Cedar Chips, Journey, News

Journey – February 2019 Update

In early January, I spent 10 days learning about the culture and ministry on the border of the United States and Mexico. I admit that I went on this trip with a bad attitude. I didn’t want to be away from my family for ten days, I didn’t want to just hear the political banter back and forth and I didn’t know most of the people on my trip. As always, God has a way of showing up and flipping everything upside down. Each day as we spent time in the gospel of Mark, God opened His Word to me personally and as I listened to the group. This soon became one of my favorite times during the trip, as men and women of God were speaking His truth to each other. There is power in dwelling in the word with others!

Two other thoughts that I brought back from this experience were to meet real needs instead of assumed needs, and to be content in all things. My lesson in contentment came on our third night there as we drove down a dark dirt road into a neighborhood with tin homes and no lights. We pulled up to a cinder block home and stepped out of the van into darkness. As we opened the door, the light from a few bulbs and the heat from a wood burning stove met us with warmth, but what was even warmer still were the smiles of the family inviting us into their humble home. This family of four exuded hospitality, contentment, and peace. Something that, if we are honest, is not experienced much in America. Most homes are filled with the stress of busy schedules and things to get done. This family welcomed 12 strangers into their home for a meal and fellowship.

There are so many stories I would love to share, let me know if you would like to hear more and I will try to set up a special presentation. My hope, returning from this trip, is to be more content, be more hospitable, and to know others well enough to be able to meet real needs instead of assumed needs. I welcome anyone interested in joining me on this mission, to sit down and talk.

~ Jeremy Van Genderen
Director of Youth and Young Adults

Cedar Chips, News, Worship

Identity in Christ

Have you ever had a testimony burning in your heart that you just couldn’t help but share?

I’ve been pondering victory and my identity in Christ a lot lately. I shared a few Sundays ago how for years I would ask God for victory in certain areas of my life and used multiple versions of the same type of prayer for years. “God, help me with this thing!” was the gist of it.

And then it dawned on me that was asking for something that God had already given me! As a follower of Jesus, I have certain rights and blessings already established. I didn’t need to keep asking for them—they are already mine in Jesus! I needed to STAND on them.

So my prayer changed. No longer “God, can I have this thing…” It became “God, I stand on Your Word and declare that I have victory already in Jesus!”. Even when I wasn’t feeling it. That became my prayer. And I continue to pray it until I truly believe it!

When I’m feeling down, I now pray, “I have a glorious hope in Christ Jesus!” whether I feel it or not. When the finances are tight, I praise Jesus for His great provision. Because He has already provided whether I can see it or not.

When I’m tempted, I often will say out loud, “I am victorious in Jesus!” or “I am a victor!” (This is usually me in front of the refrigerator). And yes, I really do say it out loud. Sometimes my kids think I’m nutty. I don’t care. I know who I am! I know my identity! And I won’t let doubt take that from me. I no longer whine before the throne of the Most High God—I commune with Him in all the benefits and joys of being a Beloved Daughter.

Do YOU know who you are in Christ?

~ Leah
Director of Worship & Media

Cedar Chips, News, Noah's Ark

Noah’s Ark Preschool – January 2018 Update

In January we began testing our 4-year-old classes. Testing is presented in a game format on a one-on-one basis with the teacher. Most children really enjoy the time with their teacher. After testing is completed, teachers will send out a final progress report. Then, each family will decide if Alternative Kindergarten or Kindergarten is best for their child. Our 3-year-old classes focused on spatial concepts, shapes, daytime/nighttime, and pockets. The younger classes have come a long way since September!

Noah’s Ark will have another blood drive for the Mississippi Valley at church on March 19. Please donate if you can.

Our 2018-2019 enrollment is underway. If you know someone who wants to register their child, please have them call preschool at 396-3125 or email us at [email protected]. Reminder: any CHCC active member whose child attends Noah’s Ark Preschool will receive 10% off tuition. We feel as a member you already support CHCC financially and Noah’s Ark, as a ministry of this church, wants to support your child’s Christian education.

If your child is attending AK or Kindergarten in the fall, you should be receiving a letter from your child’s school soon. If you have not been contacted, please call the school your child will be attending.

We are amazed with the amount of growth in the children already and feel privileged to be a part of their lives.

In Christ,
Leslie Clauson, Director

Cedar Chips, News

Missional Communities

We just completed our annual consistory retreat celebrating the leaders God has called to serve Cedar Hills. Our guest speaker, Dave Bartlett, raised our awareness of the two key callings we have as Elders, Deacons, and staff. We are called to grow and lead.

Our first priority as leaders is grow spiritually as we follow Jesus. We grow in our walk with God in the same ways we expect the congregation to grow. Our next priority is to lead as people surrendered to God’s plans for the congregation. It is God’s
church not ours, and so we lead with our hands open ready to receive from God. Leaders lead by surrendering to God’s leadership.

God has been leading us to grow a ministry to make disciples who make disciples in the everyday stuff of life. (Matthew 28:18-20) This means that we want every disciple to follow Jesus 168 hours every week. In 2018 we believe that God is calling us to grow disciples who make disciples by developing missional communities. Missional communities are committed to look out to those we live with every day—family members, co-workers, neighbors, classmates—and love them in intentional ways.

