The Columbia Weekly

December 19, 2025

One of my favorite Christmas memories is seeing my Aunt Ruth and Uncle Harold pulling up to our house in their big old Buick that was stuffed full of presents for us kids. Actually, they were my dad’s aunt and uncle, but my dad’s parents had died at a fairly young age, and his aunt and uncle never had children, so they filled the role of grandparents for us. We loved them and they loved us and it was really fun to have them for a week at Christmas.

Later I realized that the blessing of having them as our proxy grandparents came out of the difficulty of not being able to have their own children. Their pain and grief caused them to turn to my dad and to us and give their love to our family. God took the disruption and difficulty of their lives and helped them to remake it into something new.

Joseph experienced a major disruption when he discovered that Mary, his fiancé, was pregnant. He must have been very confused and distraught when he heard the news. Maybe he thought, “Why me God?” But God turned this major disruption in Joseph’s life into something beautiful, in fact it was a holy disruption – Emmanuel, God with us!

When we experience disruption in our lives we can ask “Why me God”, or we might ask “Is this a holy disruption? Are you speaking to me God? What are you trying to say?” God’s presence in our lives is always disruptive. This Sunday we will be focusing on God's disruptive action in Joseph’s life, and in ours.

Grace and Peace,

Scott

To prepare for worship: Read Matthew 1:18-25.

Watch previous worship services on Church Center or listen to previous sermons on Spotify.

Christmas Eve Services

• 4:00pm - An interactive service designed for families with young children.
• 7:00pm - Traditional candlelight service with the Adult Choir.
• 9:00pm - Contemporary candlelight service with the Praise Band.

The offering collected from these services will go to the Deacon Fund unless otherwise specified.

Announcements

Events with the clickable Church Center icon require registration.

Need assistance? Call the church office (360) 694-7549.

Retirement Celebration for Scott Peterson

Sunday, December 21, 11:45am-1:30pm

Gym



Our friend and pastor, Scott Peterson, will retire at the end of December. During the worship services we will formally thank Scott for his faithful service to CPC and pray for him in this next phase of life.

After the second service, there will be a party downstairs in the Gym for Scott. We will have finger foods and beverages. We will have tables for standing as well as sitting, so we can simply eat, talk, mingle, and say thank you.

If you would like to participate in a love gift, checks may be made to CPC with “Scott's Retirement” on the memo line. Cards for Scott may also be sent to the church office.

Young Adult Christmas Dinner & White Elephant Gift Exchange

Sunday, December 21, 5:00-7:00pm

Youth Center

Young Adults (post-high school age) are invited to a Christmas dinner and White Elephant Gift Exchange (gifts should be under $5). Please RSVP to Lydia Fitzpatrick by text (509) 981-7703.

Elder & Deacon Nominations

Do you know members of CPC who might make good Elders and Deacons? Or are you feeling nudged by God to serve? Brochures that describe the different roles and responsibilities of Deacons and Elders are available in the Gathering Area.

The Nominating Committee is searching now for people who would like to be considered for those important roles. If chosen, they would start serving three-year terms beginning in May. Elders oversee the ministries of the church, discerning God’s call on Columbia; Deacons serve in a ministry of caring and nurture for people at Columbia and in the community.

Please submit nominations to the Nominating Committee by emailing or calling Andy Woodrow or 210-913-1200, or any other committee member: Brian Randolph, Natalie Lund, Diana Gage, John Van Dinter and Sharon Franklin. Make sure you have the nominee’s permission to submit their name for consideration.

2025 Contribution Deadline - All contributions for 2025 must be received in the church office by noon or postmarked by Wednesday, December 31.

2026 Offering Envelopes will be available in the Gathering Area beginning Sunday, December 28, and weekdays (8:30am–4:30pm) in the church office.

2026 Donations - If you give online through Church Center, please change your fund from General Fund 2025 to General Fund 2026. To update your giving in Church Center, open your app or go to columbiapresbyterian.churchcenter.com and log in using your cell phone number. Select your photo or initials in the top right corner of the page, then scroll down to the Activity & Involvement section and choose My Giving. Select Planned Giving, click the edit icon next to your recurring donation, update the fund from General Fund 2025 to General Fund 2026, and select Update Donation to save your changes. As always, if you need assistance, please call the church office at (360) 694-7549 and we would be happy to help you.

Slow Theology 

Wednesdays beginning January 7, 6:15-7:45pm

Fellowship Hall

Join Amanda and Ben Stimmel for an eight week class exploring how to listen, study and consider eight spiritual practices discussed in the book Slow Theology. We will work toward creating our own goals for sustained spiritual practices to strengthen our connection with God and neighbor. Due to the goals of this class, we ask that you register and read the first chapter prior to January 7. Register here.

