On Sunday, June 5 in between services at 9:45am we will meet as a church to discuss upcoming changes for our denomination and a potential joining of the Alliance of Reformed Churches. This is part 2 of a discussion we began back in February. All are welcome to come and ask questions. We’ll be directly responding to questions asked on the 4-Question Survey many filled out in mid-May.
Childcare and activities will be provided for ages 0 to 3rd grade.
CEDAR HILLS FUTURE – ASK AN ELDER – The Elders have been discerning our current partnership with the RCA (Reformed Church in America), and in light of major changes coming in the RCA, they recommend a future partnership with the ARC (Alliance of Reformed Churches). Next Sunday, May 15 and Sunday, May 22, between the services in the Gathering Space, the Elders desire to hear input from the congregations. Bring your questions and also join us in praying for clarity as we continue to discern next steps for Cedar Hills.
The RCA requires churches leaving the denomination to join another denomination or network. We believe that there is wisdom in this requirement. We long to partner with other churches who are like minded in theology and mission. We want to grow in kingdom impact and we believe that God does this when like-minded congregations unite in mission. We are requesting to join The Alliance of Reformed Churches (ARC).
Are you curious what it means to be a part of Cedar Hills? Or what it means to be a member of a church? YOU BELONG is a class to explore both these things at Cedar Hills. The class runs six weeks beginning Sunday, April 24 at 9:45am. (May 1, 2022 is the final deadline to join).
Some fun membership benefits – use of the church for events without rental fees (baby showers, parties, reunions), a discount for weddings and events, and a tuition discount at Noah’s Ark Preschool! As well as the spiritual benefits of affirming a commitment to where God wants to plant you and find a home for your unique gifts.
YOU BELONG is held a few times every year. If this session doesn’t work for you, let the office know and we will be in touch when the next session is scheduled.
Our next Faith, Family & Fun event is a picnic and grill out at the Noelridge Park pavilion (nearest to the pond on Council Street) on Sunday, May 15 at 5:30pm. This event is for the entire church family and anyone else you’d like invite! Bring a side to share and Cedar Hills will provide the meat and drinks.
There is a great playground area for the kids, trails, and more at Noelridge. There are picnic tables in the pavilion and a few benches in the playground area. Feel free to bring lawn chairs and lawn games if you have some!
Maundy Thursday worship service at 6:30pm. We will have a potluck dinner prior to the service, serving 5:15-6:15pm. Chicken provided. If your last name is A-P, bring a salad or side. O-Z, bring bars or cookies.
At Maundy Thursday, we celebrate the Last Supper and reflect on the death of our Savior on the cross. The service will last around 45 minutes. Families are children are welcome!
Mary Joan (Stark) Laughrige of Deltona, Fla., died on Feb. 6, 2022, after a short illness.
She was born Jan. 23, 1933, in Atwood, Colo., to Vera Diel and Lloyd McBride. She married Dr. Craig D. Stark
on Sept. 6, 1952, in Des Moines, Iowa. He died Aug. 11, 1980. She then married Robert J. Laughrige on Feb. 20, 1982, in Ottumwa, Iowa. He died Feb. 11, 2000.
Joan graduated from Eaton High School, Eaton, Colo., and attended Colorado State University. She lived in Traer, Ottumwa and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for many years before moving to Deltona, Fla., in 2019 to be near family. She was previously employed by Iowa State University, First Community Bank and Trust in Traer, and Union Bank and Trust Co. in Ottumwa, before retiring in 1990.
She was a former deacon, elder and member of First Presbyterian Church in Ottumwa and a member of Cedar Hills Community Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was a member of PEO Chapter HC. Special enjoyment came from her family, church, friends, bridge, mah jongg, college sports (football and basketball) and all music, but especially jazz.
She is survived by a son, John (Tina) Stark of Phoenix, Ariz., daughters, Dana Pherigo of Ottumwa, Iowa, Darla (Paul) Bastron of Kenosha, Wis.; Dr. Jennifer (Kevin) Johnson of DeBary, Fla., and Carrie (Keith) Douglas of Cumming, Ga.
She is survived by grandchildren, Heather (Ryan) Thompson of Ottumwa, Iowa, Lucas (Annemarie) Johnson of Wheeling, Ill., Katie (Steven) Kerlin of Jacksonville, Fla., Philip (Ashley) Bastron of Winston-Salem, N.C., Patrick (Jen) Bastron of Racine, Wis., Kyle Johnson of Salt Springs, Fla., Lauren (Jacob Goodpasture) Douglas of Atlanta, Ga., and Samantha Douglas of Cumming, Ga. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Joan is survived by a brother, Stanley Haywood of Lanagan, Mo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; son, James Stark (3/19/18); granddaughter, Anessa Pherigo; and son-in-law, Harold Pherigo.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 19, at Cedar Hills Community Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Family will greet friends from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church before the service.
Burial will be at Buckingham Cemetery in Traer, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to Cedar Hills Community Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com
Enjoy pasta while supporting Noah’s Ark and a small business owned by Cedar Hill’s very own Tyler and Lindsey Steincamp.
Visit www.pastaoftheprairie.com, order some pasta, and Noah’s Ark will receive 30% of the profits. Order by March 18 and use code “NOAH”. It will take off the cost of the shipping, and all the orders will be sent to Noah’s Ark Preschool for pickup on March 21.
Want it shipped to your home instead? Pay the small shipping cost and make sure you say it’s for the Noah’s Ark Fundraiser in the “special comments” section on the order page.
Buy 4 of any products, get 1 FREE!
Buy 7 of any products, get 2 FREE!
Have fun, enjoy your pasta, and thank you for helping Noah’s Ark continue to provide a Christian preschool experience at an affordable price!
My husband and I became volunteers for “Safe Family” years ago. We saw that it would give us an opportunity to serve families when they were in need. Primarily the safe family hosts children while their parents are busy lining up a job or transportation or childcare. Years ago, we hosted a child for four months while his mother got a job, a car, and an apartment in place. This was a great thing to be a part of.
In October this year we started hosting 1- and 2-year-old little girls. Each week they have become more and more a part of our lives. In November, we were asked by their mother to adopt them. We prayed and discerned that we should say, “YES.”
Since then we have been working on adjusting to life as a family of six. We are meeting with a lawyer and planning our home study. We have been fundraising to pay for the fees that come with adoption (up to $10,000 is what we were told to plan for).
And YOU dear church have been caring for us through this process. You have been giving us cups of cold water when we are thirsty. Those cups have come in the form of diapers, wipes, encouragement, a place to share sorrows and joys, clothes, little shoes, funds towards the adoption, and Christmas gifts for the new family members.
Thank you for the hospitality you have offered us! It’s a joy to see how many are supporting these little girls without even knowing them!
Lindsey Ungs
Connection & Communication Architect
A sermon series beginning March 6, 2022. Sundays at 8:30am and 11am
We’ll be looking at the “7 Deadly Sins” and why they have such a powerful hook into God’s people – and how to combat them! In Christ, we have VICTORY! Amen!
Sunday classes will continue at 9:45am in between services. Nursery is available for ages 0-36mo at both services, and Children’s Worship is at 11am for ages 3 to 3rd grade.
Small groups are meeting throughout the weeks of Lent. The videos for small groups are here.