FAITH FAMILY FUN EVENT – AIRFX – Join us June 26, 4-6pm for jumping and mini-golf. Our special Cedar Hills discounted rate is $10 for both jumping and mini-golf or $5 for just mini-golf (and it’s free to come and watch).
To get the discount, pay Kathryn cash or check at the door on the day of the event.
On Sunday, June 5 in between services at 9:45am we will meet as a church to discuss upcoming changes for our denomination and a potential joining of the Alliance of Reformed Churches. This is part 2 of a discussion we began back in February. All are welcome to come and ask questions. We’ll be directly responding to questions asked on the 4-Question Survey many filled out in mid-May.
Childcare and activities will be provided for ages 0 to 3rd grade.
CEDAR HILLS FUTURE – ASK AN ELDER – The Elders have been discerning our current partnership with the RCA (Reformed Church in America), and in light of major changes coming in the RCA, they recommend a future partnership with the ARC (Alliance of Reformed Churches). Next Sunday, May 15 and Sunday, May 22, between the services in the Gathering Space, the Elders desire to hear input from the congregations. Bring your questions and also join us in praying for clarity as we continue to discern next steps for Cedar Hills.
The RCA requires churches leaving the denomination to join another denomination or network. We believe that there is wisdom in this requirement. We long to partner with other churches who are like minded in theology and mission. We want to grow in kingdom impact and we believe that God does this when like-minded congregations unite in mission. We are requesting to join The Alliance of Reformed Churches (ARC).
Are you curious what it means to be a part of Cedar Hills? Or what it means to be a member of a church? YOU BELONG is a class to explore both these things at Cedar Hills. The class runs six weeks beginning Sunday, April 24 at 9:45am. (May 1, 2022 is the final deadline to join).
Some fun membership benefits – use of the church for events without rental fees (baby showers, parties, reunions), a discount for weddings and events, and a tuition discount at Noah’s Ark Preschool! As well as the spiritual benefits of affirming a commitment to where God wants to plant you and find a home for your unique gifts.
YOU BELONG is held a few times every year. If this session doesn’t work for you, let the office know and we will be in touch when the next session is scheduled.
Our next Faith, Family & Fun event is a picnic and grill out at the Noelridge Park pavilion (nearest to the pond on Council Street) on Sunday, May 15 at 5:30pm. This event is for the entire church family and anyone else you’d like invite! Bring a side to share and Cedar Hills will provide the meat and drinks.
There is a great playground area for the kids, trails, and more at Noelridge. There are picnic tables in the pavilion and a few benches in the playground area. Feel free to bring lawn chairs and lawn games if you have some!
What does it mean to have “the Fear of the LORD”? How do we rightfully fear God, yet love God and be loved by God? What does this even mean?
In May, we’ll be talking a look at the book of Jonah and gain some insight into a rightful fear of the Lord and how, when this is in place, we can walk in wisdom with the heart of the Father.
Maundy Thursday worship service at 6:30pm. We will have a potluck dinner prior to the service, serving 5:15-6:15pm. Chicken provided. If your last name is A-P, bring a salad or side. O-Z, bring bars or cookies.
At Maundy Thursday, we celebrate the Last Supper and reflect on the death of our Savior on the cross. The service will last around 45 minutes. Families are children are welcome!
On Wednesday, April 13 order pizza from the Edgewood Rd Papa Murphy’s any time between 11am and 8pm and Noah’s Ark will receive a portion of your purchase! Just let them know you are with Noah’s Ark when you order.
Mary Joan (Stark) Laughrige of Deltona, Fla., died on Feb. 6, 2022, after a short illness.
She was born Jan. 23, 1933, in Atwood, Colo., to Vera Diel and Lloyd McBride. She married Dr. Craig D. Stark
on Sept. 6, 1952, in Des Moines, Iowa. He died Aug. 11, 1980. She then married Robert J. Laughrige on Feb. 20, 1982, in Ottumwa, Iowa. He died Feb. 11, 2000.
Joan graduated from Eaton High School, Eaton, Colo., and attended Colorado State University. She lived in Traer, Ottumwa and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for many years before moving to Deltona, Fla., in 2019 to be near family. She was previously employed by Iowa State University, First Community Bank and Trust in Traer, and Union Bank and Trust Co. in Ottumwa, before retiring in 1990.
She was a former deacon, elder and member of First Presbyterian Church in Ottumwa and a member of Cedar Hills Community Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was a member of PEO Chapter HC. Special enjoyment came from her family, church, friends, bridge, mah jongg, college sports (football and basketball) and all music, but especially jazz.
She is survived by a son, John (Tina) Stark of Phoenix, Ariz., daughters, Dana Pherigo of Ottumwa, Iowa, Darla (Paul) Bastron of Kenosha, Wis.; Dr. Jennifer (Kevin) Johnson of DeBary, Fla., and Carrie (Keith) Douglas of Cumming, Ga.
She is survived by grandchildren, Heather (Ryan) Thompson of Ottumwa, Iowa, Lucas (Annemarie) Johnson of Wheeling, Ill., Katie (Steven) Kerlin of Jacksonville, Fla., Philip (Ashley) Bastron of Winston-Salem, N.C., Patrick (Jen) Bastron of Racine, Wis., Kyle Johnson of Salt Springs, Fla., Lauren (Jacob Goodpasture) Douglas of Atlanta, Ga., and Samantha Douglas of Cumming, Ga. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Joan is survived by a brother, Stanley Haywood of Lanagan, Mo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; son, James Stark (3/19/18); granddaughter, Anessa Pherigo; and son-in-law, Harold Pherigo.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 19, at Cedar Hills Community Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Family will greet friends from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church before the service.
Burial will be at Buckingham Cemetery in Traer, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to Cedar Hills Community Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com
For a time of confession and prayer:
Lord, Your Word says…
The fruit of the Spirit is love,
but we have loved darkness rather than light, and loved you too little and ourselves too much.
The fruit of the Spirit is joy,
but we have been sour, and bitter, and the joy of the LORD has been absent.
The fruit of the Spirit is peace,
but we have fretted and worried. We have forgotten the finished work of Christ and doubted your fatherly care.
The fruit of the Spirit is patience,
but we have snapped at others, and questioned your wise timing.
The fruit of the Spirit is kindness,
but we have been harsh, cutting, and biting, So unlike our Lord Jesus Christ, who prayed for his persecutors.
The fruit of the Spirit is goodness,
but we have often chosen the passing pleasures of sin, over your good laws.
The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness,
but we have been unreliable; we have let others down, and not taken our baptismal vows and marriage vows seriously.
The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness,
but we have been unwilling to yield, and stiff-necked
The fruit of the Spirit is self-control,
but our wills have been weak, and our own sinful desires have got the better of us.
Lord, please show us your mercy.
Lord, have mercy on us
in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.