Bright Spot, Cedar Chips, Family Adventure, Family and Children Ministry, Marriage and Family, News, Transform the Corridor

Children & Family Ministry – 2018 in Review

Annual Report – Special Edition

The past nine months of ministry that I have experienced here at Cedar Hills as the Children and Family Director has been nothing short of a remarkable experience. An experience that I am incredibly grateful for! My family and I, have been received with incredible warmth and immense support. In every portion of the ministry, there are volunteers, who are gifted and passionate about serving the littlest kiddos of the church!  It was such a blessing to be able to step into such a strong ministry and to be able to take the time to learn the culture around the church. On top of that, the kids of this church are so eager and excited to be able to learn and fellowship together.

The months of Fall have seen a few changes in the ministry, most specifically around the formal programming of this ministry. We’ve began a twice-a-month programming, affectionately call Family Adventure. The meetings are broken into two specific parts. The first part is an activity for the entire family (Either the 2nd Wed or Sat of each month), designed to allow families to share a fun and memorable experience together. The second part is an up-tempo experience (The last Sunday of the month) that focuses on unpacking the monthly theme and how it ties into enhancing family discipleship. Each theme this year has been centralized around the life and ministry of Jesus, studying Scriptures of how he lived out that particular characteristic. So far, we have covered, how Jesus was…missional and brave. For the month of November, we will be covering thankful and in December the theme will be loving. Our ultimate hope for this particular programming, is to afford families more time and encourage intentionality towards modeling a gospel-centered life.

We can’t wait to see what God has in store for the ministry!

Kyle French
Director of Family and Children’s Ministry

 

Bright Spot, Cedar Chips, News, Worship

Recounting God’s Goodness: Worship 2018

Annual Report – Special Edition

Where does one start to recount the goodness of God?

I can start with our musical volunteer base! We have always had a plethora of volunteers within the worship ministry. Between musicians and singers, our worship teams in both services are fully staffed and then some. And even on weeks when regular musicians are out of town, we have a great ‘standby’ list of those who are ready to jump in and fill in the ranks.  God is good!

I can boast about our tech team and their dedication to helping us worship with flawless sound, computer and light execution. I can boast how they make us all look good on stage and inspire us with beautiful lighting and staging. I can recount their thoroughness of getting sermon recordings created, posted online each week, and CDs distributed. I can praise God for how they fill in for the many events that happen outside of a Sunday morning—children’s events, weddings, funerals, rentals, women’s events and meetings. God is good!

I can give thanks for other worship leaders who spend great time in lessons and preparation, working with me one-on-one to develop their craft and lead us on Sunday mornings in my absence, taking careful skill to get their parts ‘just right’.

I praise God for the creative-artsy types who meet to dream up the next staging concept.  Who help us to see God through the arts and colors and stage designs.  I am thankful for their behind-the-scenes leadership and the projects they maintain and develop. (Wait till you see what’s in store for Advent!)

I can give thanks for new musical ministries popping and the possibilities for more to find a home within worship ministries.  And I am thankful for the relationships we hold as brothers and sisters in Christ, working together to help His people worship.

Leah
Director of Worship & Media

 

Bright Spot, Cedar Chips, Family and Children Ministry, Journey, News

Journey – October 2018 Update

Annual Report – Special Edition

2018 was a great year for Journey Student Ministry.  Here are just some highlights.

  • Skyzone Outreach night that had nearly 100 students attend and hear the gospel.
  • Power Connection weekend in Kansas that saw our junior high students grow in a deeper understanding of integrity.
  • CSI: Cedar Rapids – A week of mission work in Cedar Rapids that our Sr. High group engaged in with Prayer, Service and Evangelism.
  • 50 students attended our Fall Kick-Off and heard what God is doing in our community.
  • We are currently planning for the 7th annual Fall Retreat in November called To Da Max!

In 2019, we are happy to join the church mission in Transforming the Corridor. We will continue to do this through prayer and gospel conversations. Over the next year we are going to focus on how Paul encouraged the local churches to transform their communities by studying the books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians.

