My favorite time of the week is Sunday morning. (You might think that is what a pastor would say, but some pastors actually dread Sundays.) The thing I like the most is not being up front preaching and all that. It is really just being with you all and the feeling that we are part of the family of God. I see people smile and hug and greet one another. I see prayer happening off to the side and people sharing both joys and hardships. I see children skipping down the aisle and running off to Sunday school with their teachers and friends. I see teenagers hanging around together forming bonds of fellowship. What I see and experience on Sunday morning is unique. I don’t know where else such a community of people gather – old and young and from different walks of life all coming together and calling themselves family. It really is a beautiful site, one that puts a smile on my face. 😊 

This is the body of Christ, the church, connected and serving and flourishing. When we do this well then everyone is a part of it, no one feels left out or left behind. My hope and prayer is that everyone at Columbia feels connected by the bonds of the Spirit, and that no one walks away feeling that they do not have a place here at CPC. It is hard work to create on-ramps for new people into the life of the church, but it is so important because the heartbeat of the church is love and connection, experienced in the fellowship of believers who dwell together in the unity of the Spirit.  

Join us again this Sunday for worship, prayer, laughter, tears, smiles and hugs. Come and be a part of the fellowship of people who unite around a common Lord, Jesus Christ. Come and be a part of this family who sometimes struggles to be faithful, but nevertheless keeps showing up because the faithful one, Jesus, keeps calling us together to be His body and do His work in the world.  

Shalom! 

Scott 

Read John 21:1-17

Spam Awareness

It has come to our attention that the hackers are once again busy. We are aware that some members of the church have received emails 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.” Do not respond to these emails or open their links. If you are unsure, reach out to the sender by phone directly to ask if the email is real. What these hackers do is trick you into replying, which then gives them access to your email address book so that they can send spam emails to others. Let’s not help them out.



Movie Night

Friday, October 13

Chapel

Bring your own brown bag dinner begins at 6:00PM

Movie begins at 7:00PM

This month we will watch Alfred Hitchcock's NORTH BY NORTHWEST. Cary Grant is a Manhattan advertising executive plunged into a realm of spy and counterspy. He is variously abducted, framed for murder, chased and crop-dusted. He also holds on for dear life from the facial features of the U.S. presidents on Mount Rushmore.



Men's Breakfast

Saturday, October 14

8:00-9:30AM

Fellowship Hall

Men, join us for a great time of food and fellowship and hear the Evergreen Habitat for Humanity story from its COO, Lindsi Smith. Please sign up either in the Gathering Area after Sunday services or by contacting Terry Hurley, 360-694-7549, in the church office so we can plan the amount of food!



SPONSORED CHILDREN

On October 15, those who signed up for a new World Vision sponsored child through Chosen, will be receiving their child’s picture and a brief message from them. Current sponsors, bring a picture of your child to share. Regardless, everyone is welcome to join in the excitement!

Food Drive

Sundays, October 22 & 29

Saturday, October 28 (Drive through)

The Fall Food Drive is coming up on Sundays, October 22 & 29, with a drive through collection taking place on Saturday, October 21, 9:00AM-12:00PM. Your contributions of food, vital non-food items, or cash will be donated to the Clark County Food Bank and the Family Community Resource Centers at McLoughlin Middle School and Marshall Elementary. 



Discover Columbia through the Journey Class

Sunday, October 29

10:30Am

Fellowship Hall

(Childcare upon request)

Journey is a great way to learn more about Columbia Presbyterian Church: Who are we and what kind of people is God calling us to be? Whether you are simply interested in learning more about Columbia or you are considering membership, we invite you to join us. Register here or by calling Terry Hurley in the church office.



Parent’s Night Out

Friday, November 3

5:30-8:30PM



We will be holding our next Parent’s Night Out event for children birth-5th grade, on Friday, November 3. Are you able to volunteer? Please sign up here! ***Registration for children opens on October 16.

