The Columbia Weekly

October 31, 2025

Friends,

It is an exciting time in our church this week. Partially, that is because we have called for a congregational meeting on Sunday, November 9, in order to vote for a candidate for the role of Associate Pastor. We are thrilled and hope that you might attend the services and the congregational meeting on that Sunday.

But, it is also Consecration Sunday! It’s a Sunday where we celebrate the faithfulness of God, and also remind ourselves of our call to be generous when it comes to supporting God’s mission. There will be worship, treats, and an opportunity to renew our individual and shared commitments to God through a time of pledging. We hope you will join us!

There is, of course, never pressure to pledge at our church. Giving can take many forms and often ebbs and flows depending on each family and individual disciples economic situation. And yet, we invite you this year because we are also concerned about basic needs being met for a number of our congregants and others in our local communities. I am concerned about this. It seems likely that our community ministry partners and some of our congregants will need additional help in the coming weeks and months. So, this generosity and budgeting season at CPC may not be business as usual. Pledges help us plan for these kinds of emerging needs. Please pray about these realities and pray for this Sunday. I am doing so.

Last, we have a good Bible story this Sunday that speaks to all of this. It fits right in with Consecration Sunday and hiring an Associate Pastor for discipleship. It is not an easy passage, but it is a really good one about the need to listen to our Lord and then go and do. Jesus asks us, “Have you read the Scriptures?”

Hope to see you here for worship, treats, fellowship, discernment, and some good bible teaching.

Pastor Matt

To prepare for worship: Read Matthew 21:33-46

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.

Time Change

Remember to set your clocks back one hour when you go to bed Saturday night.

Congregational Meeting

The Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, November 9 at 11:45am, for the purpose of electing an Associate Pastor. This is a very important moment in the life of our church. We are asking all members who are able, to be in attendance. This meeting will be in-person, and not available via live stream. 

Surviving the Holidays Grief Class

Saturday, November 15 (Date & Time Change)

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

Your blood can make a life-or-death difference for someone. 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

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

Plan to come to services a bit earlier and stay a bit later - this is your opportunity to meet and ask experts about a variety of topics, learn more about mental health, enjoy some healthy snacks, or get your blood pressure taken, to name a few events. Watch for much more information in the weeks ahead.

Food Drive Results

The Deacons would like to extend huge thanks for Columbia's participation in contributing to this year's fall food drive. We collected 64 boxes of non-perishable and non-food items weighing a total of close to 2000 pounds, as well as over hundreds 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 $4044 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

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.

Lessons in Carols with Father Rick Ganz

Fridays, December 5,12, and 19

10:00-11:30am

Fellowship Hall

Long-time CPC friend, Father Rick Ganz, will present a 3-part lesson in Advent called “Lessons in Carols.” Save your Friday mornings for this wonderful examination of the history, theology, and poetry of some of the most beloved Christmas Carols.

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:

• Penny Juve - recovering from surgical procedure
• Julie Mauk - spinal surgery on November 3
• 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

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