All posts by Cedar Hills Community Church

Pledge of Neighborliness

Pledge of Neighborliness

While reading the latest news about one of our ministry partners (Matthew 25), I discovered they had an initiative to help people become more neighborly. Only 3 out of 10 people across America say they know their neighbors.

We are the kind of people who are called to love our neighbors. It is the second great commandment. It seems to me that we can’t love our neighbors if we don’t know them. Matthew 25 encourages neighborliness with the Front Yard Club. Here are some of the pledges of Front Yard Club Members:

  • Foster a welcoming front yard.
  • Make time in your week to be in your front yard.
  • Be a steward for the health and safety of your neighborhood.
  • Have fun!

Front Yard Club Membership sounds easy enough and these items made me think of a couple more:

  • Smile at everyone you see.
  • Greet everyone who walks past.
  • Listen for Holy Spirit promptings.

And, as I pondered neighborliness, it struck me that we can smile, greet, and listen to people everywhere we are. Home, school, work, the park, the gym, the store – even at church – we could be better neighbors.

What do you think? Ready to take the pledge?

Kent Landhuis
Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

    Let Go and Let God

    Let Go and Let God

    Do you often find yourself holding onto something that happened in the past? Whether it is betrayal, pain, trauma, or even a mistake someone made, we have all experienced offense in one way or another. Often times those memories linger at the back of our minds, causing us to ruminate over them. I have been told many times by close friends that I am ‘too trusting’. Given my personality and the way I am wired, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt  until my trust is broken. I think it is fair to say that we learn the hard way at times. Offense can lead to bitterness, envy, malicious thoughts, anger, and vengeance. These are not characters of the Holy Spirit. Instead, the Bible reminds us in Colossians 3:13 to “bear with one another and forgive one another.” The Lord’s Prayer says to “forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors.” This is not to condone what the offenders did, but instead choose to release the offense from your heart. By doing so you begin to feel a peace that surpasses all understanding. This year God has been inviting me to guard my heart and restrict access. “Above all, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).

    Here are some ways to ‘Let go and let God’:

    • Remember that hurt people hurt people. We are all broken people in need of God’s mercy and grace.
    • Set healthy boundaries. By doing so, you honor yourself.
    • Be in community; there is power in sharing your story. “We overcome by the blood of the lamb, and the words of our testimony” (Revelation 12:11).
    • Surrender the offense to God, and allow Him to heal your wounds.
    • Pray for your offender. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31).

    Frankline “Franky” Tshombe
    Children’s Church Leader

    Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry, or learn something new?  Let Frankline know.

      Lent at Cedar Hills

      The season of Lent begins Ash Wednesday and runs until Easter Sunday.  Ash Wednesday is Feb. 14, 2024.

      During Lent, we will gather on Wednesday nights for a meal (5:15-6:15pm) followed by a short 30-35 min time of worship in the Worship Center. (Please kindly RSVP for the meal weekly in the Sunday bulletin using the bulletin response form.)

      On Ash Wednesday, we will have a time of worship concluding with receiving the ashes on the forehead.

      During Holy Week, we will gather on Thursday evening instead of Wednesday to celebrate Maundy Thursday together.

      Easter services will be 8:30, 9:45 and 11am.  There will be no Sunday classes on Easter Sunday.

      Wednesday Prayer Meetings

      **PRAYER MEETINGS DURING LENT**

      February 14, 2024 to March 31, 2024 we will be meeting on site in the back of the Worship Center following the midweek worship services.  (MORE ABOUT LENT AT CEDAR HILLS)

      REGULAR PRAYER MEETINGS – Wednesdays at 6:30pm in the Zoom app (details below). Everyone is welcome to come! Even if you are uncomfortable praying out loud, come and agree with us in prayer.

      Join Zoom Meeting
      https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5243529410

      • Meeting ID: 524 352 9410
      • Password: Cedarhills

       

      How Do We Count Success?

