T h e V i e w O u t s i d e M y W i n d o w

12 Months... The new year opens before us with certain things that are bound to happen: The days will lengthen, spring will come, then summer will arrive, work will be there to do, projects to start and finish, friends to visit, family to be with. All those are fairly obvious! But there are also things that will happen that we know are there but when and how they take place are beyond our gaze; the future bends out of sight.

We can’t see around the corner of time, but we can guess at a few: medical tests will come back with unwelcome news, loved one will leave this life and enter eternity with Christ, challenges will ensue, difficult days arrive, changes will occur for which we can’t prepare... But also there will be unexpected joys, thoughtful conversations, laughter, and rejoicing in births and accomplishments.

One thing is certain amidst the passage of time: Jesus will be there in his Lordly presence. He will guide, redeem, forgive, speak, comfort, and beckon us to follow him each and every day. Time is at his command. It is never empty or lacking in meaning. He created it, and it is in his hands.

So enter the year with both faith and hope!

A Few Ideas

One of the ways to make good use of time is through technology. Technology, like everything else, is neither good nor bad in itself. It all depends on how we use it. So, use it well and for personal development as well as communication and it will help multiply the time and make it fruitful.

Here are a few apps, podcasts, and books (yes, books are a form of technology...) I can suggest you explore to help you grow in discipleship:

Apps – We live in a app world! I suggest you check these out:

Columbia Presbyterian App – Yes, we have one! It’s a great way to keep up with things here at Columbia! Plus, you can use the giving function for tithing and supporting the church – it’s secure and easy.

Youversion App – The Youversion is a free Bible app with many options for Bible translations in English that you can download for reading and reflection. It offers Bible reading plans, note-taking capabilities, and ways to communicate your insights with others. This is the one I use every day. I love it. Check out the video option button in the upper right hand corner (the little ‘eye’ icon). It takes you to the Bible Project videos that lead you through the main themes of the passage or book you are reading. Fabulous!

The Daily Prayer App – This is an app developed around the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. It gives reminders about prayer 4 times a day along with various prayers and Bible readings to stimulate your time with God. I love this app which I just discovered last summer.

Podcasts – podcasts are basically talk shows or teaching shows that you can access via your smart phone or tablet. I listen to podcasts now whenever I’m driving...it’s a much better use of time than listening to the radio...You can subscribe to these and they will be added to your podcast feed automatically.

Columbia Presbyterian – Yes! We have a podcast for the sermons! If you sign up, you’ll get them as soon as we download them.

The Bible Project – This is, by far, my favorite podcast. It features the two founders of the Bible Project visiting and going deep into various Bible studies on a wide range of topics. They are both PhD's in Bible and Theology and their work is accessible and fascinating.

The Great Books – a podcast on, you guessed it, the Great Books! Very well done...

Gospel in Life – This is a podcast that features the preaching and teaching of Pastor Timothy Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC. I think he’s the best preacher around right now and I highly recommend listening to these sermons and teachings from over the last 20 years or so.

Books – So many books...so little time! That’s Laurel’s and my philosophy of reading. Instead of giving you a mini-review of each, I’ll just list them. All are good reads!

Continued on next page...

Generosity Update from the Trustees

columbiapresbyterian.org & click GIVE ONLINE

Online banking through your financial institution

By check made out to CPC

Text “Give” to (360) 409-7809

Columbia App, Click on GIVING

Ways to Give...

