Advent, Capital Campaign, Fundraiser, Holiday, News, Worship

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! 🙂

Advent, Holiday, News

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!

Advent, Bright Spot, Family and Children Ministry, Holiday, News, Worship

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 Devotionals

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, Bright Spot, Holiday, News

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.

Financial Peace University

Financial Peace University – coming in 2020

Financial Peace University is Coming January 5, 2020!

We are pleased to announce that Cedar Hills will be holding another Financial Peace University class starting with a FREE preview class on January 5, 2020!  Millions of people, including those at Cedar Hills who have taken this course previously, have found the freedom that getting out of debt can bring to their lives.  Start the New Year off right! With updated videos and course material, you’ll walk through the steps you need to take to get a clear vision for your family’s financial future.

Our class will be held on Sunday mornings during the Sunday School hour, starting at 9:45 am.  To register for the class, go to http://www.fpu.com/1104100.  We will have class materials available for purchase for $89 or you can purchase a kit on-line.

Holiday, News

Thanksgiving Eve Worship

Join us for Thanksgiving Eve worship, Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 6:30pm.  This service is lighthearted and family friendly! It takes place in the Gathering Space – lots of room for the little ones to move and make noise. 🙂  The nursery will be available for ages 0-3yrs.

We’ll be creating a thankfulness craft, worshipping, celebrating the Lord’s Supper and sharing a fruit salad. Bring a piece of fruit (precut, please) or berries to share in the salad.

This is one of our favorite services of the year.  In this season of thanks, come and give thanks to the One who created all things and holds all things together.

Love. Belong. Serve.