Category Archives: Journey

Journey, News

Super Bowl Subs

Ordering is closed!  There *may* be extras available to purchase Sunday morning.
Inquire in the Gathering Space.

It’s that time of year!  The Journey youth invite YOU to enjoy some wonderfully delicious game-day subs, made fresh the day of the big game.  Your purchase of subs helps support and fund the ministry trips and activities of our youth as they continue to grow in their relationships with Jesus.

Subs can be ordered using the online form or filling out a this paper form available at the Hub in the Gathering Space. Paper forms should be returned to Steve Poole in the church office by Wednesday, Feb. 3 at noon. Checks can be made out to Cedar Hills Community Church.

Family and Children Ministry, Journey, Marriage and Family, Missions Team, News

Lake View Camp Update

Lake View Camp is one of the ministries we support as a church. We send many kids and families to camp each summer. Here is their latest update letter:

Despite cancelling our regular summer camps due to COVID-19, over 200 people (kids, parents, grandparents, and friends) took advantage of our “Spend a Day at Camp'” opportunity this summer. All enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation, learned how they can see 20/20 with God, and made many camp memories! As we look to fall/winter, we are exploring possibilities to safely provide some fun camp activities for those interested.

We are excited to announce that earth moving equipment will be arriving soon to begin site work for Phase 1. We are looking forward to taking this next step in our camping ministry! Striving to live within our means, the board has decided to start work only on the new Lodge (includes dining, kitchen, gathering area) and the necessary infrastructure and to hold off on our large, multi-story cabin units until more funds are received. Instead, we will be building 3 to 4 stand alone cabins with restroom/shower facilities.

These buildings will be built by skilled, volunteer labor (let us know if you can help!). A separate fund has been established for this and if you would like to contribute, please designate “cabin fund” on your contribution. $40,000 has been contributed to this fund so far, primarily from former campers and counselors who remain passionate about the power of camp. If you would
like to make a donation in honor of a camp counselor or Sunday school teacher who made a significant impact on your life (or your child’s life), we would love to hear about it when you send your donation! If you prefer giving to the new Lodge, those donations would be welcome and appreciated as well. Please indicate your desire by writing “capital campaign” on those gifts.

If you would like more information, please feel free to contact Lake View Camp’s director, Diana Brummel, at 641-628-2160, or board members Bob and Dort Kampman (Kesley) at 319-830-8958 or Lance and Lindy Ibeling (Parkersburg) at 319-883-1264. Also, we would love to have you visit Lake View camp this fall to see this beautiful piece of property God has entrusted
to our care. Give us a call or visit lakeviewconference.com!

Journey

Harvest Party (Journey Students)

Harvest Party – Sunday, October 25th – 6pm-8pm

Dress up in your flannel, straw hats, overalls…those dressed up will be entered to win prizes! Fall themed games & activities will be planned.  Mark your calendars!

For More information:

Family and Children Ministry, Journey, Marriage and Family, Youth

Parent Pivoting Summit

Parenting Pivot Challenge
October 8-24, 2020

A unique online event for all parents!  The Parenting Pivot Challenge is a FREE virtual summit October 8-24 that will consist of daily videos posted in the Parenting Pivot Challenge Facebook group.  The videos are dynamic national speakers addressing topics such as anxiety, depression, screen time, balancing work and life, sexuality, and social media. The videos will be posted for free for 24 hours, so check the schedule and see what will best bless your family.

View the Full Schedule

How to Join

COVID-19, Journey, News

Snack Donations Needed

The youth group is participating in Lead the Cause, a virtual evangelism and discipleship training experience the week of July 27th-31st.  Would you be willing to make snacks for the teens to enjoy as they get fed spiritually?  Cookies, brownies, puppy chow…we love it all!

If you are able to help, simply fill out this form and let us know.

Lead the Cause is a summer teen evangelism training even that helps youth leaders create passionate disciples who are reaching their word with the gospel.

Youth groups spend an intensive week praying, learning and conspiring together to reach their community for Christ. They experience:

  • Deep Prayer – Interceding for their lost friends. Students spend the first day and a half aligning their heart with God’s and His desire for all to come to faith in Him.
  • Faith Sharing – Outreach opportunities to share the gospel. Two entire afternoons are dedicated to hands on outreach, speaking with strangers, starting gospel conversations. Students are also challenged to bring up the gospel with friends and family back home.
  • Vision Planning – Conspiring together to reach their community for Christ. Groups pray and plan ways they can reach their own communities with the gospel, coming away with a strategic plan and specific goals.

More about Lead the Cause

Cedar Chips, COVID-19, Journey, June 2020 Chips, News, Uncategorized, Youth

Cedar Hills Graduates

JUNE 2020

Cedar Hills Graduates

What a strange and bizarre year it has been for the graduating class of 2020.  We are incredibly proud of all our graduating students would like to recognize them for their well-earned achievements. Enjoy this short video. Be sure to browse all of their honors and achievements below.

HIGH SCHOOL

Mikayla Bosch

  • Prairie High School
  • Next – Attend the University of Iowa to major in Human Physiology to someday pursue a career in the medical field.
  • “Always be yourself and make the most of every situation.”

Amanda Diers

  • Central Baptist Christian Academy
  • Next – Messiah College in Pennsylvania.

Madelyn Funk

  • Solon High School
  • Next – Kirkwood Community Collage
  • “Always choose kindness! Do what makes you happy and what you know is right!”

