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Enduring the Coming of Peace, Christmas Happenings, and more...
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Enduring the Coming of Peace


<<First Name>>,

In recent Sundays we've talked about Advent joy (expressed in Mary's song of praise) and Advent hope (seen in Messianic expectation for salvation, deliverance, and the enactment of justice). This coming Sunday we'll consider Advent peace.

By peace, I mean more than "calm" or "absence of conflict." The word justice might be more fitting, as long as we don't confuse "justice" with "suitable punishment." By just peace (peaceful justice?) I mean something like setting things right. An ordering of the world and our relationships with one another in which all can flourish. A reality where everyone's needs are met, everyone's voice is heard, everyone's contribution is valued, and everyone's safety is prioritized. I mean something like what Luke says that Isaiah says about what Luke says is applicable to what John the Baptist says about what Jesus will say. Did you follow that?

4 As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled,
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
    and the rough ways made smooth;
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
(Luke 3:4-6)


Advent is about expectantly and actively waiting for the coming of this just, peace-filled reality and for the One who brings it. Peace in our world. In our relationships. In our hearts. But the path to peace? I am not so sure peace can come without some degree of pain, at least for some of us. And I don't mean the pain of violence. I mean the pain of loss, risk, vulnerability, and lifestyle adjustment. The painful unlearning of destructive habits and the possibly-painful learning of healthy, life-giving, loving habits. The pain—even if only momentary—of transformation.

A truly peaceful world is made up of peaceful people, I think. For this world to come, we need a Light "to guide our feet in the way of peace" (Luke 1:79b). While the coming of salvation and peace is good, it might not be easy and pain-free. It might hurt. It might be hard. Living in loving community (of any size) makes us vulnerable to the pain that can accompany sacrifice, correction, adaptation, confession, repentance, empathy, gritty resolve, and more. Are we willing to let God do this painful work in us so that "all flesh shall see the salvation of God"?

-Matt
THIS WEEK'S CONTENT
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Text(s) of the Week


Malachi 3:1-4 (NRSV): The Coming Messenger
1 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

Luke 1:76-79 (NRSV):
76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    by the forgiveness of their sins.
78 By the tender mercy of our God,
    the dawn from on high will break upon us,
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Project Holiday Hope

 
For the second year in a row, Camas Friends will be participating in Project Holiday Hope, providing Christmas gifts to families in mental health crisis.

Starting on November 25th, you will have an opportunity to take a "tag" off the Christmas tree (located on the "sign-up" table) to buy a gift for an individual in need. While we will have committed to 25 tags on the tree, please do not hesitate to take as many tags as you'd like. If we run out, CFC will simply request more tags and thus provide more gifts for more families! Gifts should be brought to the meetinghouse by December 16th.


Important Donor Instructions: Please return your gifts to the church with the tag taped to your donation. Please do not gift wrap.

All donations are tax-deductible. For more details email: projectholidayhope@gmail.com 

Severe Weather Shelter opens tonight in Washougal

(Published by the Columbian on December 4, 2018, 9:48 PM)

WASHOUGAL — The city of Washougal and Refuel Washougal will open a Severe Weather Shelter this week in anticipation of the near-freezing or below freezing temperatures. The shelter will be open from 6 p.m. until 7 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Washougal Community Center, 1681 C St. On Friday, the Council for the Homeless issued a severe weather alert for Sunday through Thursday, and called for warming centers to open if possible. Anyone interested in volunteering at the Washougal shelter is asked to email Robert Barber at rbarber626@gmail.com.

Original article: LINK

Children’s Worship Update and Training

following Meeting for Worship on Sunday, December 9th

led by Ruthie Tippin in the Fireside Room

Parents and teachers have met for the last few months considering ideas and changes that would be helpful for the children of our church as they experience who God is.  We hope to have all adults who are interested in their journey join us on Sunday, December 9th! Hailee will be staying to continue to provide childcare, so parents are able to come. Please plan to bring finger foods/snacks to share.

Thank you from recent Safe Park guests


A message from Cody and Phoebe, guests in our parking lot from early October to late November:


Dear Camas Friends,

Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness letting us and our family stay at your church!  It's always a struggle to find a safe place to sleep and having a haven for the month or so while Cody was working in the area was an absolute treasure.  We wish you all the very best and wonderful holidays!

Many blessings,
Phoebe and Cody
(And Cheech, Oddette, Lil Bibs, and Lil Bum!)

Christmas Program:
Dec 23rd


Join us for our two upbeat and connective Christmas-y gatherings:
1) CFC Kids' Christmas Program (during Sunday worship),
2) CFC Christmas Potluck (after Sunday worship).
 

Christmas Potluck (Dec 23rd) Sign-Up Form


Thank you Jessica Maloney for organizing our potluck and creating a sign-up form. Here is the electronic version, which includes the names of those of you who signed up on the hard copy on Sunday. Here is a LINK to the online form. The updated form will be available on Sunday morning.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service


 Dec 24th (6pm) at the meetinghouse

Laundry Love Tomorrow

Thursday, 6-8pm
Riverside Laundry


Thanks to Jerry and Spencer for hosting!

CFC Book Discussion Group tonight


We are discussing Matt's book, The Way to Love. Click HERE to order from Amazon. You can also purchase directly from Matt (at a discounted rate).

Tonight we will discuss Chapter Three (Love: The Goal of the Spiritual Life).

Office Hours

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 1pm-3:30pm

Sunday Sermons

Did you miss a Sunday? You can find messages from past weeks below. 
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