Cowlitz Valley Community of Christ

Cowlitz Valley Community of Christ This page was created for the Cowlitz Valley branch of the Community of Christ church. Our church is located at 2020 Delaware Street in Longview, Washington.

We proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of Joy, Hope, Love, and Peace. Our services start at 10:00. All are welcome!

Sometimes Holy Ground Looks Like a Kitchen.Today we were supposed to be reflecting on Exodus 3:1–15, the story of Moses ...
08/30/2026

Sometimes Holy Ground Looks Like a Kitchen.
Today we were supposed to be reflecting on Exodus 3:1–15, the story of Moses encountering God at the burning bush. God tells Moses to pay attention because he is standing on holy ground—and then gives him a job: go and help my people.
We may not have had our usual worship service today, but we think Moses would have understood what happened downstairs.
We gathered around tables, picked up our tools, prepared food, and worked together for our friends at Food for Change, who serve a meal every Sunday in a local park to anyone who wants or needs one.
Maybe holy ground isn't always a sanctuary.
Sometimes the holy ground is a kitchen, a table, a meal, and people willing to say, “Here I am. Send me.”
A big thank-you to everyone who joined us downstairs this morning. Together we prepared breakfast burritos, sour cream, salsa, applesauce, and, of course, the all-important silverware wraps. Every little part helps make a meal possible for someone in our community.
And a special thank-you to Grandma Debbie for bringing her grandson, Parker, with her today. He may have been the youngest person in the building, but he was definitely the most popular! ❤️
Today, worship looked a little different.
And it was still worship.

Sometimes worship happens in a sanctuary. Sometimes worship looks like showing up, picking up a tool, helping a neighbor...
08/23/2026

Sometimes worship happens in a sanctuary. Sometimes worship looks like showing up, picking up a tool, helping a neighbor, sharing a meal, and being there for one another.
In Luke 10:25–37, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan and ends with a simple instruction: “Go and do likewise.” Today, we had the opportunity to do just that. We worshiped through our work, fellowship, laughter, and caring for one another.
A big thank-you to everyone who was able to join us today, and to all those who help in so many ways to keep this body of believers moving forward.
Please enjoy the pictures from our day at the McDonalds' house. They have a beautiful yard, and we were grateful for the opportunity to spend the day there.
And a special thank-you to Tracy and Elizabeth for putting out an incredible lunch spread. It was amazing!
Side note: If Elizabeth ever asks if she can bring her homemade potato salad to an event, your answer should be YES! It is out-of-this-world good. 😂

On this Sunday, Emily began our morning by sharing the good news and prayer requests, which is always a wonderful way to...
08/17/2026

On this Sunday, Emily began our morning by sharing the good news and prayer requests, which is always a wonderful way to bring us together as a community. She then shared a story called “Sour Grape.” It was hilarious while also speaking a real truth about forgiveness.
Emily followed with a reading of Genesis 45:1–15, the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers. Ashley then shared a personal experience that beautifully connected the scripture to her own life. She reminded us that forgiveness isn’t always quick, and it doesn’t always “stick.” Sometimes we have to remind ourselves again and again that love is a verb—it requires us to take action and choose love continually.
Ashley also reminded us of the incredible forgiveness God offers us and challenged us to follow that example in the way we live and treat others.
Thank you to everyone who shared their gifts and talents in today’s service—Sharon, Elizabeth, Butch, Kerri, and the entire congregation for joining together in the benediction. A special thank-you to Ashley for being our guest minister and to Emily for putting together such a meaningful morning of worship.
It was also wonderful to have Carrie and Ted with us one last time before they head home. And it was great to have Shirley and Sandy join us today to support their granddaughter and niece. We are always grateful when our church family grows a little bigger for a Sunday!
A reminder for next week: We will meet at the church by 7:30 a.m. and head together to the McDonald House in Seaside, Oregon. We will worship God by doing what Jesus has asked us to do—helping our neighbor and putting our faith into action.
If you would like to join us, we would love to have you along!

On Sunday, Elizabeth opened our worship with the centering hymn “Come Away from Rush and Hurry” (CCS #83). After sharin...
08/09/2026

On Sunday, Elizabeth opened our worship with the centering hymn “Come Away from Rush and Hurry” (CCS #83). After sharing our good news and prayer requests, Sharon led us into Genesis 37:1–4, 12–28—the beginning of Joseph’s difficult story.
Sharon brought the story to life, helping us imagine what it must have been like to watch these relationships unfold. Her focus was on the power of forgiveness and how it can change lives. Joseph’s story reminds us that forgiveness can be a way forward, even when the hurt is deep. It may take time, but when we hold on to our hurts, we can sometimes miss the blessings that are waiting ahead.
Forgiveness doesn’t change the past, but it can change what we do with the future.
Thank you to everyone who shared their gifts and talents in worship today, especially Keri, Noreen, Donna for the beautiful flower arrangement and Elizabeth for sharing bounty from her garden. It was also wonderful to have Ted and Carrie Morris worship with us today, all the way from Iowa!
Please join us next Sunday! Ashley will be our guest minister, and if you know Ashley, you know she always brings a great message. We hope to see you there!

