Lent, Holy Week & Easter at Columbia

Lent

Lenten Devotional

Lent is the 40 days (not including Sundays) before Holy Week. Columbia’s congregation members write a collective devotional book to encourage one another in their faith through this time leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. CPC Lenten Devotionals will be available in the Gathering Area on (or before) Ash Wednesday on March 5, 2025.

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, March 5 – Worship at 6:00PM in the Sanctuary

Ash Wednesday is a solemn reminder of our mortality and our need for repentance. The Ash Wednesday service is a short, quiet service and it ends with the imposition of ashes – when another Christ-follower will make the sign of a cross on your forehead or hand in ashes while saying “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Receiving ashes is optional and the service lasts approximately 30 minutes. The Middle School youth and K2 Live kids help lead the Ash Wednesday service and then continue with their regular schedule once the service concludes.

Holy Week

Palm Sunday & Sunday School Easter Egg Hunt

Sunday, April 13 – Worship at 9:00AM & 10:30AM in the Sanctuary

Palm Sunday marks the day Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. Along with Christians all over the world, we commemorate this day with the waving of individual palm fronds. It is traditional for these palm fronds to be burned and their ashes used on the following year’s Ash Wednesday during the imposition of the Ashes. We also have an Easter Egg Hunt for the children during both services on Palm Sunday, the youth help by filling eggs and helping the children hunt for eggs.

Maundy Thursday Seder Meal

Thursday, April 17 – 6:00PM in the Gym

The word seder is a transliteration of the Hebrew word sēdher, meaning “order.” The food, blessings, prayers, stories, and songs, lay out the order of the Passover feast, and recounts the story of God saving and delivering the Hebrew people described in the book of Exodus. Through the retelling of the story, we become more aware of how God continues to deliver people from all sorts of slavery to this very day. Everyone is invited to participate in the Seder Meal. There is no cost to this event, but we do need everyone to register ahead of time. Click here to register.

Good Friday Service

Friday, April 18 – Worship at 7:00PM in the Sanctuary

Good Friday commemorates the day that Jesus was crucified. We hold a somber service to remember the deep sacrifice of Jesus’ death.

Easter Services

Sunday, April 20

7:30AM – Traditional Service

Nearly identical to the 9:00AM service, our 7:30AM service includes traditional hymns accompanied by the choir and organ, moments of prayer, and a message from Pastor Matt. There is no children’s message at this service. This service lasts approximately one hour.

9:00AM – Traditional Service

Nearly identical to the 7:30AM service, our 9:00AM also includes a children’s message along with traditional hymns accompanied by the choir and organ, moments of prayer, and a message from Pastor Matt. This service lasts approximately one hour.

10:30AM – Contemporary Service

Led by our intergenerational praise band, this service offers a vibrant time of worship through music, prayer, and a message from Pastor Matt. A children’s message is also included. This service lasts approximately one hour.

Livestream
The 9:00AM & 10:30AM services will be livestreamed on our website. Click here to watch.

Which service should I attend?
You are welcome to attend any of the three services. The 9:00AM service tends to be the most attended, so if you have flexibility, we encourage you to consider the 7:30AM or 10:30AM service.

FAQs

Where is Columbia physically located?

805 Columbia Ridge Drive, Vancouver, WA 98664

Do you have a nursery?

Yes! While we welcome all ages in the Sanctuary on Sundays, we understand the blessing of being able to allow your child to play and be cared for in a safe environment during worship. The Nursery is located across the Gathering Area from the Sanctuary, just beyond the doors to our Children’s Wing. We have many trained adults and teens ready to watch and care for your little ones during the 9:00AM and 10:30AM services, even on Easter! Please note, the nursery will not be open at the 7:30AM service Easter morning.

Is there Sunday school for my child?

Yes! We have Sunday school offerings for Pre-K through High School during the 9:00AM service and Pre-K through 5th grade during the 10:30AM service. We also have an adult class during the 10:30AM service that is currently working through the book of Hebrews. We always offer children’s books and “busy bags” in the back of the Sanctuary. Please note, there is no Sunday School offered on Easter Sunday, but nursery care will still be offered during the 9:00AM and 10:30AM services.

What should I Wear?

Whether you like to get dressed up or stay casual, you will find someone who is dressed like you. Please come however you feel comfortable – whether that is in a three-piece suit or your favorite weekend jeans. You are welcome to dress like yourself at CPC.

Where should I park?

Columbia has three parking lots as well as street parking available.

Handicapped parking is available in the church’s main parking lot. The entrance is located off Columbia Ridge Drive.

We encourage those who are able to walk up or down a set of stairs to use our upper and lower parking lots. The upper parking lot is located next to our Youth Center and Offices, entrances to this lot are along St Helens Ave and Columbia Ridge Drive. A small lot is also located to the Southeast of the main church building and the entrance is at Columbia Ridge Drive and Butte Ave.

Do you have assisted listening devices?

Yes, we have assisted listening devices available at the Welcome Center in the Gathering Area, our volunteers would love to assist you.

I’m visually impaired, do you have anything to assist me?

The order of worship and lyrics to songs can be made available in braille with advance notice. Please email katie@columbiapresbyterian.org if you would like braille materials. Printed bulletins are also available for those who find viewing the screens difficult.

Is there coffee or tea available?

Yes, coffee and tea are available in the Gathering Area (and often times light snacks as well!).

Where are the restrooms located?

Restrooms are available off the Gathering Area, just past the coffee bar. Restrooms for children-only are also available down in the Children’s Wing hallway.

We look forward to worshipping with you!