FAITH, FAMILY & FUN MOVIE EVENT– Friday, October 9. Bring the family, a snack to share, and lawn chairs for an outdoor movie: Shrek! Arrive at 6:30pm to set up snacks and the movie will start at dusk. (In case of rain, movie will be shown in the Gathering Space.)
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Cookie Decorating and Fellowship
Cookie Decorating & Fellowship – RSVP RequiredSaturday, October 24th 2:00-4:30 at the Fairfax Community Room
Join the ladies of Cedar Hills for a fun, relaxing afternoon of decorating cookies and enjoying fellowship. Jodi Scott will be walking us through how to decorate cookies – no experience required! Afterwards, enjoy treats, beverages, and conversation with other women. Please bring a treat to share if you can.
Please RSVP by October 11th via Facebook or via the sign-up sheet on the Welcome Desk at church.Due to limited supplies, this event is limited to 20 women, so RSVP as soon as you’re able!
Location: Fairfax Community Room300 80th St Ct
Fairfax, IA 52228
Matthew 25 Transform Week
A number of volunteers from Cedar Hills were a part of Transform Week 2026. Enjoy this highlight video.
Marie Hill – Funeral and Visitation
We continue to pray for Tom and family as the grieve the passing of Marie. Funeral services are Monday at 11am, with a visitation just prior at 10am at Cedar Hills Community Church.
OBITUARY
Clara “Marie” Couser Hill, 78, of Fairfax, passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026, in her home. Memorial Services will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Cedar Hills Community Church. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will take place at Czech National Cemetery. Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre are assisting the family at this time.
Marie was born on January 4, 1948, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of William H Couser and Elizabeth A Shafer. She graduated from Central City High School and went on to receive her associate’s degree in Bookkeeping at Kirkwood, where she met her husband, Tom. She worked as the Office Manager/Bookkeeper at Krob Elevator for more than 30 years. She enjoyed participating in ladies groups at the church as well as the Veteran’s groups. She loved old westerns shows, and watching Caitlyn Clark in all of her games. She also loved to read. But her greatest joy was her family.
Clara is survived by her loving husband Tom Hill; her sister Linda Couser Joslin; daughter Renee (David) Dittmar and son Robert Hill; grandchildren Zach and Jacob Dittmar, Andrew, Dalton and Dallas Hill; and 3 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.
Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway
WEEKEND TO REMEMBER – April 9-11, 2027 Marriage Conference at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown (700 Grand Ave). Hotel Fees are not included with the purchase of a ticket. Tickets are $350/person, but 50% off with the code SAVE50 through 9/21. There are also special rates for pastors and military. Link for more info and to register.
“Still” Women’s February Retreat
STILL: A Women’s Retreat at Baumgartner’s Backbone Lodge
Still Held. Still Hopeful. Still Standing.
Ladies of Cedar Hills – give yourself the gift of a weekend away to rest, reconnect, and be refreshed in God’s presence. Join us as we slow down, draw closer to God and one another, and remember His faithfulness in every season.
Together, we’ll enjoy relaxation, worship, learning, laughter, meaningful conversation, great food, and simply being together. As our church continues to grow in discipleship, we’ll explore what it means to remain close to Jesus, grow in our faith, and walk alongside others.
Baumgartner’s Backbone Lodge
Strawberry Point, Iowa
Friday, February 26–Sunday, February 28, 2027
Weekend Cost: $200
Payment Schedule:
$100 deposit due October 15, 2026
$100 remaining balance due February 1, 2027
Your weekend includes lodging, meals, retreat activities, transportation to and from the event, and worship.
Please use SignUpGenius to reserve your spot:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054BABAD2DA1FE3-65571630-still
Space is limited, so don’t wait to register!
Come as you are. Bring your comfy clothes, your Bible, and an open heart. Whether you need rest, encouragement, connection, or simply time to breathe, this weekend is for you.
Sometimes we need to step away from the noise long enough to remember:
God is still faithful.
God is still working.
God is still holding us.
And we are still becoming who He has called us to be.
We can’t wait to share this meaningful weekend with you.
The Women’s Ministry Team
A Note from the Aarhus/Dunham Family
Dear Cedar Hills family,
On behalf of our entire family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love, kindness, and support you have shown before and after our mother’s (Harriet Aarhus’) passing.
The many prayers offered on her behalf brought comfort and peace during her final days and continue to sustain us as we grieve. We are deeply touched by the generous charitable donations made in her memory, the cards and messages of encouragement, the meals provided, and the countless acts of service that eased our burdens during this difficult time.
Our mother cherished her faith and her church family, and we know she would have been humbled and grateful for the care and kindness shown to our family.
While our hearts continue to miss her deeply, we find comfort in knowing we do not walk this journey alone. Thank you for surrounding us with your prayers, friendship, and support. Your thoughtfulness has meant more to us than words can adequately express.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Todd and Ryan Aarhus, and Kylene, Chad and Ashleigh Dunham
Funeral Service for Phyllis Baker
Please continue to pray for the family and friends of Phyllis Baker. We celebrate that she is at rest in the arms of Jesus! A private graveside ceremony for family will be held September 1.
