Category Archives: Family and Children Ministry

Family and Children Ministry, News, Noah's Ark

“Spring” Egg Hunt Sunday

This Sunday, April 15 at 1pm is the Egg Hunt (rescheduled from earlie in March).  For children aged preschool to 5th grade!  Bring your own basket for the hunt.  We’ll start at 1pm in the Worship Center and *hopefully* weather pending (again!) move outside for the hunt.  We section off areas for each age group.

Sunday is also Noah’s Ark Preschool Sunday.  The children of Noah’s Ark will give a brief presentation in the 11am worship service.  If you or your family are considering attending Noah’s Ark next fall, enrollment is open.  Visit www.noahsarkcr.org and come visit us on Sunday to talk with Noah’s Ark staff and see a snippet of the wonderful things happening at the preschool.

Family and Children Ministry, Missions Team, News

Summer Camp Details!

In case you missed it, Lake View Camps came and shared this past Sunday as our monthly missions update.  As one of our mission partners, we love supporting Lake View and are excited to help send you and your family to Lake View Camps this summer. If you’d like to attend, the church will pay 1/2 the cost of your camp registration fees.  To go about the process:

  1. Print and fill out the camp registration from at www.lakeviewconference.com or pick one up at church. (Registration Brochure)
  2. Return the form to the church office along with a check for 1/2 the payment.
  3. We’ll add another check to the registration and mail it to the camp.

There are camps all summer long and tons of options to choose from – even grandparent/grandchild camp! Be sure to check them out.  There are some deadlines to get the best deal on registration fees, so don’t delay!

Cedar Chips, Family and Children Ministry, News, Noah's Ark

Noah’s Ark – April Update

Telling a preschooler the real Easter story is a delicate matter. No bunnies, no colorful eggs. We use felt pieces to help show the story, and tell the whole story, scary parts and all. We begin by saying, this is the most important story they have ever heard and it’s a real story. We discuss, all the time, if a story we read is real or make believe. Most of them can tell you the real story about a little baby born in Bethlehem, but now that boy is a grown man, already a hard concept to imagine for a young mind. Then, we talk about how some people hated Jesus.

What?! They thought he was a good guy. Yes, he is a very good guy, but mean people wanted to hurt him. They ask, “Why?” Well, Jesus told everyone that he was the Son of God and he performed miracles, but some people were threatened by his power and wanted to kill him. “What? Like really kill him?” they ask. Yes, so they beat him badly and then nailed his hands and feet to a cross. He hung there until he died. Their eyes are as big as saucers by this time and the room is very quiet. Their teachers are telling them this scary story and it’s not how our stories usually go.

Then, Jesus’ friends wrapped his body and put him in a tomb with a huge rock in front so no one would bother him. His friends were very sad; they went to the tomb three days later, but the stone had been rolled away! This is the good part! An angel appeared and told them that Jesus was risen and he was not in the tomb. What?! Now their heads are spinning trying to think how that happened. We tell them that God raised Jesus from the dead; he was seen by many people; and then he went to heaven and now sits with God. We finish the story telling them that Jesus was sent by God to die for all our sins, every one of us.  Wait, what?! We are part of this story?!” Yes, we are all sinners and Jesus died for us. Young minds blown! John 3:16-“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave His one and only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life.”

~ Leslie
Director of Noah’s Ark Preschool

Cedar Chips, Family and Children Ministry, News

Children & Family Ministry April 2018

It has been a little over a month since I’ve joined the staff here at Cedar Hills, and it has been far and away a tremendous experience. Everyone has been extremely friendly and absolutely helpful as Alisse and I have made the transition. We were excited by the various Children’s ministries on our visits but now that we get to experience everything hands-on, we can’t help but to realize how blessed we are to be a part of the ministry.

We’re so thrilled for what’s ahead of the ministry and how God will be using us and the ministry for His glory!

One of the most obvious things we can say about the ministry is the incredible value that the volunteers play, and how passionate they are about serving the Kingdom of God. No matter the background of the child, whether they are new or have been coming a while, each child leaves feeling loved. Which echoes our goal as a ministry, since above all we seek to embody 1 John 4:19, which states, “We love because He
first loved us.” For it is out of love that discipleship will blossom most, and to see these little hearts overjoyed, is a sight to be seen. Even over a month’s time, we’ve been able to see such growth in the kids.

Keep an eye-out, as it is not just a popular cliché that a mind of a child is like a “sponge,” they truly grow faster than any age group on this earth. Let us be a church that authentically models the love of Christ and personifies the foundations of our faith.

Kyle French
Director of Family and Children’s Ministry

Family and Children Ministry, News

Egg Hunt Postponed

Due to the upcoming winter storm tonight into Saturday, the Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for Saturday, March 24 will be postponed until Sunday, April 15.  We’ll get more details out as the date approaches. The hunt will be sometime after the 2nd service on that day.  Stay safe out there!

The storm should be cleared up by Sunday morning. It’s Palm Sunday! The children will have fun worshiping with Palm branches in the services.  8:30am and 11am.

Easter is the following Sunday – April 1. We have two traditional services at 8:30 and 9:45, and a contemporary service at 11am.  More details on Easter at Cedar Hills.

Cedar Chips, Family and Children Ministry, News, Noah's Ark

Noah’s Ark – February 2018 Update

February was full of fun activities! Everyone learned about the mail and what happens to your letter after you put it in the mailbox. We all enjoyed giving and receiving valentines! Our testing is all done for our 4- and 5-year-olds and evaluations have been sent out. The 3-year-old classes had fun learning about snowmen, dinosaurs, and creation. Second report cards for our younger classes will be sent out before spring break.

