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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 2016)
in other words Things to Ponder: Where Are You Headed? By Grant Williams How much thought do you put into your vacation destinations? Most people talk with family, friends or maybe even consult a travel guide. No matter how you come to your choice of places to visit it is important to plan appropriately to ensure you end up where you wanted to spend your holidays. Can you imagine someone planning their vacation trip to a chosen destination and going to the airport and jumping on the first airplane they see? What if that airplane is heading to the wrong destination? All the time and money you spent in the planning process could end up being wasted, if you’re not careful. Let’s change from vacation destinations to eternal destinations. Have you spent as much time thinking about eternity as you have on what you will do tomorrow or next summer? In some ways choosing a religion is a lot like choosing a vacation. The biggest difference is obviously the bad vacation experience can be replaced with a better choice next time. Your choice of religions has much greater consequences because death will be the final determiner of whether you made a wise choice. Some people assume that heaven means the same thing in all religions, but nothing could be further from the truth. Some religions do not even believe in a heaven. Some people believe the next step after this life is another plane of existence, maybe evolving up or downward. Christianity holds to a belief that heaven is a place where forgiven people will spend eternity without war or famine or hatred and never the threat of death or punishment. The best part will be seeing the author of love and peace, Jesus, face to face. In John 14:1-3 Jesus said, ”Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am you may be also.” These promises bring me great comfort. Have you looked deeply into what your religion/faith claims to be the final destination of your soul? I spent many years chasing a false dream filled january21 2016 17 with empty expectations. In the end I came back to the roots my parents taught me about faith in Christ. The last thirty- three years have convinced me I should never have turned my back on Jesus. John 14:6 says, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father, but through Me.” Everyone believes in something. What I have shared is my personal opinion. What have you put your faith in? I’m just a thirsty pilgrim sharing where I found a satisfying drink and peace for my searching soul! Vernonia’s Voice is published twice each month on the 1st and 3rd Thursday. Our next issue will be out February 4th. Bridge Street Bits VERNONIA SENIOR CITIZENS – it’s time to pay your 2016 dues, still a bargain at $15 per year. Donations above the amount of your dues are always welcome, of course. You may leave your dues check with Pam on Mondays at the 939 Bridge Street office or mail them there. foot care dates are Wednesday, January 27 and Wednesday, February 24. Our provider, Joyce Jossi, RN, is certified in diabetic and elder foot care. In case of unexpected snowy or icy road conditions, please verify with the Health Center whether Joyce is able to drive to THE COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM SENIOR CASE Vernonia on that day. Due to the popularity of this program, additional days may be added. MANAGER staffs the office in the 939 Bridge Check with the scheduler when you call to building from 10 to 1 on the first and third Monday of each month. If you need assistance make an appointment. during other times, please contact Heather BARGAINS ON BRIDGE STREET at 939 Bridge Johnson at 503-366-6542. accepts donations during its regular business hours: Monday – Friday 9-3 and Saturday 10-3. SENIOR MEAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM Please bring donations inside. The thrift store CONTINUES. In cooperation with three welcomes you as a shopper, too. All donations Vernonia restaurants - Black Iron Grill, Mariolino’s and Vernonia Subway - the Senior and purchases support senior services in Vernonia. Watch for special SALE signs in front Center is providing daily home-delivered of the store. VOLUNTEERS are always needed meals and issues donation-based certificates to keep this vital program going; please let for in-house dining from specially designed senior menus for residents 60 and older. You Pam, Thrift Store Manager, know if you are willing to help out occasionally – or regularly! may obtain the certificates Mondays from 10 am to 3 pm from Wendy at 939 Bridge Street. Questions? Call Wendy on the special telephone number for this program, 503-405- 0187. See below for home delivered meal information. 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. Certificates for senior meals at FOOT CARE appointments may be made with participating restaurants are available there on the Vernonia Health Center receptionist during Mondays from 10 am to 3 pm. Daily home- delivered meals are still available to qualifying clinic hours, 8 am through 4:30 pm, at 503- persons; contact Community Action Team 429-0622, Monday through Friday. The next office on Mondays at 503-366-6584 for more information or to register. Board meetings and social activities such as the Friday afternoon card games are held in the American Legion Hall at 627 Adams. 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 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. NEXT SENIOR CENTER BOARD MEETING is Friday, February 12, 10 am at the American Legion Hall/Cares. All members are invited to attend. 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
