The Columbia Weekly - August 22, 2025

The Columbia Weekly

August 22, 2025

A Message from Pastor Matt

Columbia Friends,

It was good to see you all last Sunday! If you missed worshiping with us, I am home. It was an excellent summer and sabbath time and it was much needed. This week has been a whirlwind of getting up to speed on things and trying to remember old rhythms and appointments. Despite the head and heart adjustment of getting back to work, I have missed you all and entire aspects of my calling and work here and in the community.

I just want to reiterate how thankful my family and I are for this practice that our denomination has. You all were gracious in allowing us to get that time away together. We are very thankful that people filled in in various ways. It is a good reminder for you all and for me that, at some level, you don’t need me all the time and that I shouldn’t convince myself that ministry can’t go forward without a pastor. It is a healthy reminder for all us from time to time.

My hope is that you might join us for worship this Sunday if you aren’t traveling around at summer’s end. We will be working our way toward the finish line of our sermon series on the Atonement. We have been looking at how we are brought back into relationship with God. Starting this Sunday, we will shift our focus from what God has done and our need to receive that gracious blessing and look at how we respond to the fact that God has drawn us back into relationship. What does it mean for our world and for our walking in faith that God has reconciled us to him? I really hope you all are doing well. Know that I am praying for you as I was during the sabbatical time.

It’s good to be home.

Pastor Matt

Read Ephesians 3:1-4:6 in preparation for worship.

Announcements

Lunch Event sponsored by the Health Ministry Team

Monday, August 25

11:15AM-12:45PM

Fellowship Hall

Can it be the end of summer already? The Health Ministry Team is inviting you to one last Bring Your Own Bag Lunch (BYOBL) event on Monday, August 25. Come get to know someone new, fellowship with others, and have meaningful discussion—all are welcome!

Make and Take Card Class

Saturday, August 30

9:00AM-Noon

Chapel (Note: room change for this month only)

Join Ann Ferguson, Katy Graham and Terry Hurley for a morning of card making and fellowship on Saturday, August 30, 9:00AM-noon, in the Chapel. All supplies are included and you’ll have 4 beautiful cards to send to family or friends. Sign up here through the church app or by calling Terry in the church office. Suggested donation to be collected at class - $5.

Calling All Singers!

Everyone who loves to sing is invited to join the Adult Choir at our first rehearsal on Thursday, September 4, at 7:00PM. We rehearse weekly on Thursdays from 7:00–8:45PM, in the Sanctuary and sing in the 9:00AM traditional worship service. If you have any questions, feel free to call Jeff Haagenson at the church office or email him. We would love to see you there!

GriefShare

Wednesdays, beginning September 3

1:30-3:30PM

Main Conference Room

This small group runs September 3 -December 3. You can join anytime. We will be looking into areas of grief styles, grief “ambushes,” significant “firsts” one will encounter, and tracking one’s progress. Workbooks are $20. To register, click here.

Prayer Night

Wednesday, September 3

6:00-7:00PM

Sanctuary

Prayer is something we are called to do constantly; for our hearts, minds, souls, families, church and community. Please join us in taking one hour together to pause and pray as we head into this next season.

Fall Fest 2025

Sunday, September 7

Outdoor Worship

10:30AM (One service only)

Join our 4th annual Fall Fest celebration on Sunday, September 7! We will worship at a single, informal, outdoor service at 10:30AM. After worship we'll enjoy wonderful food - including vegan, gluten-free, and child-friendly items. We have invited Circle of Friends families and surrounding church neighbors to join us - so keep an eye out to welcome any new faces. We will have games and crafts for kids AND adults: "think butterflies, snakes, and nature"... face painters, a bouncy house, corn hole, mini golf, and music throughout the day. Bring your personal water bottles, sunscreen, and hearts for praise and fellowship!

How can you help? We need VOLUNTEER BAKERS to bring dessert bars, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, chips or fruit! We also need volunteers that morning for table setup, breakdown, and kitchen cleanup! Contact Cindy VanDinter, (360) 798-0786 or sign up in the Gathering Area on Sunday, August 24.

Grove 345

Wednesdays, beginning September 10

6:00PM-8:00PM

Chapel

K2 Live is getting a new name! Introducing Grove 345! Just as a grove in nature is a group of trees planted and cultivated to bear fruit, our new name reflects a community of young people growing together in faith. Grove 345 will not change in structure or content. Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will continue to encounter Jesus through games, small groups, interactive Bible stories, crafts, missions, and music each Wednesday night. Contact Anna Haagenson if you have questions. Register here.