As this update was being written, the end of 2019 was fast approaching. At the end of November giving had declined slightly and the deficit had grown. Columbia was in the season of giving as we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Still there was no crystal ball to tell us if, at the end of 2019, our church would have a balanced budget, a deficit or possibly even a surplus. But some things were certain. Because of your prayers and generosity 2019 was a good year for Columbia. Pledges for 2020 were the best they have been for some years. And God has a plan for Columbia to continue doing his work here in Clark County and throughout the world abroad. Thank you for contributing your time, talents, and financial resources to help Columbia be all that God intends for it to be. The trustees look forward to working with you in 2020. And we pray that God will continue to bless our church and each of you throughout this new year. Trustees: Marc Hartquist, Bill Wheeler & Tricia Williamson

2019 YTD YTD Budget

Pledges & Offering Giving $1,394,526 $1,394,405

Total P&O Expense $1,428,222 $1,461,491

Net Surplus (Deficit) ($33,696) ($67,086)

...Continued from previous page

Luther, by Eric Metaxas

Bonhoeffer, also by Eric Metaxas

The Gospel of John, By Dale Bruner – (fabulous!)

The Advantage, By Patrick Lencioni (a must read...)

The Reason for God, by Tim Keller

Every Good Endeavor, also by Tim Keller

Land Of Hope, by Wilfred McClay – a new history of the United States from a positive perspective The Bottom Billion, by Paul Collier – about how to solve the problem of intractable poverty around the globe.

I could give a much longer list than these! But this is enough to pass on for a special 2020 for each of you. Enjoy exploring the gift of time that Jesus gives you, as well as these apps, podcasts, and books!

And may God bless your 2020,

Contribution envelopes are available in the Gathering Area through January. Please print your name and envelope number on the sign-out sheet next to the envelope boxes. After January, envelopes will be available in the church office.

ADULT MINISTRY If you have ever paid off a large loan, like a student loan, car loan, or home mortgage, then you know the feeling of relief from getting the burden of debt off of your shoulders. But what would it be like if after making the last payment, the bank kept on sending notices that you still owed more to the bank? And what would happen if they just wouldn’t stop demanding payment, and threatened to send your case to bill collector? What if you could not get rid of this demanding bank? If this sounds to you like a financial nightmare, then you may begin to understand the situation that Paul addressed when he wrote his letter to the Galatian church. Certain people kept on telling the Galatian Christians that they owed a debt that had actually been paid. The so called “Judaizers” demanded that the Gentile Christians needed to pay by being circumcised and keeping the Jewish dietary laws. Paul was furious that people were being told that they still needed to pay on a debt that had already been paid. Imagine that your son or daughter, or close friend, made final payment on a car, and the next month a bill collector was on his or her doorstep. Wouldn’t you be angry? Especially if the bill collector would not go away, and threatened to press charges! So Paul takes pen in hand and writes to the Galatians and says… Look, you don’t owe a thing! Nothing more needs to be done, it has all been paid, every last penny. You were bought with a price, a very expensive price – the precious blood of Jesus! So don’t pay anything, just rest in the grace of God and in the knowledge that you have been purchased, redeemed, and claimed by God. You don’t owe anything. And you do not have to do anything to gain God’s favor or earn God’s salvation. It has all been taken care of. Have your ever felt guilty about not being good enough? We often think that we need to do all the right things in order to be accepted by God. Too often the church has taught a “works righteousness” approach to living the Christian life that is similar to the Judaizer’s demand that the Gentile Christians be circumcised. Paul wrote the book of Galatians addressing the legalism that was being taught in the early church. Paul taught that

the only Gospel was the Gospel of grace: God’s unconditional acceptance of each of us… now that is Good News! Beginning on Sunday, January 19 at 10:30 a.m. I will be teaching about this amazing grace that Paul focuses on in the book of Galatians. Please join me on Sunday mornings in the Chapel for Grace Notes: A Study on Galatians. Grace and Peace, Scott

Journey

Are you interested in learning more about

Columbia? Do you want to take the next steps toward

membership? Journey is a great way to learn about who

we are and what we do at Columbia Presbyterian

Church. In Journey you will learn about basic Christian

beliefs, the history of the church, what is means to be

Presbyterian, and the mission and vision of Columbia. At

the end of the class you can choose to become a

member, or not, it is up to you. Our next Journey class

will meet on Sunday, January 26, 10:30am– 2:00pm in

the Chapel. Pick up a Journey brochure in the Gathering

Area and register today.

