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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 2014)
in other words august7 Things To Ponder: Faith or Foolishness? In Memory of... By Grant Williams Have you wondered what faith looks like in God’s eyes? Faith means different things to each one of us depending on our background and upbringing. Some people claim they have no faith in anything. For many people, God is a fantasy and faith is a foolish, misguided belief in fairy tales. In the Bible, God describes faith that has lasting value. Faith is described in Hebrews, 11:1-2, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.” Faith that pleases God is a belief in Him that doesn’t doubt what His Word says. Genuine faith is also based upon a certainty that He is trustworthy. These elements of faith are pleasing in God’s eyes. Faith is trusting God for what can’t be understood with our natural senses. Without faith, which is a gift from God, the great heroes of the Bible would have lived very different lives. Without faith, while in the lion’s den, Daniel would not have seen the Angel of the Lord protecting him. Without faith Noah would never have spent years building the ark that saved his family. Without faith Moses never would have lead the people of Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea. Believing in God makes no sense to a person who has no faith. But faith brings peace, hope and deliverance to those who believe God’s Word. We live in a very different world than the men of old, but God’s amazing power is readably available to all who seek Him. Unfortunately, many people trust only in what they can see with their physical eyes. Far too many people put their confidence in material things and what they can do by their own strength. Living in a world built with our own resources is not a venture in faith, but a slap in the face of the God who said in Hebrews 11:6, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Many people mistake faith for foolishness. It is an easy mistake to make when you are looking at things from an earthly perspective, but eyes of faith can see what is impossible to visualize without faith. When David looked at Goliath, he didn’t see defeat like King Saul and his fearful army; he trusted God to guide the stone that sunk deep into the giant’s skull. When the thief on the cross, who trusted in Jesus, acknowledged Him as Lord, he was saved by his faith. In Luke 18:8b, Jesus said, “…when the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on earth?” Everyone must answer that question for them self. Are you putting your faith in God or trusting in yourself? 2014 17 continued from page 16 by many nieces and nephews who called him “Uncle Danny.” He is also survived by six great grandchildren, Mellody, Nova, Sayler and Grayson Graham and Mariah and Harper Headley. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dennis and sisters Verian and Joyce. He was a husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He will be very, very missed. A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 PM on August 16, 2014 at the Scout Cabin in Vernonia, Oregon. Are you a senior citizen? Do you need assistance? Karen Miller with Community Action Team is available for consultation for senior services in the Vernonia area. Help is also available for energy assistance. 503-366-6581 Bridge Street Bits 45TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE at the Senior Center on August 8 from 1:00-4:00 PM. Please join us for coffee and cake. Music by the Golden Oldies and others. The Thrift Store will be open as well. ATTENTION SENIORS: Are you looking for something to do on these hot days in the coolness of your home? If you are a senior who is not able to visit our Vernonia local library regularly, then read on: The Vernonia Public Library Board has a new program focused on delivery of books and other library materials to home-bound seniors or those who cannot visit as much as they would like for any reason. New programs are available at the library that might be beneficial to all seniors in the future, and they are excited to be a part of this effort. They also would like to know if you need any electronic devices (yep, we are in that tech age now!) such as DVD or CD players or electronic readers. Please call AUDEEN WAGNER at 503-429- 9700 or email her at dizzdean@yahoo.com with your questions or to show your interest in being a part of this exciting outreach program. of assistance. CHANCES ARE GOOD that a friend, neighbor, or relative in your life has been scammed. And chances are equally good that you’d be happy to help prevent it from happening again. That’s why the Federal Trade Commission has created a packet of fact sheets and bookmarks on topics relative to our community. The materials are available for free in both English and Spanish and cover six topics: identity theft, imposter scams, charity fraud, health care scams, paying too much, and “you’ve won!” scams. The materials are free. Visit www.ftc.gov/ bulkorder and order as many folders or separate fact sheets or bookmarks as you need. CALL KAREN MILLER for any Senior Services questions C.A.T. St. Helens 503-366-6581 COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM’S programs include: Energy Services, Housing Solutions, Affordable Housing & Community Development, Housing Rehab & Weatherization, Self-Help Housing, Senior Services, Veterans Services, Healthy Families, Head Start and Parenting Education & Support Services. Call C.A.T. at 503-397-3511 to see how they may be Vern)nia Seni)r Center 446 Bridge Street COME IN AND ENJOY Sheila’s great lunches and browse our thrift store, very efficiently run by Manager Lila. LUNCH MENU 8/8 Oven Fried Chicken & Tots 8/11 Pulled Pork & Corn Salad 8/12 Chicken Salad Sandwich 8/13 Meat Loaf, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy 8/14 Sloppy Joe & Carrot Salad 8/15 Pizza & Garden Salad 8/18 BBQ Chicken & Corn on the Cob 8/19 Fishwich & Fries 8/20 Roasted Pork Loin Dinner 8/21 Chef’s Choice 8/22 Clam Chowder & Biscuits 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 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