Numbers: Lessons from the Wilderness

Sundays, beginning January 4, 10:30-11:30am

Chapel

No longer enslaved in Egypt, but not yet in the land of promise, the Israelites find themselves in an "in-between time" in the book of Numbers - not completely unlike the in-between time we live in as Christians. Will they learn to trust in God's promises, provision and guidance as they await the fulfillment of these promises? Will we? Grumblings, rebellions, judgment and mercy, strange plagues and stranger cures, powerful prophecies coming from unexpected places - all this and a talking donkey! Yes, there are numbers in Numbers (primarily two censuses), but there is something to learn even from these. Join us as we journey through Numbers and learn together what God may have to teach us from the Israelite's wild and wooly wilderness wanderings. "Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come." (1 Corinthians 10:11)

Women's Friday Afternoon Bible Study

Fridays, beginning January 9, 12:30pm-2:00pm

Library

Have you wanted a safe space to develop a habit of regular Bible study? The Friday Afternoon Women's Bible Study might be the perfect place for you. We are a diverse group of women ready to explore Paul's letter to the Ephesians. The Bible Project says "The book of Ephesians summarizes the whole Gospel story and how it should reshape every part of our story." We suggest you bring a Bible you can write in and a journal to jot down your observations. Childcare available upon request. Register here.

Men's Breakfast

Saturday, January 17, 8:00–9:00am

Fellowship Hall

Come enjoy good food and meaningful fellowship as we hear from Scott Longacre, who will share about his faith journey and his ministry through his work as the Congregational Care and Missional Caseworker. Invite a friend to join you! To help offset costs, a $5 donation is suggested. Register here.

Women’s Gathering

Saturday, January 31, 9am–12pm

Fellowship Hall

Come experience a time of faith and connection with other women as we explore the lives of women in the Bible whose stories were restored and re-storied through encounters with Jesus. We will gather for worship, breakfast, a craft, and small group discussion. Please bring your Bible and a breakfast dish to share. There will also be an opportunity to give toward the Women’s Retreat Scholarship Fund. Childcare is available with advance registration. Register here.

High School Ski Retreat

February 13-16

Bend, OR

We're heading to Mt. Bachelor again this winter. Whether you want to ski, snowboard, or just hang out, you're welcome to join. We'll spend time on the slopes, play games in the evenings, and enjoy the mountain together. Cost depends on what activities you sign up for. Registration closes Monday, January 19. Register here.

Tim's Bible Club

Did you know that approximately 80% of Christians in America have never read the whole Bible? Tim’s Bible Club is a virtual group that commits to read through the Bible in one year using a daily reading list provided by Tim. There are no meetings or committees - just an occasional email of encouragement and supplemental resources throughout the year to keep you motivated. As usual, we are starting with the Old Testament, and will follow with the New Testament. The reading list will be emailed to those who sign up, and will also be available on the CPC app. A paper printout of the list will be available for several weeks in Dec/Jan in the Gathering Area. Please email Tim if you would like to sign up. Reading will begin on January 1. Thanks for joining!

In Sympathy:

• Jon & Nancy Frederick and family on the death of Jon's daughter, Cynthia Frederick Vinson, on December 15.
• Susan, Brian & Kim Randolph and family on the death of their husband/father, Bob Randolph on December 11. A memorial service will be held in the Sanctuary on Saturday, January 24 at 1:00pm.
• Sharon Barnett and family on the death of her husband Bob, on December 10. A private graveside service will be held, with a public memorial service to be held at a date to be determined in the spring.

In Concern:

• Russ Parker - battling infection
• Kay DeRoos - recovering from shoulder surgery
• Rich Franklin - recovering from shoulder surgery
• Jake Roest - medical concerns
• Joan Bahrenburg - recovering from surgery
• Susan Randolph - dementia and broken leg from a fall
• Shirley Waltz - recovering from Watchman heart procedure
• Judy Falk - recovering from broken arm following surgery
• Julie Mauk - recovering from spinal surgery
• Terry Healy - recovering from knee surgery
• Carla Groce - treatment for breast cancer
• Shae Sobottke - recovering from brain surgery
• Bob Weller - treatment for cancer
• David Hammock - health concerns
• Nancy Frederick - recovering from a compression fracture in her back
• Todd Carroll - on hospice
• Jeanene Polete - return of lung cancer
• Hank Polete - vertigo
• Jim Hudson - health concerns and recuperation
• Kay Thorpe - ongoing health concerns

In Person:

Checks or Cash

in the Offering Box

located in the Sanctuary

Electronically:

Credit or Debit Card

and ACH Transfers

Give Now via Church Center

By Mail or Bill Pay:

Columbia Presbyterian Church

8715 St. Helens Ave

Vancouver, WA 98664

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