If you prefer to print the newsletter, you may download it here: Printable May 2025 Here is also a printable May calendar: 05 2025 Calendar
pastor’s perspective
“breakfast with leadership: faith, culture and the church”
By Dave Hendrickson, Lead Pastor
Please join me and several church leaders starting Sunday, May 4th from 9-9:45 in the Chapel, and over the next six weeks, as we have a conversation about Faith, Culture, and the Church. You do not need to be an expert on any of these topics. Come with your questions, as we learn together…
Over the past eight decades, our culture has changed dramatically. From the family-centered conformity of the 1950s to today’s identity-driven, justice-focused world, each generation has carried its own values, questions, and challenges. And through it all, the church has responded in different ways—sometimes with great courage and compassion, other times with hesitation or resistance.
But one truth remains: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). That unchanging foundation gives us confidence—not to retreat from a changing culture, but to engage it with wisdom, love, and purpose.
At Longview Community Church, our vision is clear: Empowered by Christ, to Equip the Saints, and Seek the Lost. This vision shapes everything we do. It reminds us that we are not just called to maintain tradition—we are called to grow, serve, and reach.
Our mission is to share opportunities to experience the presence of God. That means creating spaces where real people can encounter the living God in ways that make sense in their lives and their cultural moment.
I invite you to join us as we explore the cultural shifts that have shaped our world and discuss how the church can faithfully respond today. This isn’t about chasing trends or compromising the Gospel. It’s about honoring our mission by listening, learning, and discerning what it means to be the people of God for such a time as this.
We’ll look back at the values of each recent decade—family, freedom, authenticity, justice, and more—and ask: How can Longview Community Church step forward in this generation? How can we remain rooted in Christ while reaching people who are spiritually curious but disconnected from traditional church life?
Let’s come together to picture a faithful, Spirit-led future. Your voice matters. I hope to see you there.
elder meeting highlights
At the Elders’ meeting on April 15, Jay Holland distributed prayer cards and the Elders spent time praying for several people.
Jaime Boaglio shared that March had better Income than previous months, but because the Missions quarterly payments were made, that negated most of the Income. YTD Income was still negative at -$33,000. Designated Missions received $3000 to help pay for the walk-in cooler upgrade.
Jay reported that three bids had been obtained for the walk-in cooler replacement and the Elders voted to approve the contract from Twin City Service Co. He also informed the Elders that the lead abatement on 20th & Beech would be starting soon, and the freezer in the main kitchen has been replaced.
It was decided that most of the usual business of the Annual Meeting will actually be conducted during the Worship Service prior to the meeting including recognizing outgoing Elders, Nominating Committee, Trustees, and Properties team members. Voting at the business meeting will be by secret ballot.
The Elders met recently with several people interested in becoming new members. The following were approved for membership and will be introduced to the congregation on May 18: Dan and Liz Durben, Alan and Gwen Lovelace, Jim and Michelle Mury, Israel Rutherford, and Caleb and Breanna Strom. (Brian and Melissa Strom were approved as members last month and will also be introduced).
Patty Howland shared that she and Ian Rutherford had worked together to revise and streamline the TriHOP Facility Use Contract. The Elders approved renewing the revised contract for another three years.
The next Elders business meeting is scheduled for May 20 at 5pm in the Fireside Room.
spring work party
We’ve been blessed with a wonderful church facility that is a jewel for our community, but that jewel needs a little cleaning and shining now and then to keep it looking beautiful!
The Properties Team has scheduled a Spring Work Party on Saturday, May 17 from 8:30-12:00. Join us for some cleaning and shining, maybe a little repair and having some fun together!
There are inside and outside projects including working on the lawn and gardens, painting, organizing spaces and cleaning windows and woodwork throughout the church.
It can be a lot of fun to jump in with others to make the church campus shine! Donuts will be provided, but please bring your own coffee and/or water. All we need is YOU!
Please RSVP to Bob Edstedt at robert.edstedt1714@gmail.com or 360-449-2400 or to Jay Holland at jayhholland54@gmail.com or 503-970-6815.
children’s ministry
By Sarah Fix, Director of Children’s Ministry
Happy Spring! I am absolutely loving this sunny, warm weather. Thank you, Jesus! I am also in the nitty-gritty of summer planning. As I wrote in my last article about the Family Fun Events coming up, I wanted to give you some more information, make a note on one event’s date change and ask for your help! Church family, I’m so excited to again host this series of Family Fun Events—events designed to bless our church families and welcome in our neighbors with joy, connection, and Christ’s love. You won’t want to miss it!
