Alliance of Reformed Churches

UMV 2024 – The River of the Kingdom

UPPER MISSISSIPPI
VALLEY NETWORK
Alliance of Reformed Churches

UMV 2024:
The River of the Kingdom!

Saturday, June 15, 8am to 3pm
Cedar Hills Community Church

RSVP NOW

June 15, 2024 Schedule

8:00am
Continental Breakfast and Fellowship

9:00am
Welcome and Worship

9:45am-10:35am
BREAKOUT Session #1

  • Hiring the Right Pastor: Discover resources to seek the next Pastor for your congregation. (Ron Fischer)
  • Alliance Vision: How the Alliance of Reformed Church works and why it matters. (Tim Vink)
  • Church Vitality: Three Essentials for Healthy Growing Churches. (Ben Ingebretson)

10:45am-11:35am
BREAKOUT  Session #2

  • Leadership Development:  How To Expand Your Leadership Bench. (Ben Ingebretson)
  • Pathways to Ordination: Discover the Alliance pathway to ordination.  (Thomas Cellilli)
  • Ministry in a Hostile World: How we offer Jesus in a polarized, angry world. (Kent Landhuis)

11:45am
Business Meeting

12:15pm
Lunch (no cost)

1:15pm
Keynote Speaker – Colin Thornley

2:15pm
Closing Thoughts and Prayer

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PRESENTERS


Colin Thornley served in ministry with Grace Community Church for over 25 years as in various roles such as: Youth Pastor, College Pastor and Pastor of Discipleship & Equipping. While serving at Grace, he continued to pursue training and ministry opportunities with Serge as a mentor and eventually a Sonship Coach.  He was first introduced to Sonship and Serge mission’s organization in the fall 1993 when he experienced a ‘gosplosion’ as he listened to Jack Miller lecture and Drew Angus pressing the good news into the deepest parts of his heart. The gospel-centric paradigm shift that began there increasingly impacted his life and dependence on Jesus and His finished work. Colin’s passion for mentoring and equipping people who want to mentor others led him to begin assisting Serge in a minimally part-time capacity and finally to join the Serge Renewal Mentoring Team in January of 2020.


Ben Ingebretson is a leadership vitality/church planting consultant and has led widely with organizations, churches and denominations including the United Methodist Church, and the Reformed Church in America.


Tim Vink is the Director of Spiritual Leadership and Outreach in the Alliance of Reformed Churches. Through 35 years of evangelism, disciple-making, and helping diverse churches plant more reproducing churches, Tim has experienced the power of making Jesus our model for ministry today. Working with a multiplication mindset, embracing the fullness of the gospel of Jesus and New Testament patterns of Kingdom growth, and receiving all the help offered by the same Holy Spirit—the dynamic results have been life-giving for hundreds of new churches and tens of thousands of people.


Ron Fischer is the Network Leader & President, Board of Directors of the Upper Mississippi Valley Network. Ron serves the Alliance part-time as the Executive Assistant to the Board and as Pastor of Operations at Christ’s Family Church in Davenport, IA.  He has served in churches for the last 20+ years in South Carolina, Florida and now Iowa.

Thomas Cellilli has faithfully served this New Life Community Church as lead pastor since August 2021. Thomas has been married to his wife Shelby since 2017, and together they have two daughters: Nora and Audrey. He enjoys spending time with them running around in their backyard with their dog, Rizzo. In his free time, Thomas enjoys disc golfing at Altmaier Park, going to coffeeshops with a good novel, playing an over-complicated board game, or re-watching his favorite sci-fi/fantasy movies.
Kent Landhuis is Pastor of Preaching and Leadership at Cedar Hills Community Church.  Kent used to think that being human was something sinful that had to be over come. Now he understands that people are made to bear God’s image by becoming human like Jesus. Kent wants to purge the phrase “I’m only human” from our vocabulary because the message of Jesus is that everyone can become more human, as God designed, which allows us all to flourish. Kent’s mission is to introduce others to this good news so they can become all they are meant to be in Jesus!

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Coming soon! We are still working out the details on a block of rooms in Cedar Rapids.

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Choir

Sanctuary Choir Spring Schedule

Join the choir! Rehearsals are on Wednesdays, 6:30pm in the Lime Room (right hallway, all the way to the end).  Choir is open to high school age and up.  If you know you part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) that is helpful! But we can also help you find your voice part by range.

SPRING SCHEDULE

Choir will be singing at the 8:30am service May 5.

Wed April 24 – Rehearsal

Wed May 1 –  RehearsalSun May 5 – Sing in 1st Service.

Practice Tracks

Questions? Contact Stuart Geiger

     

    Cedar Blog

    What Were You Made For?

    What Were You Made For?

    Growing up we get asked questions like ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ or ‘What do you want to study in college?’ These questions have good intent and challenge us to think far ahead. When I think of what I was made for, I can’t help but think of Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God already prepared in advance for us to do.” This means that there is work that needs to get done before we leave this earth. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to die with any potential left in me. I want to make sure I maximize my time here on earth by using my gifts and talents for His glory.

