Gwyneth Aarhus Funeral
We are sad to announce the passing of Gwyn Aarhus, a faithful member of Cedar Hills Community Church. Please keep his wife Harriet and the Aarhus and Dunham families in your prayers.
Visitation is Sunday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home 2-5pm. The funeral will be Monday, Dec. 23 at 11am at the church followed by a luncheon.
Obituary from CedarMemorial.com
Gwyneth K. Aarhus, 82 of Cedar Rapids died Thursday December 19, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11:00 AM at the Cedar Hills Community Church. Rev Kent Landhuis will officiate. Entombment in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be a visitation on Sunday at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 2 to 5 PM.
Survivors include his wife Harriet, a daughter Kylene (Chad) Dunham of Hiawatha; two sons Todd of Ankeny and Ryan of Robins; two brothers DuWayne (Laura) of Walker and Collin (Barbara) of Center Point. He is also survived by a granddaughter Ashleigh Dunham of Hiawatha and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Gwyneth was born on April 21, 1937 in Iowa City the son of Bernard and Gladys (Narveson) Aarhus. He married Harriet A. Doty on August 13, 1961 in Cedar Rapids.
Gwyneth was an electrician at Link Belt Speeder, later at FMC and most recently at Cedar Rapids Inc. retiring in 2001 after many years of service.
He was a faithful member of the Cedar Hills Community Church, a lifetime member of the NRA, and proudly served in the Marines. He enjoyed hunting, target practice with his kids, and doing yard work. Gwyneth and Harriet traveled and visited all 50 states. He also enjoyed motorcycles, drag racing, car shows, and especially the time spent with his many friends and beloved family. He will forever be remembered as a wonderful and caring husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Cedar Hills Community Church. If giving online, choose “Memorial Gift” from the ‘fund’ menu.
Christmas Tie Challenge!
Wear a Christmas Tie on Sunday, Dec. 22!
An anonymous donor is challenging everyone to wear a Christmas Tie on Sunday, December 22nd. Ten dollars will be donated to the Capital Campaign for every tie worn that day, man, woman or child! Wear a tie with or without your ugly sweater and support your church. This could even become an annual event if there is enough interest this year. Look for a special tally sheet in the Gathering Space to mark that you’ve worn a tie!
Sunday, Dec. 22 is “Joy” Sunday at Cedar Hills. In addition to coming dressed in our favorite holiday attire and ugly sweaters, the children will be singing at the 11am service, choir will be singing at the 8:30am service, and members of the Cedar Rapids Orchestra will be provided music during the continental breakfast.
And also a reminder that another donor is matching one-time gifts to the campaign, up to $5000, through Dec. 31. Learn more about our Grow the Good Capital Campaign.
Breakfast will be served throughout the morning and there are no Sunday Classes that Sunday. The staff will be competing for the “Ugliest Sweater” award! Donations given to vote for your favorite staff sweater will go towards the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign.
It just keeps getting better! 🙂
Family Christmas Photo Opportunity
This year we’ve created a special space for families to take their own photos at the church. The space will be open for use Sunday, Dec. 22 and Tuesday, Dec 24 and is located in the Gathering Space.
Bring your own camera and come capture a special moment from the ‘Blue Chair’ this Christmas season. Check out some of our practice pics from the photo area!
Journey Christmas Details
Dec. 15 – Journey Christmas Party Details
- Christmas picture scavenger hunt!
- Free walking taco supper will be provided.
- Bring a few of your favorite Christmas candy or cookie to share
- Ugly sweater and ugly sock contests
- White elephant gift exchange
- Invite your friends!
Coming Soon
An exciting new tradition is starting this year at Cedar Hills. Watch for more details to come!
Ugly Sweater Sunday
On Sunday, Dec. 22 we’ll be celebrating all things joyous! A newer tradition at Cedar Hills is wearing our favorite holiday and Ugly Christmas sweaters. Come adorned in your favorites!
There are no Sunday classes this day, but a continental breakfast will be served throughout the morning. The choir will be singing a special Christmas song at the 8:30am service, and the younger children are singing a few songs at the 11am service. One of our favorite Sundays of the year!
The Giving Manger
For the season of Advent, we are including the “Giving Manger” – a daily calendar of things we can do to shine the light of Christ in our community. Each Sunday in both services, the children will be invited forward to help light the Advent candles. Next they’ll walk over to the manger. If they were able to complete one of the Giving Manger tasks, they will get to add some straw to the manger to help prepare it for Jesus’ birth. We’ll get to watch the manger fill up during the season of Advent.
If you weren’t here Sunday (or lost yours! 🙂 ) here is the Giving Manger calendar. We’ll have some extra copies at the Welcome Center as well:
Grow the Good – Day 40
Day 40
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:4-7
Rejoice. Be thankful. Gratitude means I give thanks. Paul used the word gratitude 46 times in his letters. Why is gratitude so important? Scientific studies have shown that gratitude improves your health! Really! Practicing gratitude improves your mental health and physical health. Wow! What if you are feeling like a victim of your circumstances? Be thankful! What if you don’t feel well? Be thankful! What if you are bored? Be thankful!
Let’s practice being grateful – let’s list things to be thankful for – thank God for your life, your salvation, the roof over your head, that you have shoes to wear, your Cedar Hills community, that you have a job, that your car started this morning, that there is food in your refrigerator, your friends, your kids, your spouse, or that you are single! Paul tells us to be grateful (thankful) in every situation – “in every situation by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING present your requests to God.”
Dear Lord,
Help me to be grateful for all You have given me and continue to provide. Show me how to give thanks in all situations, good and bad, and I trust You to provide Your peace. May my life show Your gentleness and gratefulness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
-Dana Chapman
Advent By Candlelight
Advent By Candlelight is a treasured women’s event at Cedar Hills that revolves around elaborately decorated tables, candles, dessert and a short program to set hearts and minds on Christ before the rush of the holiday season. Each table has a host who plans out the decorations and dessert and then cares for her table during the event.
It is a visually stunning event, and spiritually moving! Women of all ages are encouraged to attend. This event is free, but you do need to pre-register to ensure a spot at a table.
The final day to register for the 2019 event is Sunday, November 24. Visit the Advent By Candlelight table in the Gathering Space. This year’s theme is “The Sounds of Christmas” and will be Sunday, Dec. 8 at 4pm. Attendees are encouraged to arrive starting at 3:30pm to visit each table and enjoy the decorations.
