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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 27, 2012)
community news Church News and Events By Mark Brown Why is there so much suffering in the world? (Part 3 and conclusion) Insight from Pastor Greg Allen Pastor Greg Allen, senior pastor at the Bethany Bible Church a small, non-denominational church located just west of beautiful Portland, Oregon. . I believe you will enjoy both the insight and Biblical teaching. I have included a link to visit. http://bethanybible.org/new/ Dear friend, First of all, thanks for writing. I appreciate that you’re a believer with questions. It’s probably not surprising to you that you’re not the first sincere Christian with questions like these. I deeply respect you for asking them. What’s more, I respect the sincerity with which they’re asked. It’s easy to detect the frustration you feel in the way you ask them; and I suspect that--to some degree--they involve some personal pain. But perhaps it may help if I share the things I have learned to do to keep my bearings in this world of suffering. (5) DON’T FORGET THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE CROSS. People looking at this world of suffering often ask, “Why does God seem so far away and unaffected by it all?” And it’s understandable that they would ask that. I even think God Himself understands why they would. But He also understands 2012 far more about our suffering than we sometimes think He does. The fact that God sent His Son into the world to die in our place shows that He ISN’T unaffected by the sin and suffering of this world! He has allowed consequence of our sin in Adam to also hurt Him. As Isaiah 53:4-6 says, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Hebrews 4:14-16 says, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” The cross of Jesus Christ is itself a permanent declaration to us that God isn’t so far away after all; but has actually done something at great cost to Himself to reverse the curse Adam brought on us--all so that one day, “God will wipe away every tear”; and there’ll be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). Now, does that answer all the questions? Of course not. But those five things give me some anchor points in the midst of a world of suffering. God has allowed the enemy of our souls to cause ruin in this Senior Center Activities 5-Area Luncheon: There are no tact the Senior Center for an ap- luncheons scheduled for Novem- plication. ber and December. Maple Bars available locally! Connie’s Fabulous Breakfasts: Connie King, the cook at the Se- Fabulous breakfasts are available nior Center, is making maple to the public on Fridays for a cost bars each day. The maple bars are of only $3.50. The event happens available to the public, too, and at the Senior Center (446 Bridge only cost $1 each. Availability is Street) from 7:30 to 9:00 AM each subject to quantity on hand. You Friday. Meal price includes a bev- can assure yourself of a good sup- erage, too. Enter through the side, ply by pre-ordering them directly from Connie by calling the Senior parking lot door. What a deal! Center (503-429-3912) any week Week Day Lunches: The Verno- day, from 7:00 AM-3:00 PM. nia Senior Center offers nutritious Please allow one day lead time for and tasty lunches each weekday larger orders. The Center’s front for a $4 donation for seniors over door opens at 9:00, but the side 60; cost is $5 for anyone under 60. parking lot door opens at 7:00. To-go meals are available for $5. Ah, sweet treats! These are available to the public, not just Senior Citizens. (Meal- Thrift Store: Bargain prices time is noon; late arrivals may not can be found in Vernonia’s Se- be served.) You can reserve your nior Center in their Thrift Store. lunch by calling by 11:15 AM, or The retail store is open Monday further in advance if possible, to through Friday, from 9:00 AM assist the cooks as they prepare until 3:00 PM. The Thrift Store the day’s meals. Meals on Wheels provides funds for the Senior are available for a $4 donations Center’s facility and its many for seniors over 60. Please con- activities. Donations can also be november27 dropped off during those same hours, and donated clothes need to be clean and in good condition so they are “sales ready”. We are offering half off during the first week of each month. Buy local- ly and support your local Senior Center. For after hours drop-offs please contact Pauline 503-429-5810. Special Days: On the last Wednesday of the month Wauna Credit Union will be serving ice cream. On the last Friday of the month we will serve birthday cake and ice cream to celebrate that month’s birthdays. Membership Dues: Another way to support Vernonia’s Senior Center is to pay the $15 annual membership dues. Checks may be mailed or dropped off at the Se- nior Center. Anyone 50 and older may join. Questions? 