Alpha is Coming! Got Questions? Questions about God, Jesus, Life? Alpha is a short, practical introduction to the Christian faith. It includes eleven weekly sessions and an inspirational weekend session. Beginning on January 8, each Alpha class will begin with a dinner followed by a video presentation and table conversations. Alpha is a great place to bring a friend who may have questions about God. The Alpha registration fee is $11 and includes a study book. There is also a $5 fee for each dinner. The weekly schedule is: Dinner runs 5:30-6:15pm; Program begins at 6:30 and concludes at 8pm. Sign up today for Alpha with the registration form in the brochure out in the Welcome Center, online at www.columbiapresbyterian.org, or download the Columbia app on your cell phone.

Save the Date! The Guys/Kids Campout will be Aug. 14-16, at Cougar Campground. Watch for details in 2020.

Sharon Wallenborn Director Circle of Friends Preschool www.cof-preschool.org 360-696-9926

As we enter into the new year, I thought these little quips from parents might bring you a little joy and a few giggles after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. “Having one child makes you a parent. Having

two kids makes you a referee.” -David Frost You know your life has changed when going to

the grocery store by yourself is a vacation. The only thing kids know how to wear out faster

than shoes are their parents. My kids were all having fun and getting along,

and that was the greatest 2 1/2 minutes of the entire summer.

Cherish the day you buy your minivan because that will be the last day it is ever clean.

I don’t want to sleep like a baby, I want to sleep like my husband.

They say it takes a village. Where can I get directions to this village?

If you don’t know where your kids are in the house, turn off the Wi-Fi and watch them slowly appear.

Ever had a job where you had no experience, no training, you weren’t allowed to quit and people’s lives were at stake? That is parenting.

The sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble.

The hardest part of parenting is being fake mad when they do something that is actually hilarious.

When your mom voice is so loud, even the neighbors brush their teeth and get dressed.

When I tell my kids I’ll do something in a minute, what I am really saying is, “Please forget.”

1985 parent: punishes a child by making them stay inside instead of playing outside.

2019 parent: punishes a child by making them go

outside with no Wi-Fi.

We are honored to receive this special

award for six consecutive years.

Just around the corner: January 6 Classes resume 20 MLK Day - no school 28 & 30 Pajama Day

30 Registration for families currently enrolled

February 7 Registration for families new to Circle

of Friends

Registration begins this month for the 2020 –2021 school year.

Contact the preschool to set up a tour.

Christmas Celebration

Supporting the Activities of the

Senegal Go Team The Go Team is in final preparations for their trip to Senegal, West Africa as representatives of Columbia. The rest of us are members of the Senegal Send Team through supporting the trip, both financially and with prayer. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful congregation going with the team in spirit and in prayer to Senegal.

PRAYER PARTNERS SIGN UP Each year, as the team is preparing for, traveling and in Senegal, they covet your prayers. You can become a partner with one or more of the travelers, praying for them and their individual needs. On Sunday, January 5

and 12, we will have a Senegal counter in the Gathering Area for you to pick up prayer cards and sign up to be a prayer partner. If you are not familiar with Senegal or how a being prayer partner works, this is a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have. SENEGAL PRAYER PARTNERS DINNER We are having the Prayer Partner’s Dinner Saturday, January 25, at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall. It’s an open invitation to the entire congregation to hear more about the missions in Senegal we support, meet the team that CPC is sending, and to lift them up in prayer before their departure to Senegal. Young and old alike are invited. It’s a “family” dinner! If you have a boubou, pull it out and let’s get dressed up in Senegal style! No RSVPs required. The main dish will be furnished - Chicken yassah, a traditional Senegalese dish. This is a potluck, so please bring enough to share based on the first letter of your last name:

A-G Desserts

H-S Side dishes or vegetables

T-Z Salads, appetizers or bread

SEND OFF AT PDX The team will be departing from PDX on Tuesday, January 28. As is our tradition, we will meet for a “pray-off” before the Go Team heads out on their journey. We will be

meeting outside security on the D/E concourse side of the airport at 5:30am and would love it if you could join us! FACEBOOK We will be attempting to post on the Columbia Facebook page throughout the trip, so please check us out. Again, on behalf of the Go Team, thank you for your love and support. Colossians 4:2–3a (NIV) Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message...

