Cedar Chips, Family Adventure, Family and Children Ministry, News

Family & Children Ministry – May 2019


It is hard to believe that we are already coming up to the end of the school year and we do not have too much longer to go before the summer!

With the warmer weather comes a variety of trips and likely an uptick of things demanding your family’s time. While your down time may be shorter, it doesn’t mean that discipling your family has to be minimized. Consider some of
these simple ideas for ways in which you can keep the gospel at the heart of everything you do.

Do you and/or your child’s school have a summer reading list for your child?

1. Consider reading the books your child is reading. Are there gospel talking points? (Ex: Harry Potter—Good and evil? Prophetic hero against brutally dark forces?)

2. Perhaps a biography is more up their alley. Consider a biography by someone who exemplifies characteristics and values that you envision for your child.

A great reminder from Hebrews 12:1-2, “ …and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…“

Kyle French
Director of Family and Children Ministry

Bright Spot, Journey, News, Uncategorized

May 19 – Goodbye, Jeremy!

L-to-R: Kara, Jeremy, Ben, Jeanette, Bree

This Sunday, May 19 will be Jeremy Van Genderen’s final day preaching at Cedar Hills.  He has accepted the Senior Pastor position at Trinity Reformed Church in Allison, Iowa.  So we are celebrating he and his family! The service will have a few surprises, but another one that requires your help! (If you are part of the Van Genderen family… stop reading at this point!!!)

Continue reading May 19 – Goodbye, Jeremy! →

Funeral, News

Mike Ruedy – Funeral Arrangments

Michael Ruedy Obituary

Michael Edward Ruedy, 66, of Anamosa, passed away Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the Anamosa Care Center. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is caring for Michael and his family. We are saddened as a church family by Mike’s passing and yet grateful for the promise of eternal life! Please keep his wife, Carol and family in your prayers.

The visitation will be at 10am on Wednesday, May 15 here at the church, followed by the funeral at 11am.  A luncheon will follow the service. (Those wishing to assist with the luncheon, please contact the office (396-6608) to inquire about needs.)

Obituary

Michael Edward Ruedy was born June 29, 1952, the son of Jim and Faye (Trantanella) Ruedy. He was united in marriage to Carol Nelson in Cedar Rapids on Sept. 25, 1993. Michael worked as a district manager in the insurance industry for several years before retiring.

In his earlier years, he enjoyed being a gymnast, dancer, playing handball and other sports, in his later years, he enjoyed golfing, watching golf, reading and hunting. Most of all, he loved spending time with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother.

Left to cherish Michael’s memories are his wife, Carol Ruedy of Anamosa; his two children, Michelle Ruedy and Dawn Ruedy, both of Minneapolis, Minn.; stepchildren, Todd Boone of Anamosa and Michelle Smith of Tipton; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to the Anamosa Care Center in Michael’s name.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com.

Cedar Chips, News, Worship

Pressing In

Pressing in?

You’ve heard us talk a lot about “pressing in”. I thought it might be worth a Google search to hear how other ministry leaders and ministries describe the process of “pressing in”. Here are my favorites:

“In your life would you describe yourself as someone who presses in toward God? Some people think spending time with God, reading the Bible, or attending a Bible study is a passive activity. God is anything BUT passive. He is GLORIOUS, and he has AMAZING things to show us. The word pressing also means to be persistent, unrelenting, and tenacious. We need to PRESS IN!” (from https://davidcrank.com/pressing-in)

There is a fascinating .pdf resource from www.restorationlife.org that lays out an entire teaching of pressing in four categories: (from http://www.restorationlife.org/Notes/TheWorshipingChurch/TheWorshipingChurch_8.pdf)

  1. The principle of pressing in to God through worship
  2. The Tabernacle of Moses as model of how to press in to God
  3. The difference between praise and worship
  4. Ways to press in to God with our body, soul, and spirit

Some books and audio materials on the topic:

And lastly a song! Of course! Press in Your Presence by Shana Wilson

So what does pressing in look/feel/sound/taste like to you?

Leah
Director of Worship & Media

GLS, News, Volunteers Needed

GLS Volunteers!

Global Leadership Summit Volunteers

Aug 8-9, Cedar Hills Church is a satellite location for this year’s Summit and we are expecting at least 100 attendees. To make this event a success, we are praying for volunteers gifted with gifts of: helping and hospitality to create a welcoming atmosphere. Many positions are available; catch the excitement at the table in the Gathering Space for details or fill out the form here.

