New Chinook service amid coast's beauty

CHINOOK — Every Sunday at 7 p.m. this summer, members and friends from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chinook head to the shore overlooking the confluence of the Columbia River and the ocean to worship.
It's part of the congregation's new "Sunday Summer Sunset Service at Seven," held in a member's back yard overlooking Baker Bay.
"We have much better sunsets that sunrises around here," said the Rev. Chris Ode, "and it made sense to take advantage of that."
Pastor Ode hopes the service will attract tourists and visitors and to help that along, congregation members have put notices in RV parks and grocery stores along the Long Beach peninsula.
The service even has music, provided by Matthew Downs.
"We were expecting to be a cappella, but then Matthew was dropped into our laps; truly the Lord will provide," Ode said.
Worshipers cam up with the idea for the unique summer services after one of their Easter sunrise services at nearby Fort Columbia State Park. To learn more about the smmer services or about Chinook, visit the congregaton's Facebook page at www.tr.im/chinooklutheran. — Rachel Pritchett