Dear Columbia Family, Sharon and I want to express our thankfulness for so many of you who sent sympathy cards to me upon the passing of my father on October 23. It was a "good death" full of signs of God's presence and care, perhaps most significantly in that my mother and all three of us kids were present as he breathed his last and "graduated." We celebrated the gift of his life and our hope in Christ down in California on November 29, the day after Thanksgiving. I am so thankful to God for the extra time I have been able to spend with my parents during the fall, and now as an ongoing support and presence to my mother who is doing very well. With gratitude, Geordie and Sharon Ziegler

2020 Go Team Left to right: Bob McFarlin, Connie Warner, Katie Phelan, Gina Nie, Christiana Amewudah, Bob Swenson.

2020 Men’s Retreat

The annual Columbia Men’s retreat is coming up on

Feb. 28-Mar. 1 at Aldersgate Retreat Center in Turner,

OR. Not only will we have the usual activities, great

worship, times of connecting with other men, but we

will have a fantastic speaker. Greg Roth, Senior Pastor

at Centerville Presbyterian Church in Fremont, CA will

be connecting faith and life with us during our gathering

times. Greg is a dynamic speaker, deep thinker, and a

faithful disciple of Jesus. Greg is also a personal friend of

Pastor Scott. Look for more information in the coming

weeks.

Artist Reception

Please join us for our artists reception on Sunday, January 12, 2020, 3-5pm. in the library/art gallery. Our featured artist is Yvonne Shilling. Music will be provided by guitarist and vocalist, Mike McAlexander and refreshments will be provided for your enjoyment in the Gathering Area. There will be an artist interview at 3:30pm. Yvonne's art exhibit will be on display in the library through the months of January and February.

Ellen Torongo Scholarships

Each year as part of Ellen Torongo’s legacy, the Presbyterian Women’s Association has awarded college scholarships to active members of our church community. > Scholarship #1 is open to women ages thirty or

older, seeking to advance their education, acquire new skills, or update present skills.

> Scholarship #2 is for high-school-graduate children

of single parents. Both the applicant and their parent must be active members of Columbia.

> Scholarship #3 is to help first-generation college

students between ages 18-24 pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited institution. “First generation” is defined as a person whose parent or parents have not obtained a post-secondary degree.

> Scholarship #4 is open to children of Missionaries

who are/were active members of Columbia and whose mission is supported by Columbia.

Applications are available in the church office. The deadline for returning completed applications to the church office is Monday, March 2, 2020 by 4:30pm. If you have questions about the application or wish to make a contribution to the scholarship fund, contact Judy Falk.

Thanks – deacon basket shoppers The deacons would like to extend a huge thank you on a successful Thanksgiving Basket Shopping Day on Saturday, November 23! Thank you to all the shoppers who turned out in force to shop for and deliver to twenty-four families from Marshall Elementary and McLoughlin Middle School! We are grateful beyond words. We were also able to provide WinCo gift cards to ten other families in need. Every year, shoppers see us shopping with our badges on and ask questions and inevitably want to help. This year, two turkeys were donated by anonymous shoppers to our group! We are so thankful for God's abundant provisions.

Health Matters Now that 2020 is here, we’re going to jump the gun to February,

American Heart month, to talk about blood pressure. But wait, what does blood pressure have to do with hearts? High blood pressure (also called hypertension) is common among Americans—almost 30% of us have it. But what’s the big deal, it’s just numbers, right? Even if no symptoms are obvious, uncontrolled hypertension is silently doing damage. Let’s unpack how this works. What do the numbers that comprise a blood pressure represent? According to heart.com:

Systolic blood pressure (the first number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart beats.

