Last year, at this time, we were (literally) facing a storm. Snow fell with such insistence, we had to cancel the Ash Wednesday service. The weather is slightly better this year (please, please Lord), but the message we sent out last year is worth repeating.

THE INVITATION OF ASH WEDNESDAY

I heard Pastor Matt once describe sin as being like gravity. I know gravity to be a constant, slow and powerful force that influences, shapes and changes all things. It’s a force that we can’t escape…and neither can our kids.

If this is true, we have to start to view the world differently. What if we teach our kids to see sin for the constant force that it is? It isn’t simply a sorting tool or a checklist. It finds its way into every system and relationship. It erodes trust, it crushes self-confidence. It separates us; from each other, from God and from the Kingdom.

That’s the design of it. But it is only by understanding how dark things are that we can truly appreciate how big, powerful and triumphant Easter really is. Knowing Christ doesn’t eliminate the pull of gravity, but it gives us the freedom to identify the force and have a stronger one with which to push back against it. A shield of faith. A light in the dark. A guide on the path. 

Sin highlights our frailty, but Lent invites us to turn back to Him as the source of our strength. 

As we remember Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent together, we are offered this invitation. We are invited to see our sin and the sins of our world. We are invited to turn from the things that separate us and turn back to Christ.  We are invited to acknowledge our need for God to change us, as we are not strong enough on our own. We are invited into the compassion of a healing God, the strongest force there is.

Burying the Alleluia

On Sunday students "buried the Alleluia/Hallelujah", a physical reminder that we won't be singing or saying these words of rejoicing until Easter morning!

K2 & Middle School Combined Family Game Night

Last Wednesday, Anna and Lydia joined the forces of K² and the Middle School Youth Group for one of the most fun and memorable family nights we have seen in a long time! Thank you to all the family members that donated snacks or stayed and played. We might need to make this a new tradition!

Book Fairy

This month the Book Fairy read "Don't Forget to Remember" by Ellie Holcomb. Click Here to listen to the song that inspired the book!

Love never ends.

1 Corinthians 13:8

Pray for the High School Ski Retreat

30 high school youth and adult leaders are heading to Bend, OR this weekend for several days of fun on the mountain and around town. They will be studying the parable of the prodigal son and worshipping together through song and small group discussions. Those who don't head up to Mt. Bachelor for skiing or snowboarding will explore the shops around Sisters, OR and spend plenty of time hanging out together and playing games. Pray for their safety and for their hearts to be open to the Gospel.

Work Camp Auction - Register Now!

Sunday, March 17

12:00PM

Fellowship Hall and Gym

Registration is now open for the 2024 Work Camp Auction! RSVP for lunch, purchase raffle tickets, and help sponsor an element of the auction now. Return to the auction website over the coming days to view auction items. Bidding on Silent Auction items will begin the week before through the auction website and app. Bidding on Live Auction items will happen on March 17 at the Live Auction event. An email with further details will be sent soon.

Auction Donations Still Needed!

We are still in need of auction donations. If you have something to donate to the auction, there are donation slips in the church office and Gathering Area. Items can be dropped off in the church office or contact Amanda Stimmel to make alternative arrangements.

Minecraft Club is coming!

Saturday, April 6

5:00PM-7:00PM

2024 Summer Internships

Students that have completed 9th grade or higher are eligible to apply for a volunteer internship (approx. 20 hours/week) for Youth or Children’s Ministries. Students that have completed 10th grade or higher AND have served as a previous CPC Summer Intern or as a Core Leader in K², Middle School Youth Group or High School Youth Group are eligible to apply for a paid internship (approx. 30 hours/week and various trips). 

Interns in both Children’s and Youth Internships will spend each day as a large group sharing in devotionals, trainings and various activities. Interns will also have opportunities to spend time on projects specific to their area of ministry. The internship is 9 weeks. At this time, the internship will begin on Friday, June 14th and finish on Wednesday, August 14th. Beginning and ending dates may change depending on school calendars, but they will be set by the time of the interviews. When you come for your interviews, you will be provided with summer dates, and we will expect you to plan your summer dates according to that schedule.

In order to be considered for the internship, applications need to be completed by Sunday, March 3rd. We encourage you to discern through prayer and counsel if God is calling you to this opportunity of growth and service.

All interviews will be conducted in person with the Children and Youth Ministry Teams:

Sunday, March 10th (between 12:00-3:30pm)*

*Please let us know in your application if the above day does not work for you and we will try to accommodate another time.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Saturday, February 24

9:00AM-4:00PM

Lunch provided.

This is a FREE, skills-based training that teaches parents, family members, teachers, and any other adult how to identify, understand and respond to an adolescent (ages 12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Facilitators will be Amanda Stimmel and Diana Gage. To register, please email dianagage@mac.com or call Diana 360-909-0457. 

Weekly Programs

Wednesdays

Children's Choir

5:00-5:30PM, Chapel

Grades: 2nd-5th Grade

K² Live

6:00-8:00PM, Chapel

Grades: 3rd-5th Grade

Middle School Youth Group

6:00-8:00PM

Drop Off: Youth Center, Pick Up: Main Church Building

Grades: 6th-8th Grade

Sundays

Children's Sunday School

9:00AM, Education Wing

Grades: Pre-K through 5th Grade

Youth Sunday School

9:00AM, LL6

Grades: 6th-12th Grade

High School Youth Group

6:00-8:00PM, Youth Center

Grades: 9th-12th Grade



For Your Calendar

February

2.14 - Ash Wednesday Service at 6:00PM

2.16-19 - High School Ski Retreat

March

3.17 - Work Camp Auction

3.20 - K2 Secret Pal Night

3.22 - Parent's Night Out

3.24 - Palm Sunday - Children's Choir sings at 9:00AM Service

3.29 - Good Friday Worship Service, 7:00PM

3.31 - Easter Sunday, Services at 7:30AM, 9:00AM and 10:30AM

April

4.1-4.7 - Spring Break - No Programs

4.6 - Minecraft Club, 5:00PM-7:00PM

4.19-20 - K2 Spring Retreat

4.19-21 - Middle School Spring Splosion Retreat

4.25-27 - Men's Retreat

May

5.5 - Children's Choir sings at 9:00AM Service

5.8 - Last MOPS (registration for next year opens)

5.8 - Last K²

5.12 - Mother's Day

5.17-19 - Women's Retreat

5.19 - Last Youth Sunday School and Last High School Youth Group

5.22 - Last Middle School Youth Group

June

6.2 - Grad Sunday

6.9 - Children's Ministry Volunteer Breakfast and Last Sunday School

6.16 - Father's Day

6.19 - Summer Middle School Youth Group Begins

6.23 - Summer Sunday School Begins and Summer High School Youth Group Begins

6.24-6.28 - Vacation Bible School

Tifny Mathena, Children and Intergenerational Ministry Director

tifny@columbiapresbyterian.org

Anna Haagenson, Director of K² Live and Children's Music

anna@columbiapresbyterian.org

Lydia Fitzpatrick, Youth Director

lydia@columbiapresbyterian.org

Catherine Feeny, Youth Ministry Worship Leader

catherine@columbiapresbyterian.org

Viva Dennis, Children's Ministry Administrative Assistant

viva@columbiapresbyterian.org

Katie Mrochko, Youth Ministry Administrative Assistant

katie@columbiapresbyterian.org

Lindsey Wright, Childcare Coordinator

lindsey@columbiapresbyterian.org

Sharon Wallenborn, Circle of Friends Preschool Director

sharonw@columbiapresbyterian.org

Laura Ericcsen, Circle of Friends Preschool Assistant Director

laura@columbiapresbyterian.org

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