    The Bible reminds us to give God the glory in all that we do. Whether you are a cashier at a store, a pastor, a nurse or a student, we are meant to give Him all the Glory at all times. The times we don’t feel like giving Him Glory, we have got to do it either way. We were made for so much more than ourselves. As believers we are meant to point people to Christ.

    I challenge you to look for ways to point someone to Christ this week. It may be sharing a scripture on social media, inviting someone to church, or offering to pray for them. In our spheres of influence, let us be intentional about sharing what Christ is doing in our lives. The world is in desperate need of the gospel, and it is our duty as believers to answer the call. That is what we were made for.

    Frankline “Franky” Tshombe
    Children’s Church Leader

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

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      You Belong – a membership class

      Becoming a member of a church is a big decision! If you feel called to Cedar Hills or would just like to explore making us your ‘home church’,  the next session of “You Belong” Membership Class. It will be held for 6 weeks on Sundays at 9:45am beginning April 7, 2024.

      Nursery for ages 0-36 months is available at this same time, as well as classes for children of all ages.

      No registration is needed.

      Cedar Blog

      Pledge of Neighborliness

      Pledge of Neighborliness

      While reading the latest news about one of our ministry partners (Matthew 25), I discovered they had an initiative to help people become more neighborly. Only 3 out of 10 people across America say they know their neighbors.

      We are the kind of people who are called to love our neighbors. It is the second great commandment. It seems to me that we can’t love our neighbors if we don’t know them. Matthew 25 encourages neighborliness with the Front Yard Club. Here are some of the pledges of Front Yard Club Members:

      • Foster a welcoming front yard.
      • Make time in your week to be in your front yard.
      • Be a steward for the health and safety of your neighborhood.
      • Have fun!

      Front Yard Club Membership sounds easy enough and these items made me think of a couple more:

      • Smile at everyone you see.
      • Greet everyone who walks past.
      • Listen for Holy Spirit promptings.

      And, as I pondered neighborliness, it struck me that we can smile, greet, and listen to people everywhere we are. Home, school, work, the park, the gym, the store – even at church – we could be better neighbors.

      What do you think? Ready to take the pledge?

      Kent Landhuis
      Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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

        Cedar Blog

        Let Go and Let God

        Let Go and Let God

        Do you often find yourself holding onto something that happened in the past? Whether it is betrayal, pain, trauma, or even a mistake someone made, we have all experienced offense in one way or another. Often times those memories linger at the back of our minds, causing us to ruminate over them. I have been told many times by close friends that I am ‘too trusting’. Given my personality and the way I am wired, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt  until my trust is broken. I think it is fair to say that we learn the hard way at times. Offense can lead to bitterness, envy, malicious thoughts, anger, and vengeance. These are not characters of the Holy Spirit. Instead, the Bible reminds us in Colossians 3:13 to “bear with one another and forgive one another.” The Lord’s Prayer says to “forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors.” This is not to condone what the offenders did, but instead choose to release the offense from your heart. By doing so you begin to feel a peace that surpasses all understanding. This year God has been inviting me to guard my heart and restrict access. “Above all, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).

        Here are some ways to ‘Let go and let God’:

        • Remember that hurt people hurt people. We are all broken people in need of God’s mercy and grace.
        • Set healthy boundaries. By doing so, you honor yourself.
        • Be in community; there is power in sharing your story. “We overcome by the blood of the lamb, and the words of our testimony” (Revelation 12:11).
        • Surrender the offense to God, and allow Him to heal your wounds.
        • Pray for your offender. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31).

        Frankline “Franky” Tshombe
        Children’s Church Leader

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

          Uncategorized

          Galentines: Women’s Ministry Event

          VIEW EVENT ON FACEBOOK

          Join us for a fun, casual girl’s night! Come in your comfortable clothes and enjoy drinks, food, and fun with other gals.
          The event will take place in Lindsey Steinkamp’s home in Marion. We’ll be serving a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, as well as some snacks and appetizer-type foods. Enjoy some conversation and we may have an organized game or activity (details TBD 😉).
          All are welcome! Invite a gal pal to join!
          Let us know if you’re interested in carpooling with others. Reach out if you have questions.
          Address:
          2093 49th St
          Marion, IA 52302
          Cell if you need to reach me (Lindsey): 319-640-9147
          Uncategorized

          Pasta of the Prairie Feb. 18

          Noah’s Ark preschool is teaming up with Pasta of the Prairie for a fundraiser!  Pasta of the Prairie will be on site Sunday, Feb. 18 selling their great assortment of pasta, soup and meal kits with 40% of the proceeds going to Noah’s Ark.

          You can also order online Feb. 12-18. Online orders can be shipped to your house (for a small shipping fee) or picked up at the preschool the following week.

          www.pastaoftheprairie.com

          VIEW FLYER

          The in-person fundraiser will occur between services on the 18th, but people could also order online anytime from February 12th – 18th. Those orders will be delivered to the preschool for pick-up, or people can choose to pay to ship directly to their home. There will be special deals for the in-person event on the 18th. People can buy 1 for $10, 3 for $25, 5 for $40, or 8 for $60. Forms of payment for the in-person event will be cash, check, credit card, or mobile payments such as Apple pay.

          Love. Belong. Serve.