Due to the extreme cold, Noah’s Ark Preschool classes are cancelled for Friday, Jan. 5th.
Family & Children Ministry – January 2018 Update
Parents are called to nurture faith in their children. This call is not simple or easy. Our goal is to do everything within our power as a congregation to walk with parents and give them the tools they need to accomplish this vital task so that children will develop a life-long faith in Jesus. This task is so big and so important that we are pursuing a full-time Director of Family and Children Ministries. This position will be responsible for the oversight of ministry to families with children, birth through 5th Grade. The primary role for this position is to help parents in their call to disciple their children and equip others
to intentionally focus on developing children into life-long followers of Jesus. (Make disciples who make disciples—Matthew 28:18-20).
The essential duties and responsibilities include:
- Encourage, empower, and equip parents to actively nurture the faith of their children.
- Equip adults who love children to disciple children (goal 5 adults to 1 child).
- Develop teams to build a family-based discipleship ministry.
- Oversee teams by giving spiritual care, vision, recruitment assistance, and volunteer training.
We are hopeful that we will fill this position in early 2018. In January all the current programs—Cross Training, Explorers, Nursery, and All-Stars for Jesus will resume. Watch the bulletin for the latest updates. Your prayers for wisdom in this transition process are very much appreciated!
~ The Transition Team
Worship/Media January Update
For All That You Have Done
by Rend Collective; © 2014 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing); CCLI#648382
Your grace will never be forgot.
Your mercy, all my life,
will be my soul’s forever song,
my story and my light.
From mountain top to valley
low, through laughter and
through tears, surely the goodness of my God
will follow all the years.
For all that You have done for us,
for every battle won
we’ll raise a song to bless Your heart,
for all that you have done.
In all our failures and regrets,
You’ve always led us home.
Redemption’s arm has raised us up,
our triumph in the storm.
In unity we’ll stand as one, as family we’ll go
shoulder to shoulder,
hand in hand into the great unknown.
I love this song. It’s sung to the tune of auld lang syne and written by the worship band Rend Collective. I’ve never known anyone to write new lyrics to this tune…and kind of wish I had thought of the idea first! The tune itself triggers the idea of new beginnings and fresh starts.
New year, new beginnings, new season of seeking after the heart of Jesus. We’re committed to dwelling in the Word for this entire year and will carry on in this commitment. How has your Bible knowledge changed over the last few months? How have your Bible study habits changed? We’re always looking for stories of how God is at work. If you have something to share, let us know! Your story may be the key that unlocks a new beginning for someone else.
~ Leah
Director of Worship & Media
Journey – January 2018 Update
The Journey student ministry had a busy end to the year with different service and fundraising activities. In January, keep your eyes and ears open for our annual super bowl sub sale. We would love to make some sandwiches for you for game day.
As we walk into this new year, many of us have thought of something we would like to do differently. You may have even heard the phrase, “New Year, New You.” This year I want to encourage you to live according to Ephesians 4:24. The NLT says it this way, “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” In Da Jesus book we read this version:
“You guys gotta start fo live da new kine way. God wen make dat new kine life so you guys can come jalike him. Den you guys goin be fo real an be good an spesho fo God, an live da true way.”
This year may your new you be molded and sculpted by the creator of the universe who knows exactly how and why he made you.
~ Jeremy Van Genderen
Director of Youth & Young Adults
Weekly Readings – Jan. 7-13, 2018
Jan 7 – Matthew 8
Jan 8 – Matthew 9
Jan 9 – Matthew 10
Jan 10 – Matthew 11
Jan 11 – Matthew 12
Jan 12 – Matthew 13
Jan 13 – Matthew 14
Next Week:
Jan 14 – Matthew 15
Jan 15 – Matthew 16
Jan 16 – Matthew 17
Jan 17 – Matthew 18
Jan 18 – Matthew 19
Jan 19 – Matthew 20
Jan 20 – Matthew 21
Noah’s Ark Update – January 2018
What a great month we’ve had at preschool. We were very busy learning about the first Christmas. All
the classes visited with Pastor Kent and he told them about that special night that Jesus was born. Acting
out the very first Christmas was a big highlight for the children and families. Thank you to all who attended.
