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