      How do we count success?

      At some point, while suffering through the frigid weather last week – I think it might have been in the middle of Steve’s sermon on the abundance of creation – I wondered “How many snowflakes does it take to make a snowman?”

      Google said it takes 10,000 but that sounds like way too few. Of course, it depends on the size of the snowman, doesn’t it? Snowflakes in a snowman seem like a tough thing to count.

      It can also be tough to count “success in ministry.” Traditionally we count three “b’s” – bucks, buildings, and backsides. (ABC’s – attendance, buildings, cash.) That doesn’t really get to it because we are actually interested in fruit. We might invest a lot of money, steward fine buildings, and involve a lot of people, and not see any fruit.

      I’ve been thinking about how we might count fruitfulness at Cedar Hills. (Things traditionally never on anyone’s radar.) What if we counted:

      • Shopping carts…
      • Butt cans (for cigarette butts)…
      • Pizzas consumed (or donuts)…
      • French reporters asking about our politics…
      • Intergenerational conversations…
      • Prayers (and pray-ers)…
      • Meals shared with one another…
      • Hugs…

      These may or may not be things expected in ministry, but they are all part of ours – and part of our success in the past year! We like to count and we like to measure success. What would you count as a measure of our success? (Let me know!)

      The Lord be with you,

      Kent Landhuis
      Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

      Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

        How Resilient Are You?

        How Resilient Are You?

        As one year rolls into another I like to do a review. How did I fair in the past year? How did our congregation fair?

        We are on a mission to make disciples who flourish. I recently learned that some people call flourishing disciples “resilient disciples.” Resilient disciples…

        • …attend church at least monthly and engage with their church more than just attending worship services.
        • …trust firmly in the authority of the Bible.
        • …commit to Jesus personally and affirm that he was crucified and raised from the dead to conquer sin and death.
        • …express a desire to transform the broader society as an outcome of their faith.

        Does this describe you? If not you might be a “habitual churchgoer.” (You have attended church at least once in the past month, but do not have foundational core beliefs or behaviors associated with being a resilient disciple.) Or you might be a nomad. (You have not attended church during the past month and have not been involved with a faith community for six months or more.)

        If you are taking stock – this matters. Those who claim to be Christian but do not have resilience do not flourish. To see the data on why this matters, look at what the Barna researchers discovered.

        How resilient are you? Right now is the best time to re-engage and find flourishing by following Jesus!

        May the Lord be with you,

        Pastor Kent

         

        Kent Landhuis
        Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

        Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

          The Word Became Flesh

          The Word Became Flesh

          I mostly take my body for granted even though most of my daily rhythms involve taking care of my body. Waking and sleeping, dressing and undressing, eating and drinking, working out and avoiding a workout – these things I do (or don’t do) mostly without much thought.

          As I’m prepping for the Christmas season, I’ve focused more on the significance of our bodies. The wonders of our flesh and blood complexity and the frustrations of our physical Iimitations. We are more than our bodies, certainly, but not less. Our bodies matter.

          Genesis 2:7 says, “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” I recently noticed that God made Adam’s body first and then God breathed life into it. The body was not an afterthought created to hold the disembodied person that was Adam. Adam’s body mattered.

          And now – the Incarnation. God made flesh and blood. (John 1:14) Jesus became a man. His body is not merely a container designed to hold God for a while. Jesus is fully divine AND fully human. Always. We celebrate Jesus made flesh at Christmas. Made flesh – of all things – as a baby. Jesus’ body matters.

          Merry Christmas,

          Kent

          P.S. 2023 Advent Season

          December 3 – Word Made Flesh – resurrection and return.

          December 10 – Word Made Flesh – life and death sorrow.

          December 17 – Word Made Flesh – water into wine feasting.

          December 24 – Word Made Flesh – the flesh is weak…temptation.

          Christmas Eve – Candlelight Services @ 3 and 5 – Word Made Flesh – Baby.

