The Columbia Weekly
December 9, 2021
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A Message from Pastor Scott
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A defining characteristic of being in Christ is joy. Joy is a byproduct of the deep sense of hope that we have because of the salvation that Christ has given to us. We have joy because of the promise that our tears will be wiped away. We have joy because we have a future home that Christ has prepared for us. We have joy because the heavenly Father loves us. We have joy because we know deep within that all of our troubles are gathered up in the healing arms of God and transformed by His grace. When the gospel of Jesus has gripped our hearts and transformed our life, even if we struggle with loss and grief, we can still experience joy as we celebrate the season of Emmanuel: God with us.
This Sunday we light the joy candle on the advent wreath. The joy candle is a reminder that the joy of the Lord is our strength, and that sorrow may come in the night, but joy comes in the morning. Let us hold fast to the unwavering hope, peace, love and joy of the gospel during this advent season and throughout the whole year.
“The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news
that will cause great joy for all the people.”
Luke 2:10
Peace and Joy to all!
Scott
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We heard from so many people that the Christmas Concert was a wonderful and uplifting event, even from people who watched it on the Live Stream! If you missed the concert, or want to see it again, or share it with family and friends, you can watch a recording of the concert at your leisure. It is posted on the Columbia website or you can view it by clicking on the image to the left. Feel free to share this wonderful event with whomever might enjoy it.
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The submission deadline for Columbia Weekly articles is Wednesdays at 2:00PM.
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Movie Night
Friday, December 10
6:00PM - Dinner and movie in the Chapel
This month we will be showing Miracle on 34th Street. Remember to bring your own brown bag dinner.
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Chaos and Creation: a study of Genesis
Sundays at 10:30AM
Fellowship Hall
Taught by Pastors Scott and Ted
Join us this week as we study Genesis 15:1-21
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Christmas Bake Sale
Sunday, December 12
Chapel
Come enjoy the Presbyterian Women’s Christmas Bake Sale in the Chapel on today from 10:00-10:30AM and 11:30AM-12:00PM. Get your Christmas goodies to share or gift or just to eat yourself! All proceeds will benefit Presbyterian Women missions.
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Service of Remembrance
Sunday, December 12
3:00PM in the Sanctuary
This service is a special time to remember and honor the lives of those who have touched ours, but whom are no longer with us. This service is appropriate for family members and friends as well – indeed, for anyone who would like to remember someone special in their life that has passed away. We do ask that all attendees wear face masks and honor social distancing during this gathering time. Feel free to invite others you know who might also benefit.
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Christmas Eve Worship Reservations
4:00PM - Designed for families with young children
7:00PM - Traditional (childcare available)
Due to COVID regulations, masks are required. Click on the service time above to reserve your seats. If preferred, you may also call the office at 360-694-7549, to reserve your seat. If your plans change and you need to cancel your reservation, please contact the church office.
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Health Matters Update
More and more restaurants and other venues are now requiring proof of vaccination. To make it easy, take a photo of your immunization card to store on your phone.
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Reimbursement Deadline
All requests for reimbursement of expenses for 2021 must be submitted to the office by 4:00PM on Wednesday, December 15. Expenses submitted after that date will be reimbursed in 2022.
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Offering Envelopes for 2022 will be available beginning Sunday, January 2 at worship services and weekdays (8:30AM – 4:30PM) in the church office.
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2021 Contribution Deadline - All contributions for 2021 must received in the church office by noon on Friday, December 31, or postmarked by December 31.
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Tim's Bible Club 2022
This is a virtual group that commits to read through the Bible in one year using a reading list for each day provided by Tim Mauer. There are no meetings or committees - just an occasional email of encouragement throughout the year to keep you motivated.
The reading list for 2022 will be a traditional Old Testament to New Testament sequence with a narrative feel. The reading list will be available on the CPC app and website. Printed copies will also be available at the church office and in the gathering area outside the sanctuary next week.
If you are interested in joining, please email Tim at [email protected] or call the church office to sign up (360-694-7549). Reading begins on January 1.
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Elders & Deacon Nominations
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Thank you for your nominations for the Pastor Nominating Committee. Now the regular Nominating Committee is looking for candidates to serve as Elders and Deacons. Would you be interested in serving as an Elder or Deacon? Or do you know someone who would be a good Elder or Deacon?
