The Columbia Weekly

November 7, 2025

Friends,

I am extremely excited about our Congregational Meeting at 11:45am this Sunday and about the visit of our Associate Pastor candidate, Rev. Dr. John Yu and his family. I hope that you will join us. Even if you are not an official member of the church and cannot vote, please be present! We need you to listen, pray, and discern how best to advance discipleship at CPC going forward. The APNC has done incredible work and discernment. Pastor John will preach at both services and the meeting will begin promptly after the second service, hopefully with a celebration to follow.

And yet as I write this, I have to let you know that I have only just learned that John will actually make it out here! When I started writing this entry yesterday, we were no longer certain we could move forward this weekend due to the FAA reductions. I cannot tell you how frustrating and disappointing that has been to Scott and I. We were frustrated on your behalf and on behalf of the APNC. And we were especially frustrated on behalf of John and his family, who have been planning so many things. On the church side, we were scrambling to create alternative bulletins, Columbia Weekly content, and even a backup sermon. Thankfully, we just received the news that John is on his way with his family. But, what chaos! In light of all that, I would simply ask that you pray with us for all of this. I am relieved and exhausted all at once and can’t imagine what it would be like to be John at this moment. So, just pray for peace and smooth sailing from here on out because they have to return to their home after this weekend, which might be trickier.

Pastor Matt

Learn more about Rev. Dr. John Yu, and his family, here.

To prepare for worship: Read Acts 9:1-6, 19b-22

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

Events with the clickable Church Center icon require registration.

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

Office Closed - Veteran's Day

In observance of Veteran's Day, the church office will be closed on Tuesday, November 11.

Surviving the Holidays Grief Class

Saturday, November 15

1:00-3:00pm

Chapel

This class offers help for the holiday season for those who have lost a loved one recently or over the last few years. It is an opportunity to meet and receive insights, tips, support, and hopefully direction to navigate this holiday time in a healthy way. Register here.

Blood Drive

Monday, November 10

11:00am-5:00pm

Fellowship Hall

Your blood can make a life-or-death difference for someone. Sign up for the Deacons’ Red Cross Blood Drive this coming Monday. Make your appointment here.

Thanksgiving Food Basket Shoppers Wanted

Saturday, November 22

Thanksgiving food basket shopping is coming up on the morning of Saturday, November 22. Deacons funds will be providing food to 40 families from Marshall Elementary and McLoughlin Middle School. All we need from you is the ability to follow a shopping list and a willingness to share your time. This is an amazing opportunity for people of all ages. If you would like to help with shopping for groceries and delivering them to a family, please sign up in the Gathering Area between services on Sundays, November 9 and 16. We are also in need of a few people who could help with bagging the groceries at the checkout line. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Beth Burton at 360-909-8829 or Sheri Borrevik at 360-772-9207.

Movie Night

Friday, November 14

6:00pm - Bring your own dinner fellowship

6:30pm - Movie begins

Chapel

This month we will be watching The Anatomy of a Murder. This is an Otto Preminger film starring James Stewart, Lee Remick and George C. Scott. This month the movie will begin at 6:30pm because of its length.

Health Ministry Fair

Sunday, November 16

8:45-11:45am

Gathering Area & Library

The Health Ministry Team invites you to our annual health fair. You can get information and ask questions of 14 experts on a wide variety of topics, find answers about Medicare, domestic violence, community resources, and mental health, enjoy some delicious snacks, and get your blood pressure taken. Plan to come early and stay a bit later—see you there.

Food Drive Results

The Deacons would like to extend a huge thanks for Columbia's participation in contributing to this year's fall food drive. We collected 64 boxes of non-perishable food and non-food items weighing a total of close to 2,000 pounds, as well as over a hundred of recyclable egg cartons. Additional thanks to those who came out last Saturday to bring your home documents for shredding. You and those in our adjoining neighborhood filled almost two thirds of the capacity of the shred truck. We also collected $4,044 in monetary donations for the food drive.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated by the Deacons, but most especially by Clark County Food Bank and the Family Community Resource Centers of our school partners - Heights Campus, Marshall Elementary and McLoughlin Middle School. Thanks again to all of you!  

Advent Wreath Making and Dinner Event

Sunday, November 30

5:45-7:30pm

Fellowship Hall & Gym

Prepare your heart for the Advent season through a shared meal and create an Advent Wreath to take home. Only one registration needed per family. Please let us know how many will be joining us for dinner so our chefs are prepared and if you plan to make a wreath.

• Dinner begins at 5:45pm in the Fellowship Hall (gluten-free & vegetarian options available).
• Wreath making begins at 6:30pm in the Gym.
• Wreath blessing at 7:20pm in the Sanctuary.

All ages are welcome. This is an All-Church event. There will be no other church programming the evening of November 30. Please join us! Help us ensure there are enough supplies, register here.

Satellite Overflow Shelter Informational Dessert

Monday, November 17

6:30pm

Bob & Mary Sisson's Home

Where do people go on cold, rainy nights when they don’t have a home? The Satellite Overflow Shelters (SOS) which are low-barrier, aimed at saving lives, and one is just down the street from CPC at Immanuel Lutheran Church. 

The Mission Ministry Team would like to form a team of about 10-15 volunteers to take occasional shifts or supply meals at the SOS shelter. 

We’re hosting an informational dessert at the Sisson home, Monday, November 17 at 6:30pm. 

Volunteer opportunities available between now and March 31:

• Bring a meal for 22 people. A group can work together on this.
• Serve dinner from 5:30-8:30pm.
• Morning person? Serve breakfast from 6:00-8:30am.
• Manage the shower from 6:00-9:00pm.
• Donate supplies for personal hygiene, cleaning, or making lunches, or items like batteries and hand warmers.

Want to learn more? Contact Mary Sisson

Carmen Imes New Book "Becoming God's People"

Those who attended last year’s Columbia Faith and Life Conference may be interested in Dr. Carmen Imes' new book: “Becoming God’s People: Why the Church Still Matters.” Here is what Carmen writes about her book: “This book makes the case for the church-what it's for and why we can't be all we're meant to be without it. I take an unflinching look at the problems in the church today, including abuse cover-ups and other forms of hypocrisy, but conclude that God has no plan B. The church is and has always been his plan to bless all nations and to form us into Christlikeness." The book is available in paperback, Kindle, and audio.

In Sympathy:

• Kim & Sue Logan and family on the death of Sue's mother, Jane Hubacek, on October 25.

In Concern:

• Shirley Waltz - Watchman heart procedure on November 12
• Judy Falk - recovering from broken arm following surgery
• Penny Juve - recovering from surgical procedure
• Julie Mauk - recovering from spinal surgery
• Terry Healy - recovering from knee surgery
• Kris Collier - on hospice
• Carla Groce - treatment for breast cancer
• Bob Barnett - recovering from a broken hip
• 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

You are receiving this email because you or your child participated in a program or event at Columbia Presbyterian Church. At any time, you may click on "Update Profile" in the email footer to subscribe/unsubscribe from specific distribution lists such as The Columbia Weekly, Children's Ministry, High School Ministry, etc. Only choose "unsubscribe" if you wish to receive no communication from Columbia Presbyterian Church at all, now or in the future. We would also be happy to edit your preferences for you, just email any staff member or call the church office at (360) 694-7549.