On this Communion Sunday, Debbie invited us into one of the more mysterious and powerful stories in scripture: Genesis 3...
08/02/2026

On this Communion Sunday, Debbie invited us into one of the more mysterious and powerful stories in scripture: Genesis 32:22–31, where Jacob wrestles through the night with God and, by morning, receives a new name. No longer would he simply be Jacob; he would be called Israel, a reminder that sometimes our greatest struggles can become the very place where God reshapes who we are.
Throughout her message, Debbie encouraged us to reflect on our own journeys. She asked thoughtful questions that invited each of us to remember times when life was difficult—moments when we wrestled with fear, doubt, loss, or even with God. Yet those struggles often become the places where faith grows deepest. We may not come away unchanged, but we can come away with a new perspective, a renewed purpose, or a deeper understanding of who God is calling us to be. As Jacob discovered, sometimes the blessing comes not because the struggle was easy, but because God never let go of him—and he never let go of God.
Debbie also included a fun interactive activity using widgets that had everyone participating and reflecting together. It was a wonderful reminder that worship can engage both our hearts and our hands.
Archie helped prepare our hearts for worship through the gift of music, using his guitar and voice to usher us into God's presence. We then gathered around the Lord's Table to share in the Sacrament of Communion, remembering that Christ meets each of us just as we are and lovingly continues the work of transforming us.
Thank you to everyone who shared their gifts in today's service: Archie, Brenda, Keri, Sharon, Gabriel, Elizabeth, Mike, and especially Debbie for her thoughtful leadership and inspiring message.
A special thank you to Sharon for offering our Congregational Blessing.
Please join us next Sunday as Sharon West brings the morning message. We would love to worship with you!

07/20/2026

On Sunday, a wonderful group of people from our congregation came together for a workday to help one of our church family members, Nancy. There was a lot of work to do—and, as is often the case when this group gets together, a lot of fun and laughter along the way.
(No pictures this time. Let’s just say we all looked like a bit of a motley crew in our yard-work attire!)
We even had a special guest join us—Carl, a friend of Pete’s who was visiting from Wisconsin. Someone gave Carl a hard time and suggested that the next time he planned to visit Pete, he might want to check first to see if Pete was working on a project like this. That way, he could just call and avoid having to come help!
Carl’s response said everything. He said, “Are you kidding? I love this! And I hope that if I am ever in need of help, I will have friends around me like you guys are for Nancy.”
That really captures the spirit of the day.
Galatians 6:2 says:
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Jesus taught his followers to love one another, care for one another, and be there for one another. Sometimes that looks like sharing a kind word or offering a listening ear. And sometimes it looks like showing up with tools, working hard, getting dirty, and helping carry a burden that has become too much for one person to carry alone.
We are grateful for everyone who gave their time, energy, tools, and helping hands. Thank you for showing, in such a practical way, what it can look like to follow Jesus’ instruction:
“Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” — John 13:34
And a special shout-out to Elizabeth, who definitely took one for the team today. While moving an old birdhouse, she discovered that it was actually a very active yellow-jacket house. The yellow jackets got her good!
Apparently, yellow jackets have a thing for Elizabeth. She was attacked by them just a couple of days ago, too. At this point, we may need to start checking all yellow objects for her!
And finally, thank you to Tom and Becky for holding down the fort at church for everyone who was unable to join the work crew today.
It was a good day of hard work, laughter, friendship, and helping carry one another’s burdens. We are grateful to God for the opportunity to be there for one another.

Next week we have another opportunity to serve others as we make sandwiches for our friends at Food for Change.

On Sunday, Elizabeth, serving as presider, reminded us that we had gathered together as family. Following our sharing of...
07/12/2026

