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Err on the Side of Righteousness

Err on the Side of Righteousness

We’ve been talking about the Word Made Flesh – one of the prophetic names we use to talk about Jesus in the season of Advent.  Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, Immanuel, God with Us. Word Made Flesh. Jesus.

All of these names feel sacred and holy. They contain parts of God’s identity and how He has revealed Himself to us.

We know him by other names as well:

There is so much contained in God’s names! So much truth and holiness and identity.

His name is sacred.

And so I’ll be honest – my spirit is completely grieved when I hear my Christian brothers and sister flippantly using the OMG phrase or saying “Oh my God” in every story they tell.

It is a scheme of the enemy if I’ve ever seen one. If it were not,  the world would be using phrases like, “Oh my Buddha” or “Oh my Satan” or “O my Molech.” But they don’t.  There is only one god’s name that gets used flippantly… and it is the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob – the one true God.  Our God.   The enemy is smart and goes about like a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour.  He has tricked many.

What does Scripture say about God’s name?

  • Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. – Matthew 6:9 (NLT)
  • I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. – Isaiah 42:8
  • The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. – Proverbs 18:10
  • Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. – Psalm 100:4-5
  • Your name, Lord, endures forever, your renown, Lord, through all generations. – Psalm 135:13
  • And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. – Acts 2:21

There is debate among many online about this particular phrase… is it sin or not sin?  My thoughts… does it matter? I would rather err on the side of righteousness any day than grieve my heavenly Father with my speech.

Leah Carolan
Pastor of Worship & Media

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

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    Pat Garwood Funeral

    Please continue to pray for the family and friends of Pat Goodwood as they grieve her passing.

    VISITATION
    4-7 PM, Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home

    FUNERAL
    11:00 AM, Friday, November 10, 2023, at Cedar Hills Community Church. (Another light visitation beforehand at 10am)

    OBITUARY

    Patricia (Pat) Ann Garwood, 86, of Cedar Rapids, passed away November 5, 2023. Visitation: . Funeral Service:  in Cedar Rapids. Interment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. In honoring Pat’s wishes, the family encourages everyone to dress casually for the visitation and service.

    Pat was born on April 1, 1937, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Lester and Helen (Parents) Melsha. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids. Pat was united in marriage to Dennis Edward “Red” Garwood on April 22, 1963. He preceded her in death in 2015. Pat was a cafeteria worker for the Cedar Rapids Schools. She also worked at Flowerama and was self employed as a floral designer. Pat was a member of Cedar Hills Community Church. She was an animal lover. Pat enjoyed flowers, sewing, and making crafts. Most of all she loved her family and enjoyed attending their activities.

    Survivors include her children Gary (Joanne) Kohl of Cedar Rapids, Tracey (David) Johnson of Cedar Rapids, and Terry (Jeff) Stadler of Kansas City, MO, grandchildren Brandon, Kristie (Danny), Jason (Kirsten), Michael (Rachel), Lindsey (Matt), and Robbie (Kelsie), great-grandchildren Rylee, Evan, Olivia, Hannah, Charlotte, Clete, Elsie, Benjamin, Lucy, and Isaac, special friend and neighbor Connie Brown, and her beloved dog Baylee.

    Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, and daughter Beth Ann Garwood.

    Memorials may be directed to Cedar Hills Community Church.

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    My Favorite Things


    MY FAVORITE THINGS     – October 26 at 6pm join the Women in Fellowship & Faith 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.

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    Angel Tree 2023

    This year Cedar Hills will be focusing on a local outreach for the Christmas season:  Angel Tree Christmas gifts through Prison Fellowship.
    We will foster relationships with local families who have an incarcerated parent, buy Christmas gifts for the kids, and host a Christmas party for the families.
    Want to be involved?  Here are a few options.
    1. Join a planning team now: family relationships, gift management or party planning. (Contact Cathy using form below)
    2.  In the coming weeks, take an “angel tag” off the Christmas tree that details a gift to purchase.
    3. Support the December Christmas party through working in the kitchen or loving on families.
    Be watching for more info in the coming weeks about how to love these neighborhood families!

    JOIN THE PLANNING TEAM by using the form below:

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      Congregational Celebration


      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!

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      New Shelter Dedication


      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.

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      Congregational Celebration


      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.