All posts by Cedar Hills Community Church

Annual Report, Family and Children Ministry, News, Noah's Ark

Noah’s Ark Annual Report


We celebrated Leslie Clauson and her 16 years of service to Noah’s Ark. She retired at the end of May 2019. We ended the 2018-2019 school year with 46 students. There has been a decrease in numbers for several years due to the free 4-year-old preschool offered in the public schools. We continue to offer a quality Christian-based program and are blessed with an outstanding staff.

I would like to acknowledge Jan Fick’s 25th year as a Noah’s Ark Teacher last year. We have a staff of six. Jack Fick, Lead Teacher of the 4-year-old MWF (26 years), Lori Larson, Assistant Teacher of the 4-year-old MWF (13 years), Matt Houghkirk, Lead Teacher of the 3-year-old MWF, Darlene DeVries, Assistant Teacher of the 3-year-old MWF, Lorri Anderson, Assistant Teacher of the 3-year-old T/TH (5 years) and myself, Lead of the 3-year-old T/TH, and Lunch Bunch MWF (7 years).

Our board members for this school year are Allison Johnson (Deacon), Melissa Oberembt, Carrie Campbell, Sarah Lewis, Mellany Davis, Justina Conrad, Jan Fick, and myself. They are a dedicated
volunteer group that supports our school and meets monthly.

A budget was submitted for the 2019-2020 school year that was approved by the board, which includes
a donation to the church in December of $7,500. We anticipate ending the year with a very slight profit.
We have eight church families who send their children to our school this year. Our current enrollment is
at 48. We continue to recruit more students to fill our last five remaining spots.

Kris Crowther
Director of Noah’s Ark Preschool

Annual Report, News

Care Pastor Annual Report

“I Am the Vine, You Are the Branches”

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is who bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Jesus told the allegory of The Vine at the Last Supper. He promised to make us fruitful. When Jesus abides in us, and vice versa, the result is the interpenetration of his life with ours. But how does this actually work?

Jesus showed his disciples what “abiding in him” means by washing their dirty feet. Jesus asked, “Do you understand what I have done? . . . I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:3-16). We are inspired to serve each other “just as” Jesus served us.

Jesus teaches that we “will do the same works” he did–because “if you ask anything in my name I will do it” (John 14:12-14). Note the source of the disciples’ Christ-like deeds: Jesus will do it!

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. . . . You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide . . . .” (John 15:12-16)

It’s because we are chosen by Christ that we can imitate him. Disciples have only one task: to abide in the vine, obeying Jesus. Whatever we need to love one another will be given to us. Jesus’ called his first disciples to learn the Christly lifestyle by being “with him.” Today, Jesus reveals himself through you and me. Our church fellowship is where we “abide” in the vine and learn the ways of Jesus.

“They’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

Alan Crandall
Pastor of Care

Annual Report, Cedar Chips, Family Adventure, Family and Children Ministry, News

Children & Family Annual Report

With such a blessing of flexibility and grace from our families, the children’s ministry has undergone
quite a few changes. But we think, with the help of our families, we have found the “special sauce,” and are re-establishing our focus around the necessity of Family Discipleship. Before we move-on, let me explain what we mean by the term Family Discipleship:

In simplest terms, being a “disciple” of something means that you are buying into and embodying all that a specific leader is instructing. The addition of the “-ship,” is suggesting that you are a “disciple” for a given amount of time. In Christianity, that leader is Jesus Christ and the amount of time he requests, is for the rest of your life.

Therefore, Family Discipleship means that together as a family, whatever that looks like, we have committed to being lifelong followers of the Lord, Jesus Christ. We see family discipleship in a three-fold approach: 1) Gospel, 2) Community and 3) Mission. Practically speaking, this means, that discipleship, as a family and as an individual, we must desire to be more gospel-fluent, as well as experiencing and serving in community as much as possible.

White it’s a joyous task to walk with Jesus, and follow him wherever he may lead us, it can feel incredibly difficult and can actually be quite scary.

