If you prefer to print the newsletter, you may download it here: Printable August 2023 Here is also a printable June calendar: 08 2023 Calendar
elder’s perspective
By Sean Kelly, Elder
While I haven’t had a lightning bolt experience, I have had a vision. Nothing dramatic like what Old Testament prophets and the apostle John have shared with us. It came in a dream. No blinding light and thunderous words. It happened on a small, silent retreat at an abbey. Gradually, I wound down, leaving the world behind, and enjoying the opportunity for peace and reflectiveness the abbey provided. On my final night, I had a dream that was unlike any other dream I’ve had before or since. I was simply lying down, resting in a peaceful cloud. Somehow, in the dream, I knew that the cloud was God and that I was having the perfect rest and feeling loved and literally supported by the Father. I woke up in the morning, remembering the dream and still feeling the peace. It was a profound peace given to me that I still draw on today. That was around 20 years ago. It wasn’t a lightning bolt conversion. I already had a strong faith in my Lord and Savior. I think it was a gift the Lord gave me when He knew I was ready to receive it and would need it as I continued my journey.
Pastor Dave shared in a sermon how he believes in the Holy Spirit but used to find it difficult to accept certain manifestations of him; or at least that such manifestations could be real for him. Instead of denying the spirit, he basically challenged the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit said, “challenge accepted” and thump, Dave was lying on the floor and experiencing the most awesome peace he has ever felt. I wonder if part of what happened there was Dave being given a gift of profound peace by the Holy Spirit that is to sustain him moving forward and serving the Lord.
My vision and Pastor Dave’s thumping were one-time experiences (so far, anyway) for us from the Holy Spirit. And they have brought us peace in blessed times as well as difficult times. But the Holy Spirit can be felt more often than once in a life. I know I feel it in the worship service. There are worship songs and hymns that really touch my soul when we are singing them together. When the whole congregation is really lifting their voices in worship, I feel more than resonating harmony. I’m feeling the Holy Spirit. Often, I can’t keep singing because I am “choking up” with happiness. When a preacher or a prophet shares a word that seems to pass your ears and mind and go directly to your soul–Holy Spirit!
I hope we can all experience a vision or a thumping. It might be something seemingly small and personal, but with huge meaning to the person experiencing it. It could also be something dramatic and witnessed by many. Be ready for encounters with the Holy Spirit. I went on a retreat, but it wasn’t the retreat that made it happen. The retreat helped me be calm and ready for it. Pastor Dave didn’t turn his back on the Holy Spirit because he found certain manifestations of the Spirit difficult to accept. Instead, he challenged the Spirit. Sort of reminds me of a wrestling match Jacob had. We might experience the Holy Spirit even when we are not looking for him. But we get to experience the gift of the Holy Spirit even more when we seek it. And why wouldn’t we want that?
community corner
By Caleb Strom, Discipleship and Community Life Pastor
Longview Community Church family, we are excited to announce the launch of a brand-new ministry at our church – “Community Groups”! These small groups are designed to bring us closer together, fostering meaningful connections within our congregation and empowering us to grow in faith together while reaching those who do not yet know Jesus.
What are Community Groups?
Community Groups are small, intimate gatherings of church members who meet regularly to share their lives, engage in spiritual discussions, study the Scriptures, pray together, and support one another in their journeys of faith. These groups are formed with the aim of providing a safe and nurturing environment where we can build authentic relationships, strengthen our faith, and grow as disciples of Christ.
Why Join a Community Group?
The heartbeat of our church has always been the sense of community (I mean it’s in our name!). Through Community Groups, we can deepen these connections further, extending our church family beyond Sunday services. Here are some of the wonderful benefits you can experience by becoming part of a Community Group:
Deeper Connections: In a smaller setting, you’ll have the opportunity to get to know others on a more
personal level, sharing joys, burdens, and experiences. The relationships formed here can become a support system during both the highs and lows of life.
Spiritual Growth: Engaging in group discussions and Bible studies will help you gain fresh insights into the Scriptures, ask questions, and explore your faith in a collaborative setting. This shared exploration can lead to a deeper understanding of God’s word.
Accountability and Encouragement: Community Groups provide a space where you can be encouraged in your spiritual journey and held accountable in pursuing a life that reflects Christ’s teachings.
Prayer and Support: When facing challenges or celebrating victories, your Community Group will be there to pray for you and support you through it all.
How to Get Involved
We encourage everyone at Longview Community Church to consider joining a Community Group. To help you find the best fit, you can contact me (Pastor Caleb) at caleb@longviewcommunitychurch.org, or speak to any of the leaders that will be prayed over at our Sunday Launch. If you have interest in being a leader please reach out to me and we can find a time to meet.
Launch Date
The launch of Community Groups will take place on Sunday, August 27th during our “Recognition” Sunday. We will have a special commissioning of those who have agreed to be leaders of a Group to be prayed over.
