Middle School and High School Sunday school, youth group, confirmation classes and retreats. That email can be viewed online Here.
Children's Sunday School for Fall 2021
9:00AM
Begins Sept. 12
Questions? Contact Kristin Singleton or Viva Dennis

Children's Ministry Director Kristin Singleton will detail this further in a separate email to families.
K2 Live
Wednesdays, 6:00PM-7:30PM
Begins Sept. 15
Register Here & complete the Waiver Here
Questions? Contact Anna Haagenson, 360-521-3670

All 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are invited to come experience a time of fun and faith exploration: Multi-media faith exploration! Small group encounters! Gym games! Cool crafts! Special events! And much more!
Mission Connections
Compassion Vancouver Clinic
Saturday, Oct. 9
Northcrest Community Church, 5602 E Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661
Questions or to Volunteer: Contact Debbie Engley

Compassion Vancouver has reflected over the past year on the best way to provide medical/dental clinics in Vancouver and Clark County. They have decided to go from one big clinic a year to several smaller medical/dental clinics. Compassion Vancouver's plan is 2-3 clinics per year, at several different churches. Smaller clinics are easier to plan, require fewer volunteers, and are much less expensive. 
Haiti Updates
On Aug. 14, a devastating 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit southwestern Haiti, leaving over 2,200 people dead, and many more injured, missing, and homeless. Days later, Tropical Storm Grace swept over the ravaged landscape, hampering the complicated search and rescue mission. According to some estimates, 40% of the total affected population are in need of emergency humanitarian assistance, and more than half a million children were affected. 

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) partners with other aid groups to help people in need when disaster strikes anywhere in the world. If you would like to make a financial contribution to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti, Session recommends PDA as a reliable way to offer help. Click Here to donate.
Senegal Child Sponsorship
Questions? Contact Nancy Johns, 360-624-6598

Several development areas where many of us have sponsored children will pass the evaluation for being independent from World Vision. Two we know of are Diakhao and Niakhar. If your child’s number begins with SEN 174500-xxx or SEN 174501-xxx, these kiddos are in those communities and your ability to sponsor will be terminated shortly.

You will receive a letter from World Vision to this effect and often with a suggested new child. This child does NOT know you have their name and it is a time when you can say NO and make an online request for a child in the community that CPC is focused on next - Lour-Ribot. The process to become a NEW sponsor will work the same. Here is how to find your new child:
  • Go to the World Vision Child Sponsorship page: Click Here
  • Scroll down past the map to SPONSOR A CHILD, click (Location no longer is available)
  • Select GENDER, AGE, BIRTH MONTH, BIRTH DATE
  • Children that fit your criteria will appear for LEARN MORE which will include a video and a SPONSOR button.

Sponsorship provides base funding for a community to get the development work done that is needed—water, education, nutrition/health, child protection, livelihood development and Christian witness partnering with community members.
Weekly Events September 2 - 8

To see what's happening this week, Click Here
Columbia Cares
In Sympathy:
  • Diane Difford and family, on the death of David on August 22. Service plans are pending.
  • Deane Green and family, on the death of Deane’s mother on August 27.
  • John Van Dinter and family, on the death of his mother on September 1.
  • The family of Ralph and Meredith Randall on their deaths on July 20 and August 6, respectively.
  • The family of Rosemarie Chun, who died on July 27, invites you to view her Celebration of Life video. Click Here to view.

In Concern:
  • Sheila Hockley - recovering from a fall
  • Todd Carroll - treatment for cancer
  • Helen Byler - on hospice
  • Carol Peterson - health concerns
  • Larry Barnes - health concerns
  • Ida Beth Freitag - recovering from surgery
  • Jeanene Polete - health concerns
  • Dottie Scott - health concerns
  • Barbara Van Nostern - lower back issues
  • Jim Hudson - health concerns
Giving Options
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:
For information on the following giving options email Marilyn Roberts;

  • Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
  • Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
  • Stock
805 Columbia Ridge Dr.
Vancouver, WA 98664
(360) 694-7549