Bible, Connection, Encouragement, News, Prayer

Reading the Bible 2025

READ THE BIBLE IN A YEAR – Let’s do this, Church! Join the Cedar Hills staff by reading the entire Bible chronologically in 2025. We’ll be using “The Bible Recap” – a daily schedule of readings with an accompanying video podcast.

Download the YouVersion Bible app to get started, and then join the Cedar Hills group in the app.  or purchase a hard copy of the adult or youth version for $10 in the Gathering Space beginning Sunday, Nov. 3

CEDAR HILLS GROUP in the Bible App

There are a number of ‘before you start’ videos on Day 1! We recommend watching those BEFORE January 1st.

Advent

Know What You Believe and Why You Believe It!

Know What You Believe and Why You Believe It!

At the start of the new year we like to embark on new quests. (Resolutions!) Did you know that in the Church calendar the first Sunday of Advent starts the new year? So, what’s your resolution?

Mine is to know God more. I’m using three tools on my quest:

  1. I’m using A Little Book on the Christian Life by John Calvin as a devotional guide.
  2. I’m pursuing Unexpected Encounters with God each Sunday in our worship services.
  3. I’m planning to complete the Bible Recap in 2025.

We are the kind of people who know what we believe and why we believe it. I am hoping that in the next year I will know God better than ever before. How about you?

The Lord be with you,

Kent Landhuis
Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

P.S. If you want to join the Bible Recap through the Bible App click here.

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

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    Cedar Kids Club House


    Youth ministry for kids ages Kindergarten-5th grades.  We believe in fostering a young faith (while having adventures and a great time)!

    NEW TIMES AND AGES FOR 2024-2025!

    Club House will meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays beginning Oct. 6, 12pm-2pm and is open to children in kindergarten through 5th grade.  Includes lunch!

    We are so excited to begin this adventure with our elementary kids.  REGISTER TODAY

    LOGISTICS : Please make sure you sign your child into the TEAL room after church. If your child is already in Children’s Church, please still come back to sign-in your child to stay for Kids Club.
    *If your child has any food allergies, please send along a sack lunch.
    If you would like to volunteer to bring a meal and serve it, please sign up with the link below. Plan your meal to feed about 30 people around noon (after 2nd service is over).

    Click Here to Sign-up to bring a Meal!

    Upcoming Schedule:
    December 15: Christmas theme (bring a $5 gift to share in an exchange!)
    January 5: I’m Crafted: 4) No Lava Lost
    January 19: I’m Crafted: 5) Idol Builders
    February 2: I’m Crafted: 6) Get Creative
    February 16: I’m Crafted: 7) Survival Mode
    March 2: I’m Crafted: 8) The Ultimate Build
    March 16: Benton/Cedar Rapids Spring Break: No Kids Club
    April 6: Easter Theme
    April 20:  Easter.  No Kids Club
    May 4: Pizza party with movie or games.

    Choir

    Sanctuary Choir

    Join the choir! Rehearsals are on Wednesdays, 6:45pm in the Lime Room (right hallway, all the way to the end).  Choir is open to high school age and up.  If you know your voice part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) that is helpful! But we can also help you find your voice part by range.

    Practice Recordings on YouTube

    FALL CHOIR SCHEDULE

    Choir will be starting rehearsals on Wed., Sept 11 at 6:45pm.

    Practice Dec 4
    Sing at 8:30am service Dec 8
    Practice Dec 11
    Practice Dec 18
    Sing at 8:30am service Dec 22
    Questions? Contact Stuart Geiger

       

       

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      The Holidays at Cedar Hills

      November 27, 6:30pm – Thanksgiving Eve Worship: a light-hearted and family friendly worship service. Held in the Gathering Space.

      December 1 – Advent Begins. Services at 8:30am and 11am.  No Sunday Classes.  We will light the traditional Advent candles in worship.

      December 8, 4:00pm – Advent By Candlelight – “Advent & Abundance” – a women’s event with elegant Christmas-themed tables, desserts, and a program to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Pre-registration required

      December 22 – “Joy” Sunday – come to worship in your Christmas attire–ugly sweaters, Christmas ties, or dress up and take family photos at our special photo area.  Regular service times.

      December 24 – Christmas Eve worship services at 3pm and 5pm A celebration of Jesus’ birth with candles and carols.  Online service broadcast will be 5pm only.

      December 25 – Christmas Day.  No worship services.

      December 29 – Regular worship services at 8:30am and 11am. No Sunday classes.

      Cedar Blog

      Who is in? Who is Out? Us or Them?

      Who is in? Who is Out? Us or Them?

      “Politics depends on the recognition of outsiders, yet the Christian church sees all people as potential members, indeed potential saints.”                       ~ Matthew Rose

      Everyone agrees that we live in a polarized and divided world. One reason for this is that we define people (mostly) by their political views. Countries, cities, neighborhoods, churches – even families – have been sharply divided about public policies (and politicians).

      Have you ever considered that Christianity offers the greatest hope for overcoming this division? We offer hope because we welcome all people regardless of race or background or political views. We offer hope because we serve God as a higher and greater authority than any worldly power.

      We who were once outsiders have been brought in. We are now family – sisters and brothers. And we invite everyone into the family. Everyone can be in.

      We just endured an intense election season and now we enter a season of change in government leadership and political philosophy. This shift may be a source of sorrow or celebration depending on your politics. But we all can celebrate (regardless of who wins any election in the present or future) because we have the hope of unity in a world trying to pit insiders against outsiders.

      We are ambassadors from another kingdom inviting others in. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their sins against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

      The Lord be with you!

      Kent Landhuis
      Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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

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        Angel Tree Gifts & Party

        ANGEL TREE GIFTS

        Buy a gift for a child in need!  Sundays Nov. 17 and 24 the Angel Tree will be on display in the Gathering Space with tags listing a gift a local child would like for Christmas. Angel Tree child have a parent in prison, and these gifts are a way for that parent to ensure their child receives a gift.

        Gifts should be returned unwrapped to the church by Sunday, Dec. 1

        GIFT WRAPPING

        We’ll be wrapping all the gifts at a wrapping party Monday, Dec. 9 at 6pm.  We would love more volunteers to help! Contact Cathy using the form below.

        CHRISTMAS PARTY

        Dec. 14 all of our angel tree children and their families are invited to a party at the church to receive their gifts and for food and fun at the church!

        If you would like to help with any of these events, please contact Cathy Poole:

          Cedar Blog

          Vote!

          Vote!

          We are citizens of two kingdoms – the kingdom of God and the kingdom of man. Our citizenship in God’s Kingdom calls us to care about what impacts our neighbors. We take our responsibility to vote seriously because it shapes our community.

          In the last few weeks, people have recommended some great resources to help me keep the election in perspective. It is a great time for all of us to think carefully about our civic responsibilities. One of the resources was Pastor Josh McPherson who suggested three levels of political issues:

          • Level 1 – Opinions. Some issues are a matter of personal preference and these issues we discuss and decide.
          • Level 2 – Wisdom. These policy issues may have better or worse outcomes, so we debate and discern.
          • Level 3 – Obedience. Some political issues have crossed the line into the realm of moral issues. These issues matter so much that we are called to declare and defend according to the Word of God.

          When you consider the political conversations you will have, it might help to clarify which level issue you are talking about. This will guide you into more productive interactions.

          And of course, think about these issues as you research your candidates in preparation to cast your vote intelligently. One of our voting responsibilities is to be informed voters. So, do your homework and vote!

          The Lord be with you,

          Pastor Kent

          Kent Landhuis
          Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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

            Love. Belong. Serve.