We were blessed to be able to pray over Pastor JR as he joined us for his final services at Cedar Hills. JR has discerned that God is calling him to something new outside the walls of a traditional church setting and we join him in prayer as he presses into God for guidance along the road ahead.
What a beautiful day of love! We were able to shower JR with gifts and letters, celebrating his time at Cedar Hills (and his love for Starbucks coffee) ?. Do you have pictures to share from the day? Submit them via the church app and we’ll add them to the gallery.
“Thank you Pastor JR for your love, leadership and dedication. You are an amazing person and have left a strong and positive mark on our congregation that will last forever. You are in our prayers for discernment of how God wants to use you next. I’m sure it will be amazing.”
“I wish you the best in your future endeavors wherever they might lead you. God is good…all the time!!”
“Thank you for an amazing sermon Sunday. What a blessing you have been to our church! We know the Holy Spirit will guide you into your next exciting adventure. Praying for you as he leads you.”
“I am not a registered member of Cedar Hills, but have been attending off and on for the past 4 years. I want to thank you JR for helping me find a church family again.I had been searching for some time when I heard you speak at a prayer service for my niece who was put on life supports after a major heart attack She was not a member of your church, but you did it for her sister and brother in law . Your passion touched my heart, and made me feel as if perhaps your church was a place where I could feel welcomed despite my imperfections. You are truly a fisherman of all people….you have a way of reeling people back to the Lord. May he go with you on this new journey you are about to begin. And know that you have a lot of people whose lives you have touched that will be praying for you. God bless!”
In case you missed JR’s last sermon on January 28, you can listen online.
Our Open Hands Food Pantry is a great way to help others in need in our community. Can you help to fill bags? Help is needed Mondays, 4:45-5:15pm, Wednesdays & Fridays 9:45am-1:15pm. No experience is necessary; sign up outside the door to the pantry (located down the left side hallway). Questions? Call Darlene, 223-5652 or Karen, 360-5410.
Kyle French, his wife Alisse, and their daughter Hadley will be coming in February. Kyle will begin his role as Director of Family and Children’s Ministries. He will be responsible for the oversight of ministry to families with children, birth through 5th grade. His primary roles will be to encourage and empower parents in their call to disciple their children and to equip others to intentionally focus on developing children into life-long followers of Jesus. (Make disciples who make disciples in the everyday stuff of life. ~Matthew 28:18-20).
Please welcome Kyle, Alisse, and Hadley!
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.
~ Jeremy Van Genderen
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