The Columbia Weekly

October 17, 2025

"Don’t worry, be happy” is a popular song with a catchy tune that makes it fun to sing along. The message of the song is that we should not worry when trouble comes, rather just be happy – Don’t worry, be happy! But it turns out that not worrying about serious matters is hard to do, and we may just push our worry down into the pit of our stomach where it manifests itself in anxiety and other unhealthy ways.  

Jesus also says “Don’t worry.” The difference is that Jesus tells us to not worry in the context of the Sermon on the Mount where he is outlining a whole new way of living. That sermon begins with The Beatitudes, which is a call to live radically different, and is followed by other equally radical teachings on life in the Kingdom of God. Jesus teaches us that there is no short cut to “no worries” in this world. We cannot just try harder to be happy and expect that all our worries will disappear.  

Pastor Matt is going to share more about this passage in worship this Sunday. Come and join a community that is not afraid of talking about our worries and is willing to share our burdens with one another.  

Grace and Peace, 

Scott 

To prepare for worship: Read Matthew 6:25-34

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.

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.

Men's Ministry Breakfast

Saturday, October 18, 8:00-9:30am

Fellowship Hall

Scott Longacre is not able to be our speaker for the Men's Breakfast so we welcome Phil King to speak to the group. Phil is a retired Presbyterian minister who served as a Navy Chaplain for 22 years, after being a Navy helicopter pilot for 8 years. Phil will share about his life and time as a chaplain in the Navy, including deployments to Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq. Join us for a great time of food and fellowship and invite a friend. Register here.

Blood Drive

Monday, November 10

11:00am-5:00pm

Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the United States, according to the Red Cross. Your unit can help reduce that number! Click here to make your appointment.

Fall Food Drive and Shred Day

October 19 and 26 - Food Drive

October 25 - Food Drive and Shred Day

Donate non-perishable food and give cash donations to be distributed to the Clark County Food Bank and the Family Community Resource Centers at McLoughlin Middle School, Marshall Elementary and the Heights Campus. Collections will be made on Sundays, October 19 and 26 outside the front doors of the church.

On Saturday, October 25 from 9:00am-noon, we will have a shred truck from Shred-It located in the upper parking lot (along St. Helens Ave) for people to bring their shredding. All shredding will be done onsite, so you do not have to worry about private docs being viewed or taken off site for shredding. There is no cost for shredding, but we encourage donations to the Fall Food Drive.

Canned goods of vegetables, fruits or meat, dry beans, rice, pasta and peanut butter, as well as basic toiletries can always be counted on as worthy and desirous donation items our partners are grateful to receive.

Columbia Faith & Life Conference

February 27 - March 1, 2026

We invite you to save the date for the Columbia Faith and Life Conference. We are excited to have Dr. Andy Root as this year's speaker. Andy teaches at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN where he writes and speaks on issues surrounding the intersection of faith and our secular age. More conference details will come out in January, so stay tuned!

In Concern:

• Kris Collier - on hospice
• Carla Groce - treatment for breast cancer
• Bob Barnett - recovering from a broken hip
• Shae Sobottke - recovering from brain surgery
• Deane Green - recovering from foot surgery
• Bob Weller - treatment for cancer
• Beth Burton - recovering from ankle surgery
• 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:

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located in the Sanctuary

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Columbia Presbyterian Church

8715 St. Helens Ave

Vancouver, WA 98664

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