What We’re Doing This Month
During November we are continuing our discipleship series “Longing for Friendship: Daring to Draw Close”. We want to be a community where everyone looks out for the concerns of others and no one is alone. We all need friendships and especially friendships where we can be open and honest; friendships that help us heal and grow to be more like Jesus. We not only believe we can experience this, but we have great hope that we can be this to others as well. Our church community is composed of many small groups (we call them discipleship groups) that are currently using book study and discussion as a way to grow closer to one another and develop spiritually. Each Sunday in November our services will address various challenging issues to do with relationships. At the end of the month (Thanksgiving Sunday) we will look back on the series as a whole, hear stories of friendship from various discipleship groups and give thanks to God for the people in our lives. This is also the first Sunday of Advent, and we will turn our attention to this season of waiting for the amazing, miraculous, life-changing birth of Christ into our world. During Advent our theme will be “serving others” with lots of practical opportunities to share God’s love with those around us (see opposite for more details). Each Sunday during Advent, we will provide a single page of Advent Reflections for that week. These can be collected from the Children’s Information Desk in the church commons.
Sunday Message Speaker
Series: Longing For Friendship: Daring to Draw Close
Nov 7 Introverts & Extroverts in Authentic Community Bryan Peterson
Nov 14 Friendship Across Generations Bryan Peterson
Nov 21 Time, Space and Commitment Matthew Dyer
Nov 28 Thanksgiving Matthew Dyer
Advent Series
Dec 5 Special services for all ages together at 9AM & 11AM
Dec 12 Advent Day of Service: One service for all ages at 10AM
Dec 19 Regular services at 9AM & 11AM
Dec 26 One single service at 10AM with all ages together
Kids, Music, and You?
If you play an instrument or like to sing and would enjoy spending a little time with a roomful of children, we’d love to have you be a part of our Children’s Ministry music team. If you are interested, please contact Bryan Peterson.
Looking Forward to Advent
Friday, December 3: Advent Coffeehouse in the Barn
We will be celebrating the beginning of the holiday season with great music, coffee, food and fair trade gifts to buy. The whole evening will have a special focus on Guatemala and will be a partnership with our friends from Ipala. Don’t miss this event as a wonderful Cedar Ridge tradition! All ages are welcome. Please bring a dessert to share with everyone.
Sunday, December 12: Advent Day of Service & Lunch
One single service for all ages beginning at 10AM. 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 1PM. Don’t miss this wonderful Advent experience; please contact Matthew Dyer if you would like to help lead or coordinate a service project.
Give to Schools in Guatemala During Advent
On Sundays, November 28, 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.
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, November 28, 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. Please check our website or get a list of required items from the table in the commons.
December 24: Christmas Eve Services & Outreach Boxes
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 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.
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.
Important Dates
November 18: 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 ∙ November 18 ∙ 7-9PM ∙ Barn
November 19-21: Senior High Fall Retreat
Senior High Fall Retreat: From November 19-21, our students will be going to Camp Merryelande overlooking the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay in Piney Point, MD. For more details, please visit our website.
Friday ∙ November 19 ∙ 5PM ∙ Meet at the Barn
November 28: Help Decorate the Church for Christmas
Come join our 2nd Annual Christmas Decoration Extravaganza! On Sunday, November 28, we will gather after second service for a light lunch together (hearty soup and wholesome bread) before we decorate our church building for the Christmas season. All ages are welcome, with special activities for children and youth. There will be jobs for everyone, whether you’re a fearless ladder-climber, a dexterous crafter, or someone with no experience at all! Enjoy Christmas music and good company while we “spruce” up our community’s shared home. Please sign up if you plan to attend so we can provide enough food. Come up to the stage after the end of the service. ‘Tis the season! Please contact Kirk Hoffman for more information.
Sunday ∙ November 28 ∙ 12:30-?PM ∙ Commons, Auditorium & Outside
Join the Farm Leadership Team
We are looking for a small number of people (6-12) who will make a year-long commitment to join the farm leadership team. With monthly meetings throughout the year, we will work to create plans and systems and then transition to implementation, troubleshooting and maintenance issues. We will also spend time working on the farm. We would love to find community members who choose to serve the Cedar Ridge vision and mission through the farm. If interested, email Kirk Hoffman, Director of Facilities and Hospitality. For more information, talk to Kirk or attend a 20-minute information meeting on Sunday, November 21, in the auditorium after the 11AM service.
Guatemalan Coffee Anytime
Did you know that you can take home Fair Trade Guatemalan Coffee every week? Our middle school students sell bags of coffee in the commons. Any profit they make goes into a fund that will help middle schoolers participate in upcoming trips to Guatemala. Stop by their table to learn more.
Calendar
Saturday, November 13 Property Workday
Thursday, November 18 Prayer Practice
Friday, November 19-21 Senior High Fall Retreat
Sunday, November 28 Decorating Cedar Ridge for Christmas
Bring Donations for Outreach Boxes (Guatemala School Supplies & Christmas)
Friday, December 3 Advent Coffee House
Sunday, December 5 Bring Donations for Outreach Boxes (Guatemala School Supplies & Christmas)
Saturday, December 11 Property Workday
Sunday, December 12 One Service for All Ages at 10AM with Church-wide Outreach Off Site & Lunch
Bring Donations for Outreach Boxes (Guatemala School Supplies & Christmas)
Friday, December 24 Christmas Eve Services - 4:30PM & 6:30PM
Sunday, December 26 One Service at 10AM with All Ages Together