Missional communities are not an activity or program added to our already full lives, they are communities who take Jesus everywhere they go. Please pray for the Consistory and staff as we grow and lead! Pray for the vision of missional communities as we explore and discover God’s leading in the next year.

Cedar Hills Consistory

Cedar Chips, News

Gospel Saturation

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” ~ Habakkuk 2:14

This verse speaks of a day when the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Waters covering the sea! That’s saturation.

Later Jesus promised that “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’“ (John 7:28). Gospel saturation starts with lives filled with Jesus so that Jesus shapes everything we do every day. When this happens good news flows out of us to others. God’s plan is for the whole earth to be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord one day. This is gospel saturation.

God longs for the day when every man, woman, and child in every corner of the world will have a daily encounter with Jesus in word and deed through His people, the Church. Gospel saturation is God’s vision for the world. God plans to accomplish this vision through normal, everyday people saturated with the presence of Jesus in the everyday stuff of life.

Ephesians 2 describes this life: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

While most consider Ephesians 2:8-9, the key to making disciples, Ephesians 2:10 is often overlooked. Salvation by grace alone is a cornerstone of our faith and it is also clear that after receiving salvation by this grace, God-ordained, good works are sure to follow. According to Matthew 28, we make disciples of Jesus by “teaching them to obey everything,”

Jesus commanded. In his ministry, Jesus consistently performed unbiased acts of love and service, modeling compassion for all people. Jesus’ love for his neighbors was undeniable.  In the parable of the sheep and the goats, Jesus sets the expectation that true followers will care for the hungry, thirsty, isolated, imprisoned, or naked. (Matthew 25:31-46). These words cannot be ignored if we are making disciples who look like Jesus. Disciples who follow Jesus’ love.

Gospel saturation focuses on making disciples who make disciples who love in the everyday stuff of life. These disciples are equipped to do the works God desires (Ephesians 4:12) so that one day the whole world will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea.

Following Jesus,
Pastor Kent

Uncategorized

Daily Readings Jan. 28-Feb. 3

Post your insights using #dwellingwithJesus and @cedarhillscr. Have you seen the audio tab on these links? It’s a nice touch with a little music and a little drama.

Jan 28 – Mark 1
Jan 29 – Mark 2
Jan 30 – Mark 3
Jan 31 – Mark 4
Feb 1 – Mark 5
Feb 2 – Mark 6
Feb 3 – Mark 7

Next Week:

Feb. 4 – Mark 8
Feb. 5 – Mark 9
Feb. 6 – Mark 10
Feb. 7 – Mark 11
Feb. 8 – Mark 12
Feb. 9 – Mark 13
Feb. 10 – Mark 14

Uncategorized

Daily Readings Jan. 21-27

Jan 21   –  Matthew 22
Jan 22   –  Matthew 23
Jan 23   –  Matthew 24
Jan 24   –  Matthew 25
Jan 25   –  Matthew 26
Jan 26   –  Matthew 27
Jan 27   –  Matthew 28

Post your insights using #dwellingwithJesus and @cedarhillscr. Have you seen the audio tab on these links? It’s a nice touch with a little music and a little drama.

Next Week:

Jan 28 – Mark 1
Jan 29 – Mark 2
Jan 30 – Mark 3
Jan 31 – Mark 4
Feb 1 – Mark 5
Feb 2 – Mark 6
Feb 3 – Mark 7

Journey, Uncategorized

Order Super Bowl Subs

Get ready for the big game! Super Bowl Sunday is February 4, 2018. Support the youth and buy a made-to-order sub for game day.  Subs are 8″ and cost $6/each.  Orders are due Jan. 28.  Customize your order below including the option to pay online.

Order form closed! Pick up your subs on Sunday, February 4 in the Gathering Space.

 

Chiccs, News

CHICCS Women’s Ministry – Sweetheart Tea

Sat, Feb 3, at 2 PM—mothers, daughters, friends, sisters, and neighbors are all invited to enjoy Christian fellowship, tea, and goodies together! (Girls in Kindergarten or older invited). Dress up, be prepared to take some photos on site in the photo booth, and enjoy conversation with all the ladies!

RSVP below or in the Gathering Space on Sunday morning.

If you have tea pots or tea cups we could use for the event, please let us know on your registration form.

No Fields Found.
Missions Team

Baby Bottle Boomerang begins Jan. 14

What is Baby Bottle Boomerang?

babybottleBaby Bottle Boomerang is an opportunity for us to come together to support the mission and ministry of Bridgehaven. Through a Baby Bottle Boomerang campaign, we share in the work Bridgehaven is doing in the community.  Here’s how it works:

On Sunday, Jan. 14 a table will be set up in the Gathering Space topped with baby bottles. The bottles serve two purposes:

  1. They are a reminder to pray for the ministry of Bridgehaven.
  2. They can be filled with change, bills, or checks to financially support the ministry.
  3. We then bring the bottles back to the church, and return them to Bridgehaven.

They should be returned on Sunday, February 4 with any change, bills or checks to financially support the  ministry. Please remember to pray for Bridgehaven when you see the baby bottle in your home. Cover the ministry in prayer as it reaches out and ministers to women and men before, during and after pregnancy, particularly unintended pregnancies. You can also support the ministry by donating to and shopping at Treasures Quality Resale Shoppe. You can learn more about Treasures at www.treasurescr.com

Love. Belong. Serve.