3912 Call: (503) 429- 17 world. But I believe that through the cross of Jesus, our wondrous God has turned the tables on our enemy; and will, through all the suffering, bring about a far greater glory for His people than ever could have been if the suffering had never happened at all. Therefore, by faith, I have learned to cling tightly to the cross of Jesus Christ my Savior; and in humble submission to His love, to look ahead to the glory. I can’t do any more than this side of heaven. But for me, it’s enough. I sincerely hope this is helpful. Blessings, Pastor Greg Comment Period for LNG Project continued from front page According to the FERC, those public comments re- ceived. “...will allow the FERC staff and staffs of cooperating agencies to focus attention on issues im- portant to the public during our preparation of an Envi- ronmental Impact Statement for the projects.” With the extension of the comment period un- til December 24, you can file comments electronically using the eComment feature located on the FERC web- site (www,ferc.gov) under the Documents & Filings link. This is an easy method to submit brief text-only comments on the project. Reference “Docket Nos. PF12-18-000 and PF12-20-000.” You can also file a paper copy of your com- ments by mailing them to : Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, Room 1A Washington, DC 20426 If you have questions about electronic filings call 202-502-8258 or email efiling@ferc.gov. For more information about the fight to oppose the LNG project go to columbiariverkeeper.org/our- work/lng/. Christmas in the Country Bazaar Wants You! Looking to sell vour handmade items this holidav season? We are looking for vendors. The Christmas Bazaar has a much bigger space to fill up now, and would like to FILL IT UP! The bazaar will be held in the new school commons area December 8th & 9th. The hours this vear will be 10-5 on Saturdav and 11-4 on Sundav (Sundav has new hours) Contact Corrie Smith at (503) 429-1052 or vernoniabazaar@aol.com. We also have a page on facebook- “Christmas in the Countrv Bazaar.” Church Directory (in alphabetical order) Assembly of God Sunday School: 9:45 AM Morning Worship: 11:00 AM Wayne Marr, Pastor 662 Jefferson Avenue 503-429-0373 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Sunday Schedule: Sacrament Meeting: 10:00 AM Sunday School & Primary: 11:20 AM Relief Society, Priesthood and Young Women: 12:10 PM Marc Farmer, Branch President 1350 E. Knott Street 503-429-7151 Covenant Church Vernonia Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship Service: 11:00 AM Wednesday Prayer Meeting: 7:00 PM John D, Murray, Pastor 359 “A” Street 503-860-3860 Nehalem Valley Bible Church Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship Service: 10:45 AM Wed. Ladies Bible Study: 10:00 AM Wednesday Service: 7:00 PM Sat. Men’s Prayer Meeting: 6:30 AM Gary Taylor, Pastor Grant & North Streets 503-429-5378 Pioneer Baptist Fellowship Worship Service: 6:00 PM www.pbfalive.com John Cahill, Pastor 850 Madison Ave. 503-429-1161 St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wednesday Religious Education: 3:15- 4:30 PM Sunday Mass: 12:00 PM Rev. Luan Tran, Administrator 960 Missouri Avenue 503-429-8841 Vernonia Christian Church Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship Service in Youth & Family Center: 11:00 AM www.VernoniaChristianChurch.org Sam Hough, Pastor 410 North Street 503-429-6522 Vernonia Community Church Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:30 AM Wednesday Prayer: 6:30 PM Ralph Young, Interim Pastor 957 State Avenue 503-429-6790 Vernonia Foursquare Church Sunday Worship Service: 10:30 AM Children’s Sunday School Carl Pense, Pastor 850 Madison Avenue 503-429-1103 Vernonia Seventh-day Adventist Church Sabbath (Saturday) Services Sabbath School: 9:30 AM Worship Service: 11:00 AM www.VernoniaSDAC.org Larry Gibson, Pastor 2nd Ave. and Nehalem St. 503-429-8301