About the Summit

Leadership takes perseverance, dedication and a commitment to stretch your mind, expand your heart and use your God-given gifts to impact your world in real and powerful ways.

Everyone has influence

No matter where your influence is — in your family, school, work or church — you are invited to join 405,000 of your peers to learn how to maximize it.

  • Get a unique blend of vision, inspiration and skills you can immediately apply
  • Learn from a faculty representing multiple sectors and backgrounds
  • Leverage the Summit as a resource to transform yourself and community
  • Network with influencers in your community who are committed to living out God’s purposes in our world

CEDAR HILLS Attendees

Member or Regular Attender
If you attend Cedar Hills Community Church and would like to register for The Global Leadership Summit, please contact the office for our special discount code.
REGISTER

GUESTS & PARTNERS

Non-Cedar Hills Attendee
If you do not attend Cedar Hills Community Church and would like to register to attend The Global Leadership Summit at this site, please register here:
REGISTER

Volunteer

Cedar Hills attendees and friends – if you wish to volunteer for the Summit, use this form to let us know which areas are of interest to you.
VOLUNTEER INTEREST
Cedar Chips, Family and Children Ministry, Journey, News

Journey Goodbyes

When we walked in the doors of Cedar Hills on January 2, 2012, Ben was 4, Kara was 6, and Bree was 8. Jeanette and I had been married for nine years and we were excited for what God was going to do in Cedar Rapids. Needless to say, God did not disappoint.

Over the last seven years, the student ministry has built a firm foundation on the truth of God’s Word and telling others about Jesus. We have gone to evangelism training conferences nine times and have held multiple outreach events here in Cedar Rapids in an effort to share the gospel in our community.

We have been on two service trips to South Dakota and New Jersey to help those in need. We have watched lives be transformed at seven Fall Retreats, and we have held over 300 student ministry nights here at the church.

My family and I would like to say thank you for the last seven years and we are still excited for what God has in store for Cedar Rapids and now also Allison, Iowa.

Jeremy Van Genderen
Director of Youth and Young Adults

Bright Spot, News, Prayer

National Day of Prayer – 5-2-19

The first Thursday of May is designated as the National Day of Prayer. Join millions of people today who are praying for our nation. Carve out a few moments to  pray for these four things:

  1. Pray that we would grow in our love for one another as a nation.
  2. Pray for churches around the country to be  unified in love.
  3. Pray that love would be at the center of our families, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and communities.
  4. Pray for love to overcome the anger, divisiveness, prejudice and partisanship that has a grip on our nation.

PRESS RELEASE

Family and Children Ministry, News, Noah's Ark

New Director of Noah’s Ark Preschool

The Noah’s Ark Board is pleased to announce the hiring of Kris Crowther as the Director of Noah’s Ark Preschool. Kris has worked with Noah’s Ark since 2013 and has a wonderful rapport with the children, families, and staff at Noah’s Ark. Prior to working at Noah’s Ark, Kris was Director of Children’s Ministries at Cedar Hills Community Church. In the children’s ministries role, Kris used her extensive teaching background to work with volunteers to grow the ministries of Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS).

Kris will complete the school year as the Lead 3-year old Teacher and Lunch Bunch Coordinator while training as the incoming director. In June, Kris will take on the full responsibilities as Noah’s Ark Preschool Director while leading the summer program.

Kris shared with the hiring committee her desire to see a stronger partnership with the ministries of the church and more Noah’s Ark families involved in those ministries. Kris brings to this position her ideas for encouraging more families to choose a faith-based preschool for their child and supporting the families that choose Noah’s Ark Preschool for their children. Kris said: “I believe strongly in the benefits that a Christian Preschool can offer students and families. Noah’s Ark Preschool promotes social, emotional, language, cognitive and increased motor skills by using play, toys, games, art and music.”

As Noah’s Ark Preschool enters its 50th year this fall, we are fortunate to have Kris to provide continuity and growth to the ministry of Noah’s Ark.

Allison Johnson

Bright Spot, Cedar Chips, Journey

Graduation Annoucements

This season brings April showers, May flowers and May graduation parties!  If you or your student is graduating this Spring, we’d love to hear about it in the church office and acknowledge you/them in the June Cedar Chips newsletter.

Email the student’s name, school attending, parents’ names, and future plans to: office@cedarhillscr.org or turn it in on paper to the office before Wednesday, May 15, to be included in the June Cedar Chips.

Love. Belong. Serve.