Unfortunately, we can’t say that Jesus won’t make you uncomfortable, but we believe that the church is meant to be the extended family that comes alongside you in this journey! Here’s a brief look at how we think that the church can come together with your family on this adventure:

Gospel: Sunday Classes, Providing Resources, Explorers Children’s Worship
Community: Parenting Together, Missional Communities, Monthly Events
Mission: Family Discipleship, Monthly Events, Monthly Supply Drives

Kyle French
Director of Family and Children’s Ministry

Annual Report, Cedar Chips, Music, News, Worship

Worship & Media Annual Report

When I think about the last year, I think about the spiritual journey we’ve been on in worship. Do any
of these topics ring a bell? King. Just Love. First Love. Transformation Vocabulary. Just Love Transforms. Margin. Life is. Grow the Good.

This year, we learned vocab to help us in our quest to transform the Corridor, intentionally becoming
disciples who make disciples in the everyday stuff of life, in those places we already exist!

And then we shifted our focus to the baby in the manger… a King, but not in the sense of glitz and
glamor and pomp and circumstance, but in hay and animal smells in a tiny village.

We learned what Biblical love is, the role of love in our spiritual growth and how to extend love to our
neighbors. We were challenged to fall in love again with our Lord, returning to that ’first love’, and then
letting the power of love transform us!

We learned white space is good, that we are prone to fill our lives with so much stuff and that we need
to dial back and get back to God as first place in our time and priorities. We learned of the abundant
life promised to us in John 10:10. What is life? Life is… Jesus! And now… Grow the Good. There is so
much happening at Cedar Hills. We’re asking:

“How can our building and our ministries continue to be a blessing to our neighborhood and our cities
for another 60 years?”

And then the songs! O the songs! Together we learned “Let Justice Roll”, “Boldly I Approach Your
Throne”, “Build My Life”, “New Life”, and “Here For You”; and our kids wowed us again and again
with “Wherever You Lead Me”.

2019 has been quite the journey for us! The joys, the sadness, the victories, the defeats… and yet we
can declare with confidence, “GOD IS GOOD!”

Leah
Director of Worship & Media

Annual Report, Cedar Chips, Family and Children Ministry, Journey, News

Journey Annual Report

2019 was a year of transition for Journey Student Ministry.

Jeremy Van Genderen wrapped up Spring Ministry at Cedar Hills in May, and headed off to Allison, IA to
assume the lead pastor role at Trinity Reformed Church. Jeremy set a great foundation for volunteers
to continue Youth Ministry over the summer, including Lead the Cause evangelism and discipleship training in Chicago. The search for a new Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry culminated in August with the hiring of Steve Poole!

Mission Statement:
Students transformed by a growing relationship with Jesus.

Key Elements:
1. Gospel-minded
2. Discipleship-based
3. Intergenerational relationships 5:1

What can you do?
Teenagers today need to know they belong to a community that is passionate about loving people.
Join the leadership team, mentor a teenager in their faith, attend some of their events to cheer them on,
or invite youth to work beside you in your ministry.

Steve Poole
Director of Youth & Young Adults

Annual Report

Annual Meeting Agenda – Nov. 3

Cedar Hills Congregational Meeting Agenda
November 3, 2019 – 12:10—12:30 PM

Purpose:

  • Inspire the congregation with God’s vision for Cedar Hills.
  • Inform the congregation about current state of ministry at Cedar Hills.
  • Affirm Elders, Deacons, and the budget for the coming year.

Welcome and Prayer – Lois Deerberg

Approval of 2018 Minutes as Distributed—Gary Mills

Cedar Hills Bright Spots—Pastor Kent

Financial Reports – Alan Brockette

  • Ministry Impact
  • 2019 Financial Overview and 2020 Budget

Affirmation of 2020 Budget—Lois Deerberg

Affirmation of Elders and Deacons—Lois Deerberg

Thanks and Closing – Pastor Alan

Uncategorized

State of the Church: Growing Good

“I am confident of this, He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…” (Philippians 1:6).

Last night I heard a testimony about God’s faithfulness in a time of personal crisis. When this individual encountered trauma, she discovered that God provided comfort, support, and hope through the community around her. Friends at Cedar Hills acted like family, wrapping their arms of love around someone in need. Thanks be to God!

