If you prefer to print the newsletter, you may download it here: Printable April 2026. Here is also a printable calendar: 04 2026 Calendar
elder’s perspective
“motherhood and pastoral care”
By Laura Powers, Elder
We as Elders have been discussing how the congregation at LVCC experiences Pastoral Care, what that term means, and how it is best implemented in 2026 and beyond. It has caused me to reflect on the times that I have experienced Pastoral Care through LVCC. Which brings me to: MomCo!
I started my journey with LVCC at MomCo. Marcus was 6 months old, I had freshly stopped working, and was settling into Mom life. I needed new Mom friends and seasoned Mom insights. Now, Marcus is turning 13 and my youngest will be exiting Kindergarten. My time with Momco will end in May. I am so thankful for the community I have found there.
When I think of MomCo I am reminded of Romans 12:10-13 “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
MomCo has been a part of LVCC since the 1980s. Since Covid, the numbers have dropped and we currently have 12 Moms. As a leader of MomCo I have at times found myself discouraged at the decline in numbers. I start to wonder if all the work is worth it. However, I have seen God working in the lives of our small group. God has been reminding me that it is not the quantity that matters. He can take 2 loaves and turn them into over 5,000. He can work in the lives of those that are there in mighty ways.
Recently, we held our annual “Take and Bake” meeting. It is a favorite and usually well attended. For a variety of reasons, although we planned for full attendance we had half attendance that day. Needless to say we had a lot of extra food. The Moms jumped into action volunteering to assemble meals and take them to Renee who just had a baby, and Elizabeth who was in the last weeks of pregnancy. We sent one home with one of our volunteers, Laura Holland, since Jay just had knee surgery. The extra frozen vegetables and hamburger were put in the freezer for Monday Night’s meals. Suddenly the extra food had gone from being a burden to a blessing.
At another meeting we hosted a Speaker to teach on the parenting tool of “Love & Logic.” She has been an annual speaker and another popular meeting to attend. Again we were down in numbers. I was worried that there wouldn’t be enough participation and questions to keep the flow of the Speaker and fill our time. How-ever, I quickly saw that God was doing something with our group. Because the group was smaller, members felt more free to share and be vulnerable than they would have otherwise been. The Moms at this meeting put into practice Pastoral Care with one another, seeking to carry each other’s burdens spiritually and in tangible ways as well.
I left both of these meetings with a peace knowing that God is working in the lives of our MomCo group. I have times when I am discouraged by the numbers but God does not. I do not know how much longer MomCo will be a ministry of LVCC, but God does. He is working in us and through us and allowing us to show his love to one another.
elder meeting highlights
At the March 17 meeting, the Elders spent time praying for the prayer cards from Sunday March 15th, followed by discussion of chapters 7-9 of “The Biblical Role of Elders”. The Elders signed prayer post cards.
Jay Holland shared that Patty Howland composed a letter that Jay signed putting TKE elevator company on notice that TKE had 30 days to correct any unresolved contractual obligations. The letter was sent via certified mail on 2/2/7/26 (on 3/23 Patty received a call from TKE to schedule an appointment for the required testing). Jay also reported that the replacement condensate pump was installed but still has some ongoing issues. Jonathan Thorsvik and Dave Wolff will consider changing some piping, adding some overflow sensors and viewing bulbs.
Dave Hendrickson shared that the Highlands Baptist Church will begin using our building at 20th & Beech on March 29 for their Sunday worship service. This will continue until their property is repaired.
Ben West discussed the outcome of the last Missions meeting. Caleb Strom gave an update on FISH. He will be focusing on one item for donations from the congregation at a time. Community House: Milky Cow Month is in April. They discussed the “Adopt a Mission” teams to be built around the contact they feel closes to in our congregation. Mission Team will be approaching the Community Groups when everything is ready.
The Elders discussed the agenda for the upcoming Annual Meeting on May 17. They will be adding another Elder Roundtable discussion on Sunday, May 3 at 8:30am to further discuss the proposed changes to the Bylaws. The proposed changes will be available in the Office by April 17 for anyone who would like a copy.
mission of the month: fellowship of christian athletes
By Israel Rutherford, Missions Team Member and FCA Area Representative
This month we would like to highlight one of the ministries our church faithfully supports, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). FCA’s vision is to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes, and their mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus and His Church. By meeting students and coaches where they already gather on fields, courts, and school campuses, FCA creates opportunities for faith conversations, discipleship, and spiritual growth within the world of athletics.
Here in Cowlitz County, FCA has established a presence on nearly every school campus through student-led “huddles,” which are regular gatherings where athletes and coaches study Scripture, pray together, and encourage one another in their walk with Christ. These huddles provide an environment for students to explore faith, ask questions, and learn how to live out their beliefs both in competition and in everyday life. Over the past year, FCA Cowlitz County has engaged approximately 420 coaches and athletes through campus ministry, outreach events, leadership development, and camps, helping young people grow as followers of Jesus and leaders among their peers.
