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
