The Columbia Weekly
December 21, 2022
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A Message from Pastor Scott |
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In 1 Kings 8, as King Solomon is dedicating the newly built Temple, during his prayer he asks the question, “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” It seems to me that the human heart has always wanted to be in touch with the divine. We have tried to reach to the heavens and bring God down, or to use religious tricks to lure God to give us a blessing, or just to be good so that God will notice and return the favor.
Yet none of these has worked because one cannot bargain with God or manipulate Him to do what we want. God is free from all of that. But that does not mean that God is uncaring. In fact, God cares so much that He comes to us in spite of us. God comes to “dwell on the earth” in the most unexpected way; a baby born to an unmarried peasant girl in small town in an unimportant place. When people learn about this amazing event, and receive it as the good news that it is, they break forth in joyous praise! The angels sing, the shepherds rejoice, the wise men bow down, and Mary ponders all of this in her heart!
There are some things that cannot be explained in full, but can only be experienced and pondered. God with us, dwelling among us on earth is one of those things. When all of the questions are asked and every answer has been tried, we are left with what the angels, shepherds, wise men, and Mary all do: Sing! Rejoice! Bow Down! And ponder! Come and worship the newborn King!
Scott
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Celebrate the Christmas Season |
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Christmas Eve Services
Join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
- 4:00PM - Service designed for families with young children
- 7:00PM - Traditional Candlelight (childcare available)
- 9:00PM - Contemporary Candlelight
Christmas Day Service
- One service only at 10:30AM
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Special Deacon Offering
All of the Christmas Eve offering will go to the Deacon Fund of Columbia Presbyterian Church. The Deacon Fund is used to provide financial support for members and friends of Columbia in great need. It is administered, confidentially, by officers of the Board of Deacons and the pastors of Columbia. The Deacon Fund’s only source is from the Christmas Eve offering and special gifts during the year. We appreciate your generous support for this important ministry and our effort to “be Christ” to those in need.
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Children's Ministry
Children are invited to remain with their parents on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Childcare in the Nursery will resume January 8.
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Youth Schedule Reminders
- Youth Sunday school resumes January 8
- High School Youth Group resumes January 8
- Middle School Youth Group resumes January 11
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2023 High School Ski Retreat
February 17-20
Registration is now open for the High School Ski Retreat. Yes, even though Camas School District has changed their calendar to accommodate an earlier snow day, we are sticking with our original 4-day retreat. Costs vary depending on many factors, please read the options carefully. Register Here.
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Contribution Deadline
All contributions for 2022 must be received in the church office by noon on Friday, December 30, OR postmarked by December 31. Contributions received or postmarked after the 31st will be posted to your account for 2023.
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2023 Offering Envelopes
Offering envelopes are available in the Gathering Area and weekdays (8:30AM – 4:30PM) in the church office.
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Tim's Bible Club - 2023
The New Year is coming and you are invited to join Tim Mauer and friends as they read through the entire Bible together in 2023.
Whether you’ve never read the Bible, or have joined every year, make 2023 the year to meet with God every day and get to know Him better through reading His Word.
Tim’s Bible Club is a virtual group that commits to read through the Bible in one year using a reading list for each day provided by Tim. There are no meetings or committees - just an occasional email of encouragement throughout the year to keep you motivated.
The reading list this year will be a traditional Old Testament to New Testament sequence with a narrative feel. You will be provided with a list of daily reading references, which will also be available on the church app and website. A paper printout of the reading list will be available in the Gathering Area.
If you are interested in joining, please send an email to Tim or sign-up in the Gathering Area. Reading begins on January 1. Your participation will be a blessing to you and to all the others who join.
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Christmas Joy Offering
This offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930's.
- The offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.
- The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families.
- Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years.
We will collect for this special offering during the month of December. Offering envelopes are available at the Welcome Desk.
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GIFT@Night
Wednesdays, 6:30PM
January 11 - February 15
in LL6
GIFT, a women’s study and fellowship group, invites you to explore the effect of hurriedness on our spiritual lives by studying John Mark Comer’s book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. Questions? Contact Stephanie Bisch or (360) 553-9871.
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LifeKeys
Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:00 PM
January 11 - February 22
Why are you here? What do you do best? What are you passionate about? What do you value? LifeKeys is a class that helps you explore these and other questions that will help you better understand your unique, God-given, blend of gifts, and how you can best use these gifts. Registration for LifeKeys is $14, and includes the LifeKeys work book. Click the button below to register for this class.
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In Celebration:
- Ted and Katie Buck on the birth of a granddaughter, Tobin Yazzie, on December 15. Parents are Allison & Brandon Voigt.
In Sympathy:
- Jeff & Anna Haagenson and family on the death of Jeff's dad, Jerry, on December 13.
- Brig & Erin Lambley and family on the death of Brig's father, Craig, on December 4.
- Shirley Waltz and family on the death of her husband, Jim, on December 1.
In Concern:
- Trish Johnston - recovering from shoulder surgery
- Jeannie Vanderwal - recovering from surgery
- Mary Carlson - health concerns
- Imogene Doden - on hospice
- David Peterson - receiving immunotherapy treatment for cancer
- 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
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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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