As a church family, we invite you to partner with this ministry through prayer. Please pray that God would provide another full-time Area Representative to help disciple and support middle and high school huddle leaders across the county. Pray as camp season approaches for high school camp, middle school camp, and All Abilities camp that students would encounter Christ in meaningful ways and deepen their faith. Finally, please pray for financial provision through camp scholarships so that every student who desires to attend will have the opportunity, regardless of financial circumstances.
children’s ministry
By Sarah Fix, Director of Children’s Ministry
Happy Spring!
Spring is always a good mix of sadness and hope for me. I love the changing of the weather, baseball season starting up for Weston, getting a garden ready again, and trying to embark on the spring-cleaning process. But, at the same time, the weather always holds onto the rain and cold a little longer than I’m used to, and it can be hard to live in the in-between. It reminds me so much of this season we’re in—Easter, the state of our world, and the child, spouse, family member, or friend you fervently pray for, yet still wait on. The in-between; The “now, but not yet.” There is hope, but sometimes only in a mirror dimly. The waiting in front of the tomb, weeping and wondering where Jesus’ body went. From my life experiences, I’m learning more and more that this is often where we live. And oh, how I long for Jesus to come back and restore all the things back to himself.
In Community Kids, we’ve been learning more about Jesus’ Kingdom being brought here and what that looks like for us as we build to the joy of Easter Sunday. Their memory verse this past month was appropriate- Revelation 21:5a “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’”
Most of you heard my announcement on Sunday, March 15th, about summer plans for Community Kids and families. If you didn’t, we will be doing two main things to focus on the goal of one “outward” (ministry to our neighbors) focused event and one “inward” (ministry and strengthening of relationships within the congregation/families). Our outward event is coming up first! From June 25–27, from 5:30–7:30 PM, we’ll be hosting Family Adventure Nights at the 20th and Beech St. Community Center. We’ll be using the “Rainforest Falls” VBS curriculum, adapted to create a more relaxed, family-friendly environment for the families who join us over those three evenings.
We need YOU to help make this happen! Please be praying for this ministry and how you might be part of it.
Current needs include:
- Floater volunteers (those willing to serve wherever needed)
- 1–2 additional Bible Experience team helpers
- 1–2 “Sticky Scripture/Game” team volunteers
- A setup team to help decorate and prepare the week beforehand
If you’re interested but not sure where you’d fit, I would love to help you find the right place to serve!
We’ll also be hosting a meeting after the church service on April 19th for all current team members, as well as anyone who is interested in getting involved. Snacks will be provided! Please let me know if you need help arranging childcare. Hope to see you there!
this and that
Join us at 8:45am Easter morning for breakfast prepared by the Allen’s community group! Enjoy ham, sausage, pancakes and fellowship before you head upstairs for worship. Invite a friend!
The third Elder Roundtable discussion will be on Sunday, Apr 26 at 8:30am or Tuesday, Apr 28 at 6:30pm. The focus for this session will be Mission & Stewardship, how stewarding people, finances, and facilities mobilizes disciples to serve our neighbors and strengthen community partnerships. The elders will also discuss how being good, safe, and established neighbors shapes our outreach and how related Bylaws updates support long-term mission and leadership health. There will be an additional Roundtable on Sunday, May 3 at 8:30am to further discuss the proposed Bylaws changes.
April is our Milky Cow month at Community House on Broadway! See the display in the Lobby to choose a day, and then take 7 gallons of milk on that day to CHoB at 1107 Broadway.
There will be a Celebration of Life service for Marilyn Cranston on Saturday, April 18 at 11am in the Chapel.
There will be a memorial service for Bruce Armstrong on Saturday, April 25 at 11am at Columbia Presbyterian Church (805 Columbia Ridge Dr in Vancouver). It will also be livestreamed at columbiapresbyterian.org. Bruce was a pastor at LvCC from 1978-1983.
Everyone is invited to a catered dinner hosted by the Missions team on Wednesday, April 29 in the Fellowship Hall. We will be meeting with Ephraim Tumusiime from Dove Uganda to learn more about the mission and how we can partner with them in the future. Be watching for a sign up!
There will be a Men’s Pancake Breakfast on Apr 18 from 7-9am. This is a regular event on the 3rd Saturday of the month in the Fellowship Hall. Start your morning with pancakes and fellowship!
Refresh and reflect at the Prayer Retreat for time to discuss and share intention and gratitude for daily prayer, time for personal meditation and reflection, and time to praise God. Join us on Saturday, Apr 11 at Mary Ross’ home at 395 Mill Creek Rd. The retreat starts at 9:30am and ends following a short, casual lunch at 12:30pm. Call Robert Chace at 360-270-3681 to reserve your spot or for more info.
Medical Equipment Available If you or someone you know 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!
Apr 7 Joe Jacobsen 91
Apr 16 Mary Lou Cannon 90
FEBRUARY FINANCIALS
YTD CONTRIBUTIONS: $ 70,732
YTD OTHER INCOME $ 3,940
YTD EXPENSE: $ 89,695
YTD NET INCOME: – $ 15,024