Children's Choir

Wednesdays, beginning September 10

5:00PM-5:30PM

Chapel

Music enhances language, memory, and problem-solving skills. It instills discipline, self-regulation and self-confidence and improves social skills, emotional expression and regulation. Singing in a church choir also fosters a child’s faith and provides a sense of community and connection. There is a unique joy in making music with others to the glory of God. As we approach the beginning of the new program year, I hope you will consider having your 2nd - 5th grader be a part of the Columbia Children’s Choir. Kids in Grove 345 (formerly K2 Live) are invited to bring a sack dinner to eat before the program starts at 6:00. Contact Anna Haagenson if you have questions. Register here.

Middle School Back to School Retreat

September 19-21

Camp Tadmor

The transition to Middle School is a big one and the Back to School Retreat is a great way to help your child find their niche with friends from church. Camp Tadmor is less than two hours away and is a fun and peaceful place to hang with friends - they have a giant gaga ball court (trust us, it's fun) and a lake with all kinds of critters to find, and you can also sign up to play paintball! Contact Lydia Fitzpatrick if you have questions. Register here.

High School Back to School Retreat

September 26-28

Camp Tadmor

School is back in session and the Back to School Retreat at Camp Tadmor is an awesome way to reconnect with your church friends, enjoy some downtime in nature, and challenge your friends to a round of paintball! Contact Lydia Fitzpatrick if you have questions. Register here.

High School Confirmation

Sundays, beginning October 5

9:00AM

Chapel

All High School youth are invited to participate in Confirmation - even those who have been through it before - as we will be using all new curriculum. For those who complete Confirmation, there is the option to publicly declare their faith through baptism or being anointed by oil (if already baptized). You may also choose to become a member of Columbia. Contact Lydia Fitzpatrick if you have questions. Register here.

Women's Ministry Opportunities

Women’s Ministry Info Gathering

Sunday, August 24

10:00-10:30AM

Library & Alcove

Get your fall off to a great start by joining other Columbia women between services (10:00-10:30AM) on Sunday, August 24 in the library and library alcove area. Representatives will be there from each of the women’s study and fellowship groups available at CPC. You can learn about when groups meet, what they are studying this fall, and ask questions. Stop by to discover a group that might be a fit for you.

Tuesday Morning Women's Bible Study (GIFT)

Beginning September 9

9:30-11:30AM

Chapel

An exciting year is planned for the Tuesday morning Bible study group. We’ll start off the year with a 12-week study on “Daring Women of the Bible.” A study about real women, real trials and real triumphs; it offers valuable insights for our current lives. The videos are led by various popular leaders with some of our favorites and also new faces. Women of all ages are welcome and childcare is provided with advance registration.

Wednesday Evening Women's Bible Study

Beginning September 10

6:30-8:00PM

LL6

Back by popular demand, Kristi McLelland's Bible study, "Jesus and Women: In the First Century and Now." Join us for 7 DVD sessions that will transport us back to Jesus’ world, following in the footsteps of the women who came face-to-face with the Living God. For more information, email or call Alix Iverson, 360-281-8475.

Friday Morning Women's Bible Study

Beginning September 12

10:00-11:00AM

Library

This group meets each Friday morning to strengthen their understanding of the Word and it's meaning for each of us. This fall, we will begin the season reading and discussing the book, "Knowing the Holy Spirit Through the Old Testament" by Christopher Wright. For more information, contact Marilyn Kimble, 360-718-2411.

Friday Afternoon Women's Bible Study

Beginning September 19

12:30-2:30PM

Library

To make faith-growing opportunities available to even more women at CPC, we are launching a pilot Bible study on Friday afternoons during the school year. Our goal is to grow in our relationship with Jesus by engaging Scripture through study, conversation, and prayer together. This fall we will dig into Paul’s letter to the Philippians using some basic self-study methods. We will try to accommodate childcare as needed. Interested? Email or call Mary Jensen, 360-903-0296 or Nicole Webb, 414-418-1640.

Associate Pastor Nominating Committee Update

The APNC has three candidates for the Associate Pastor position whom we have interviewed extensively. We plan to bring each candidate here to visit, so we can meet them in person.

Please join us in prayer as we get to know these candidates better in the coming weeks in order to narrow down our choice to the one God is calling. Thank you!

APNC Members: Mary Buckheister-Smith, Erin Endreson, Marilyn Kimble, Steve Martin, Jeff Ovall, Brian Randolph, Ben Stimmel, Aaron Villanueva, Julie Wilcox

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