Zac Goodall

  • Jefferson High School
  • Next – Going to UNI and studying Music Education.
  • “Get involved in school activities.”

Kira Hegg

  • Senior High School – Billings, MT
  • National Honor Society, Presidents Education Award

Alexis Henderson

  • Jefferson High School
    Honors include 2020 Governor’s Scholar Honoree, 2020 Best of the Class, Valedictorian, AP Scholar with Honors, Academic Honors with Distinction, Presidential Education Award, National Honors Society, Volunteer Service Award, J-Hawk Credit Club, Science Department Award, Science Four Year Award, Project Lead the Way Four Year Award, Social Studies Four Year Award, Mathematics Four Year Award, and World Language Four Year Award.
  • Next – I am planning on studying biomedical engineering at the University of Arizona.
  • “Don’t take anything you have during this time of your life for granted because you never know when everything around you will change.”

Brody Joens

  • Prairie High School
  • Next – Dordt University, studying civil engineering/architecture, playing football
  • “Don’t take it for granted.”

UNDERGRAD

Justin Brown

  • Kirkwood Community College – Associate of Arts
  • Next – I am currently a student at the University of Iowa working towards earn a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in general psychology and a minor in human relations while becoming a member of Alpha Phi omega national service fraternity.

Austin Mills

  • Coe College – Biology Major, Chemistry and Spanish Minor
    Graduated cum laude
    Member Phi Beta Kappa
  • Next – Position with Biomimicry Design Alliance
  • “Don’t be afraid to take a winding path to find the college and career path that is the right fit for you. God has a plan and nothing can change that!”

Katlyn Stevens

  • Iowa State University – Bachelor of Liberal Studies
  • Next – Working at US Bank and looking for new opportunities
  • “College goes by fast. Make the most of it.”

Frankline Tshombe

  • Mount Mercy University – BA in Social Work
  • Next – Work as a Child Welfare Social Worker
  • “Maximize your time in college and cherish every moment.”

Hilaire Tshombe

  • Mount Mercy University – BA in Social Work
    Phi Alpha Honor Society
    National Society of Leadership and Success
    Sisters of Mercy Award
  • Next – For now I am a member of RefugeeRise working at Catherine McAuley Center working with diverse population.
  • “The word I have for those entering college is that they must not give up–that nothing comes easy in life. They must not lose hope; they must keep on pushing and one day they will say that this is far they have come. For me to be where I am today, it is hard work.”

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Alexi Grave

  • University of Northern Iowa – Master of Accounting
  • Next – I’m starting my career as an Audit Associate at KPMG in Des Moines.
  • “Don’t strive for a perfect 4.0 GPA. Do your best, and make time for yourself.”

Jeremy Van Genderen

  • Western Theological Seminary – Masters of Divinity
  • Next – Ordination and installation as Senior Pastor at Trinity Reformed Church in Allison, IA
  • “Always be open to the plan that God has for you.”

 

Journey, News

Graduate Surprise Gifts

Our graduates received a surprise delivery last week – a yard sign, goodie basket and new Bibles.

We are so proud of all their accomplishments and praise God for the work He is doing in them and through them.

Thank you to Zac Goodall for submitting a picture of his surprise delivery!

May God richly bless all our graduates in the next leg of their journeys.

Cedar Chips, COVID-19, Journey, June 2020 Chips, News

Youth Ministry – June 2020 Update

JUNE 2020

YOUTH MINISTRY UPDATE

Feeling frustrated lately? The list of frustration I have felt and observed in the past week is great. Frustrated about balancing work with being home with kids. Struggling with online classes, more work, and changing expectations. Frustrated by the loss of things important to us, even if we know they are trivial, like sports season, clubs, and activities. Upset about all the unknown in our lives. Frustrated that we are opening too soon or not soon enough. Confused about how people look at the same data, but come to contradictory conclusions.

Disappointed that something like public health during a pandemic could get so politically divided. So what do we do with all these emotions?  Emotions are human.  We cannot help but experience them. However, how would Jesus want us act in times like this?  How should we, as Christians, respond to these emotions in a Godly way?

  1. We are not controlled by our emotions.
    1. Walk by the Spirit, not the flesh
    2. “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:24-25
  2. We have a different perspective.
    1. Tough times grow our faith and spiritual maturity
    2. “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” James 1:2-4 (Message)
  3. We trust God’s timing and plan.
    1. Genesis 45:4-8 – Joseph’s suffering was a part of God’s redemptive plan
    2. It is a painful pruning process when God cuts away our hopes and dreams that do not align with His. Our frustration sometimes comes when we realize we have less control than we imagine. We are frustrated when we must set aside our plans, and submit to His. Trust God, though, His plans bring with them the promise of abundant life!
    3. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”~ John 10:10

Trust God, even when you are feeling frustrated. His plans bring with them the promise of abundant life!

Steve Poole
Director of Youth & Young Adults

 

 

 

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Journey, News, Uncategorized

Are you graduating? Calling All 2020 Graduates!

Attention: High school and college graduates!

Cedar Hills will be recognizing our graduates on May 24th.  Please register to be recognized by filling out this form. It asks the following:

  • A current picture (senior picture)
  • A baby picture
  • School from which you are graduating & any honors/degrees
  • What’s next?
  • Words of the wise…

HS graduates – what is your advice to those entering HS?
College graduates – what is your advice to those entering college?

COMPLETE THE FORM NOW

This information will be used to create a slideshow for our worship service on May 24th.  Also, graduates will be featured in the June edition of CHIPS!