The Columbia Weekly

October 24, 2025

What are we looking for when we choose to follow Jesus? In the gospels people were looking for Jesus to be a healer, a miracle worker, a warrior and a king. But Jesus refused to be boxed in to what people wanted. When he said some challenging things like “take up your cross,” “the son of man must suffer and die” and “eat my flesh and drink my blood” people responded with confusion and outright rejection. When some disciples left Him, Jesus turned to the 12 and said, “You don't want to leave too, do you?”

What does it mean for us to stay with Jesus when we are confused, when he asks some really hard things from us, or life gets very difficult? When Jesus says “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” he is inviting us to be “all in” with him, to eat and drink all of him, his very life! Is it too much? What will he require of us? What about our other commitments to family, country, and way of life? What about our freedom?

This question that Jesus asks is going to really mess with us. This question is going to require that we stop looking to Jesus to fulfill all of our wants and desires, rather to be “all in” with who he is and what he asks of us. Some will turn away. Others will respond like Peter, who answered “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Grace and Peace,

Scott

To prepare for worship: Read John 6:24-71

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

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

Office Closure

The office will be closed Monday, October 27, for staff CPR/First-Aid training.

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.

Surviving the Holidays Grief Class

Sunday, November 9

12:15-2:15pm

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

This communion Sunday, as you think about Jesus shedding His blood to give you life, know that you can also give blood to save a life. Click here to make your appointment to save a life.

Fall Food Drive and Shred Day

Saturday, October 25 - Food Drive and Shred Day

Sunday, October 26 - Food Drive

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. The food needs for the schools is more acute that ever.

On Saturday, October 25, from 9:00am-noon, we will have a shred trick 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.

Thanksgiving Food Basket Shoppers Wanted

Thanksgiving 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 Mac 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 Sundays, October 26, 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.

Creation Care Team Update

The Creation Care Team would like to thank everyone who brought in mugs for our coffee service. We have quite a collection and we are running out of storage space! At this time, we will no longer be accepting mug donations. We are pleased with the eager adoption of this new sustainable practice by the congregation. If you would like to be on a Sunday morning dish washing team on a periodic basis, please email us here.

Columbia Faith and 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 Sympathy:

• The family of Ruth Waller, who died on September 27. Inurnment will be private in Seattle.
• Chris & Garnet Hayes on the death of Chris’ father, Mike, on October 10, in Minnesota.
• Kim & Sue Logan and family on the death of Sue's mother, Jane Hubacek, on October 25.

In Concern:

• 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
• Deane Green - recovering from foot 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

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Columbia Presbyterian Church

8715 St. Helens Ave

Vancouver, WA 98664

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