The Columbia Weekly

May 1, 2026

Friends,

I hope you are doing well during this beautiful week in the Pacific Northwest. It has been a full few weeks here at the church with several memorial services, a small denominational gathering last week for new ministries in our region, and the usual meeting of our elders on Session. It was that last meeting that seemed remarkable this week. We of course, had our normal meeting and team reports, but a couple of members of our presbytery came for a visit that they try to do every three years.

When those visits happen, they usually just ask us a few questions about the life of our church and where we have seen God at work lately. What was so enjoyable was to hear our elders begin to share their sense of what is happening in the life of our church. Some of the testimony was just about the overall sense that God is up to something. Some of it was a reminder of the work that our elders have been doing these last 6 years that have been filled with challenges and transitions. And some of the sharing was about specific individual stories about spiritual transformation, people reconnecting to the Body of Christ, students stepping up into leadership, and the help we have been able to offer folks in crisis lately. All I can tell you was that the stories kept popping out of our elders’ mouths. And as all of that was happening, I could hear laughter and yelling as our volleyball group of kids and adults were playing away in the gym next door.

All of this was an incredible reminder that our church is much more than a place or a building. The Spirit of God is working here, often in ways we can’t see all at once. It’s a place that gathers around a story that God has been telling and it shifts individual stories and lives. God is always doing/building something in our midst. This Sunday we will have a chance to hear how what God has been building since the Resurrection is a different kind of building project. God does this kind of work with whatever happens to be at hand.

Hope you are well! And read below about LIFT Day. There is a short video. We would love for you to participate. Even if you cannot be physically present, we will have a prayer guide for lifting our volunteers in prayer that day. Sign up and start praying for the day and for our local ministry partners. They are signs of God’s Kingdom breaking in.

Blessings,

Pastor Matt

To prepare for worship: Read 1 Peter 2:1-10

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

LIFT Day

Saturday, May 16, 1:00-6:00pm

Fellowship Hall and Various Off-Site Locations

Join us for our first LIFT Day on Saturday, May 16, as we serve together in our community. We’ll begin at 1:00pm with a brief time of prayer, then head out to a variety of local ministry sites supported by CPC. Service opportunities will include helping at Clark County Food Bank, spending time with children at Open House Ministries, making cards at Columbia for older members of our congregation, and more. We’ll return to the church at 5:00pm to share dinner together and reflect on the day. Register here.

Announcements

Events with the Church Center icon require registration.

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

Journey

Saturday, May 2, 9:00-11:00am

Chapel

If you are new or want to learn more about this faith community, please join us for Journey. This is a welcoming space to reflect on your relationship with Jesus Christ and discover what life and community here at Columbia looks like. Come, hear the story, values, mission, and vision of Columbia, and explore if Columbia may be your spiritual home. Register here.

Women's Coffee Gathering

Monday, May 4, 9:00-11:00am

Cariño Coffeehouse, 1002 Main St, Vancouver

All women are invited to join us for a relaxed time of community and conversation. Come and go as your schedule allows. There is no formal program, just a chance to connect. We will have a reserved table ready to welcome you, and Cariño Coffeehouse offers a variety of drinks and treats for you to purchase. More events will be offered throughout the year if you are unable to make this one. No registration needed.

Blood Pressure Screening

Sunday, May 3, 10:00am-10:30am

Library

The Health Ministry Team is offering their quarterly Blood Pressure Check between Sunday services. Come get your blood pressure checked!

Calling All Singers!

Practices - Thursday, May 7 and 14, 7:00-8:15pm

Sunday, May 17, 9:00am Service

Sanctuary

The adult choir would like to invite anyone who is interested to join us for one Sunday as we sing “Fairest Lord Jesus.” Practices are Thursday, May 7 and May 14 from 7:00-8:15pm in the Sanctuary. We will sing the anthem on Sunday, May 17 at the 9:00am service. No experience needed and no pressure as this is a group effort!

Red Cross Blood Drive

Wednesday, May 13, 11:00am-5:00pm

Fellowship Hall

You can help by donating to fill the severe blood supply shortage. Please note that the spring blood drive is on a Wednesday instead of a Monday. Sign up here. 

Middle School Bike Hike

July 26-August 1

Farragut State Park

Bike Hike is open to all youth who will have completed 6th-8th grades. Registration deadline is Monday, June 1. Register here.

All Church Camping Adventure

August 14-16

Millersylvania State Park

Registration is open for our all church camping weekend just south of Olympia. We have 19 tent sites (that could hold up to 20’ camper without utilities) and 2 RV sites (with utilities) reserved. Spend your days swimming and enjoying non-motorized boating on Deep Lake, relaxing by the water, or exploring the hiking and biking trails in the park and nearby, and connecting with friends and family. Hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixin’s for Friday and Saturday nights will be provided. Coffee is provided in the mornings. Please bring a side dish to share for each dinner.$60 for the first adult and $10 for each additional family member. Registration is first come, first served. Once the spots are gone, they are gone. Register on Church Center.

Our pet policy has been revised: Campers may bring their pets as long as all park rules are followed. Also, please don’t bring your pets to our common area, where we'll gather for food and fellowship.

Email Scam Awareness

It has come to our attention that scammers are busy once again. We are aware that some members of the church have received emails/text messages appearing to be from church staff or other members of the church, asking for aid (something like “Do you have an Amazon account?” or with links attached “You should see this”). Often the writer creates a false sense of urgency to entice you to respond quickly. Do not respond to these emails, click on any links, or open any attachments - simply delete the email. If you are unsure, reach out to the sender by phone and speak to them directly to ask if the email is real.

CPC Cares

In Sympathy:

• The memorial service for Jake Roest will be held at Columbia on Saturday, May 2 at 2:00pm.
• Garnet & Chris Hayes on the death of Garnet's father, Gideon Alegado on April 25. A service will be held at Columbia on Saturday, June 20 at 11:00am.
• Chris & Garnet Hayes on the death of Chris's mother, Ann Hayes on April 30.

In Concern:

• Carole Gibson - cancer diagnosis
• Bob Nunnelley - surgery for skin cancer
• Bill Wheeler - undergoing radiation therapy
• Annie Reid - recovering from back surgery
• Patsy Hamlin - recovering from a pacemaker procedure
• Shirley Waltz - recovering from shoulder surgery
• Russ Parker - health concerns
• Carla Groce - treatment for breast cancer
• Shae Sobottke - recovering from brain surgery
• Nancy Frederick - recovering from a compression fracture in her back
• Bill and Joan Prastka - receiving care for dementia
• 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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