What does it mean to be a flourishing disciple of Jesus? What does it mean to be a church that is flourishing? These 2 things work together in that flourishing disciples help make a flourishing church, and a flourishing church produces flourishing disciples. It is all about the environment in which we live, an environment that we might call the “Kingdom” environment. The Kingdom environment is the source of life. It is the stream of water that the tree is planted near in Psalm 1, the vine that the branches are attached to in John 15, and the good soil where the seed is planted in Luke 8.  

These images of water and vine and soil all produce healthy and growing disciples - people who are flourishing and producing fruit. Flourishing is about fruitfulness; good and healthy fruit in our lives. Here at Columbia, we want to be sure that the “soil” of the church is healthy and nourishing soil that helps produce healthy and flourishing disciples. This is why we have made flourishing one of our main areas of focus. My hope and prayer is that together we can be a flourishing community that helps to produce the fruit of the Spirit in the lives of our people.  

Shalom, 

Scott 

Read John 15:1-8, Psalm 1, Luke 8:4-15 

From the Generosity Team 



Yes, it is that time of year again: our Generosity Season! We all know that it’s important to be generous in all things. We also want to be good stewards and give to causes that make a real impact for the Kingdom. During this season the Generosity Team will show you the impact that CPC is making in the lives of individuals and the community. We want you to know how your generosity is making a real difference. On Consecration Sunday, November 5, we’ll bring our pledges to the church, and join in celebrating all that is done at and through Columbia. 

Our staff and leaders have hopes and dreams about ways that we can make an even bigger impact in Clark County and beyond. Yes, we need your financial support, but more importantly, we need you! So not only do we ask you to prayerfully complete a pledge card, but also prayerfully consider how God is calling you to give your time and talents to the work of the Kingdom.  

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 emailing Terry Hurley in the church office so we can plan the amount of food!



Chosen Reveal Sunday is Finally Here!

This Sunday the pictures and letters from the kiddos in Senegal who participated in Chosen will be back! We’ll get instructions during both services on how to connect. If you are a current sponsor, PLEASE BRING a picture of your current child to share and remember to register at the Mission podium after either service. Questions? Email Nancy Johns or Connie Warner.

Presbyterian Women Gathering

Saturday, October 21

Noon in the Fellowship Hall

Ladies, join us on Saturday, October 21 at noon for a luncheon and talk by Connie Warner about two of Columbia’s supported missions. Donation of $12 for the meal. Sign up in the Gathering Area on Sunday morning or contact Julie Mauk, 503-348-9820.

Food Drive

Sundays, October 22 & 29

Saturday, October 28 (Drive-thru drop-off)

The Clark County Food Bank and the Family Community Resource Centers at McLoughlin Middle School and Marshall Elementary are the recipients of Deacon’s 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 upon as worthy and desirous donation items our partners are grateful to receive.

This fall’s drive will take place on the last two Sundays of October - October 22 and 29. There is also an opportunity to bring your food and cash donations to a drive-thru collection on Saturday, October 28, 9AM-12PM that takes place in front of the main doors of the church.



Health Fair

Sunday, October 22

Between and after morning services, join the Health Ministry Team for a fall Health Fair. Some of the activities you can access include blood pressure screening, healthy, but delicious snacks, and an Ask the Experts panel. Plan to come early or stay a bit of extra time (10AM-12:30PM) to learn something new and connect with the Health Ministry Team!

Discover Columbia through the Journey Class

Sunday, October 29

10:30AM-2:00PM

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.

Sermon Audio Now Available

Want to revisit or share a sermon? Great news! You can now access our sermon audio easily.

Through our Church App:

• If you have our app, simply head to 'Media' and then 'Sermon Series.' Shareable links for each sermon are available.
• No app? No problem! Download the 'Columbia Presbyterian Church' App from your App Store.

On Spotify and Apple Podcasts:

• Our sermons are now available on Spotify. Just search 'Columbia Presbyterian Church' and look for our logo.
• We've also submitted our sermon feed to Apple Podcasts; however, please note that it may take up to a month for approval, so keep checking back.

Columbia Presbyterian T-Shirts

If you placed an order for Columbia Presbyterian T-shirts in September, they are now available for pickup in the Gathering Area.

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.

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 8:30AM-3:00PM. 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.
• A service for Sparky McGrew will be Sunday, October 22, at 3:00PM, in the Sanctuary.

In Concern:

• Betty Hall - recovering from surgery
• Bonnie Laughlin - health concerns
• Bob Weller - mild cognitive impairment
• Sherry Bergez - recovering from eye surgery
• Pat Wheeler - recovering from surgery
• Dottie Scott - on hospice
• Mary Anne Paradise - recovering from surgery
• Pat Page - radiation treatment for breast cancer
• 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
• Judi Trist - cancer treatment

Thank You:

To all those who sent me cards, well wishes & prayers, Thank You! You all lifted my spirits and filled my heart wit love. I should be dismissed by my doctor soon, and I get to ring the bell. It will be good to come back to church. ~Barbara VanNostern

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