Our prayer, as always, is to see students grow in their faith and also experience other students come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Please join with me in prayer for what God has in store for Journey this year!

Jeremy Van Genderen
Director of Youth & Young Adults

 

Cedar Chips, Consistory, News

Meet the 2018 Elder Nominees

Annual Report – Special Edition

(We will vote for these nominees at our Annual Celebration – Sunday, Nov. 4 at 12:05, immediately after the 2nd worship service.  Come for cinnamon rolls and a quick 25 minute meeting.)

Elder Nominees

Bruce Crowther

Bruce became a member in 2006 and he has been a big part of Cedar Hills Church; he sets an example of using his gifts to serve. He has previously been a Youth Leader, sharing his passion for Jesus to encourage senior high students. He has also served as an Elder. He continues to serve on the Worship Team, and he is known to pitch in wherever needed, such as preparing communion for the services, helping out as a griller for fundraiser events, and pitching in to help with projects.

Robin Joens

I became a Christian as a young child. My family always talked about our faith and how God was part of everything we did. To grow in my relationship with God, I regularly attend Sunday services, participate in adult Sunday School and small group Bible study, read the Bible, and pray a lot. I believe reaching people in God’s name is important. As Christians we need to share God’s love with everyone and be Jesus to them.

Gary Mills

I was raised in a Christian home and have known Christ as my Savior for as long as I can remember. I made a public confession of faith as an 8th Grader. Currently, I attend and lead/co-lead 2 small groups, as well as mentor the “Parenting Together” class.

In the past, I have been an Elder and have taught Cross Training. I believe the core values of Cedar Hills are “spot on.” They are Biblical, have the right purpose (to glorify God) and drive our congregation in a clear (yet simple) way. The essential beliefs mean to hang onto God’s love, trust and accept the gift of salvation through Jesus, call on the power of the Holy Spirit, and go beyond our walls to share God’s love with all people.

Deacon Nominees

Melissa (Mel) Dahm

My Christian faith was the way/truth that I’ve been taught since birth and has been a steady journey through my life. Currently, I serve on Worship Team, Choir, Atmosphere Team, and just started helping with Children’s Messages this fall. The essential beliefs of the church mean to me that we were made in God’s image and free of sin. The sin we’ve experienced is our own doing and our responsibility to own and change our lives back to God’s image, no matter what circumstances today’s world throws at us.

John Davidson

My family (my wife Candi and our daughters, Sidney and Sophie and I) became members in 2010. My family attends church together regularly and focuses on saying a prayer at our evening meals together. Last year, Candi and I led a session of The Marriage Course. Several years ago, I participated in a trip with the Missions Team to Joplin, MO to help with the rebuilding there.

Josh Oberembt

I grew up in the Catholic church, but grew apart from the church after high school. It wasn’t until Melissa and I got married that I returned. We attended another church, but found that it didn’t really make us feel like a part of God’s family. We found Cedar Hills while searching for a new church and were struck by how welcoming it was. I’ve believed in God since I was a small child, but since joining Cedar Hills in 2012, my relationship with Him has been strengthened. I currently serve on the Tech Team and help with the Family Adventures. I’ve also served in the Nursery, CCB Implementation Team and helped with computer upgrades and troubleshooting.

Cedar Chips, News

State of the Church: Flux

Annual Report – Special Edition

A Greek guy named Heraclitus of Ephesus is famous for saying, “No man ever steps in a river twice.” That is philosophy speak for “There is nothing permanent except for change.” In our world today we not only see constant change, it feels like bigger changes come at us faster and faster. Large scale, rapid fire change can be very disruptive and stressful. Our congregation has experienced change over the past year and it is not a surprise that we are likely to see more change in the future. This can
be particularly unnerving as we often look to our faith to provide stability.

