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Easter, Lent, News

Maundy Thursday at Cedar Hills

MIDWEEK SERVICES – On Wednesday nights until Easter (except for the week of Maundy Thursday) we have midweek worship services at 6:30pm.  These will run approximately 30 minutes with a meal beforehand.   There is also a meal served prior to the service 5:15-6:15pm.  Please kindly RSVP weekly to the office or on the bulletin response if you plan to attend the meal.

MAUNDY THURSDAY – Thursday, April 17 at 6:30pm we will meet for worship to look at the last hours of Jesus’ life, worship and celebrate the Last Supper by taking communion.  This service will run approximately 40 minutes. Dinner served prior 5:15-6:16pm.  RSVP on the bulletin response.

EASTER WORSHIP – Sunday, April 20 at 8:30am & 11am.  The 8:30am service will feature the traditional Easter hymns with choir and organ. The 11am service is modern worship.  There will be no Sunday classes on Easter Sunday.  Special kids’ Easter activities at 9:45am (including an egg hunt!)

Advent

Know What You Believe and Why You Believe It!

Know What You Believe and Why You Believe It!

At the start of the new year we like to embark on new quests. (Resolutions!) Did you know that in the Church calendar the first Sunday of Advent starts the new year? So, what’s your resolution?

Mine is to know God more. I’m using three tools on my quest:

  1. I’m using A Little Book on the Christian Life by John Calvin as a devotional guide.
  2. I’m pursuing Unexpected Encounters with God each Sunday in our worship services.
  3. I’m planning to complete the Bible Recap in 2025.

We are the kind of people who know what we believe and why we believe it. I am hoping that in the next year I will know God better than ever before. How about you?

The Lord be with you,

Kent Landhuis
Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

P.S. If you want to join the Bible Recap through the Bible App click here.

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

    Cedar Blog

    Who is in? Who is Out? Us or Them?

    Who is in? Who is Out? Us or Them?

    “Politics depends on the recognition of outsiders, yet the Christian church sees all people as potential members, indeed potential saints.”                       ~ Matthew Rose

    Everyone agrees that we live in a polarized and divided world. One reason for this is that we define people (mostly) by their political views. Countries, cities, neighborhoods, churches – even families – have been sharply divided about public policies (and politicians).

    Have you ever considered that Christianity offers the greatest hope for overcoming this division? We offer hope because we welcome all people regardless of race or background or political views. We offer hope because we serve God as a higher and greater authority than any worldly power.

    We who were once outsiders have been brought in. We are now family – sisters and brothers. And we invite everyone into the family. Everyone can be in.

    We just endured an intense election season and now we enter a season of change in government leadership and political philosophy. This shift may be a source of sorrow or celebration depending on your politics. But we all can celebrate (regardless of who wins any election in the present or future) because we have the hope of unity in a world trying to pit insiders against outsiders.

    We are ambassadors from another kingdom inviting others in. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their sins against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

    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.

      Cedar Blog

      Vote!

      Vote!

      We are citizens of two kingdoms – the kingdom of God and the kingdom of man. Our citizenship in God’s Kingdom calls us to care about what impacts our neighbors. We take our responsibility to vote seriously because it shapes our community.

      In the last few weeks, people have recommended some great resources to help me keep the election in perspective. It is a great time for all of us to think carefully about our civic responsibilities. One of the resources was Pastor Josh McPherson who suggested three levels of political issues:

      • Level 1 – Opinions. Some issues are a matter of personal preference and these issues we discuss and decide.
      • Level 2 – Wisdom. These policy issues may have better or worse outcomes, so we debate and discern.
      • Level 3 – Obedience. Some political issues have crossed the line into the realm of moral issues. These issues matter so much that we are called to declare and defend according to the Word of God.

      When you consider the political conversations you will have, it might help to clarify which level issue you are talking about. This will guide you into more productive interactions.

      And of course, think about these issues as you research your candidates in preparation to cast your vote intelligently. One of our voting responsibilities is to be informed voters. So, do your homework and vote!

      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.

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        RightNow Media

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        Looking for something to watch today?

        Need something for your next small group study?

        Do the kids need something other than Disney movies to watch?

        Cedar Hills has purchased a resource package with you in mind. RightNow Media is an extensive collection of children’s programming, small group Bible studies, videos, conference keynotes, and study materials that has something for everyone.  This digital streaming service has Biblical content that will help strengthen your faith and deepen your walk with God.

        RightNow Media is extremely accessible.  You can download the app to your phone, your Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV – pretty much anywhere.  If you haven’t signed up yet, do so today! You won’t regret it!

        Create your Right Now Media account – courtesy of Cedar Hills Community Church.

        Cedar Blog

        Rooted: A Resource for Small Group Leaders

        Rooted: A Resource for Small Group Leaders

        For years my men’s small group did what I call “no homework” lessons. We read a passage or used a handout that I passed out at the beginning of each small group and that way nobody had to feel bad about being unprepared.

        This year I offered a different plan. I suggested using the Rooted workbook which has daily readings and homework that we followed up with a group discussion when we met. The group blew me away in the thoroughness of their prep, they were very engaged, and reported loving our group time.

        After we completed that workbook they wanted to keep doing this style of lesson and so we are now using the second book The Story of God. It is a deeper dive into the whole story of scripture from Genesis to Revelation in 8 weeks. We love it! Doing the extra prep work has deepened our discussion and while not everyone completes all the daily work every week, everyone has plenty to add to the group discussion.

        Both books are from the Rooted Network. https://www.experiencerooted.com/

        Kent Landhuis
        Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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

          Cedar Blog

          What Were You Made For?

          What Were You Made For?

          Growing up we get asked questions like ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ or ‘What do you want to study in college?’ These questions have good intent and challenge us to think far ahead. When I think of what I was made for, I can’t help but think of Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God already prepared in advance for us to do.” This means that there is work that needs to get done before we leave this earth. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to die with any potential left in me. I want to make sure I maximize my time here on earth by using my gifts and talents for His glory.

          The Bible reminds us to give God the glory in all that we do. Whether you are a cashier at a store, a pastor, a nurse or a student, we are meant to give Him all the Glory at all times. The times we don’t feel like giving Him Glory, we have got to do it either way. We were made for so much more than ourselves. As believers we are meant to point people to Christ.

          I challenge you to look for ways to point someone to Christ this week. It may be sharing a scripture on social media, inviting someone to church, or offering to pray for them. In our spheres of influence, let us be intentional about sharing what Christ is doing in our lives. The world is in desperate need of the gospel, and it is our duty as believers to answer the call. That is what we were made for.

          Frankline “Franky” Tshombe
          Children’s Church Leader

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

            Cedar Blog

            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.

              Cedar Blog

              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.