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You Belong – a membership class


You Belong: An Orientation to God’s Family at Cedar Hills

We make deeper connections with God and each other when we belong. In “You Belong” you will also discover how God heals brokenness and restores all he created through a community of people who love one another. Together we will grow hospitality, authenticity, forgiveness, and restoration that transforms us and our neighbors!

You Belong is a six week class that meets on Sundays at 9:45am beginning November 2. Anyone is welcome to attend even if they do not wish to become members.

At the end of the class, students can choose to pursue membership.  Following the class, you will meet with an elder to affirm your faith in Jesus, and then we publicly receive into a membership at a worship service (date TBD).

SCHEDULE

  • November 2 – Created for Community
  • November 9 – How the Gospel Shapes Community
  • November 16 – A Community of Forgiveness and Restoration
  • November 23 – Authentic Community
  • November 30 – NO CLASS, Thanksgiving Break
  • December 7 – How Community Shapes Us
  • December 14 – Grace-filled Community

Nursery for ages 0-36 months is available at this same time, as well as classes for children of all ages.

No registration is needed, but letting us know you’re coming is helpful. You can do that by contacting the office below.

    Choir

    Sanctuary Choir

    Join the choir! Rehearsals are on Wednesdays, 6:45pm in the Lime Room (right hallway, all the way to the end).  Choir is open to high school age and up.  If you know your voice part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) that is helpful! But we can also help you find your voice part by range.

    Practice Recordings on YouTube

    FALL CHOIR

    October

    • No Rehearsal October 1
    • No Rehearsal October 8
    • Wednesday, Oct. 15 – 6:45 Rehearsal (Worship Center)
    • SING Sunday, Oct. 19 at 8:30 service (7:55am warm-up)
    • Wednesday, Oct 22 – 6:45pm Rehearsal (lime room)
    • Wednesday, Oct 29 – 6:45pm Rehearsal (Worship Center)

    November

    • SING Sunday, Nov. 2 at 8:30am service (7:55am warmup)
    • Wednesday, Nov. 5 – 6:45pm Rehearsal
    • Wednesday, Nov. 12 – 6:45pm Rehearsal
    • Wednesday, Nov. 19 – 6:45pm Rehearsal (Worship Center)
    • SING Sunday, Nov. 23 at 8:30am service (7:55am warm-up)
    • NO Rehearsal November 26

    December

    • Wednesday, Dec. 3 – 6:45pm Rehearsal (Worship Center)
    • SING Sunday, Dec, 7at 8:30 service (7:55am warm-up)
    • Wednesday, Dec. 10 – 6:45pm Rehearsal (Worship Center)
    • Wednesday, Dec. 17 – 6:45pm Rehearsal (Worship Center)
    • SING Sunday, Dec. 21at 8:30 service (7:55am warm-up)
    Questions? Contact Stuart Geiger

       

       

      Cedar Blog

      We Are Chosen

      God is Working Hard (pt. 3)

      (read part 1) (read part 2)

      In gym class, I was always relieved when chosen. (Particularly if not chosen last.)

      In Guatemala, we give goodies to the kids who show up at our work sites. A doll, a cap, a granola bar, matchbox cars, candy. 

      Once word gets out, the number of kids grows rapidly. Some of those kids are very timid. They lurk around the edges, waiting to see if they will be chosen to receive a gift. When we invite them to receive a gift, they smile.

      Last week, two little girls, Madelyn and Astrid, from Guatemala chose Mary and me. Madelyn said she picked us because we “seemed kind, friendly, and nice.” She was probably looking at Mary.

      The Bible tells us how God chooses people to be his people: “God, your God, chose you out of all the people on Earth for himself as a cherished, personal treasure.

      God wasn’t attracted to you and didn’t choose you because you were big and important—the fact is, there was almost nothing to you. He did it out of sheer love, keeping the promise he made to your ancestors.” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8, MSG)

      I’m glad to be chosen. Being chosen makes all the difference. Jesus said, “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you.”  (John 15:15-16, NLT)

      We are chosen!

      Kent Landhuis
      Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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

        Cedar Blog, Uncategorized

        Verse Obsession

        Verse Obsession

        Once upon a time I had a request for a Proverbs 18:10 song, which led me on a bunny trail to writing a whole bunch of Proverbs 18:10 songs in lots of different translations. Is God a tower or fortress? Are we the godly or righteous? Do we run to him or run in him?

        The way each translation captures this idea differs just so slightly, and really stirred my curiosity about this verse and broadened my idea of God.

        Here’s a short playlist of all my songs on this verse:

        Leah Carolan
        Pastor of Worship & Media

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

          Cedar Blog

          God is Working Hard (part 2)

          God is Working Hard – Part 2

          (read part 1)

          In the spring, when my garden comes to life, my favorite plants are hostas. Hostas die off in the fall. All winter, the ground where they grew is bare and barren. 

          No signs of life. And then, there they are, like magic, growing bigger and better than the year before. And I did nothing.