Diastolic blood pressure (the second number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats.

Here’s the bad news: as artery walls harden, the heart has to work harder to pump blood to meet the body’s oxygen needs. This extra work can eventually lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure. Without going into detail, risk factors that increase the blood pressure are high cholesterol, stress, diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise, and high salt, caffeine, or alcohol intake. (For more information, go to https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/blood-pressure-causes#1). Of course, family genetics can be a factor, and children are not immune to high blood pressure though prevalence increases with age. The good news is that hypertension can be prevented or controlled: eating fresh foods (rather than processed); maintaining a healthy weight; engaging in some sustained movement every day; limiting salt, caffeine, and alcohol intake; and managing stress all help. In some cases, medication may be necessary to lower blood pressure. Knowing your numbers is the key. Because blood pressure is dependent on activity or what the heart is being asked to do, it is always changing. “Normal” blood pressure is considered to be less than 120/80. That doesn’t mean the first time your blood pressure is higher than that (unless it exceeds 180 systolic and/or 120 diastolic—you should seek emergency care), you should

see your doctor. But if your blood pressure is consistently over, you should check in. The Health Ministry Team is holding blood pressure screenings after services quarterly, starting January 26, because early detection and monitoring is so important. You will receive a wallet card so you can track your numbers over time and share them with your doctor. Watch your weekly bulletins in January for more information—we look forward to seeing you! To your health, Kathie Lasater Faith Community Nurse

Holy Yoga returns for Winter 2020

Join Holy Yoga at CPC for a new year of gentle movement and meditation. Our Winter 2020 session will run Thursdays, January 9 through February 27, 5:45-6:45pm in Fellowship Hall.

Holy Yoga is a form of experiential worship, a spiritual practice, that offers women and men an opportunity to connect with God through scripture, music, meditation and wellness. It offers space to slow down, loosen up, and listen to what God might be saying. Everyone is encouraged to move at his or her own pace, even if that means spending the whole time sitting still.

Holy Yoga is a "missional experiment" led by Sarah Coomber, with support from Nancy Anderson. In 2019, 25 classes were offered, which were attended by 10-20 students per class.

Suggested donation is $5-10 per session, and childcare is available by advance reservation (please contact Terry Hurley in the church office).

More information is available at https://sarahcoomber.com/holy-yoga/.

LIBRARY CORNER The library is located across from the elevator by the Gathering Area. Books, except reference materials, may be checked out for three weeks. The library catalog is available at: www.librarything.com/catalog/colpresvan

A Jesus Shaped Life by Bob Rognlien Disciple-Making What kind of shape are you in? How about your marriage? Your family? Your job? Do you ever feel like you’re missing something of the life you are meant to live? Jesus of Nazareth entered the stage of history 2,000 years

ago, not only to show us the way we are meant to live, but to invite us to follow him into that life of ultimate meaning and purpose. He was clear that this journey would cost us everything, but promised an exponential return both in this life and in the life to come. In 12 short engaging chapters, Bob Rognlien invites you to reflect on your way of life in light of the life Jesus lived. He challenges you to consider the most important questions of life: Who am I? Why am I here? Who am I following? Who is my family? Filled with biblical teaching, personal stories, and proven tools, this is a practical guide to following Jesus more closely, living as a part of his extended family, and finding the power to do your part in his mission to change the world. Written for people from all walks of life, this is an introduction to Jesus-shaped discipleship and mission for everyday people just like you and me. Bob Rognlien is a national director of 3DMovements and leads unique immersion experiences in the Footsteps of Jesus and Paul.

