Category Archives: Volunteers Needed

Bright Spot, News, Transform the Corridor, Volunteers Needed

National Volunteer Month

Did you know April is National Volunteer Month? At Cedar Hills, we are blessed with many volunteers who find great joy in serving the Lord with the varied gifts, talents and passions and we believe everyone is called and wired to find their specific role in serving the church.

We compiled the lists and starting Sunday, April 7, you can stop by the volunteering table and write a “Thank You” to a volunteer who is currently serving Cedar Hills.  All the supplies are provided! Won’t you take a few moments to bless the heart of another in our church family and thank them for their time?

Haven’t found a place to serve yet? We’ll also have a list of current needs and openings in our volunteer base.  Who knows? Maybe God will lead you into your area of passion and ministry with just the right fit.

Jesus answered, “The most important one is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

Volunteering is one way to follow both commandments at the same time!  Through serving others you are showing your love to God by sharing His love with those in need.  Love God – Love Others.  BUT did you know that volunteering also shows your love for yourself which is part of God’s commandment as well?  He wants us to live full lives that honor Him, and volunteering is one of the ways we can do that.

Benefits of volunteering: 15 ways to feel healthier and happier

Community, loneliness, and bonding

  1. Volunteering builds community
  2. Volunteering ends loneliness
  3. Volunteering increases socializing
  4. Volunteering build bonds, creates friends

Mental health and happiness in volunteers

  1. Volunteering develops emotional stability
  2. Volunteering improves self-esteem
  3. Volunteering helps those most affected by mental illness

Overall Health Improvements

  1. Volunteering promotes longevity
  2. Volunteering reduces risk of Alzheimer’s
  3. Volunteering leads to graceful aging
  4. Volunteering burns that suborn belly fat

Future goals and career opportunities

  1. Volunteering improves school and college experience
  2. Volunteering provides better job prospects
  3. Volunteering develops corporate communities
  4. Volunteering adds fun to your years

How can I get involved:

In the church?

  1. Take the Spiritual Gifts survey to identify the gifts God has given you
  2. Fill out your profile in the Cedar Hill’s CCB to identify your gifts AND your passions
  3. Stop by the table in the Gathering Space to see the opportunities available and sign up to serve.

In the community?

  1. Contact an agency that matches your passions and ask about the opportunities to serve.
  2. Sign up on a volunteer app or website. There are several available, but to show how easy it is to learn about volunteering opportunities in the community, we will focus on the United Way’s website called “Volunteer Now”.
    1. Got to the Website https://unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.galaxydigital.com/
    2. Create an account
    3. Once you are logged in you can:
      1. Browse agencies and tag them as favorites – you will receive notification when a new volunteer opportunity is posted for your favorite agencies
      2. Respond (sign up to volunteer) to a need
Funeral, News, Volunteers Needed

Petrzelka Service Arrangements

Service arrangements – Bruce and Virginia Petrzelka

Continue to pray for the Petrzelka family with the loss of Bruce and Virginia. Service arrangements are below.

Visitation Friday, March 22

Visitation at Cedar Hills Community Church, from 4-8pm

Funeral Saturday, March 23

Funeral service at 10am at Cedar Hills Community Church, grave site service to follow in rural Norway Linwood cemetery; luncheon will follow back at the church.

UPDATE: We have all the food and volunteer shifts covered! Thank you for your help!

Obituary

Bruce Alan Petrzelka and Virginia Kae Petrzelka left their earthly home to spend eternity with their Savior after a motorcycle accident in Sarasota County, Fla., on March 15, 2019.

Bruce was born Aug. 7, 1959, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Dwayne and Cleo Petrzelka. He graduated from Amana Community School in 1978. Bruce worked at the Amana Sawmill, Chapman Logging Company, Gene Larson Inc., Gordon Sevig Construction, Wendler Engineering, and drove school bus for Benton Community Schools, as well as farming.

Virginia was born Nov. 8, 1962, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to William & Ruth Parr. She graduated from Norway Community School in 1981 and worked at Colonial Manor in Amana, South Slope Telephone Company, UPS, Norwex, and drove school bus for Benton Community Schools.

Bruce and Virginia were married April 12, 1986, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Norway, Iowa, and lived in the Norway area for their entire married life. They loved being with their children and families, traveling, boating, motorcycling, auto racing, camping and spending time at the farm. Virginia was very active in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program and loved documenting their family life through photography. Together with their sons, they started their family business, Petrzelka Dirtworks. Family, friends and faith were the cornerstones of their lives.

They are survived by three sons, Matthew (Kaitlyn), Nathan and Adam (Abby); and one daughter, Sara. They are also survived by their infant granddaughter, Willow Cleo Petrzelka.

Bruce is survived by three sisters, Denise (Gary) Ellis, Deb (Lyle) Henderson and Tami (Ron) Wagner.

Virginia is survived by her mother, Ruth Schutterle; brothers, Fred and Ron (Terry) Parr; and sisters, Marj (Greg) Becker, Darlene Parr and Marilyn (Carl) Gerhold; and stepsister, Melanne (Dick) Miller. They are also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Shana Petrzelka. Virginia was preceded in death by her father; stepfather, Melvin Schutterle; and brother, Donald Parr.

Memorials can be directed to the family at 7831 30th Ave., Norway, IA 52318. Online condolences: www.klosterfuneralhome.com.