If so, let the Nominating Committee know. You can do that by contacting Dave Cram, at [email protected], or by phone at 360-356-4108. You can also contact any member of the Nominating Committee (Nancy Bishoprick, Jerry Brown, Jerry Hofer, Alix Iverson, Terry Robertson, and Sharon Wallenborn). Please submit your candidate names by Wednesday, December 15.
Brochures are available in the Gathering Area which describe the different roles and responsibilities of Elders and Deacons. Both serve a critical role in serving and leading Columbia Presbyterian Church. Please don’t hesitate to talk to your friends about serving in one of these roles.
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Pastor Nominating Committee Update
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Oh, good! The Pastor Nominating Committee is in place. We should have a new pastor soon, right?
Not so fast! The Presbyterian way is thoughtful, prayerful, and follows a series of steps to ensure we are calling the pastor God has in mind for Columbia Presbyterian Church. God’s timing for God’s person is what we’re seeking.
In our first three meetings we’ve chosen leaders — Ron Prill and Karen Wheeler as co-moderators and Wendy Ovall as scribe — prayed and prayed some more, and gotten to know each other so we can work well together, respecting and enjoying each other. We are literally all over the Myers-Briggs chart, so it’s a well-balanced group. Soon we’ll meet our Presbytery liaison from the Commission on Ministry, Rev. Josh Rowley of First Presbyterian in Vancouver. We’ve been reading through a fat notebook of information plus the book “Canoeing the Mountains.”
We cherish your prayers as we begin to paint an authentic picture of Columbia when we work through the Ministry Information Form (MIF).
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NEWS from SENEGAL
As many of you know, the area we have been working in with World Vision has ‘graduated’! They are deemed self-sufficient through lots of hard work by the villagers and World Vision staff with a little help from CPC.
Because of this change, our sponsored children there are also ‘graduating’. We now have the opportunity to sponsor new children in a new development area, Lour-Ribot. Sunday, December 12, we will update you, have a message from the World Vision manager in the new area and give you a chance to personally get involved by sponsoring new children.
If you have questions in the meantime, contact Nancy Johns, 360-624-6598, [email protected]
WELCOME TO LOUR-RIBOT!
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Alternative Christmas Market 2021
UPDATE: You still have time to support three missions of Columbia Presbyterian Church and then honor a friend or loved one with that gift.
- The Linen Closet provides comfort, hope and dignity through linens. Your donations will help provide new bed linens to people entering temporary or transitional housing as they rebuild their lives.
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Evergreen Habitat for Humanity helps families build safe and affordable homes in Clark County. Your donation will help fund the “Faith Build” that CPC is participating in with other local churches starting in 2022. The build is in Johnson Village located off 162nd in Vancouver.
- Senegal Missions have served the unreached people of Senegal for over 20 years. Your support of Senegal Missions will help provide education materials, micro-finance loans, food and supplies for children and families.
How to Donate
- Pay by check and designate the mission. Drop off check at worship service or church office. Mail to: 8715 St. Helens Ave Vancouver, WA 98664
- Go to “Give” on CPC phone app or website. Select the mission(s) you wish to give to; The Linen Closet, Habitat for Humanity and or Senegal.
For questions or more information:
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Afghan Family Support
A family in the church is hosting an Afghan family and we are looking for a group of people to surround them with support as they settle into the area. Some of the needs include schooling, jobs, housing, banking, and learning to drive. For more information contact Connie: [email protected]
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Weekly Events December 10-16
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In Sympathy:
- Pam Stover-Dixon and family, on the death of her husband, Richard, on December 7.
- Karen and Ed Demko on the death of Karen’s sister, Diane, on December 2.
- John & Geo Plumberg on the death of Geo’s mother on November 30.
- A memorial service for Larry Barnes will be held this Saturday, December 11 at 2:00PM here at Columbia.
In Concern:
- Imogene Doden - recovering from auto accident
- Annie Reid - recovering from back surgery
- Susan Tjahjadi - recovering from eye surgery
- Jenny Underwood - treatment for cancer
- 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
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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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