Due to the bad weather, the Open Hands Food Pantry is closing Monday, Feb. 11. It will reopen Wednesday 10am-12pm and Friday 10am-12pm.
Category Archives: News
Preschoolers learn about Guatemala
The three and four year old Cross Training class had a special visitor come and teach them about life in Guatemala Sunday! Austin Mills is a current Coe College student who recently returned from a missions trip to Guatemala. After sharing about the trip in both services Sunday, he made a special stop in the preschool classroom.
Hear his report here:
Paul Donnan
We are deeply saddened by the news that our friend and Cedar Hills staff member Paul Donnan has passed away. Please pray for peace and comfort for his family and friends as they grieve his death. Paul was the Director of Maintenance & Operations at Cedar Hills.
The visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 14 at 9:30am, followed by the funeral at 11:00am. A brief burial service at Cedar Memorial will follow the funeral, and then a luncheon will be served back at the church.
Obituary
(from cedarmemorial.com)
Paul D. Donnan, 52 of Cedar Rapids passed away at his home Sunday, February 10, 2019. Services at 11:00 AM on Thursday at Cedar Hills Community Church. There will be a visitation at Cedar Hill Community Church on Thursday from 9:30 AM until service time at 11:00 AM. Pastor Kent Landhuis will officiate. Burial at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include two sons, Grant and Michael, his mother Sally Donnan all of Cedar Rapids and a sister Lisa (Pat) Kress of Hiawatha. He is also survived by a niece and nephew Courtnie and Connor Bartosh, and many friends. He was proceeded in death by his father.
Paul was born on June 8, 1966 in Cedar Rapids the son of Douglas and Sally (Day) Donnan. After graduating from High School, Paul graduated from the California Police Academy. He was a detective for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department where he was a member of both the Antelope and Lancaster Gang Units Tasks Force. Because of Paul’s work he received a Superior Dedication Award and an Outstanding Achievement Award for his work with the gang units. After 11 years at the Sheriff’s Department he returned to Cedar Rapids in 2000, and became the Director of Maintenance and Operations at Cedar Hills Community Church. Paul and Michael especially enjoyed the time they spent together plowing snow at the Church.
While in Cedar Rapids, Paul implemented the Community Service Program for individuals who were incarcerated.
Paul enjoyed the outdoors, baseball, and time spent with his family and many friends. Paul was always willing to give a hand to anyone who need help.
Paul will forever be remembered as a wonderful and loving father, son, brother and friend whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.
A memorial fund has been established.
Paul’s Staff Bio (cedar hills Website):
Paul grew up in Cedar Rapids. He began working for the church in 2003. Prior to that he was a Detective on the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. His parents, Sally and Doug, joined Cedar Hills Community Church in 1961.When not spending time with his two boys or at church, he enjoys the outdoors, baseball, and gardening. He is passionate about the commandment “Love your neighbor.” His favorite Bible verses are those that declare and describe Heaven.
175 Sub-Success!
Thank you to everyone who purchased a sub sandwich for the annual Super Bowl Sub fundraiser. The Journey youth and leaders assembled 175 subs sandwiches.
“Last Sunday, 20 students and leaders from Youth Ministry made over 175 subs, which were sold out within minutes! Thank you for your constant support of the student ministry!” ~ Jeremy Van Genderen
Journey Student ministry is a place for ALL students 6th-12th grade to come walk together on their faith journey. We meet on Sunday nights from 5:30pm-8pm. Each night starts with a cafe time where you can purchase items like pizza, candy, chips, hotdogs, soda and Keurig coffee drinks. Starting at 6:15pm, we rotate between large group teaching, small group discussion and games. No matter where you are on your faith journey you are invited and welcomed to join us each and every week.
Family Promise Bright Spot
BRIGHT SPOT
Family Promise assists homeless families to get to a sustainable state with employment, housing, and other needed services. Our church hosted two families this past week with the help of caring volunteers.
Diane Potter did a special project with one of the daughters. They made a special blanket and scarf for her!
Family Promise of Linn County’s mission is to help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through compassionate care, hospitality and professional support. Cedar Hills partners with them as a host site to house families overnight and providing meals.
Family Adventure February Events
Wed, Feb. 13 – Family Adventure Night
We hope your family can join us for a night of food, fun and discipleship, together as a family!
Dinner is offered from 5:30-6pm, program beginning at 6pm.
Nursery will be provided for the littlest ones.
Thur., Feb. 14 – Parent’s Night Out
5:30pm-8pm your kiddos can enjoy a fun night of STEAM activities, while you take some time to reconnect and recoup, your choice.
Oh, did I also mention…it’s free!
View the event on Facebook and reserve your spot!
More about STEAM On.
Adult Classes
Adult Discipleship: Cross Training Classes
Sundays at 9:45 AM – Cross Training Classes for preschoolers through adults with nursery staffed. Current classes for adults include:
- Growing in Christ Together—Dig deeper into the gospel, focusing on the DNA of discipleship. Teachers: Pastor Kent, Gary Mills and Don Dykstra.
- Grace Through the Eyes of Jesus—Study the example of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel, opportunity to share your experiences of God’s grace in our own lives. Teachers: Pastor Alan Crandall, Joanne Lodge, and Gary & Sue
Sager. - Parenting Together—The goal for our group is to build relationships by learning from and with each other in how we can raise our kids and grow as parents in a Godly way. Teachers: Karl and Lindsey Ungs and guest
mentors. - Financial Peace University (pre-registration required; special earlier start time at 9:30 AM). Class facilitators: Dana & Kyle Chapman and Larry & Shelly Pottebaum.
Open Table – Mar. 17
Our next Open Table meeting is Sunday, March 17, after the 2nd service in the Gathering Space. Once a month, we hang around after church. Our team provides a lunch, space to connect, make new friends, and enjoy Christ alive in us. Whether you are new to Cedar Hills or have been around a while, young or old, everyone is welcome at Open Table!
The Law of Love
The Law of Love
“If you hate yourself,
you will hate your neighbor.”
“If you hate your neighbor,
it’s because you hate yourself.”
“If you hate yourself,
it’s because you don’t know
God’s love for you.”
“To the degree that you know
God’s great love for you,
you will love yourself.”
“To the degree that you love yourself,
you will be able to love your neighbor.”
It all flows from one thing to the next.
You cannot love your neighbor
without knowing
His great love for you.
One flows into the next,
into the next,
into the next.
That is the law of love.
So we could say, “Just Love”.
But we should probably say, “Be loved.”
One flows into the next,
into the next,
into the next.
Leah
Director of Worship & Media
Six Everyday Rhythms of Disciples
Six Everyday Rhythms of Disciples
These six activities make up much of the everyday stuff of life. The gospel transforms each!
- We Are Story-Formed: Our stories intersect with God’s Story. Story-formed people grow in understanding of our neighbor’s stories and we share God’s Story.
- We Listen: We set aside regular times to listen to God by dwelling in the word and prayer. We take time to slow down, listen to others, and ask questions!
- We Celebrate: We gather together to celebrate God’s goodness and God’s extravagant blessings. We invite others into this celebration regularly and engage the celebrations of those around us.
- We Bless Others: We intentionally bless others through words, gifts, or actions because God desires for all people to be blessed through Jesus.
- We Eat Together: We regularly eat meals with others to invite them into the community. We see our dining table as the best tool for reaching out. We invite friends, neighbors, and the poor over for dinner.
- We ReCreate: We take time to rest, play, create, and restore beauty in ways that reflect God to others. Part of our recreation includes Sabbath rest and worship.