20 community may1 2014 Things To Ponder: Contentment By Grant Williams Do you ever wrestle with a lack of con- tentment? There was a third grade boy who desperately wanted a part in his school play. He anxiously anticipated the day of the try outs. He did his very best to relax and prepare himself for his debut as an entertainer. After the tryouts were over and all the roles were assigned he was so proud. Running into his house, to the warm greeting of his mother, he proclaimed “Mommy, I have been given a very important part in the school play, my teacher told me I could sit in the audience and cheer for the kids up on the stage.” Perhaps you would have been disap- pointed, but not this small child. He was happy to be a part of something bigger than himself. Every day, in real life, we must learn to be con- tent with the role we have been given. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive to be better, it just means we need to learn how to be content with what we have right now. Have you ever had to work with people who want to be in a larger role, but they really belong in the ranks of those who support and encourage. If a person learns to be content with a minor role perhaps one day they will be ready for more. If you stop and think about it I hope you realize that being an encourager is truly not a small role. There are far too many people who can squeeze the life out of an event with their bad attitude. The Bible gives us many reasons to be optimistic. The apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:11- 13 said, “ Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperi- ty; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, of both having abundance, and of suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Whether you are a child seeking a part in a play, or an adult yearning for recognition to give your life significance, there is only one source of true contentment. Lamentations 3:25- 26 says, “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” For those seeking peace with God and man, please join us at the Open Door Gathering Place. We meet at the Vernonia Grange, 375 North St., on Sunday at 6:00 PM. On the first Sunday of each month we will enjoy a potluck meal at 4:00 PM, followed by communion and worship service. If you are looking for a friend- ly place for your faith to blossom this could be what you are looking for! Contact Pastor Grant at: (503)702-3553. Readers Lend Their Voices... continued from page 5 taxes comes down to the issues and the future of our county. For this family, the question is easily answered. The old argument regarding the funding and construction of the jail is a moot point and long past any justifiable discussion. The issue of not spending money wisely has not been proven. Closing our jail will be costly without any benefit to anyone. Mothballing such a facility will demand maintenance, insurance, electricity, heat, and administrative oversight. Not supporting a justice system and housing for the convicted criminals sends the wrong message if we desire to have a thriving, sustainable, and functional community. Sending prisoners to Polk County is not cost effective. It takes considerable time, not to mention expense, to transport the individuals back and forth, plus officers are not able to patrol where and when called. We believe any business - large or small - in a feasibility study will examine the following, not necessarily in any order when considering locating here. These include the schools which prepare future employees. The infrastructure of roads, rails, communication, energy sources, etc. which are important, of course. Of significance is the consideration for safety, security, and well being of the employees and all the residents throughout the county. Obviously, not having a jail operation and facility leaves any business person contemplating a move to Columbia County with more questions than answers. We urge a yes vote when your ballot arrives in the mail Paul and Judy Nys Rainier Bridge Street Bits CONGRATULATIONS to Community Action Team’s DAN BROWN who will be recognized as a Distinguished Leader as a Community Planner by the Oregon American Planning Association. Dan served on the Vernonia Planning Commission for seventeen years, many of those as the Chair of the Commission, recently stepping down as a Planning Commissioner. He will be recognized for his contributions at the OAPA annual conference on May 29-30 during a luncheon on Friday May 30 at the Oregon Convention Center. MANY OF YOU HAVE NOTICED the beginnings of the new Health Center going up next to West Oregon Electric on the site of the Rose Avenue Project. We are also developing plans to relocate our Senior Center to this location. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting move in the Voice. COVER OREGON infornmation can be obtained by going to CoverOregon.com. Also, contact Karen Miller for any senior concerns at Community Action Team, 503- 366-6581. NEED ASSISTANCE on saving your home? Contact us on Foreclosure Assistance. Sue Metcalf smetcalf@cat-team.org 503-366- 6595. HOW TO AVOID FORECLOSURE SCAMS: Are you in danger of foreclosures and don’t know where to turn? If someone promises to help you negotiate with your lender to lower your home loan payments or save your house, STOP! Oregon law limits upfront fees in most cases and requires companies to be licensed. Scammers use public records to target people who have mortgage loans or who are in the foreclosure process. They Vernonia Senior Center 446 Bridge Street also target limited English speakers and SENIOR CITIZENS. BEWARE!! CHIN UP! Summer weather is on its way! SENIOR SIGN OFF: The best time for a man’s ship to come in is before he’s too old to navigate. LUNCH MENU 5/1 Turkey Sandwich & Fries 5/2 Burger & Potato Salad 5/5 BBQ Chicken Legs 5/6 Tuna Melt 5/7 Lasagna 5/8 Chef’s Choice 5/9 Pizza 5/12 Ribs & Grits 5/13 Chicken Patty “Burger” 5/14 Meat Loaf 5/15 Tacos & Refried Beans 5/16 Egg Salad Sandwich 503-429-3912 Church Directory (in alphabetical order) Assembly of God Sunday School: 9:45 AM Morning Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday Evening Prayer: 6:00 PM 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 Grace Family Fellowship Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:30 AM Thursday Prayer: 6:00 PM Greg “Mac” McCallum, Pastor 957 State Avenue 503-429-6790 www.gracefamilyfellowship.org 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 Open Door Gathering Place Service: Sunday 6:00 PM Grant Williams, Pastor 375 North Street Pioneer Baptist Fellowship Sunday School: 9:30 AM Worship Service: 11:00 AM www.pbfalive.com John Cahill, Pastor 939 Bridge Street 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 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