Category Archives: News

Cedar Chips, June 2020 Chips, News, Noah's Ark

Noah’s Ark – June 2020 Update

JUNE 2020

Noah’s Ark – June 2020 Update

We were so very fortunate to have our entire staff donate their time to deliver May Packets and Graduation Certificates (for our four-year-old class) to all of our students!  It was an incredible day, full of smiles and tears! The staff enjoyed the fact that they got to say their official “goodbyes” to our students.

Our Good News is that July Summer School is proceeding! We have 15 students registered. There will be some major changes and challenges due to keeping our kids and staff safe during this pandemic. We are confident that we will figure a way to work around all of the obstacles and make it fun experience for all.

We are in the process of hiring a new teacher for next year. This position is Monday through Friday, from 8:30 to noon.  If you are interested in more information, please send an email to our office.

After being home for so long, wouldn’t you like to put a date on your calendar for something to do?  July 14th is our next Blood Drive at church.  Walk-in’s are not allowed at this time, but you can go online and sign up for a time (or do so in their app!).  You can also email the Noah’s Ark office and I’ll help you get signed up.

Kris Crowther
Director of Noah’s Ark Preschool

 

 

 

 

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    Cedar Chips, June 2020 Chips, News

    To Listen is to Love

    JUNE 2020

    To Listen is to Love

    Several weeks ago I was in a room with 4 other people. We were all waiting on something so we were standing around. What struck me was that each person wanted to speak, but not listen. Each of them cut into the conversation before the other was finished speaking. None of them were interested in listening to the other person or asking questions about the other person’s story. Each person was more concerned about establishing their identity than about being a generous listener.

    I try hard to focus and intently listen to my children

    Generosity can be carried out through Finances, Influence, Skills, or Time (F.I.S.T. model) –time being the most precious of them all. Listening, truly hearing someone, is one way to steward God’s resources well. Like all generous acts, listening is a choice.

    I used to hate baby showers. The events felt like a waste of my time. I hated the small talk and the silly games. I would have preferred to take the mother-to-be out for a coffee and give her a gift while we had meaningful conversation. Even though I love to celebrate, baby showers felt so forced.

    Thankfully God has changed my heart on this matter. I moved into realizing that spending my time listening to someone, even at a baby shower, can be a generous act. I’ve learned to appreciate where God has placed me (physically) each day, because I can take joy in being generous with those around me.

    Listening is a key tool for loving someone well. Having good health, a big house, a college degree, or dozens of friends is not required for you to do listening well. Listening requires almost nothing, except your most precious resource–time.

    Most nights my husband listens as I share what’s on my heart. He listens with compassion and asks questions. I feel loved by this generous act.

    As a child, my grandparents and great-grandparents listened to me with abandon, as if they had hours on end to give. I could share every whim and fancy knowing they would take an interest in what I had to say. It made me feel known and loved, in a society that doesn’t value children or their caretakers.

    Pastor Alan is a great listener.

    Alan Crandall is one of the best listener I know. If someone starts a conversation with him, he will give them his full attention and make them feel welcomed to share their heart. This is a treasure to find in a world that is short on time and long on self-focus.

    You are doing God’s work when you spend time listening. To listen is to love.

    Lindsey Ungs
    Connection & Communication Architect

     

     

     

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      Cedar Chips, June 2020 Chips, Love. Belong. Serve., News

      You Belong

      JUNE 2020

      You Belong

      I never thought I would ever write about dog grief. I never thought I could love a dog so much. When Mary and I were told about Quincy’s cancer, it broke our hearts. Saying good-bye to our four-legged family member grieved us deeply.

      Within days after Quincy passed, Mary started the search for a puppy. Grief therapy. We found a breeder with a new litter of 11 puppies. We met them when they were three weeks old and we fell in love. The puppy with green paint on his tail captured our hearts.

      For the next four weeks, we visited this breeder’s website often to look for pictures and videos of the puppies. We searched each time for the puppy with the green tail. He was the cutest, most adorable, most wonderful puppy ever. He was ours. He belonged to us.

      Finally, the breeder called, “He is ready! You can take your puppy home!”

      Mary said, “We don’t need to bring the puppy home. We can just watch him grow up online.”

      Mary really said, “We will be right there! He belongs to us!”

      We too, were made to belong. It is so important that the Heidelberg Catechism asks this question first: “What is your only comfort in life and in death?” And our comfort is found in belonging! “My only comfort in life and in death is that I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.”

      Everyone wants to belong. Even a puppy.

      The Lord be with you,
      Kent Landhuis
      Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

       

       

       

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        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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          Cedar Chips, Connection, COVID-19, June 2020 Chips, Love. Belong. Serve., News

          Shut-Ins (June 2020)

          JUNE 2020

          Cedar Hills Shut-Ins

          The following shut-ins are unable to attend church regularly.  They appreciate visits, cards, and prayers from concerned church friends.

          Pat Ament—home

          Judy Botine—home

          Dave Bryant—Prairie Gardens Memory Care

          Jake/Lois DeBoer—The Views/Marion

          Bob/Eloise Dennis—home

          Helen Freeman—home

          Maureen Kern—home

          Betty Long—Grand Living @ Indian Creek

          Clarence Northrup—Andrew Jackson Care Center, Bellevue, IA

          Vivian Northrup—home

          Jo Parizek—Grand Living @ Indian Creek

          Ivadell Peterson—Living Center West, #230

          Ray/Shirley Vander Wiel—Stoney Point Meadows

          Dorothy Wise—home

           

          Cedar Chips, June 2020 Chips, News, Noah's Ark

          Blood Drive – July 14

          JUNE 2020

          GIVE BLOOD – SUPPORT NOAH’S ARK PRESCHOOL

          July 14th is our next Blood Drive at church.  Walk-in’s are not allowed at this time, but you can go online and sign up for a time (or do so in their app!).  You can also email the Noah’s Ark office and Noah’s Ark Director Kris will help you get signed up.

          When we meet a quote of eligible donors, the Mississippi Valley Blood Center gives us a grant to use towards extra school supplies at the preschool.  Help us out and sign-up to donate today!  View/Download flier.

           

           

          Communication, Consistory, Love. Belong. Serve., Membership, News, Worship

          Sunday, May 24 – Links & Info

          Sunday, May 24, 2020
          Watch Live at 11am (music begins at 10:50am)

          Video Highlights:

          Cedar Hills Kids:

          News

          • Cedar Hills is reuniting for services Sunday, June 7 at 8:30am and 11am, and continuing the online streaming at 11am. We welcome you to attend, if you feel comfortable doing so. There will be a few changes however to our normal services and we want to let you know what to expect… Read more.
          • Congrats Graduates! Enjoy this short video highlighting all of our 2020 graduates – high school and beyond! Watch now.
          • Become a Member of Cedar Hills – New eight week class begins June 7. Have you been at Cedar Hills for a while, but are unsure how to connect further? Our new partnership class is your next step. At Cedar Hills, we are the kind of people who share hospitality…  Read more
          • The Cedar Hills App – Download the Cedar Hills app. Use it for mobile giving, submitting prayer requests, the Bible, weather updates, and insider information.  Download now