Why a Sunday Class?

Why Should I Participate in Sunday Classes?

Healthy things grow. We are the kind of people who believe that Sunday classes are one of the steps God uses to grow our faith. Growth is good. Stagnation is bad. 2 Peter 3:18 says, Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

When we grow in our Biblical knowledge and understanding we see very specific benefits. The primary benefits is to grow in love: to love God more fully and to love others more boldly. Here are three additional benefits: 

  1. Resilience is better than anxiety. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist. (Ephesians 6:14a) Stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. (Colossians 4:12b)
  2. Discernment is better than deception. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. (Ephesians 4:14)
  3. Relationship is better than isolation. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35)

What steps are you taking to grow your faith? 

Let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity. (Hebrews 6:1)

Kent Landhuis
Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

    In Process

    In Process

    I’m regularly apologizing for the state of my garden. In early spring, I say, “It is just getting started.” Later, I say, “It will look better in a few weeks.” In the middle of summer, I say, “It needs some weeds pulled.” Late in the season, I say, “It is past its prime.” Or, I say, “Wait till next year, it will be much better.”

    My garden is always in process. Here is a photo taken last night. It will probably look better next week. Like the church. Like my life. In process.

    The book The Story of Reality, by Greg Koukl, explains that living “in process” is part of our worldview as people who follow Jesus. Our “in process” comes in four stages: Creation (How things began), Fall (How things got broken), Redemption (How things will get fixed), and Restoration (How things will be once they are fixed).

    Every worldview must account for these four stages. We account for them this way: 

    1. How did things begin? God made the world and called it good. 
    2. How did things get broken? Rebellion against God. (Weeds)
    3. How will things get fixed? Jesus makes all things new. 
    4. How will things look once fixed? All things good again in God’s Kingdom.

    This worldview is good news for anyone who has ever been abused, oppressed, or mistreated. It is good news for anyone who has ever had grief, or pain, or trauma. It means that all that is broken can be fixed. All injustice can be made just. All grief can be healed. All sin can be forgiven.

    Jesus obeyed perfectly and died a horrifying death to take on the rebellion of the world. Jesus was raised from the dead, and whoever puts their trust in Jesus as their Savior will be made right with God and live in God’s Kingdom now and forever. 

    For those who trust in Jesus, he will one day wipe away every tear. One day. Until that day, we are “in process” because we live in the tension between the “now” and the “not yet” of God’s Kingdom. Like a garden, “It will look better in a few weeks.”

    Kent Landhuis
    Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

    Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

      Care Network and Bloomsbury Farm!

      Care Network Fundraiser
      at Bloomsbury Farm!

      The countdown is on for our biggest summer event yet— “Light Up the Night: Stories of Hope and Sparks of Change” at Bloomsbury Farm—and we are thrilled for what God is doing through this gathering of hearts!
      This evening is more than a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of stories, connection, and kingdom impact as we continue our partnership walking alongside those in our community with Christ-centered care.

      EVENT DETAILS:

      📍 Bloomsbury Farm
      📅 Saturday, August 2nd, 5-7 pm
      ⏰ Food served 5–6 PM | Program with formal ask 6–7 PM
      🎆 Fireworks to follow!
      🎟️ Ticket includes access to 25+ family-friendly activities on the farm—this is the perfect event for all ages! Bloomsbury Farm opens 3-9pm with fireworks that evening.

      PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE

      Purchasing tickets online using this link.  Or mention “CareNetworkCR” at the gate—25% of each ticket purchased supports the Care Network.

      We Are Chosen

      God is Working Hard (pt. 3)

      (read part 1) (read part 2)

      In gym class, I was always relieved when chosen. (Particularly if not chosen last.)

      In Guatemala, we give goodies to the kids who show up at our work sites. A doll, a cap, a granola bar, matchbox cars, candy. 

      Once word gets out, the number of kids grows rapidly. Some of those kids are very timid. They lurk around the edges, waiting to see if they will be chosen to receive a gift. When we invite them to receive a gift, they smile.

      Last week, two little girls, Madelyn and Astrid, from Guatemala chose Mary and me. Madelyn said she picked us because we “seemed kind, friendly, and nice.” She was probably looking at Mary.

      The Bible tells us how God chooses people to be his people: “God, your God, chose you out of all the people on Earth for himself as a cherished, personal treasure.

      God wasn’t attracted to you and didn’t choose you because you were big and important—the fact is, there was almost nothing to you. He did it out of sheer love, keeping the promise he made to your ancestors.” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8, MSG)

      I’m glad to be chosen. Being chosen makes all the difference. Jesus said, “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you.”  (John 15:15-16, NLT)

      We are chosen!