Our first event is coming up soon on June 20 and it’s going to be a wild one—literally! We’ve got a reptile show and a food truck lined up for an evening of fun, food, and fascinating creatures at 20th & Beech. We’d love to invite YOU to be part of the fun by hosting a simple game booth. While families wait their turn to see the reptiles, we want kids to have a blast with quick, engaging activities—while I will have a few connections from the community running some booths, I think it’ll be even more special if it’s our own congregation running some of the booths as well. No need to be elaborate or expensive. I’ll help support your ideas if needed—and if you want to serve but don’t know what to do, I’ve got a list of easy, themed game ideas you can choose from! Let me know if you’re interested in running a booth by June 1st. Whether it’s tossing games, crafting, or silly challenges—this is a great way to serve as a family, community group, or ministry team. We will also begin to collect kids’ size flip-flops and summer sandals, as well as money to hand out comic-style Bibles to kids and families who come! The cost of each bible is $5. Thank you for helping us bring joy and love to our community!
As for the date change, the second FFE (Summer Splash Day!) was originally set for July 12th, but we will be doing it on Sunday, July 20th instead, on the church lawn (more information to come on this) so please make corrections on your calendar as needed! Lastly, please be looking for a set-up on these events in the lobby/Narthex on May 4th. There will be more information and sign-ups available there.
Looking forward to a great summer! May it all be for His glory!
women’s ministry
By Patty Howland, Women’s Ministry Leader
Registration for the Women’s Retreat is open! Join us at the beautiful Falls Creek Conference Center for the retreat on June 27-29. The theme for the weekend is “Abiding in the Vine”. There will be inspiring worship, great video teaching from a variety of “IF: Gathering Vault” speakers from the past 10 years as well as our own guest speaker Lorraine Little, along with meaningful small group discussions, and fun free time activities! New this year: “Random Connections” opportunities for more in-depth conversations to get to know other women better!
We will again be in the Meadow Lodge for our accommodations AND we will also have all of our sessions there to make it more convenient. The cost for Friday-Sunday registration is $200 and includes two nights lodging, 5 meals, bedding and towels, printed materials and optional activities. The Saturday-only option of $50 includes lunch and dinner on Saturday, materials and activities. Partial scholarships are available. Click here for a flyer with all the details Womens Retreat Flyer 2025.
You may register by clicking here Retreat Registration or by completing a printed form available in the Lobby or the Church Office and turning it in with your payment by June 8.
Space is limited so sign up today, and invite a friend to join you!
this and that
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be after worship on May 18, although most of the usual business will be conducted during the service.
Join Karen Pickett and Bob Chace on May 1 at 7pm when they will be giving a presentation about the rich the history of Longview Community Church during “First Thursday” at Cowlitz County Historical Museum! The presentation will include photos, videos and a few historical items.
“Refresh and reflect at the Prayer Retreat with time to discuss and share intention and gratitude for daily prayer, time for personal meditation and reflection, and time to praise God. During this retreat, Dan Durben will be leading a discussion of The High Priestly Prayer, John 17. Join us on May 10th at Mary Ross’ house at 395 Mill Creek Road. The retreat starts at 9:30 am and ends following a short, casual lunch at 12:30 pm. Call Mary Ross at (360) 636-3771 to let her know you are coming and for more information.
The Church Office will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. It will also only be open in the mornings on May 27-29 and June 2-4 when Patty is on vacation. There will be volunteers covering the office during the mornings.
The next Friday Fellowship adult potluck dinner group will be meeting on Friday, May 9 at 6pm as Denny and Sue Boaglio present slides from their trip to Italy with Rick Steves! Please bring an entrée, side dish, salad, bread or dessert from Italy and join us in the Fellowship Hall for a fun evening of interesting cultural food, friends, and fellowship! This season we are viewing slides or digital photos from various attendees. If you have travel photos you would like to share, please contact the Church Office. This season we are viewing slides or digital photos from various attendees. If you have travel photos you would like to share, please contact the Church Office.
There will be a Fitness Class Open House on Thursday, May 1 from 11:15am to 1pm in the Lower Chapel. Come see the newly updated space and find out more about the fitness classes that are being offered. Invite a friend!
A few months ago we sent several boxes of music and choir robes to churches in the Philippines. We recently received a photo of the robes being used for one of the church’s 35th Anniversary celebration. We are glad to be able to bless other believers with these resources!
There have been several inquiries recently about becoming members at LvCC. If you’re interested, you may contact the Church Office to have a membership packet emailed, or you may pick up a printed copy in the office.
Medical Equipment Available If you or someone you knows needs medical equipment, i.e. walker, wheelchair, commode, etc, please contact Roberta Baird at 360-430-8402.
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!
May 31 JoAn Gallagher 90
MARCH FINANCIALS
YTD CONTRIBUTIONS: $ 107,228
YTD OTHER INCOME $ 5,238
YTD EXPENSE: $ 145,461
YTD NET INCOME: -$ 32,995