What We’re Doing This Month
This is the season of Advent when we wait with great expectation for the birth of Jesus. At this time we celebrate the miracle of Incarnation and God’s love for us all, expressed by being with us in human form. Our series this year is called “Shine Like Stars”, and we will be celebrating the Incarnation (the “withness” of God) by being “with” others and letting God’s love shine through us in simple acts of service.
Each Sunday during Advent, we will also provide a single page of Advent Reflections for that week. These can be collected from the Children’s Information Desk in the church commons. These simple reflections are ideal for families or groups of people and each week include devotional Christmas readings, prayers, lighting of the advent candle and suggestions for service.
On Christmas Eve we will have two special services at 4:30PM and 6:30PM. Each service will last one hour and will be suitable for all ages, so bring along family and friends as we celebrate the birth of Christ together. At the end of each service there will be Christmas boxes full of edible treats to deliver to people who have to work on Christmas Eve. These boxes will be prepared by our children on Sunday, December 19, and are a simple way for us to share God’s love with others. Think of hospitals, fire stations, police stations, restaurants and stores that you pass on the way home and bring a little of God’s light into someone’s Christmas.
May this be a season of love, joy and peace for everyone as we celebrate the magic and mystery of Christmas!
Sunday Advent Series: Shine Like Stars
December 5 Special services for all agges together at 9AM and 11AM
December 12 Advent Day of Service: One service for all ages at 10AM
December 19 Regular services at 9AM and 11AM
December 26 One single service at 10AM with all ages together
Opportunities to Serve
Cedar Ridge has a variety of projects that you or a group can work on: painting, repairing and cleaning up areas around the church, and much more. If you would like to help on your own schedule or on the Property Workday on December 11, 8AM-noon, contact Kirk Hoffman.
Important Dates
Give to Schools in Guatemala During Advent
On Sundays, December 5 and December 12, our fourth and fifth graders will be collecting educational materials for schools in some of the poorest and most marginalized communities in the Ipala region of Guatemala. Schools there are currently on vacation, and we will send all donated materials ready for “back to school” in January. While you are Christmas shopping, please buy some simple items like writing books, pencils, etc. and drop them off at the table in the commons. Check our website or the table in the commons for a list of what is needed.
Sundays ∙ December 5 & 12 ∙ Table in the Commons
Christmas Eve Outreach Boxes
Each year at the Christmas Eve services everyone takes a Christmas box of goodies to give to someone they pass on their way home. We stop off at gas stations, hospitals, fire stations, restaurants, etc. to show God’s love to anyone who has to work on Christmas Eve. On Sundays, December 5 and December 12, you can drop off donations for these boxes at the table in the commons, and then our children will pack these boxes on Sunday, December 19, ready for Christmas. Some suggestions are granola bars, cheese & cracker packs, snack sized pretzels, fruit cups, packs of gum, Chapstick, tissue packs, and hand towelettes.
Sundays ∙ December 5 & 12 ∙ Table in the Commons
December 12: Advent Day of Service & Lunch
One single service for all ages beginning at 10 AM. We will gather to sing and pray and then go out together in groups to serve on various projects in our local community. We’ll sing carols at homes for the elderly, pick up trash, do yard work, give food to those in need and serve in all kinds of ways to show God’s love. We’ll then return to Cedar Ridge to celebrate and share stories over lunch which will be provided. The whole event will be over by 1 PM. Don’t miss this wonderful Advent experience; please contact Matthew Dyer if you would like to help lead or coordinate a service project.
Sunday ∙ December 12 ∙ 10AM ∙ Commons and Off Site
December 16: Prayer Practice
The third Thursday of each month is an opportunity to take time to ease life’s stress. We engage in different methods of prayer that help us to be more deeply aware of God in our lives. All are welcome to join us. No food or childcare. Contact Bill Duncan for more information.
