All posts by Cedar Hills

Welcome New Members!

Congrats to our newest members! They completed the 6-week “You Belong” course to become members of Cedar Hills. If a new member has not yet been baptized, they can choose to be baptized the Sunday they join and so we got to celebrate three baptisms Sunday as well.

“You Belong” is offered twice a year for anyone who wants to know more about Cedar Hills, what it means to be a Christian, and to pursue church membership. If you’d like to receive information on when the next session is, contact the church office.

November with the Lala Ladies!


With the month of November brings the question: What are you thankful for? Whether it is about your faith, or family or whatever, we all need to give thanks to the many wonderful blessings we have each and every day.

The La La Ladies are very thankful for the ten years we have been blessed by all our Care Centers, the staffs and especially the beautiful residents who grace us with their smiles and hugs each month. We hope you can join us at one of these centers and may the blessings of thankfulness be heard in our message.

November 3
      1:30p – Trailside by Thomas Park
      3:00p – Thomas Grove
November 4 
      1:30p – Colonial Manor in Amana
      2:4p5 – Lakeview Village
November 5
      1:00p – Promise House in Hiawatha
      2:45p – Prairie Hills
November 6
      1:00p – Summit Point in Marion
      2:30p – Hallmar
November 11
      12:45p – Milestones of Marion
      2:30p – Views of Marion
November 12
      1:30p – Keystone Cedars
      3:00p – Keystone Place
November 17
      1:30p – Boyson Heights
      3:00p – Terrace Glen
November 18
      1:30p – Meadowview
      3:00p – The Gardens
November 19
      1:30p – Stoney Meadows
      3:30p – Keystone Place Forevermore in North Liberty

Advent By Candlelight 2026

REGISTER NOW

Dear Sisters in Christ,

You’re warmly invited to our annual Advent by Candlelight gathering — a cherished evening of beauty, worship, and togetherness as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of Christ.

🕯️ Advent by Candlelight: Abide & Adore 

📅 Sunday, December 6 

🕓 Doors open at 3:30 PM | Program begins at 4:00 PM 

📍 Cedar Hills Community Church

Join the women of Cedar Hills for an evening of abiding and adoring, featuring beautifully decorated Christmas tables, inspiring music, and a heartfelt message from our guest speaker, Julie Lefebure. Our prayer is that this gathering offers you a moment of peace, reflection, and renewed hope in the midst of a busy season.

✨ Registration is required — please register to reserve your spot and help us prepare a meaningful evening. You may register in two ways:

  1. Online:https://cedarhills.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/571/responses/new 
  2. In person: Sign‑up sheets will be available in the Gathering Space on Nov 1, 8, and 15.

🎄 Donation Request 

This year, we are honored to support Angel Tree — a ministry that shares the love of Christ with children and families in need. Your generosity will help provide a Christmas meal for the family and supplies for Angel Tree summer camp for the children.

Non‑perishable items: 

  • Instant mashed potatoes 
  • Stuffing mix 
  • Green beans 
  • Corn 
  • Carrots 
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Canned/packet gravy
  • Chicken broth
  • Macaroni & cheese
  • Corn bread mix
  • Peanut butter
  • Pie crust 
  • Pie filling (apple/cherry/pumpkin) 
  • Hot chocolate mix 
  • Reusable grocery bags
  • Beach / Bath full size towel 
  • Toothpaste – full size 
  • Toothbrush 
  • Body Wash or Soap 
  • Shampoo 
  • Comb or Brush 
  • Notebooks
  • Pens
  • Deodorant

Other ways to give: 

If you have any questions or would like to host a table, please reach out to the Women’s Ministry team at CedarHillsWomensMinistry@gmail.com or to Carmen Gronewold at 319-721-0107. We can’t wait to celebrate the season with you.

With joy and anticipation,
Cedar Hills Women’s Ministry

Click to expand and view images

“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

Cookie Decorating and Fellowship

📣 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 Room
300 80th St Ct
Fairfax, IA 52228

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.

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