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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 17, 2015)
20 in other words december17 2015 Things to Ponder: The Best Gift Ever By Grant Williams Every year presents the same problem for most people when it comes to buying Christmas presents. It takes a lot of creativity to stay ahead of the ingenuity game. Keeping everyone happy with their gift takes skill and a great memory. Perfume or new socks get old fast. When I was a kid my parents had some pretty cool friends, Pat and Eddie. Every year they bought me a plastic model of some sort; usually a battleship, airplane, tank or some kind of cool model held together with really stinky glue. As I got older the models got more difficult. I’ll never forget the first model I built with little balsa sticks covered with thin paper. Toys and models are great for kids, but buying gifts for adults is a whole different deal. What do you buy for someone who already has everything they need? One of my favorite Christmas memories involves white elephant gift exchanges. Most of the time you end up with something you don’t really want, but every once in a while you end up with a real winner. I’ll never forget the time I went home with a new study Bible. That might not excite everyone, but I sure felt fortunate owning something I couldn’t afford at that time. When it comes to Christmas gifts it seems like many people get hung up on material things. Exchanging presents that don’t bring lasting happiness can easily distract us from making a difference with the gifts we give. Kids need time and attention more than they need toys. Husbands and wives need love and affection more than new jewelry. Have you ever wondered why people need toy and jewelry boxes? It’s because they get tired of what they already have. God foresaw the problem long before man figured out what was wrong. He sent His only Son Jesus to show us what real living was like. Think about the gifts Jesus brought to humanity. Love, joy, peace, forgiveness, and other things money can’t buy. This year try giving of yourself instead of spending money you can’t afford to spend. One of my favorite Bible verses was spoken by Peter in Acts 3:6, But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have I give to you; In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene-walk!” Think about how amazing that truly is. More than anything the crippled man needed health. The most devastating thing we face might not be that difficult, but no matter what we are up against God is there with His hand stretched out to help. This Christmas I would like to encourage you to find your fulfillment in the Lord Jesus. “The Open Door Gathering Place” meets every Sunday night at the Vernonia Grange at 6 pm. Come and meet some new people and make a friend. Everyone is invited to experience the peace and joy found in knowing Jesus as your personal friend. Bridge Street Bits OUR NEW SENIOR AND HOME-DELIVERED MEAL PROGRAM IS GOING WELL! In coopera- tion with three Vernonia restaurants - Black Iron Grill, Mariolino’s and Vernonia Subway - the Senior Center is providing daily home- delivered meals and issues donation-based certificates for in-house dining from specially designed senior menus for residents 60 and older. You may obtain the certificates Mon- days 10:00 am to 3:00 pm from Wendy at 939 Bridge Street. Questions? Call Wendy on the special telephone number for this program, 503-405-0187. that day. THE VERNONIA SENIOR CENTER OPERATES IN TWO LOCATIONS. The Senior Center Of- fice and the Thrift Store, “Bargains on Bridge Street,” reside in the former VCLC building at 939 Bridge Street. Certificates for senior meals at participating restaurants are available there on Mondays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm 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. Board meet- ings and social activities such as the Friday FOOT CARE appointments may be made with afternoon card games are held in the American the Vernonia Health Center receptionist during Legion Hall at 627 Adams. clinic hours, 8 am through 4:30 pm, at 503-429- BARGAINS ON BRIDGE STREET at 939 Bridge 0622, Monday through Friday. The next foot accepts donations during its regular business care dates are Wednesday, December 30, and hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Wednesday, January 27, 2016; appointments and Saturday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please can be made now. Our provider, Joyce Jossi, bring donations inside. The thrift store wel- RN, is certified in diabetic and elder foot care. comes you as a shopper, too. All donations In case of unexpected snowy or icy road con- and purchases support senior services in Ver- ditions, please verify with the Health Center nonia. Watch for special SALE signs in front of whether Joyce is able to drive to Vernonia on the store. VOLUNTEERS are always needed to keep this vital program going; please let Pam, Thrift Store Manager, know if you are willing to help out occasionally – or regularly! 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 9:00 am (note time change) 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. 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 503-819-892 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 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 503-702-3553 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