Our 2018-2019 registration is ongoing. If you know someone who would like information, have them call us at 396-3125 or email at [email protected]. All classes meet from 9-11:30.

Our spring break will be March 12-16, same as Cedar Rapids schools.

Please mark you calendars for March 19th to donate blood! Mississippi Valley Blood Center will come here and set up in the Gathering Space. Your time from check-in to check-out is less than an hour. Please sign up to donate; our area is in desperate need. Call Leslie at the Preschool to sign up at 396-3125!

I can’t believe there are only 3 more months left of school! I’m ready for spring and we can’t wait to see all those flowers come up in front of our windows again! I want to remind everyone that we will be offering a 6-week (two 3-week sessions) summer school program in June and July. This program is for current Noah’s Ark students only. I will give more details next month.

Have a great March!

In Christ,
Leslie Clauson,
Director of Noah’s Ark Preschool

Family and Children Ministry, News

Easter Egg Hunt – Now April 15

Due to the storm Mar. 24, the Egg Hunt is now Sunday, April 15 at 1pm.

Join Cedar Hills for a “Spring” Egg Hunt Sunday, April 15 at 1pm. Children ages preschool to 5th grade are invited!  We section off different sections for each age group so that all have a fair chance.  BYOB – bring your own basket!  We will start promptly at 1pm inside the Worship Center and then will move outdoors for the hunt.

If you’d like to join us for worship beforehand, services are at 8:30am (traditional) and 11am (worship band) and are usually about 60-65 minutes.  It is also Noah’s Ark Preschool Sunday on April 15 and the preschool students will be joining us at the 11am service along with their friends and family.  They will make a short presentation and sing us a few songs. Always a great Sunday!

 

Family and Children Ministry, Journey, News, Uncategorized

Two Movie Events in March

We will be hosting two movie events in the month of March at Marcus Theaters on Council (between Collins and Blairsferry, just north of Panera Bread). RSVP below!

On Saturday, March 17 at 6:30pm we will be watching I Can Only Imagine.  This movie tells the story of how MercyMe ended up writing the popular song, I Can Only Imagine. It is a powerful story of forgiveness and would be a great message for all of us.  This movie is rated PG and the cost of the tickets are $10.  Watch the trailer.

The inspiring and unknown true story behind MercyMe’s beloved, chart topping song that brings ultimate hope to so many is a gripping reminder of the power of true forgiveness.

The second movie is The Passion of The Christ.  This movie depicts the crucifixion of Jesus and came out in 2004.  We will be watching it on Sunday, March 25 at 3pm. This movie is rated R for the graphic depiction of the crucifixion and costs $5.  Watch the trailer.

The Passion of The Christ focuses on the last twelve hours of Jesus of Nazareth’s life. The film begins in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus has gone to pray after sitting the Last Supper. Jesus must resist the temptations of Satan. Betrayed by Judas Iscariot, Jesus is then arrested and taken within the city walls of Jerusalem where leaders of the Pharisees confront him with accusations of blasphemy and his trial results in a condemnation to death. —Adam Ward

To rent out a theater for our group we need the number of seats by March 3. RSVP below or sign the bulletin tear-off on Sunday with the number of seats you would like. At each movie, you’ll pay cash/check to Jeremy Van Genderen at the theater door.

RSVP your family today!

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Bright Spot, Cedar Chips, Family and Children Ministry, Marriage and Family, News

Children & Family Ministry – Welcome Kyle!

Kyle French, his wife Alisse, and their daughter Hadley will be coming in February. Kyle will begin his role as Director of Family and Children’s Ministries. He will be responsible for the oversight of ministry to families with children, birth through 5th grade. His primary roles will be to encourage and empower parents in their call to disciple their children and to equip others to intentionally focus on developing children into life-long followers of Jesus. (Make disciples who make disciples in the everyday stuff of life. ~Matthew 28:18-20).

Picture Kyle’s role as more of a school principle rather than a classroom teacher. He will give oversight, encouragement, and training to help families carry out the vital role of shaping the faith of their children. His top priority will be equipping parents and other adults to be disciple-makers.

Please welcome Kyle, Alisse, and Hadley!

Cedar Chips, Family and Children Ministry

Family & Children Ministry – January 2018 Update

Parents are called to nurture faith in their children. This call is not simple or easy. Our goal is to do everything within our  power as a congregation to walk with parents and give them the tools they need to accomplish this vital task so that children will develop a life-long faith in Jesus. This task is so big and so important that we are pursuing a full-time Director of Family and Children Ministries. This position will be responsible for the oversight of ministry to families with children, birth through 5th Grade. The primary role for this position is to help parents in their call to disciple their children and equip others
to intentionally focus on developing children into life-long followers of Jesus. (Make disciples who make disciples—Matthew 28:18-20).

The essential duties and responsibilities include:

  • Encourage, empower, and equip parents to actively nurture the faith of their children.
  • Equip adults who love children to disciple children (goal 5 adults to 1 child).
  • Develop teams to build a family-based discipleship ministry.
  • Oversee teams by giving spiritual care, vision, recruitment assistance, and volunteer training.

We are hopeful that we will fill this position in early 2018. In January all the current programs—Cross Training, Explorers, Nursery, and All-Stars for Jesus will resume. Watch the bulletin for the latest updates. Your prayers for wisdom in this transition process are very much appreciated!

~ The Transition Team