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