We believe that Community Groups will be a transformative addition to our church, enriching our lives and deepening our faith. By fostering stronger bonds and offering a space for spiritual growth, we hope these groups will help us walk this journey of faith together, as one body in Christ while reaching those who do not yet know Jesus. Thank you for being a part of the Longview Community Church family. We look forward to seeing you at the launch and witnessing the growth and blessings that Community Groups will bring to our congregation.
lvcc youth news
By Nathaniel Duscha, Youth Pastor
July was a busy month for LvCC Youth! Our middle school and high school camps took place at Dunes Bible Camp and we had an amazing time at both! If you want to see a glimpse of what camp was like this year, you can click here to view the middle school recap video or click here to view the high school recap video. You can also search “Dunes Bible Camp” on YouTube and find the videos there titled “Dunes HS/MS Cowlitz Camp Recap”. Both of these camps were an incredible time to get away from day-to-day life to spend some time at the beach with friends to take part in awesome activities, spend time with friends, make new friends, worship, and grow closer to Jesus.
Our theme at camp this year was “Consider the Heavens”. We spent much of our time at camp discussing how big and powerful God is by looking at the vast universe that He created. We also reflected on the fact that He still wants a relationship with each and every one of us, no matter how small we feel at times. At high school camp, we also looked at the science that is often used to try to disprove the existence of God and learned how that same science actually does a better job of proving His existence.
children’s news
By Sarah Fix, Director of Children’s Ministry
I hope everyone has been having a wonderful Summer! I can’t believe it’s already August. I’ve been taking some time to rest and recover from VBS, catch up on some home-life projects and survive/enjoy the busy-ness of life with three littles under 5. It was wonderful to celebrate one of our own kids, Hope Ferguson, in her baptism this past Sunday! So thankful for her joy and the opportunity to see her commit her life to the Lord!
Please join us Thursday, August 17th for a family bowling night at Triangle bowl at 5:30! I’ll be there early to reserve a couple lanes. It would be helpful if you could let me know if you plan on coming so I can plan better! I’m currently planning for Fall/Winter Kid’s ministry. I’d love to invite all parents of children 0-elementary age to a meeting Dave and I will host after church on Sunday, August 20th. We will be talking about the future of children’s ministry; we want your input and you don’t want to miss important information we’ll be talking about! Please plan to come-lunch and childcare will be provided for your kids. Don’t forget to come ready for fun after the service on Recognition/Back-to-school Sunday August 27th as well!
elder meeting highlights
At the Elder meeting in July, Jaime Boaglio explained that giving in June was about $41,000 and thought this was good for June; expenses were high because of quarterly Missions checks being disbursed. Admin was a little high due to the fluctuating insurance payment; Tech was a little high due to QuickBooks renewal. YTD has almost a $65,000 deficit due to lower giving and additional payroll expenses. Cash on hand Ordinary Saving of $78,584 is a good buffer for the rest of the year. There was a good increase on the Charles Scwab endowment accounts.
Prior to the meeting, Patrick Allen emailed pictures of the new outdoor signage to the Elders for their review. Dave confirmed with Garrett that the signs have been ordered.
Sean Kelly addressed a previously asked question about going on to an equal payment plan for the utility bills. He explained that Jaime thought it was fine to leave it as is because giving is usually higher during the winter months when the bills are higher, so they usually aren’t a problem.
Patty Howland shared that she got a list from Randy Sundberg of the quantities and dimensions of pews he has been storing in his garage. She will put a notice in the August newsletter for anyone in the congregation who would like one, and any remaining pews will be advertised on Marketplace.
Dave explained to Leslie and Jay that Elder/Staff liaisons were established to give the staff someone other than Dave to speak with, and for the Elder to check in regularly to see how the staff person is doing, both at and outside of work. New assignments were made to include the new Elders.
Dave asked for Elder input regarding what people think of the sermon series and any trends noticed with the two services. Susie Kirkpatrick said she has noted the lower attendance at 9am. Patty explained that combined attendance of the two services this summer is about 150, although prior to that the weekly average was about 200; last summer was also 140-150.
The Elders would like to continue meeting in the Journey Room because they like the windows and light. The next Business meeting is scheduled for August 15 at 7pm in the Journey Room.
ce/office building receives fresh paint
For the past couple of months, Randy and Mary Sundberg have led a massive effort to repaint the upper and lower hallways of the CE Building. The Staff, Elders, and a few other volunteers donated many hours to help with the prep, priming and painting. Thank you to everyone involved, and a BIG thank you to Randy and Mary!
women’s news
By Patty Howland, Women’s Ministry Team Leader
Save the date for the next Women’s Retreat to be held at the Falls Creek Conference Center near Raymond, Washington on May 31-June 2 2024! LvCC has held retreats at this beautiful facility in the past but it has been several years. We’re looking forward to returning for a weekend of reflection and refreshment. More details will follow in the coming months, but mark your calendar now!
The next Women Together event has been moved from August to September 22 from 7:00-10pm. We are planning an outdoor movie night under the tent (or in the Youth Room if the weather doesn’t cooperate). Popcorn will be provided but feel free to bring your favorite snack. The movie to be watched is still to be determined, so contact me in the Church Office if you have a suggestion!
