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.

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.

    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.

      Lent at Cedar Hills

      The season of Lent begins Ash Wednesday and runs until Easter Sunday.  Ash Wednesday is Feb. 14, 2024.

      During Lent, we will gather on Wednesday nights for a meal (5:15-6:15pm) followed by a short 30-35 min time of worship in the Worship Center. (Please kindly RSVP for the meal weekly in the Sunday bulletin using the bulletin response form.)

      On Ash Wednesday, we will have a time of worship concluding with receiving the ashes on the forehead.

      During Holy Week, we will gather on Thursday evening instead of Wednesday to celebrate Maundy Thursday together.

      Easter services will be 8:30, 9:45 and 11am.  There will be no Sunday classes on Easter Sunday.

      Wednesday Prayer Meetings

      **PRAYER MEETINGS DURING LENT**

      February 14, 2024 to March 31, 2024 we will be meeting on site in the back of the Worship Center following the midweek worship services.  (MORE ABOUT LENT AT CEDAR HILLS)

      REGULAR PRAYER MEETINGS – Wednesdays at 6:30pm in the Zoom app (details below). Everyone is welcome to come! Even if you are uncomfortable praying out loud, come and agree with us in prayer.

      Join Zoom Meeting
      https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5243529410

      • Meeting ID: 524 352 9410
      • Password: Cedarhills

       

      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

      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.

      How Do We Count Success?

      How do we count success?

      At some point, while suffering through the frigid weather last week – I think it might have been in the middle of Steve’s sermon on the abundance of creation – I wondered “How many snowflakes does it take to make a snowman?”

      Google said it takes 10,000 but that sounds like way too few. Of course, it depends on the size of the snowman, doesn’t it? Snowflakes in a snowman seem like a tough thing to count.

      It can also be tough to count “success in ministry.” Traditionally we count three “b’s” – bucks, buildings, and backsides. (ABC’s – attendance, buildings, cash.) That doesn’t really get to it because we are actually interested in fruit. We might invest a lot of money, steward fine buildings, and involve a lot of people, and not see any fruit.

      I’ve been thinking about how we might count fruitfulness at Cedar Hills. (Things traditionally never on anyone’s radar.) What if we counted:

      • Shopping carts…
      • Butt cans (for cigarette butts)…
      • Pizzas consumed (or donuts)…
      • French reporters asking about our politics…
      • Intergenerational conversations…
      • Prayers (and pray-ers)…
      • Meals shared with one another…
      • Hugs…

      These may or may not be things expected in ministry, but they are all part of ours – and part of our success in the past year! We like to count and we like to measure success. What would you count as a measure of our success? (Let me know!)

      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.

        Luminary Walk & S’Mores

        LUMINARY WALK & S’MORES – Our January Faith, Family & Fun event is Saturday 5-7pm at Wickiup Hill Learning Center.

        Enjoy a campfire, s’mores, and walk the illuminated trail as we celebrate the beauty of winter.

        Stop by for the family-friendly self-guided walk along the trail lit with luminaries and lights. Come and go from 5-7 p.m. Free. Registration appreciated for planning s’mores supplies.

        (Event is held by Wickiup Learning Center… we are just plugging into it!)

        Rise to the Occasion Sourdough Party

        January 25 – Rise to the Occasion Sourdough Party

        All ladies are invited to Lindsey Ungs’ house on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 6pm for a sourdough party. “Rise to the Occasion”.  Please kindly RSVP on our Facebook event so we have a starter for everyone.

        Dive into the world of sourdough with our Beginners’ Sourdough Bread Class – it’s all about the good vibes and great bread!
        We will be gathering at Lindsey Ungs’ home where Lindsey & Lauren will spill their secrets, share their laughs and create sourdough magic!
        No experience needed – we’ll show you how to create that awesome tangy goodness from scratch. Get your hands messy, learn the tricks of the trade, and discover the joy of baking your own delicious sourdough bread.
        Come hungry for fun, leave with the skills to impress your taste buds and your friends.
        Everyone will leave with their very own Sourdough Starter so please RSVP to claim yours!  Let’s get baking!

        DIRECTIONS to Lindsey’s house

        Stay up to date with our women’s ministry by joining the “Women in Fellowship and Faith”  Facebook group.

        Love. Belong. Serve.