          December 31 – Word Made Flesh – massacre of innocents and sympathy.

          Kent Landhuis
          Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

          Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

            Giving Season

            Giving Season

            It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the time of year when every day I receive mail, emails, and texts from various organizations requesting donations. Charities, ministries, animal shelters, foundations, humanitarian causes, nonprofit institutions – they are all asking for gifts.

            This annual barrage of requests for my money used to annoy the heck out of me. But I’ve been rethinking this in two ways. First, I give thanks that so many organizations commit to making our world a better place. Nonprofit organizations do so much good! Second, I give thanks that so many generous people give to support these important causes. Did you know that individuals donated $319.04 billion in 2022? That’s billion!

            Did you also know that December giving accounts for roughly one-fourth (26%) of annual nonprofit revenue? That includes the church and we are a 100% donor-funded organization. We have no trusts or endowments or corporate sponsorships. We depend on the generosity of God’s people for all of our resources.

            We are making the world a better place. We offer hope to a world in need of hope. We feed the hungry and encourage the outcast. We help every generation flourish in faith. We make a difference and we depend on your generosity to make that happen. Your giving to Cedar Hills matters.

            I am so thankful to be part of a congregation committed to making the world a better place. And I am so thankful to be part of a congregation of generous people. And I am so thankful it is giving season.

            But wait there’s more. God promises blessings to those who give generously. Consider this great promise in 2 Corinthians 9:6 – “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

            The Lord be with you,

            Pastor Kent

            P.S. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).

            Kent Landhuis
            Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

            Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

              Peacemakers

              Peacemakers

              Just now I couldn’t stop myself from clicking on a post entitled, “The Most Controversial Foods in America.” While waiting for the blog to open, I wondered if there was any issue that people don’t divide over. In case you are wondering, the most polarizing food in America is anchovies (followed closely by black licorice, oysters, beets, blue cheese, and okra).

              Every year at this time I say something about the state of the church and I am proud to say that we, the church known as Cedar Hills Community, are growing as peacemakers. Peacemakers seek peace – especially by reconciling adversaries. Peacemakers don’t avoid controversy but instead, enter difficult spaces with the hope of building bridges.

              The place I’ve seen the most peacemaking has been in intergenerational relationships. Many of you sought out people of another generation – not to argue with – but to pray for and pray with. It has been a beautiful bridge-building season. Uniting, not polarizing.

              Psalm 145:4 says, “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” The goal of our intergenerational focus was to tell each other about God’s mighty deeds. We did this and one of the fruits of this – which I did not see coming – was the fruit of unity. One generation loved another.

              What a great place to be!

              Kent Landhuis
              Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

              Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

                Will You Be 38?

                Will You Be 38?

                On our recent fall retreat, at Lake View Camp, our middle schoolers were challenged to contemplate the miracles of Jesus. There are 37 recorded miracles of Jesus in the Gospels. The most poignant may be when four friends bring a paralytic to Jesus for healing in Mark 2.

                4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

                Jesus healed the paralytic when he saw the faith of his friends. Wow! Can we be like those friends? Can we be a part of the miracle God wants to do in someone else’s life? Ultimately, we were challenged to invite God to do miracle 38 in our lives. The miracle of new life, salvation, and sanctification talked about in Ephesians 2.

                4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.

                As I reflected on the retreat worship time I wrote a series of Haiku. I’d like to share them all with you.

                 

                Thirty-seven times

                Jesus showed His godly might

                Are you thirty-eight?

                He demonstrated

                Power over creation

                Health, and even life

                Jairus’ daughter

                Jesus wept, Lazarus lived

                Widows only son

                Dead in sin, BUT GOD!

                Children under wrath, BUT GOD!

                But God’s rich mercy

                 

                Steve Poole
                Pastor of Youth & Young Adults

                What did you think of this article? Did you laugh? Cry? Learn something new? Let Steve know below.