          Listen to how Paul describes God’s good work in Romans 8: And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn[n] among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. (vss. 28-30, NLT)

          God is doing good work even when our lives seem barren. I had a mentor who once told me, “When it seems like God is working the least, God is working the most.”

          God’s work is not always visible or in the ways we expect or easily understood. But we are the kind of people who believe that God is with us when we don’t see or feel His active involvement. God still does good work even when it is not obvious.

          I’m so thankful that God never stops doing good work on my behalf – and on yours!

          Kent Landhuis
          Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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

            Cedar Blog

            God is Working Hard

            God is Working Hard

            Our small group recently studied Philippians 2. After much discussion, one of our group said, “Listen to this, it’s the New Living Translation: Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (vss. 12-13)

            The phrase “work hard to show the results of your salvation” grabbed our attention. It baffled us. We know that we do not work to earn salvation, so what is this hard work? 

            And then, someone said, “Look at the next verse too – it says God is working hard. God gives us the desire to obey, and God gives us the power to obey. God is working hard so work hard. But what hard work is left for us to do?”

            What’s left for us is obedience. We obey God with deep reverence and respect. We obey with the desire and power that God gives us! That sounds amazing! And so does this: I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6)

            READ PART 2 of this series

            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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              CHOSEN Event Volunteers

              June 1-8 we will be partnering with World Vision for a special Chosen event.  As a church, we’ll be signing up to sponsor children in Guatemala, but instead of us choosing a child, the child gets to choose YOU.

              To make this event successful, we are in need to volunteers to help out in the Gathering Space.  There are multiple opportunities, including the Saturdays before the big events and different times throughout the Sunday mornings of June 1 and June 8.

              Sign-Up to Volunteer.

              Volunteer Roles:

              • Welcome Host // First point of contact for the lobby experience to help the line move smoothly and quickly. This role initiates the sign-up process.
              • Sign Up Roamer // Helps sponsors sign up and receive their Chosen code (via a World Vision iPad) so they can take their Chosen photo. Help congregants fill out all needed information and keep the line moving.
              • Photobooth Host // Capture the Chosen code tied to the new sponsor’s contact information and take a photo of the sponsor (and family).
              • Line Host // Keep the line moving quickly and smoothly and direct congregants to the next available photo booth or space at the Reveal Wall (Reveal weekend only).
              • Reveal Host // Reveal Weekend only. Help sponsors find their Reveal Chosen envelope with information about the child that chose them as their sponsor!

              As a volunteer, you’ll be given an orange t-shirt (to wear during your shift), training, and a specific role for your shift. In addition:

              1.  All volunteers will be assigned specific roles upon arrival.
              2.  You’ll still get to attend a worship service.
              3.  World Vision requires volunteers to sign a waiver HERE prior to arrival (minors must have form completed by a parent).
              4. Watch the Training videos:


              Consider volunteering today and making this event a wonderful one!

              Sign-Up to Volunteer.

              Missions Team

              Salvation Army Open House

              Salvation Army Open House

              Spring is a season of renewal and hope—something we see reflected every day in the lives touched by your generosity. It’s the perfect time to come together and celebrate the positive change your support is making in the Cedar Rapids community!
              I’m excited to invite you to join us for The Salvation Army Cedar Rapids Open House.
              The Salvation Army Open House
              Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
              Time: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
              Location: 1000 C Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
              Come take a tour, meet our team, and see firsthand how your contribution is making an impact. Whether you stay for a few minutes or the full event, we’d love to have you there!
              There is no need to RSVP.
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              Men’s Bible Studies & Small Groups

              MONDAYS

              • Bible Study at 6:30pm – with Randy Fox.  Currently meeting at A Place For Friends at 212 Edgewood Rd NW and is next door to Roscoe’s Pizza.
              • Men’s Connection & Trivia at 6:30pm –  with Gary Sager.  This group usually meets at Whiskey River in Palo but it is best to double check the bulletin for location information.

              WEDNESDAYS

              • Bible Study at 6:30am – with Alan Crandall.  Meets at the Crandall home: 231 McKinsie Ct NE., Cedar Rapids, IA
              • Bible Study at 8:00am – with George Young and Gary Mills, Gathering Space @ Cedar Hills Church (every other week), includes work projects.
              • Bible Study at 6:30pm – with Pastor Kent, meeting at Cedar Hills in the Red Room
              Uncategorized

              Women’s Ministry – Thursday Throwdown

              WOMEN’S MINISTRY IS HEADED TO THURSDAY THROWDOWN

              Thursday Throwdown @ Koru Aronia Berry Farm (1685 U Ave, Homestead, IA)  – Thursday, May 29, 5:00pm-9:00pm. Join us at Thursday Throwdown with Bryce Janey Duo at Koru.

              Typically, there is a food truck and drinks for purchase.  It will be a fun night of live music and fellowship in a beautiful setting. Bring a chair, we typically sit in the grass area.

              As we get closer, we will coordinate carpools.