The Columbia Weekly
April 7, 2022
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A Message from Pastor Scott |
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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the most beloved and popular scripture verses of our time. It is a positive message of God’s plan for us which brings hope and purpose to our situation. It is important to remember to whom this message was originally spoken. Jeremiah wrote this to the Jews in exile who were in Babylon. They were a community that had gone through terrible hardship when they were hauled off in chains to a strange and foreign land. They had lost the core markers of their identity as the people of God: The Promised Land and the Temple. It was very likely that they would be assimilated into the menagerie of other captives from other lands who had also been relocated to Babylon.
So Jeremiah writes to these exiles and encourages them to accept the situation that they find themselves in, and get about living their lives: build homes, take wives and husbands, raise families, and seek and pray for the welfare of the place and people who have captured them. Jeremiah is telling them to be a blessing to their enemy! Being a blessing and praying for those who persecute others has been the recipe for every generation of faithful people who are living in exile. The thing is, ever since we were expelled from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23-24), the whole human race has been living in exile. And so, as people living in exile, we too are called by God to “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf” Jeremiah 29:7). Why do we do this? Because God has a plan for us: “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Read Jeremiah 29:1-14 in preparing for the message this Sunday.
Peace,
Scott
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Maundy Thursday Worship Experience - April 14 in the Sanctuary. Drop in between 4:00-8:00PM to experience this self-guided walk through the Garden of Gethsemane.
Good Friday Worship Service - April 15, 7:00PM
Easter Services
- 7:30AM - Sunrise
- 9:00AM - Traditional with Choir
- 10:30AM - Contemporary
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Vancouver Heights Neighborhood Chipper Day
Saturday, April 9
8AM - Noon
Upper Campus parking lot
Columbia Presbyterian Church is partnering with The Heights Neighborhood Association to host a yard debris chipper event.
You may want to plan to bring your tree limbs, branches and other woody yard debris for chipping. Donations will be collected from those using the service, to offset the cost.
The following items are accepted:
- Woody debris, branches, twigs, tree prunings (up to 4" in diameter)
- Tree limbs (up to 4" in diameter)
- Tree trunks
The following items are NOT accepted:
- Ivy, vines, or blackberry briars
- Leaves or grass clippings
- Pine needles
- Rocks & dirt
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Wednesday Evening Adult Class
Surprised by Hope
Wednesdays, April 27 - June 1
6:30PM
We will begin a new and exciting study based on N.T. Wright’s book Surprised by Hope. This is a video series featuring Dr. Wright as he explores the meaning of heaven, the resurrection, and the mission of the church. The study includes a participant study book that can be purchased now in the church office for $9 (check or exact cash only).
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Food Drive Results
Columbia, you have helped many people! Thanks for donating to the Deacons’ Spring Food Drive; 850 pounds of food was delivered to the Clark County Food Bank, 54 pounds of snacks will go to McLoughlin Middle School and Marshall Elementary, and $2,680 was received to help the food bank and the Deacons feed people. It’s not too late to donate money if you missed the food drive — just note “Food drive” on your donation. Thank you, everyone!
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Women's Retreat
May 20-22
Aldersgate Retreat Center
Registration opens on April 10
Ladies, join us for our annual retreat where we will discover The Blessings of Faithfulness. Our guest speaker is Sheri Richter. The weekend will include teaching, crafts, hiking, and quiet time. Brochures are available in the Gathering Area. Space is limited so register early. Visit www.columbiapresbyterian.org to register.
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Vacation Bible School
June 27 - July 1
Ages 5yrs (Pre-K) through 5th grade
Registration opens Monday, April 11
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. Visit www.columbiapresbyterian.org to register.
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Youth Spring Break Schedule Reminder
- April 10 – We will have Middle and High School Sunday School and High School Youth Group
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Middle School Spring 'Splosion
April 23, 11AM-3PM
$10
Click here to register. Registration closes April 10.
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High School Work Camp
July 5-6
$15
Click here to register. Registration closes June 1.
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High School Camp Spalding
July 10-16
$325
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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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"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the love of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, NRSV)
Columbia is implementing a caring ministry for those who could benefit from a trained Stephen Minister, who will walk along beside them during times of grief or loss. Over the next several weeks, Columbia Weekly will include news of what's happening in the Stephen Ministry Program, including the commissioning of four new Stephen Leaders during worship services on Sunday, April 24. Please watch for these updates and pray for the success of this important new caring ministry.
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A thank you note from Malick and Feluine Fall in Senegal
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Thank you again for your prayers and your support for God's work in Senegal.
For this month we want to thank the Lord for all his goodness and again share with you our thanksgiving and prayer request.
We thank the Lord for:
- The progress in the planning of Feluine's surgery
- All the girls who listen to the word of God every morning
- The good feedback from Yoonu Njub listeners
- The commitment of the Youth of the church in the ministries
Please pray with us for:
- The visa application for Germany for Feluine ‘s surgery.
- The Health of Faustine Mbongo and a new date for the training we planned with her.
- A listener of Yoonu Njub, who received a Megavoice audio Bible and who says he listens to the Word of God every day with his children
- 2 new darhas with the talibes program
- The direction of the Lord for the future of the training center for boys.
- The youth camp of the church starting this morning
Thanks again and blessings,
Malick and Feluine Fall
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Tory Clapshaw, who grew up at Columbia, is currently receiving missionary training with Youth with a Mission(YWAM). YWAM is an interdenominational Christian training organization that was founded in 1960 with an initial focus to get youth involved in missions.
Tory has been in training the past year in Hawaii and is heading to Poland to help with the Ukrainian refugee crisis. Her team from YWAM will be building relationships with women and children and transporting families from border cities. They will also be loading and unloading supplies from trucks. Please pray for Tory. You can contact her at tory.clapshaw@gmail.com
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Save the Date:
- Spring Sale - April 7-9
- Neighborhood Chipper Day - April 9
- Middle School Spring 'Splosion - April 23
- Dunamis - May 11-14
- Grad Sunday - May 15
- Women's Retreat - May 20-22 (Registration opens April 10)
- Vacation Bible School - June 27-July 1 (Registration opens April 11)
- High School Work Camp - July 5-6
- High School Camp Spalding - July 10-16
- Middle School Bike Hike - July 31-August 6
- Guys & Kids Campout - August 19-21
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In Sympathy:
- Cheryl Gibbens and family on the death of her husband, Dennis, on April 1. A service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens on Thursday, April 14 at noon.
In Concern:
- Hazel Grunsky - on hospice
- Nancie Parmenter - recovering from back surgery
- Jane Erickson - recovering from neck surgery
- Jean Sarchet - heart procedure
- Sheila Hockley - health concerns
- Judi Trist - undergoing cancer treatment
- LeOla Pearson - on hospice
- John Prutsman - recovering from heart surgery
- David Peterson - diagnosed with cancer
- Imogene Doden - health concerns
- Jim Waltz - recovering from surgery
- 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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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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