Phyllis Arlene Baker, 101, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died peacefully at her home on August 28th, 2026. A private graveside service will be held September 1st, 2026 at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Phyllis was born July 20, 1925, to Lester and Mabel (Seiler) Wilke in Carroll, Iowa. She graduated from Carroll High School and later attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids. Phyllis married Roy Jay Baker on January 25, 1954, in Carroll, Iowa. Both Phyllis and Roy were members of Cedar Hills Community Church for more than 60 years.
She enjoyed volunteering with her husband at St. Luke’s Hospital, Life Investors (TransAmerica), and Cedar Hills Community Church. Phyllis also enjoyed traveling, she had been to all 50 states along with many international destinations. She loved her family and cherished the time she spent with them.
Phyllis is survived by her daughter Susanne (Orin) Wakefield; five grandsons, two great grandchildren, and two step-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roy, and her son David.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Cedar Hills Community Church.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries
Harriet Aarhus – Celebration of Life
Join us in praying for the family and friends of Harriet Aarhus as they mourn her loss.
The celebration of life is Thursday, July 16 at Cedar Hills at 11am. A luncheon will be held immediately after the service.
Live stream of the service will be available on YouTube and here approximately 10:50am:
Obituary
Harriet A. Aarhus, 86 of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026, in Hiawatha. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 15 at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 16 at Cedar Hills Community Church, 6455 E. Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids at 11:00 am. A luncheon will be held immediately following funeral services with entombment at 2:30 pm at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.
Harriet was born on July 27,1939, in Pipestone, MN to Harry and Helen (Jackson) Doty. Her parents moved seven times before Harriet entered school and finally settled in Cedar Rapids, where she met and married Gwyneth (Gwyn) Aarhus on August 13, 1961, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Harriet began her career as a Librarian’s Assistant at Kenwood Public Library. She then worked as a Clerk at S.S. Kresge’s, a Billing Machine Operator at Iowa National Mutual Insurance, an Office Clerk at Dial Finance and then as a Credit Correspondent at General Motors Acceptance Corp. (GMAC). For the next 10 years, Harriet worked in the home as “Mom” to their three children. In 1978, Harriet returned to GMAC as an Accounting Clerk, then worked as an Administrative Assistant at Esco Electric & Automation Systems and at Iowa Electric Light & Power. She finished are career after she earned an AA in Legal Assistance and worked as a Legal Secretary for U.S. Filter Consumer Products, Inc., Simmons & Perrine Law Firm, and Alliant Energy.
Harriet was a faithful member of the Cedar Hills Community Church, where she also enjoyed volunteering. Harriet’s number one passion was sports, but specifically baseball. She loved watching the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, the Minnesota Twins and was a long-time season ticket holder to the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Gwyn and Harriet loved to travel (mostly in their station wagon) and accomplished visiting all 50 U.S. states. Within those travels, they visited many baseball parks, amusement parks, museums, and anything else that was found along the way. Harriet also loved scrapbooking, spending time with her family and talking with everyone. There wasn’t a person she couldn’t talk to for hours. Harriet will forever be remembered as a wonderful and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and friend whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved her. She will be missed greatly!
Harriet is survived by her children: Todd Aarhus of Ankeny, Ryan Aarhus of Robins, and Kylene (Chad) Dunham of Cedar Rapids; and a granddaughter, Ashleigh Dunham of Cedar Rapids. She is also survived by her brother, Bud (Beth) Doty of Tucson, AZ; brother-in-laws, DuWayne (Laura) Aarhus of Walker and Collin (Barbara) Aarhus of Center Point; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Gwyneth (d. 2019), her parents and her parents-in-law.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Cedar Hills Community Church.
Make Sabbath Sticky
Make Sabbath Sticky
As we are wrapping up our teaching on Sabbath, I am challenged with how to make this spiritual practice “sticky” in my life. It is easier to practice when Sabbath is top of mind, but how will we balance Sabbath as we also look to incorporate generosity.
To that end I read an interesting article 7 Sabbath Tips from 15 Years of Practice. I encourage you to go read the article, and consider applying some of these very practical tips to your Sabbath practice. The hook the author Austin Gohn used in the article is moving and I would like to offer it to all of you here.
In a recent interview with former senator Ben Sasse, who is dying of Stage-4 pancreatic cancer in his fifties, he was asked, “Is there advice that you would give to someone who is the Ben Sasse father of three at age 40 or age 35, when the kids are young and everything’s stressful and chaotic? In light of where you are now?”
“No. 1, honor the Sabbath and keep it holy. Man, I wish I’d treated the Lord’s Day differently over the course of my life. I’ve always known it, believed in it and thought: Maybe next week we’ll get better. We’ve been at Sunday worship every morning forever, but man, am I tempted by 12:45 or 1:30 in the afternoon to get back to work or, to an addictive level, work about the N.F.L. Boy, I would treat Sabbaths differently — and especially digital intrusions into the Sabbath.”
So, brothers and sisters, we are challenged to consider our own mortality and seize each Sabbath day with delight! Let us not forget this practice as we endeavor on in our abiding practices. Let us worship God in Sabbath practice, not out of obligation or duty, but out of reverance for God. Trusting that He will bring the blessing for our faithfulness.
Steve Poole
Pastor of Youth & Young Adults