Helping Mario

2^nd & 4^th Thursdays

9:00AM-Noon

Have you noticed the bright red parking lot curbs, the brightly painted doors to the preschool classrooms, or the wood chips spread in the lower parking lot planters? They are a visible part of the work done by a small group of volunteers helping Mario maintain our great facilities. They meet every second and fourth Thursday, from 9:00AM – noon, to help with projects that he can’t do alone or fit into his full schedule. If you are interested in possibly joining the group, contact Dave Green to sign up to receive email notices on the upcoming projects. Let’s keep Helping Mario!

Columbia is looking for a part-time bookkeeper to work with Marilyn Roberts. The candidate must have at least one year of accounting, bookkeeping or financial education plus experience with business accounting software. If you are interested, please contact Marilyn Roberts, Financial Manager, at the church office, 360-694-7549.

Elders and Deacons Needed

Do you know members at Columbia who might make good Elders or Deacons? Or are you feeling nudged by God to serve?

The Nominating Committee is looking now for dedicated people to serve in those important roles beginning in May 2024. Elders oversee the ministries of the church, discerning God’s call on Columbia; Deacons serve in a ministry of caring and nurturing for people at Columbia and in the community.

If you have someone to nominate, let the Nominating Committee know. Please contact Bob Sisson or 360-713-3337, or any other committee member: Erin Lambley, Susan Gilbert, Barbara Miller, Diana Gage, Tim Mauer, John Plumberg or Gary Stewart. Please submit your candidate’s name, or your name, by November 3. Make sure you get their permission to give their name to the Nominating Committee for consideration.

Brochures that describe the different roles and responsibilities of Deacons and Elders are available in the Gathering Area. Please don’t hesitate to talk to people about serving.

YoungLives is a part of YoungLife and a mission of CPC. They are girls who have had a baby and are parenting alone or are pregnant and considering their options. The girls meet monthly for "Club" at CPC on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Bible study is a big part of "Club." October 12 is the first meeting at CPC. Let's show CPC hospitality by welcoming and showing them around CPC.

Ways to Serve:

• Welcome girls and their children. Show them the nursery and Fellowship Hall Thursday, October 12, at 5:30PM.
• Work in the nursery on Thursday, October 12. 

Contact Geo Plumberg or Connie Warner



Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity to serve families in our community? We are partnering again with Evergreen Habitat for Humanity at the Johnson Village build location.

Tools, equipment, and training are provided onsite by gifted and qualified Habitat staff supervisors. They are great to work with!  All volunteers are welcome.

Our next time to volunteer is Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 8:30 - 3:00. To get signed up for this date, please contact Miranda Martin or Carol Cate.

We look forward to seeing you there.

In Sympathy:

• The family of Margaret Eberle, who died on September 23.
• Andy & Angie Woodrow, on the death of Angie's sister PJ, on September 24.
• Rich & Lisa Graham and family on the death of Rich's father, Ron Graham. A memorial service for Ron Graham will be held at CPC on Saturday, October 7 at 2:00pm.

In Concern:

• Betty Hall - recovering from surgery
• Bonnie Laughlin - health concerns
• Bob Weller - mild cognitive impairment
• Sherry Bergez - recovering from surgery
• Pat Wheeler - recovering from surgery
• Dottie Scott - on hospice
• Mary Anne Paradise - recovering from surgery
• Pat Page - radiation treatment for breast cancer
• Jane Erickson - recovering from surgery
• Pauline Wolfe - nursing care at home
• Dan Zeamer - cancer treatment
• Mary Carlson - cancer treatment
• Susan Tjahjadi - healing from eye surgery
• Kay Thorpe - recovering from a stroke
• Angie Staley - treatment for breast cancer
• Sheila Hockley - health concerns
• Judi Trist - cancer treatment
• Barbara Van Nostern - recovering strength

Checks or Cash in the

Offering Box at

back of the Sanctuary

Credit or Debit Card via

CPC Mobile App or

Text GIVE to 360-409-7809

Credit or Debit Card, ACH Transfers and other giving opportunities at www.columbiapresbyterian.org

By Mail or Bill Pay through your financial institution

Send checks to: Columbia Presbyterian Church

8715 St. Helens Ave, Vancouver, WA 98664

Other Types of Giving:

For information on the following giving options, email Marilyn Roberts:

• Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
• Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
• Stock