Thursday ∙ December 16 ∙ 7-9PM ∙ Barn
December 24: Christmas Eve Services & Outreach Boxes
On Christmas Eve we will have two special services at 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Each service will last one hour and will be suitable for all ages so bring along family and friends as we celebrate the birth of Christ together. At the end of each service there will be Christmas boxes full of treats to deliver to people who have to work on Christmas Eve. These boxes will be prepared by our children and are a simple way for us to share God’s love with others.
Friday ∙ December 24 ∙ 4:30PM & 6:30PM
December 26: One Service at 10AM with All Ages Together
Sunday ∙ December 26 ∙ 10AM
Wednesday, January 12: Annual Meeting
Everyone is welcome to attend the Cedar Ridge Annual Meeting. There will be updates from Matthew Dyer, our Senior Pastor, as well as from the Board of Trustees. There will also be a vote on new Board member candidates and an opportunity for your questions.
Wednesday ∙ January 12 ∙ 7 PM ∙ Barn
Christmas Eve Project
At our Christmas eve services, we'd like to recreate the scene of Jesus' birth - with animals, a Holy family, wise men, shepherds - and we need you to play a part, either a literal part, like Joseph, or to do something behind the scenes. If you'd like to help with this wonderful project, please sign up on the website, or in the commons.
Christmas Carol Choir Rehearsal
Come sing! Our Christmas choir meets at church, Tuesday nights, 7pm. Everyone - all ages, all experience levels - is welcome, especially men and boys. We can help you sound great, meet people, have fun and praise God. Contact Betsy Mitchell Henning with questions.
Nominate a New Board Candidate
As a non-profit organization Cedar Ridge has a Board of Trustees to ensure that we operate legally, ethically, with fiscal responsibility and that we remain true to our vision and values. Each year we elect new members to the Board and at our Annual Meeting on January 12, 2011 we will be adding some new members. Nominations are now open until Sunday, December 5. Please check the Role of the Board of Trustees and also the Desired Qualities for Board Members on our website and prayerfully consider your potential nomination in light of this. Only Cedar Ridge members may be nominated, and you have to be a member to nominate anyone. Nominations must be submitted in writing, with three signatures: the one nominating, a second person concurring, and the person being nominated accepting to be nominated. Please send your nominations to the Chair of the Board, Shobha Duncan, at the Cedar Ridge office.
Parent-Child Wiggle Room
At Cedar Ridge, we look forward to the worship services when we bring all ages together in one room. We know that may mean a bit more noise and movement, and we're okay with that...really! However, if you're a parent or caregiver who wants to step out with your child, Room 202 is available with some toys and a live video feed of the service. The nursery is also available, but both rooms are unstaffed, so please plan to stay with your child - though you won't miss the message or the music!
Screwtape Letters Discussion Group
Sunday morning discussion of CS Lewis’ Screwtape Letters begins Sunday, January 9, in the barn from 9-10:15AM. “Meet ‘n Greet” on January 9, with discussion to begin on Sunday, January 16, and continue for approximately 10 weeks. Bring your own book. For information, contact Fred Morse or Jim Paraboschi.
Calendar
Sunday, December 5 Bring Donations for Outreach Boxes (Guatemala School Supplies and Christmas)
Last Day to Nominate Board Members
Tuesday, December 7 Christmas Carol Choir Rehearsal
Saturday, December 11 Property Workday
Sunday, December 12 One Service for All Ages at 10AM woth Church-wide Outreach and Lunch
Bring Donations for Outreach Boxes (Guatemala School Supplies and Christmas)
Tuesday. December 14 Christmas Carol Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, December 16 Prayer Practice
Tuesday, December 21 Christmas Carol Choir Rehearsal
Friday, December 24 Christmas Eve Service - 4:30PM and 6:30PM
Sunday, December 26 One Service at 10AM with All Ages Together
Sunday, January 9 Screwtape Letters Discussion Group Begins
Wednesday, January 12 Cedar Ridge Annual Meeting - 7PM in Barn