Thank you to all the generous families who donated items to help preschool! Thank you for the teachers’ gifts, too.
Registration for our 2018-2019 school year is open to everyone. If you know someone who needs information, have them stop by our office or call us at 396-3125 or visit: www.noahsarkcr.org.
In January the 4-year-olds will begin their testing. These tests are designed to be fun and playful and non-stressful. Testing will help the teachers give an accurate report card for parents so they may decide if Kindergarten or Alternative-Kindergarten is best for their child. It also helps parents identify some areas they may wish to work on with their child.
Thank you for supporting Noah’s Ark Preschool. We feel very blessed to be doing something that we love and sharing God’s Word.
In Christ,
~ Leslie
Director of Noah’s Ark Preschool
No classes Jan. 2 due to cold weather
Noah’s Ark Preschool classes are cancelled Jan. 2, 2018 due to the extreme cold. Stay home and stay safe!
Weekly Readings Dec. 31, 2017- Jan. 6, 2018
$329 Donated From Staff Ugly Sweater Competition
On Dec. 10, 2017 the Cedar Hills Staff took part in a friendly “Ugly Sweater” competition. Staff dressed in their best/worst ugly Christmas sweater attire, and the Cedar Hills community had a chance to vote for their favorite sweater combo. The pics were up, the red kettles out, and Cedar Hills voted! Our office administrator, Jennifer took the title for the ugliest sweater, but the real victory is the donation we were able to make from the contest to the Salvation Army. Earlier today we presented our competition earnings to the Salvation Army with great joy!
Earlier this month Cedar Hills took a day of bell-ringing at the 16th Ave Fareway – and brought in the most donations for that day! Between the ugly sweaters and our kettle ringers, we were able to raise almost $1000 for the Salvation Army.
We are happy and blessed to be able to partner with our friends in the Salvation Army and appreciate the wonderful work they do in our community.
New Cross Training Classes begin Jan. 7
A new set of Cross Training classes begin Sunday, Jan. 7. Classes meet at 9:45 in between services. Register online or in the Gathering Space on Sunday mornings.
CLASS 1: Love Walked Among Us
We claim to follow Jesus, but do we really understand what he was like as a person? Jesus displayed a love unlike any the world has ever seen. Compassionate, honest, powerful and sacrificial—love walking among us. In this course, we’ll get to know Jesus better by observing his life and love as they unfold in the Gospels. We’ll discover how to love someone when you get no love in return; how to love without being used by another person; how Jesus moves us from shame to forgiveness; and how Jesus’ unlimited grace changes the world. Register now.
CLASS 2: Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University
THE SMARTER WAY TO MANAGE YOUR MONEY: It’s not fun living paycheck to paycheck. Enjoy your money without owing it so someone else.
SAVE FOR THE FUTURE: Get proactive! Build and emergency fund and invest with confidence.
MAKE A GREAT TEAM: Create a helpful budget that works for you AND your spouse. Learn to plan, save and grow together.
You will need to purchase an FPU kit for class if you don’t already have one. The church has purchased ten kits at a discounted price of $77.50. This is a reduced price from the standard price of $109. Scholarships are available for any wanting to participate but need financial assistance. When signing up for the class, please indicate if you need a kit. Register now.
CLASS 3: Believe
Grounded in carefully selected scripture, Believe is a unique spiritual growth experience that takes you on a journey to think, act, and more more like Jesus. This class walks you through the ten key Beliefs of the Christian Faith, the ten key practices of a Jesus-follower, and the ten key Virtues that characterize someone who is becoming more like Jesus. Every believer needs to ask these three questions: WHAT DO I BELIEVE? WHAT SHOULD I DO? WHO AM I BECOMING? Each class uses short topical biblical passages to help you live the story of the Bible. As you continue your journey, one simple truth will become undeniably clear: what you believe drives everything. Register now.