While this testimony was one person’s story, it could be repeated countless times. God’s goodness, experienced through the hands and feet of a loving community, becomes real as we live out our lives of faith together. This is one of the many “goods” that God is growing in us and through us.

God is good and God’s faithfulness endures forever. God makes and keeps promises. God finishes what God starts.

For 60 years our congregation has experienced God’s goodness in times of joy and trauma. Thanks be to God!

As we plan for the future, we do so with confidence knowing that God’s love never changes. The truth and certainty of God’s unchanging character provides stability in times of change.

This is the foundation of our faith. “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

The Lord be with you,
Pastor Kent

Grow the Good Devotionals

Grow the Good – Day 8

Day 8

“Being confident of this, that He who began good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil. 1:6

Don’t you love Paul’s direct language?  His assurance?  He says he is “confident” that God will carry out His work in us.  He’s not saying, “I think God will work in you,” or “Maybe if you try hard enough, God might keep working in your life.”  He says He is confident.

Paul knew firsthand that God works in lives, and he was quick to admit that God’s work in his own life was not yet completed. Is God working in your life?  What would it look like if God’s good work in us was complete?  Because of our sinful nature, we will never know God’s “completed work” until we get to heaven.  Rest assured, God is working in your life whether you see Him or not, and this work of growing more Christ-like is not something we have to do all alone.  God began His work and He will carry it on to completion.

What does this “good work” look like for Cedar Hills Church?  It means God was with the founders of the church (began good work) and He is still working in our church today (carrying on to completion). He works through His building, His pastors and staff, those who serve, and through the body of Christ in the community. What ways do you see God growing Cedar Hills Church?   What ways do you see God growing you? What is your part in God’s good work?

Dear Father,

Thank You that we can say with confidence that You who began a good work will carry it on to completion. Show us how we can grow more like You. Thank You for not giving up on us, even when we may not see the plan.  Thank You for seeing the big picture and continuing to guide us until the day You return to take us to heaven.  We love You and praise you.  Amen.

-Lois Deerberg

 

Grow the Good Devotionals

Grow the Good – Day 7

Day 7

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1-3

We are fortunate today to attend Cedar Hills Church and to be able the hear the “good news”.  Did you ever think about this gift we have been given? This church came into being because men and women in the past saw the need and heard the call to start a church on Gordon Avenue. Then others had the vision of making Christ known more abundantly and the church and its message moved to E Avenue. We are here today worshiping God and sharing the love of Jesus thanks to those who went before us.  They didn’t give up. So how can we thank them?

I believe we do that every time we come to worship, share our talents and time, and tell those around us of Jesus and his love. We walk into the world and speak boldly of our faith because we have that cloud of witnesses that remind us, if God is for us then who can be against us!  Thanks be to God the perfecter of our faith!

Dear Lord,

Thank You for being there in the past of Cedar Hills Church, giving us the legacy of believers.  Thanks, too, for being with us today as we continue to spread the message of Your saving grace for us. Give us wisdom as we look to the future, so that as we pass on Your message, You, Lord, will continue to be glorified.  In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.  

-Karen Bronkhorst

 

Grow the Good Devotionals

Grow the Good – Day 6

Day 6

 “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him.” Phil. 1:29

 When we accept Christ as our personal Savior and place our trust in Him, we may have the idea that this is the end of our problems.  However, in reality we may have new problems, difficulties and hardships.  In fact, Jesus Himself told us to expect this in John 16:33 – “In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

However, the presence of conflict or hardship is a privilege if we suffer for His sake.  In fact, Paul tells us that it is “granted” to us; it is a gift.  If we were suffering for ourselves it would not be a privilege, but if we are suffering for Christ, it is a high and holy honor.

As part of the Cedar Hills Church community, we do not need to suffer alone. We can share our troubles with one another, pray for one another, support one another and grow together in love for Christ and each other.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your care and presence in all that will happen to me today.  Help me to be true to You in all that I say and do, knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love You. 

Help me to discern Your presence, to respond to the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout the hours ahead, and help me to lovingly respond to the needs of others with whom I may have contact.

In Jesus name, Amen.

-Ken Viggers