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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 3, 2015)
in other words september3 2015 Things To Ponder: Pain Turned to Gain By Grant Williams Last February I went to the doctor and told her I had sharp pains up and down my left side. She ordered an x-ray that revealed severe arthritis in my left hip. That was really a shock. I had no idea arthritis could cause so much pain. Over the next six months there were many appointments for blood draws and examinations. I had heard about the possible problems related to infection but had no idea that any infection could cause the new implant to be rejected by my body. One bad tooth was the only thing they could find, so out she came! As the day for surgery got closer I experienced some interesting phenomena. My chest began to hurt, but I really believed my back was out so I called a friend who popped me back into place. The night of the surgery I got a horrible headache. That is most unusual for me because I don’t usually get headaches. The only thing I can figure is the Devil wanted me to chicken out and cancel my surgery. I prayed hard that God would give me peace in the morning when I woke up. My head hurt a little, but not too bad. When we got to the hospital one of the first people we saw was our old friend Julie who encouraged me tremendously. It wasn’t long until a doctor showed up who gave me an injection in the spine. I knew I was on my way to the biggest medical event in my life. Two hours later I started to come around and they told me everything went great. Of course I was encouraged and thanked everyone I could. Not long after that I was rolled into my own private room with an eager crew of professionals who took excellent care of me. Now I know why there is a steady stream of doctors, nurses and housekeeping constantly coming and going. Each one has a very specific job to do. I was reminded of the Church with all the jobs that need to be done and how important every individual is to the success of the team. While I was in the hospital I told everyone I could I wanted to preach the next Sunday without missing a beat. Some told me that was very unlikely, but a few said good for you. Sunday was a little awkward but God gave me the grace necessary to accomplish the task. I want to thank everyone who has prayed for me. I especially want to thank the people who came to see me and Bob who gave me a ride home. I didn’t know what to expect, but God took care of me. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust the Lord with all your heart. Don’t depend on your own understanding, remember the Lord in everything you do. And He will give you success.” 13 WEST OREGON ELECTRIC CO-OP Rate Change Hearing Wednesday September 16 7:00 pm at the Vernonia Fire Station 555 E. Bridge St. FERC Public Comment Meeting on Oregon LNG Tuesday, September 22 6:00 - 9:00 pm at the Vernonia Schools Commons Bridge Street Bits BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER, FOOT CARE appointments may be made with the Vernonia Health Center receptionist during clinic hours, 8 am through 4:30 pm, at 503-429-0622, Monday through Friday. Thanks to an agreement between the Vernonia Senior Center and the Health Center, foot care will continue to be provided one day per month at the Health Center with their receptionist taking reservations. You may also schedule future appointments with the provider when you see her. Our provider, Joyce Jossi, RN, is certified in senior and diabetic foot care. Cost is $25 payable directly to Joyce by check or cash at the time of service. You may bring nail polish if you’d like to have Joyce give your toes a real finishing touch. The regular September foot care will be Wednesday, September 30. Appointments for that date may be made now. VERNONIA SENIOR CITIZENS, INC. is a beneficiary of the Fred Meyer Community Rewards program. If you shop at Fred Meyer and have a Rewards Card, you can link your card to the Community Rewards program online (www.fredmeyer.com/ communityrewards) or by telephone (1-866-518-2686). You can search for us by name online or by our assigned non-profit number, 81674. You still earn your Rewards Points, Fuel Points and rebates. You don’t have to be a senior to help the Senior Center with this program! VOLUNTEERS, PLEASE COME HELP! If you have or would like to get some retail store experience, we’re seeking more volunteers to help our BRIDGE STREET BARGAINS store team. Please call Pam at 503-429- 3912 to request an application. Even one day per month would be a big help. Volunteers are also needed as additional MEALS-ON-WHEELS DRIVERS to help us get lunches to homebound citizens Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. The Senior Center has insurance that covers volunteers who deliver meals. Schedules can be set up to match yours. A small stipend helps cover your gas expense, and all meal deliveries are in or close to town. Thanks in advance for your willingness to help! signs in front of the store. THE VERNONIA SENIOR CENTER OPERATES IN TWO LOCATIONS. The Senior Center Office and the Thrift Store, “Bargains on Bridge Street,” reside in the former VCLC building at 939 Bridge Street. The senior meal program has relocated to the American Legion Hall at 627 Adams Avenue. Meals are served Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at noon. To reserve a meal, please call Wendy by 11:00 am at 503-429-1414. Suggested donation for seniors over 60 is $4.00; under 60, the cost is $5.00. Daily home-delivered meals are still available to qualifying persons; contact Community Action Team office on Mondays at 503-366-6584 for more information or to register. WALKING WEDNESDAY is an opportunity for gentle exercise for seniors and anyone in the community who’d like to join us. Walking Wednesdays continue at Vernonia Lake at 9:30 am each Wednesday, rain or shine. Walk at your own pace with a friend or solo. No fee and no pre-registration – just come and walk one or more circuits around the lake. Please note that we occasionally move the start time earlier on hot weather days. Check the Senior Center and Community Bulletin Board Facebook pages for last minute announcements. BARGAINS ON BRIDGE STREET at 939 Bridge Street accepts donations during its regular business hours: Monday – Friday 9-3 and Saturday 10-3. Please bring donations inside. The thrift store welcomes you as a shopper, too. All donations and purchases support senior services in Vernonia. Watch for special SALE RUSS CLARK, COLUMBIA COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER, IS AVAILABLE to meet with clients in Vernonia. Russ will be at the Senior Center (former VCLC) in the office at the end of the hallway on the first Tuesday of each month from 1:00 to 7:00 pm. VERNONIA SENIOR CITIZENS, INC. 939 Bridge Street, Vernonia OR 97064 Phone: 503-429-3912 Non-Profit Tax ID #23-7422295 Vernonia Senior Center • 939 Bridge Street • 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 Roger Cook, Branch President 1350 E. Knott Street 503-429-7151 The Crossing Southern Baptist Church of Vernonia Wednesday, 7:00 PM Troy Pound, Pastor Cabin in Vernonia 901 Park Drive 503-819-8921 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 Tues. Ladies Bible Study: 9:30 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
