Category Archives: Uncategorized

Cedar Chips, News, Uncategorized

I want to be a runner – pt. 2

(Continued from “I want to be a runner… pt. 1)

So what is the turning point of identity? When does one’s brain go from not identifying with something to embracing the identity?

I’ve had another month and many, many miles of training to ponder my running dilemma, meanwhile still wearing my runner’s clothes, reading my runner’s blogs, studying my runner’s strides. Doing all the things I know to do to look like a runner and blend in with the running crowd.

This last Friday, I set a personal distance record of 16.11 miles! And somewhere along that long, lonely road in the middle of a rain shower the mystery of my much-desired-running-identity hit me.

I can’t be a runner
until I give up my former
‘not-a-runner’ identity.

That’s it.

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks and I began to weep.  What is my former identify? (and I type this gently, because it sounds so harsh…)

Slow. Non-Athletic. Fat. Girl.

I can’t be both. I must choose.

I’ve spent ten years working on my health (physical, spiritual, emotional) after a lifetime of obesity that started in childhood.  I’ve shed almost 100 lbs, but thirty years of being that girl was going to be hard to shake.  Words, realities, capabilities, activities… a whole lifetime of things tied to an identity needed to be ripped out of my brain and replaced with the new.

Where is Jesus in all this craziness?

More to come next month.

Leah
Director of Worship & Media

 

Cedar Chips, News, Uncategorized

I Want to Be A Runner – Pt. 1

I’ve been pondering a lot lately about identity and how one comes to identify with a group or a title. What got me started on thinking about this was a desire to begin training for a half marathon this Fall.

Though I may not look like someone who might frequently run, this will be my 6th half marathon. That’s part of my problem. I want to be runner but am somewhat convinced that because I don’t look like one, I am not. So I began listing the things I’m trying to do in order to become a “runner” (beyond the obvious thing of ‘running’).

  • I own a large attire of running clothes.
  • I have special running shoes.
  • I have a special running app for logging all my runs and stats.
  • I have a running playlist on Spotify that matches my running cadence.
  • I study running cadences.
  • I have special hair bands for running.
  • Running is a part of my weekly schedule. Short runs on Tuesday/Thursday/Fridays, and long runs on Saturdays.
  • I read running blogs and research strides, warmups, and recovery activities.
  • I make homemade electrolyte solutions for post-run recovery.

So I am a runner, right??? Why can’t my brain accept this list and identify with a runner’s identify?

Because I’m slow. And I look wimpy and kind of sloppy when I run. And I’m chunky. And I’ve only been in active training for seven weeks.

So what is the turning point of identity? When does one’s brain go from not identifying with something to embracing the identity? This is my question! There are soooo many parallels to our spiritual walks I don’t even know where to start! But I will keep pondering this and come back with more next month.

(see part. 2 here)

Leah
Director of Worship & Media

Bright Spot, GLS, News, Uncategorized, Worship

Aug 7 Worship Service

Global Leadership Summit Worship Service

Join us for a pre-Summit worship gathering Wednesday, August 7 at 7pm.  The worship service is part of the Global Leadership Summit kick-off, and is free and open to the public. You do not need to be registered for the Summit to attend.

The worship will be streaming live out of Willow Creek church in Chicago, IL.  Cedar Hills is blessed and excited to be a host site for this year’s Global Leadership Summit – August 8-9.

If you’d like to attend the Summit at Cedar Hills, you can register online.  Cedar Hills attendees are encouraged to contact the office for a special promo code.

Bright Spot, Journey, News, Uncategorized

May 19 – Goodbye, Jeremy!

L-to-R: Kara, Jeremy, Ben, Jeanette, Bree

This Sunday, May 19 will be Jeremy Van Genderen’s final day preaching at Cedar Hills.  He has accepted the Senior Pastor position at Trinity Reformed Church in Allison, Iowa.  So we are celebrating he and his family! The service will have a few surprises, but another one that requires your help! (If you are part of the Van Genderen family… stop reading at this point!!!)

Continue reading May 19 – Goodbye, Jeremy! →

News, Uncategorized

Construction on Stoney Point

Dear Church,

There’s a lot of construction happening around the church building! Stoney Point road will be closed from 1st Ave to Granite Ridge Ct. starting at 7:00 AM Monday, April 1, thus closing access to the church on Stoney Point Road. Our only access for about 5 weeks will be E Ave entrance. Those from the south will need to go around. There will be no access from Cherry Hill Park entrance to Granite Ridge.

After that it should be open again.

On June 6, they will be closing off the Stoney Point and E Ave intersection (putting in a roundabout) , but it sounds like we should be able to access both driveways of the church parking lot.

Uncategorized

Family Adventure Goes to the Harlem Globetrotters

Not only do we get to look forward to the coming Spring, April will also be Family Adventure’s outing to see the Harlem Globetrotters! Join us on April 12th, with the game starting at 7pm in the U.S. Cellular Center! Want to go? Each ticket is only $10 a person, and includes going down on the court to high-five the Globetrotters coming back out after the halftime intermission.

If your planning on making it out, please RSVP by April 10th with Kyle French and payment can be collected at the time of the event.

Visit the Facebook event. 

Funeral, News, Uncategorized

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.

Directions to Cedar Hills

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.

News, Open Hands Food Pantry, Uncategorized, Worship

Church Closed Wed. Jan 30

The church will be closed Wednesday, Jan 30 and all activities cancelled or postponed.

Open Hands Food Pantry – Closed. It will reopen for normal hours Friday 10am-12pm.
1st Service Worship Team – Rehearsing Sunday 7:40am
2nd Service Worship Team – Rehearsing Sunday 9:45am
Sanctuary Choir – rehearsal next week Wednesday, 6:45pm
Family Adventure – event postponed until Feb. 13.

All other meetings, please contact your group leader for reschedule information.

In an emergency, please contact the pastors on their cell phones. (The numbers went out in a church-wide, but are also available in the online directory–CCB.)  Don’t have the CCB app? It’s a great resource for staying in touch with your Cedar Hills Church family. Get the app.

Uncategorized

New Classes Beginning Jan. 6

Jump into a new Cross Training class!

Sunday, Jan 6, 9:45 AM Cross Training Classes resume for ages preschool through adults. Nursery is available for children ages 0-2yrs during the Sunday school hour.

  • Growing in Christ Together—dig deeper into the gospel, focusing on the DNA of discipleship.
    Teacher: Pastor Kent.
  • 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 and Joanne Lodge.
  • 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–This class will teach you the steps you need to get our debt and change your family’s financial future. Our class will be held on Sunday mornings during the Cross Training Hour, starting at 9:30 AM. To register for the class, http://www.fpu.com/1077698. We will have class materials available for purchase, or you can purchase a kit online.
    Teachers: Dana and Kyle Chapman, Larry and Shelly Pottebaum