Dwell in the Word – October 2018

Meditate on John 3:1-21. Below are verses 14-20.

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

Dream Again

At our most recent classis meeting, one of the speakers asked the question, “What are you dreaming about?” The question grabbed my attention because I was just starting to slip into a daydream. Was he reading my mind? Was I busted? What are you dreaming about?

The question was really asking about passion and calling. What is the dream that excites you, engages your imagination, and energizes you to take action? Do you dream about strengthening your marriage? Becoming a better parent? Getting healthy? Making more money? Learning a new skill? Climbing the ladder of success?

Do you dream about helping others? Visiting the lonely? Caring for the sick? Helping those who lack resources? Reaching out to those who do not know Jesus? Loving our neighbors? Transforming our community?

Do you dream about solving a problem? Conquering addictions? Solving poverty? Ending abuse and injustice? Stopping slavery and human trafficking? Resolving conflict and violence? Overcoming corruption and exploitation? Do you dream about growing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control?

What do you dream about? Do you have a personal dream that excites you or a bigger dream—a global dream—that energizes you? The speaker at classis said, “Everyone needs a dream.”

As a congregation we are developing a dream. You might say that we are dreaming again about making a difference in our homes, our neighborhoods, and the entire corridor. We are dreaming about transformation. This is a passion and a calling. That excites me. Does it excite you?

The Lord be with you,
Pastor Kent

Missions in Brno

Beth sharing about her mission in Brno
Praying for Beth

Last Sunday, we welcomed Beth Larsen who is currently serving as a missionary to Brno, Czech Republic.  Beth shared about her role in Brno, both the blessings and struggles of ministry. Please continue to pray for God to use Beth in a mighty way as she spreads the Gospel to the people of Brno.

Women’s Revival – Oct 4

Calling all ladies! The next meeting of Women’s Revival is Thursday, October 4, 2018 from 6-8pm.  At this gathering, the ladies will be doing a service project with Days For Girls, a mission that creates hygiene kits for girls in other countries who don’t have access to supplies for ‘those days’.  By creating the kits, the girls can continue to attend school verses missing school and eventually dropping out.

Bring a snack to share!  Invite your moms, aunts, friends and neighbors to come along.

 

Christian College Resource

Image result for christiancollege.com

Looking for a great resource for Christian colleges in Iowa?  Here are couple of links that you may find useful in your pursuit of where God might be calling you after graduation — including online degrees:

Christian Colleges in Iowa: https://www.christiancolleges.com/online-degrees/iowa/
Online Christian Degrees: https://www.christiancolleges.com/online-degrees/

A few topics covered at ChristianColleges.com:

  • A complete directory of Christian colleges and seminaries in Iowa
  • Christian scholarships for Iowa residents
  • Career and salary expectations for faith-related fields in Iowa
  • Resources to help students get plugged into churches and Christian ministries in their college town
  • Most popular online Christian degrees

Many of the RCA schools we support also offer scholarships for those holding active memberships in the Reformed Church in America.

RCA Seminaries:

  • Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan – Grants
  • New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, NJ and Queens, NY – Scholarships

Irene Valenta Funeral Details

Irene Valenta
November 7, 1921 – September 20, 2018

Please pray for the family and friends of Irene Valenta who went home to be with our Lord September 20, 2018. The visitation will be this Friday, September 28 at 9:30am, followed by the funeral service at 11am.

Obituary

from Teahen Funeral Home: Irene Marie Valenta, 96 of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, September 20, 2018 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, following a brief illness.

Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Cedar Hills Community Church by Rev. Kent Landhuis. Burial: National Cemetery, Vining. Friends may visit with the family at the church after 9:30 a.m. on Friday.

Irene is survived by her son, Gary (Susan) of Elberon; daughter in law, Karen (Kyle) Reynolds of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Warren (Staci) Valenta, Brian (Leslee) Valenta and Kim (Paul) Reynolds; great-grandchildren, Matthew, Jared, Justin, Zoey, Wyatt, Taylor and Tate; sisters, Paula Schutt, Patsy (Lawrence) Clough, Joann Ferrel, Doris Lohf and Shirley O’Connor.She was preceded in death by her husband, Willard in 1979, son Gene, brothers Arthur and Robert and sister Lillian James.

Irene was born on November 7, 1921 in Clutier the daughter of Louie and Emma Zeman Yuska. She married Willard Valenta on April 21, 1941 in Clutier, and as a farm-wife she drove the tractor. Later, she worked at Rockwell Collins for 21 years. Irene was a member of Cedar Hills Community Church and vice-president of the Iowa Women’s Bowling Association.

Irene loved baking kolaches, playing cards, dancing, gardening, quilting, needlework, making crafts, and was involved in craft shows. She was an excellent bowler, and won many ribbons. Irene volunteered often and was known to take care of her friends and family. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Memorials may be directed to the Cedar Hills Community Church.

Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway

A Weekend to Remember

A Weekend to Remember Marriage getaway is coming to Cedar Rapids November 2-4, 2018. The conference is held at the Marriot on Collins Rd..  As Cedar Hills members, we get a group discount. If you register before September 24, the price is half of the regular $149 registration ($74.99/person). Use our special group code: CedarHillsCommunity and register today.

About the Weekend to Remember ®

Remember how captivating it was when you first fell in love with your spouse? Every moment was special. As real life takes over, that memory can grow less vivid, and you might not feel like the center of their world as often. That’s where the Weekend to Remember® marriage retreat from FamilyLife comes in.

The two-and-a-half day romantic weekend getaway is a time to be together as a couple to invest in and strengthen the foundation of your marriage, no matter how firm or fragile it is. By getting away from the distractions of life, you can fortify your most important relationship and work toward building wonderful memories together, for decades to come.

The Weekend to Remember marriage retreat is not a large group counseling session or small group discussion. You won’t be asked to share intimate details of your relationship with anyone.

You will listen to engaging talks from marriage experts , then take private time alone with your spouse to work on the concepts you studied. When you leave, you will have an assortment of powerful, Christ-centered communication tools to use for years to come.

Learn how to:

  • Address issues as they arise, rather than letting resentments fester
  • Express feelings positively, so your partner remains engaged in the discussion
  • Resolve conflict in healthy, biblical ways
  • Maintain a vital sexual connection with one another
  • Forgive one another freely and completely
  • Increase your commitment to your marriage, resulting in deeper intimacy

We want you to leave your marriage retreat with encouragement, hope, and practical tools to build and grow your relationship. That’s why we call this a Weekend to Remember. Register today and use our group code: CedarHillsCommunity

Event Schedule:

Friday 7pm – 9:35pm
Friday evening is an introduction to the weekend. You will meet the weekend’s speakers who will show you exactly how to pursue a marriage that really works through stories of their own breakthroughs and blunders.
Sessions: Why Marriages FailCan We Talk?

Saturday 8am – 4:40pm
Saturday is a day to delve into God’s Word and learn time-tested tools to help strengthen your marriage. Beyond the great content you’ll also have various one-on-one applications and “Date night” for you and your spouse.
Sessions: Unlocking the Mystery of MarriageFrom How to WowWhat Every Marriage NeedsWe Fight Too & Marriage After Dark

Sunday 9am – 12:15pm
Sunday morning, we speak to men and women separately and reconvene to discuss your legacy; then close out the weekend.
Sessions: Woman to Woman / Man to Man & Leaving a Legacy.  Register today and use our group code: CedarHillsCommunity

Hotel Information

FamilyLife recommends that you enhance your getaway experience by staying overnight at the getaway hotel. If you call the hotel to make a reservation, mention you are attending FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember to get the special getaway hotel room rate and other discounts.

Cedar Rapids Marriott
1200 Collins Rd NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-2008
Hotel phone: 319-393-6600
Special getaway hotel room rate: $109.00/ night available until 10/19/2018 (subject to availability) book room for getaway
Parking or other fees: Check with the hotel about additional fees. *Hotel, meals, parking, and other fees not included in the registration price.

Bright Spot – Family Promise

“Thanks so much to the 40 volunteers from Cedar Hills who helped host a family at our church through Family Promise. This week was a huge success! It was incredible to see such an awesome team effort! The family was very appreciative to all of you for your kindness and hospitality! They told me over and over how blessed they were to meet all of you and to have the chance to stay at our church. The kindness you showed the family is a key part of what makes Family Promise a successful program.” ~ Bruce Boldt, leader

October Women’s Retreat

Saturday, Oct 13 at Cedar Hills Community Church.

Join us for a time of rest and relaxation as we explore the truth of Jesus’ unending love.

Doors open at 8:30 AM; program begins at 9 AM-3 PM (lunch provided).
Fee of $20 is due at registration. Register in the church Gathering Space Sept 16, 23 or 30.

For more information, contact Joyce Firzlaff, 310-4552.

Donating Items

We are blessed to be a part of a very giving congregation. At Cedar Hills, we invite non-perishable food or hygiene donations for the Open Hands Food
Pantry. The pantry doesn’t have space to be a donation site for other types of items. Please take other items directly to:

Medical Items?
Donate to: Grace Episcopal Medical Lending Closet.
Contact: 362-1929

Clothing, jewelry, purses, baby equipment, and some furniture?
Donate to: Treasures.
Contact: 364-1988
(*larger items to Salvation Army)

Building Materials?
Donate to: Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Contact: 319-294-1500

Thank you for delivering directly to an organization, who is better equipped to distribute these types of items. If you have other ideas,
contact Jennifer to share: 396-6608.

Love. Belong. Serve.