On Sunday, Elizabeth, serving as presider, reminded us that we had gathered together as family. Following our sharing of joys and concerns, she led us into worship with the call to worship, "Here in This Silence," inviting us to quiet our hearts, set aside the distractions of the week, and become fully present with God and one another.
Sharon's message centered on Matthew 13:18–23, the Parable of the Sower and the Seed. One of Sharon's gifts is helping us understand Scripture by first providing its historical background and context, then connecting it to everyday life in ways that challenge and encourage us. This Sunday was no exception.
In preparation for the service, Sharon and Elizabeth created a table displaying examples of the different kinds of soil Jesus described in the parable. Using these visual examples, along with the help of two of her grandchildren, Sharon walked us through the scripture, bringing Jesus' teaching to life for both young and old.
As we explored the different soils, we were invited to ask ourselves an important question: What kind of soil is my heart today? Are there distractions, worries, hardships, or competing priorities keeping God's word from taking deep root? Or are we cultivating hearts that are open, receptive, and ready to bear fruit for God's kingdom?
Sharon reminded us that each of us is called to be a sower. Our responsibility is to faithfully scatter the seed—the good news of God's love—wherever God leads us. We are not responsible for controlling the outcome. We sow in faith, trusting that the Holy Spirit is already at work, preparing hearts and bringing growth in ways we may never see. As Paul later echoed in 1 Corinthians, one plants, another waters, but God gives the growth.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who shared their gifts and talents to make our worship meaningful and uplifting: Harold, Becky, Stacy, Butch, Chuck,Abram. And Donna for your beautiful flowers.
We were also blessed to have Tracy and Elizabeth with us. Your presence added to the joy of our time together, and we are grateful you were able to worship with us.
Looking ahead, next Sunday we'll be gathering at Nancy's home for a day of work, fellowship, and serving together. We hope you'll join us if you're able. For those unable to attend the workday, Tom will be leading a worship service at the church.

On this Communion Sunday, Debbie, serving as presider, led us through a time of sharing our good news and prayer concern...
07/06/2026

On this Communion Sunday, Debbie, serving as presider, led us through a time of sharing our good news and prayer concerns before introducing a way of engaging with scripture called Dwelling in the Word, a practice she had learned during a class taught by David Anderson at the Lewis River Reunion last week.
The scripture for the morning was Matthew 11:25–30. It was read three times—first by a man, then a woman, and finally a young adult—allowing us to hear the words from different voices and perspectives. Afterward, we gathered in groups of two or three to share what stood out to each of us, followed by a time when everyone was invited to share their insights with the congregation.
Our guest speaker, Owen, then shared what God had revealed to him as he studied this same passage in preparation for the service. One of the highlights of the morning was the way he thoughtfully wove together the reflections shared by members of the congregation with his own message. It was a beautiful reminder that God speaks not only through the scriptures but also through the experiences and insights of one another.
Owen concluded by reminding us that we are called to live humbly. That invitation echoed the words of Jesus in Matthew 11, where he says, "Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart." As we approach Christ with humility, we become more open to God's wisdom, find rest for our souls, and are better able to reflect Christ's love to those around us.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the service such a meaningful experience by sharing your gifts and talents: Keri, Elizabeth, Gabriel, Sharon, Mike, and especially Debbie and Owen for leading us in worship.

This Sunday we were blessed to have Brody as our guest minister. Sharing from Romans 6:1–11, Brody reminded us that grac...
06/22/2026

This Sunday we were blessed to have Brody as our guest minister. Sharing from Romans 6:1–11, Brody reminded us that grace is freedom from a life of sin—a transforming grace that leads us into a fuller, happier life. He shared that following Jesus is not about enduring something painful in order to earn a reward, but about embracing a life with Christ that is itself the reward.
Brody closed his message with these powerful words:
“Loving has never left me hungry, and hating has never left me full.”
Thank you to everyone who shared their time and talents in today’s service: Brenda, Sharon, Debbie, Emily, Butch, and Mike. A special thank-you to Donna for bringing such beautiful flowers from your garden, adding life and beauty to our sanctuary.

This Sunday, Brenda set aside her Food for Change lead-person hat and shared from the pulpit, drawing from Genesis 18—th...
06/14/2026

This Sunday, Brenda set aside her Food for Change lead-person hat and shared from the pulpit, drawing from Genesis 18—the story of Abraham and the strangers.
In this passage, Abraham demonstrates radical hospitality, immediately welcoming these unknown visitors and offering them rest, water, and food. In return, the strangers bless Abraham and Sarah with the incredible news that within a year they would have a son, despite their old age.
Brenda explored the truth that when we welcome strangers, we often receive blessings ourselves. Sometimes those blessings come in unexpected ways—through divine encounters, through people following the prompting of the Holy Spirit, or simply through the grace found in human connection.
Brenda tied this story directly to Hebrews 13:2:
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
She showed how the writer of Hebrews points us back to Abraham’s example, reminding us that hospitality is more than kindness—it is sacred space where God is often present.
Brenda also shared this powerful quote:
“When we choose to wonder about people we don’t know, when we imagine their lives and listen for their stories, we begin to expand the circle of those we see as part of us. We prepare ourselves to love beyond what evolution requires.”
— Valarie Kaur, See No Stranger
Toward the end of the service, Brenda invited us to share our own stories with this prompt, and many offered beautiful testimonies:
Can you share a time when you welcomed—or were welcomed as—a stranger? How were you blessed? In what ways did you experience God’s grace and generosity?
Do you have stories of encounters with strangers? Feel free to share them in the comments. We bless each other through our stories.
And thank you to Becky, Sue, Mike Sahlberg, Butch, and the other Mike for showing hospitality today by sharing your gifts and talents in worship.

Address

2020 Delaware Street
Longview, WA
98632

Opening Hours

9:15am - 11am

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