      Kent Landhuis
      Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

      Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

        Verse Obsession

        Verse Obsession

        Once upon a time I had a request for a Proverbs 18:10 song, which led me on a bunny trail to writing a whole bunch of Proverbs 18:10 songs in lots of different translations. Is God a tower or fortress? Are we the godly or righteous? Do we run to him or run in him?

        The way each translation captures this idea differs just so slightly, and really stirred my curiosity about this verse and broadened my idea of God.

        Here’s a short playlist of all my songs on this verse:

        Leah Carolan
        Pastor of Worship & Media

        Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry, or learn something new?  Let Leah know.

          God is Working Hard (part 2)

          God is Working Hard – Part 2

          (read part 1)

          In the spring, when my garden comes to life, my favorite plants are hostas. Hostas die off in the fall. All winter, the ground where they grew is bare and barren. 

          No signs of life. And then, there they are, like magic, growing bigger and better than the year before. And I did nothing.

          Listen to how Paul describes God’s good work in Romans 8: And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn[n] among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. (vss. 28-30, NLT)

          God is doing good work even when our lives seem barren. I had a mentor who once told me, “When it seems like God is working the least, God is working the most.”

          God’s work is not always visible or in the ways we expect or easily understood. But we are the kind of people who believe that God is with us when we don’t see or feel His active involvement. God still does good work even when it is not obvious.

          I’m so thankful that God never stops doing good work on my behalf – and on yours!

          Kent Landhuis
          Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

          Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

            God is Working Hard

            God is Working Hard

            Our small group recently studied Philippians 2. After much discussion, one of our group said, “Listen to this, it’s the New Living Translation: Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (vss. 12-13)

            The phrase “work hard to show the results of your salvation” grabbed our attention. It baffled us. We know that we do not work to earn salvation, so what is this hard work? 

            And then, someone said, “Look at the next verse too – it says God is working hard. God gives us the desire to obey, and God gives us the power to obey. God is working hard so work hard. But what hard work is left for us to do?”

            What’s left for us is obedience. We obey God with deep reverence and respect. We obey with the desire and power that God gives us! That sounds amazing! And so does this: I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6)

            READ PART 2 of this series

            Kent Landhuis
            Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

            Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

              CHOSEN Event Volunteers

              June 1-8 we will be partnering with World Vision for a special Chosen event.  As a church, we’ll be signing up to sponsor children in Guatemala, but instead of us choosing a child, the child gets to choose YOU.

              To make this event successful, we are in need to volunteers to help out in the Gathering Space.  There are multiple opportunities, including the Saturdays before the big events and different times throughout the Sunday mornings of June 1 and June 8.

              Sign-Up to Volunteer.

              Volunteer Roles:

              • Welcome Host // First point of contact for the lobby experience to help the line move smoothly and quickly. This role initiates the sign-up process.
              • Sign Up Roamer // Helps sponsors sign up and receive their Chosen code (via a World Vision iPad) so they can take their Chosen photo. Help congregants fill out all needed information and keep the line moving.
              • Photobooth Host // Capture the Chosen code tied to the new sponsor’s contact information and take a photo of the sponsor (and family).
              • Line Host // Keep the line moving quickly and smoothly and direct congregants to the next available photo booth or space at the Reveal Wall (Reveal weekend only).
              • Reveal Host // Reveal Weekend only. Help sponsors find their Reveal Chosen envelope with information about the child that chose them as their sponsor!

              As a volunteer, you’ll be given an orange t-shirt (to wear during your shift), training, and a specific role for your shift. In addition:

              1.  All volunteers will be assigned specific roles upon arrival.
              2.  You’ll still get to attend a worship service.
              3.  World Vision requires volunteers to sign a waiver HERE prior to arrival (minors must have form completed by a parent).
              4. Watch the Training videos:


              Consider volunteering today and making this event a wonderful one!

              Sign-Up to Volunteer.

              Salvation Army Open House

              Salvation Army Open House

              Spring is a season of renewal and hope—something we see reflected every day in the lives touched by your generosity. It’s the perfect time to come together and celebrate the positive change your support is making in the Cedar Rapids community!
              I’m excited to invite you to join us for The Salvation Army Cedar Rapids Open House.
              The Salvation Army Open House
              Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
              Time: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
              Location: 1000 C Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
              Come take a tour, meet our team, and see firsthand how your contribution is making an impact. Whether you stay for a few minutes or the full event, we’d love to have you there!
              There is no need to RSVP.

              Love. Belong. Serve.