CONGREGATIONAL CELEBRATION– Sunday, November 12 at the end of each service we will review next year’s budget, elect new board members and celebrate what God is doing at Cedar Hills!
We will also be installing Steve Poole and Leah Carolan as new ordained pastors in the Alliance of Reformed Churches.
And there will be cake!
NEW SHELTER DEDICATION – Please join us Sunday, October 22, around 9:30am (immediately after the 1st service) to dedicate the wonderful new shelter that was built out by the Matthew 25 garden area.
This shelter will be so appreciated by the families that grow their produce in the gardens. It will also be a great place for anyone who would like to come and get to know some of these families during the growing season.
CONGREGATIONAL CELEBRATION– Sunday, November 12 at the end of each worship service, approximately 9:15am and 10:45am.
Each year, we gather to vote on new consistory members (Consistory is our name for the elders and deacons that make up the church board.) We will also look at the potential budget for 2024 and vote to approve it and hear stories of the work God is doing at Cedar Hills.
This meeting will take place at the end of each service. Services will be slightly shorter to accommodate the meeting time. We will still have regular Sunday classes at 9:45am.
NOAH’S ARK PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISER – Wednesday, October 11, support our preschool by ordering from Papa Murphy’s (location on Edgewood Rd). Remember to mention Noah’s Ark Preschool when you order, and Noah’s Ark will get 20% of the proceeds! (We need 20 people to hit the “Commit” button by today to get this fundraiser rolling! https://www.groupraise.com/events/257426)
MY FAVORITE THINGS – October 26 at 6pm join us for Women in Fellowship & Faith event at the home of Lindsey Steinkamp (2093 49th St; Marion, IA 52302). Bring two of your “favorite things” to the party. They should be two of the same item, no more than $10 each (they may cost less and be something homemade or handmade). Plan for small bites and fellowship, followed by favorite things exchange. See the Facebook event for more info or text Lindsey at 319-640-9147.
Did you know we have 25 families, most originally from Africa, who have gardens at our church where they grow produce for their families?
We have been intentional this year to get to know these families and invite you to join us for a Harvest Potluck Saturday, October 21, 1pm in the Gathering Space.
Celebrate with a taste of some wonderful African dishes and enjoy cultural Christian music in local languages.
Please bring a favorite traditional food to share. Drinks and tableware provided.
Do you ever get a verse stuck on the mind that you haven’t thought about in months (or maybe more) and wonder why you suddenly are pondering/singing that verse on repeat?
“Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” – Hebrews 3:18
That’s the song playing over and over in my mind today and I haven’t thought about this verse in a long time. (I looked in my records and it looks like I set it to music in early 2022).
So I had to stop and ask God, “Why are you highlighting this verse??!!” because I believe this is one of the awesome ways the Holy Spirit works in us as we put the scriptures in our hearts and minds.
When I started asking questions, it was like God began to highlight parts of this verse that I had previously skimmed over. It wasn’t just that Jesus was tempted as we are tempted and we can have victory because He had victory… but that He suffered when tempted. That’s the new part God highlighted for me that I’ve never noticed before—being tempted comes with agony and suffering. He deeply felt the burden of the temptation itself. Isn’t that fascinating??
I hope I’m not reading too much into the text, but I am now seeing that Jesus, as fully human, felt that agony of temptation in ways that we feel it. It wasn’t like it was an easy streak for Him just because He was also fully God.
Somehow this epiphany brings me great comfort in my struggles. IT WAS HARD FOR JESUS, too.
And I can see this now, all because God brought a verse to mind. When this happens, I’m going to be quicker to ask, “Why this verse, God?”
Leah Carolan
Pastor of Worship & Media
AN ACTIVE FAITH – a gathering for men and boys (fathers/grandpas welcome), age 2nd Grade (reading age) through 6th Grade.
Meets twice a month on the 2nd and 4th, Wednesdays, 6-8pm at the Ungs Home: 105 Stoney Point Rd NW (corner of 1st Ave and Stoney Point Rd). Plan for an “active” time learning truths about God with three-legged races, building fires, washing out structures with water and more!
It’s a gathering of all our second service musicians and anyone who loves music and worship to lead together on stage at an 11am service.
The jam is also the first step for anyone interested in worship ministry that wants to explore it some more. We also love when our youth join us on stage! So kids of all ages are welcome.
The Fall jam is practicing Monday, Sept 11 at 6pm to lead on Sunday, Sept 17 at the 11am service (warming up at 9:45am on Sunday).
Registration is helpful, but if you are late registering, just show up! 6pm in the Worship Center.
Please continue to pray for Glenda Brislawn and family as they grieve the passing of her son Brock.
VISITATION & FUNERAL
Sat, Sept. 9 – 10am Visitation
Sat. Sept. 9 – 11am Funeral
A luncheon will follow the funeral service.
Cedar Hills is located at the corner of E Avenue and Stoney Point Rd, right next door to Cherry Hill Pool & Park on the west side of Cedar Rapids. 6455 E Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
Brock Che Neff, 43, of North Liberty, Iowa passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at his home. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Cedar Hills Community Church: 6455 E Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52405. A visitation will be held one hour prior to service, beginning at 10:00 AM, at the church.
Brock was born November 9, 1979, to David and Glenda (Fedders) Neff in Denver, Colorado. Brock achieved his first-degree black belt when he was in middle school. He graduated, with honors, from Washington High School in 1999. Brock was inducted in the National Honor Society, while in high school and as a freshman at UNI. During college he worked at the Rod Library. Brock graduated from UNI with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 2003. He married Traci Levesque later in 2003 in Cedar Rapids. They made their home in North Liberty, and had their daughter, Zoe Neff in 2009.
Brock’s library work experience continued at the Cedar Rapids Public Library part-time for seven years, and at the University of Iowa Law Library for the last 15 years. Brock loved learning and was a lifelong scholar. He was creative in painting and drawing. Brock even had one of his paintings entered in a judged art show at UNI. He also enjoyed playing video games, fantasy games, kayaking, paddle boarding and walks in local parks with his daughter and friends.
Brock is survived by his daughter, Zoe Neff and her mother, Traci Neff, both of Tiffin, IA; his mother, Glenda Brislawn, and a sister, Alicia Brislawn (fiancé Dwaune Weimer) all of Cedar Rapids, IA; aunt, Sherry Jabaay; uncles, Ken Fedders, and Rich (Mary) Fedders; step-mother, Janis Bowden; step-siblings, Heidi (Tony) Shaw, Brian (Angel) Brislawn, Shannon Brislawn, Jessica Kimple, and Jonathan Kimple; special friends, Dana Bailey, and Angela Geno-Stumme; and many loving cousins, extended family members and friends.
Brock was preceded in death by his grandparents, father, David Neff; stepfather, Scott Brislawn; uncle, Norman Fedders; and aunt, Crystal Fedders.
In honor of Brock, please direct memorials to Glenda Brislawn c/o Cedar Hills Community Church: 6455 E Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52405.