Cloth of Heaven (Song of Erin #1) by B.J. Hoff Fiction B. J. Hoff brings us an inspiring Irish-American saga of pain and triumph in the 1800s. Terese Sheridan, desperate to escape the poverty and tragedy of Ireland,

traps herself and the man she loves in a web of deception that will have consequences for generations to come. Jack Kane, a rogue newspaperman, builds an empire from his youthful dreams and the kind

of reckless courage that makes him a legend in nineteenth-century New York City. Hoff's magnificent epic brings to life one of the most colorful, dramatic eras in American history and weaves a story of love and faith that spans an entire ocean. BJ Hoff's writing is known for her historical settings, her unforgettable characters, and her lyrical prose. She is the bestselling author of numerous historical fiction series’. Books New to the Library: Fiction The Sojourners: The Secret Stitch, Book 1 The Sojourners: The Donaghue Histories, Book 2 by C. Jane Reid Spiritual Growth Grateful Living by Dale Turner Me I Want to Be: Becoming God’s Best Version of You by John Ortberg

Tim’s Bible Club – 2020 The New Year is coming and you are invited to join Tim Mauer and friends as they read through the Bible together in 2020. Now in its tenth year, whether you’ve never read the Bible, or have joined every year, make 2020 the year to meet with God every day and get to know Him better through reading His Word. The reading plan this year will be similar to last year, basically the Old Testament followed by the New Testament, but not necessarily in book order. You will be provided with a reading list for daily readings, which will also be available on the CPC app. If you are interested in joining, please sign up in the Gathering Area, or contact Tim by email at timothy.mauer@comcast.net. He will add you to the list and provide you with all the information you need. Reading begins on January 1. And don’t worry, “We don’t have any meetings or committees - we just read the Bible.”

MILITARY PRAYER MINISTRY...

Thanks for those who have served our country through the years, and continued prayer for those in our church family currently on active duty. Keep in prayer:

Tim Powell, US Army (grandson of Ken & Gilda Powell)

Muirne Cooney, US Army (granddaughter of Ken & Yvonne Fowler)

Calvin Frakes, US Army (grandson of Floyd & Betty Ruth Frakes)

Bryant Flores, US Army (son of Virginia Vines-Flores)

James Sarchet, Marines (son of Jean Sarchet)

2nd Lt. Hanna Walton, US Army (daughter of Rhonda Walton)

Tyler Dillon, USAF (son of Jim Dillon Jr., grandson of Jim & Ruth Dillon)

1st Lt. Joseph B. Anderson, US Army (grandson of Bob Weller)

Petty Officer 2nd Class Sara Farrior, US Navy (wife of Alasdair Stuart)

Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Carney, US Navy (son of Kevin Carney)

Sgt. Lucas Swanson, US Army (son of Terry Hurley)

Captain Blake Hawthorne, US Army (son of Robyn Hawthorne & Charles Hawthorne)

Captain Amy Hawthorne, US Army (daughter-in-law of Robyn Hawthorne & Charles Hawthorne)

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Wolff (grandson of Sandy Stark)

Airman 1st Class Courtney Loewen, USAF (granddaughter of Carole Loewen)

Airman Katherine Meakins, USAF (cousin of Debbie Edwards-Wu)

2nd Lt. Jennifer McKinney, ROTC (daughter of Kim McKinney and granddaughter of Carolyn Peterson)

Petty Officer 3rd Class Duncan Stuart, US Navy (son of Robert & Geri Stuart and grandson of Marge van Nus)

Captain Thomas Roller, USAF (son of Bill & Shannon Roller, brother of Chris Roller)

Lt. Steven Whitham (cousin of Julie Mauer)

Petty Officer 1st Alasdair Stuart, US Navy (son of Robert & Geri Stuart and grandson of Marge van Nus)

Lt. Drew Ziccardi, U.S. Army (godson of Pastor Fitz Neal)

LS2 Roger Shannon, U. S. Navy (son of Colette & Robert Shannon)

CPC Movie Night

Friday, January 10 CPC Chapel

6:00pm - (BYOBBD) Bring your own brown bag dinner 7:00pm- Movie starts

DIRECTORY UPDATES Please contact the office for updated information on the following.

To be removed from this mailing list, please email the office at info@columbiapresbyterian.org with the request: “remove from Pilot Light mailing.”

Waltz, Jim & Shirley