The comments of Jesus in Mark 8 help me navigate and prepare for change. In this passage, Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” This question points to the source of our hope in the midst of flux. “Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus is our stability in the middle of flux. As Jesus teaches his followers about true discipleship, he asks them, “What matters most?” (Mark 8:36-37). This question gives us a foundation that defines us no matter what comes.

Disciples live and die and rise again in Jesus. This living, dying, and rising means that we face every change with hope. Followers of Jesus deny self and take up a cross for the sake of transforming ourselves and our world. This has been our mission for years and it will continue even when staff, programs, or strategies change. The state of the church today is “in flux,” but we have the hope that comes from following Jesus. This is our hope for the future no matter what changes come!

Following Jesus into the flux with hope,
Pastor Kent

Bright Spot, Cedar Chips, Family and Children Ministry, Fundraiser, News

Celebrate God’s Work and Smile!

1. CELEBRATE GOD’S WORK AT CEDAR HILLS

Sunday, Nov 4, following 2nd service, 12:05-12:25, join us for a quick meeting and snack to celebrate what God is doing at Cedar Hills, plan for 2019, and affirm Nominees.
Elder Nominees: Bruce Crowther, Robin Joens, and Gary Mills
Deacon Nominees: Melissa Dahm, John Davidson, and Josh Oberembt

2. SMILE FOR THE NEW DIRECTORY

Did you schedule your picture appointment yet? If you get your pictures taken, you will receive: a FREE directory and FREE 10 x 13” picture. Schedule today by clicking on this link: https://pefx5seasons.brownbookit.com/schedules/CedarHillsCR

Important November Dates

WOMEN’S REVIVAL – Thursday, Nov 1, 6-8 PM, all women are invited to join us for a service project to fill boxes for Samaritan’s purse Operation Christmas Child. Please bring items to pack in boxes and a snack to share. If we have extra time, we will make handmade Christmas cards.

BOY SCOUT SPAGHETTI DINNER – Fri, Nov 2, serving from 5-7 PM in the Gathering Space. Freewill donation supports activities of Troop 85.

RETIREE BREAKFAST – Sat, Nov 3, 8:30 AM at 16th Ave Grill. RSVP to Joan Koele at 396-6510.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD – Boxes due Sun, Nov 11. Stop by the table in the Gathering Space on Sunday for more info. Brighten a child’s Christmas season and return your box by Sun, Nov 11. If you have your own shoebox, you can get started this week. Boxes available 11/4.

OPEN TABLE – Sunday, Nov 18 is our next meal after 2nd Service. Menu: soups, salads, and bread. Optional to bring a salad to share.

News, Worship

Sunday Nov. 4 Celebration

This Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 will be a unique Sunday and one you’ll not want to miss.  We’ll have regular services at 8:30am and 11am, but the sermon will be the “State of the Church” report – a celebration of what God is doing and vision-casting of where we think He is calling us in the next year.

Immediately following the 2nd service (around 12:05pm), all are invited to the Worship Center for cinnamon rolls, to vote on the 2019 budget and elect elders and deacons (what we call ‘consistory’ or ‘the board’).

This short gathering should only take 20 minutes, but is very important in the life of our church!

Whether you are new to Cedar Hills or have been around awhile, this Sunday is sure to inspire you and give you a greater feel for the life and vitality of what makes Cedar Hills unique.

Family and Children Ministry, Holiday, News

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child

Want to help transform the life of a child, all over the world?

Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has partnered with local churches around the world to deliver 157 million Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children in need in 160 countries. The boxes are packed full of fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items. Each box will be sent with prayer that the child who receives it will experience God’s love through their simple gifts. If you’d like to help, grab a shoe box from home, or grab one in the Gathering Space at Cedar Hills.  Fill it and return to the church by Sunday, Nov. 11.

This has been a great tradition at Cedar Hills and boxes go fast! If you have a shoe box at home to use, that would help us out.  Information and fliers will be available to help you know how to best fill your box beginning Sunday, October 28.

More about Operation Christmas Child

Love. Belong. Serve.