The Thursday Morning Bible Study will resume on September 14 at 9:30am in the Journey Room. They will be using the book/video study by Beth Moore, “Now That Faith Has Come: A Study of Galatians”. Facilitator Valerie Stein plans to stretch out the study to move at a slower pace by showing the video one week followed by two weeks of discussion. Please purchase your book prior to the first session. Contact Valerie for more info or if you have questions.
MOPS is hosting a fundraiser on Aug 5 (see This and That for info). They are currently accepting applications for fall (depending on childcare availability) and will resume meeting on Tuesday, October 3. Contact Co-coordinators Renee Thorsvik or Samantha Owings for more information.
The Women’s Fellowship Circles have met informally over the summer and will resume regular meetings in the fall. Mary Martha circle will meet on the first Monday at 3:30pm; contact coordinator Shannon Inman for info. Ruth circle will meet on the 3rd Monday at 1pm; Peggy Reibe is the coordinator. Louise Arnett circle does not have a regular meeting time, but coordinator Dolphine Mack maintains contact with the women in her group.
fish report
By Peggy Reibe, FISH Co-coordinator
We had a very successful week serving FISH July 24- 28. In those 5 days we provided a grocery basket of food each for 236 families consisting of 848 people.
Fun FISH facts: The only qualification to receive food from FISH is to ask. Typically, clients call between 9 AM-Noon the day they want food. Eighteen Longview/Kelso churches participate in FISH. Each church sets its own maximum households ranging from 25 – 55 per day. Historically LvCC has served one week every other month and has generously provided food for more clients than any other church. This service could not have been offered without liberal support of the Missions Committee and our 60+ (number not age) volunteers.
Because we serve more days than any other church, at the end of the month, and have a large maximum, we have been able to give food to 856 households consisting of 3,087 people in 2023. Surprisingly FISH numbers declined with COVID. We are nearing our pre-COVID numbers.
Wondering how you can support this mission so vital to the community? Pray, volunteer, donate bags and non-perishable food for people and pets. Everything helps!
this and that
Dear Church Family…
Thank you for the prayers, cards, meals and other help given since the recent passing of Bre’s brother. We appreciate the love and care expressed by our church family in Long ~Pastor Caleb and Bre
Recognition Sunday and the Blessing of the Backpacks will be on August 27. We would like to honor whoever experienced a life milestone this year. This includes “graduating” from Preschool, 2nd grade, 5th grade, 8th grade, 12th grade, and college. It also includes being married, having a first child, or retiring since September 2022. If you or someone you know is in one of these categories, please contact the Church Office so we can be sure to honor you!
The Bahamas Mission Trip team heads to Abaco August 6-12 to work with Kirk of the Pines to provide hurricane relief and to help with local outreach efforts. Please pray for the safety and effectiveness of the team as they travel and minister.
There are a few church pews available that were removed a couple years ago. There is one that is 4’ 8”, one that is 6’ 5.5 ”, and three that are 8’ 7.5”. If you or someone you know would like one and are willing to transport it from the Sundbergs’ garage, please contact the Church Office by August 31.
The Senior Adult Ministry will be having a Barbecue at the lakeside home of Pastor Jim and Lois Conrod on Tuesday, August 29 at Noon. The van will leave the church for Lake Merwin at 11am. Sign up to bring a side dish, salad or dessert. Hamburgers, hot dogs, beverages and table service will be provided. Maps to Lake Merwin will be provided if you are driving your own car.
SAM will also be collecting and delivering shoes, backpacks and underwear for Kessler and St Helens elementary schools. Bring new donated items to the tubs in the Lobby or near the Office during the month of August. Please contact Charlotte Yarbrough for more info.
MOPS Garage Sale MOPS will be having a fund-raiser as part of the Terry Taylor sales on August 5 from 7am-4pm. They would love to involve the church for donations and help selling. You may contact Renee Thorsvik if you have items to donate. If you would like to take one or more 2-hour shifts pricing or selling, please sign up at https:/www.signupgenius.com/go/8050944AEA62DA6FA7-mops.
There’s still time to register for the Men’s Retreat on Sept 17-19 at Trout Creek Camp in Corbett, OR! The theme is “Discussions with David: Learning to Be a Man After God’s Own Heart”. The cost of $225 includes two nights lodging, 4 meals prepared by our own chefs, materials and extra curricular activities. You must be registered by August 27. See the digital announcements or link on the webpage for more details. Contact Caleb with questions or if you need financial assistance.
Medical Equipment Available
If you or someone you knows needs medical equipment, i.e. walker, wheelchair, commode, etc, please contact Roberta Baird at 360-636-3848.
90+ Birthdays This Month
To honor our most senior members and attenders, we will be listing their birthdays each month using the records in our database. If you or someone you know is 90+ years of age and has an upcoming birthday, please contact the Church Office by the 20th of the prior month so we may be sure to include it!
August 6 Ray Snell 93
August 7 Wyona Weiss 95
August 24 Mickey Kirkpatrick 94
JUNE FINANCIALS
YTD CONTRIBUTIONS: $232,150
YTD OTHER INCOME $ 1,451
YTD EXPENSE: $298,201
YTD NET INCOME: -$ 64,601