What We’re Doing This Month
During April we continue to observe the season of Lent. For 40 days (not including Sundays) we observe this traditional season of self-examination and personal reflection where we acknowledge our human frailty and weakness (“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”) and open ourselves to the Holy Spirit and inner transformation. Specifically this season, we are focusing on the issue of commitment to Christ through service to the world around us. We’ll examine how we can surrender to the presence of God and partner with God’s Spirit to be Agents of Love, Peace and Hope wherever we are. We’ll celebrate this theme before Easter with a special day of service on Palm Sunday (April 17) when we will all gather together as one community at 10AM and then go out in teams on a variety of service projects. We are using fire as a theme throughout Lent as a symbol of the passion of God’s love for us, of purification and refining and of the spread of God’s love through us into the world. This culminates in our Easter Sunday service on April 24 where we will consider fire as power when we celebrate resurrection in two identical services for all ages.
Sunday Message Speaker
Lent Series: Becoming Agents of Love, Peace and Hope
April 3 Missional Church Bryan Peterson
April 10 Missional People Patsy Fratanduono
April 17 Palm Sunday Day of Service - one service at 10AM for all ages where we will sing and celebrate Palm Sunday and then go out to serve our local community
and return for a potluck lunch together
April 24 Two identical Easter Services at 9AM & 11AM for all ages to celebrate the Resurrection
of Jesus
Important Dates
April 10: Spring Quarterly Leaders Gathering
Cedar Ridge leaders from all ministry areas are warmly invited to our Spring Quarterly Leaders Gathering. We'll be looking back over the past quarter and sharing plans for the spring and beyond. It’s a great opportunity for all leaders to give feedback and contribute to our leadership process. A simple lunch will be provided. Please sign up on our website if you plan to attend.
Sunday ∙ April 10 ∙ 12:45-3PM ∙ Barn, first floor
April 16: Journey
The Journey is a fun and meaningful introduction to Cedar Ridge for those interested in finding out more about our church community. It's a time for sharing conversation and food (lunch is provided) and joining fellow companions in exploring the spiritual walk together. We ask that all those seeking membership first go through the Journey; all are welcome, even long-timers in our community or those who have done Journey in the past. It's current and relevant to what is happening at Cedar Ridge now. It's essential to read through all the material ahead of time so don't delay in registering. For more information contact Laura Moffitt.
Saturday ∙ April 16 ∙ 9:30AM-3:30PM ∙ Barn, first floor
Registration on Sundays ∙ April 3 & 10 ∙ Table in Commons
April 17: Palm Sunday Day of Service and a Potluck Lunch
On Palm Sunday, April 17, there will be one single service for all ages beginning at 10AM. We will gather to sing and pray and then go out together in teams to serve on various projects in our local community. We’ll then return to Cedar Ridge to celebrate and share stories over a potluck lunch. The whole event will be over by 1PM. Don’t miss this wonderful experience of servanthood to begin Holy Week; please contact Matthew Dyer if you would like to help lead or coordinate a service project.
Sunday ∙ April 17 ∙ 10AM-1PM ∙ Local Community
Signups for projects & potluck ∙ Sundays ∙ April 3 & 10
April 21: Maundy Thursday Prayer Practice
Join us for a time of commemorating and reflecting on Jesus’ final night on earth spent with his friends before his crucifixion. We will share discussion, communion, guided prayer and silence.
Thursday ∙ April 21 ∙ 7-9PM ∙ Barn, first floor
April 22: Good Friday Service
We will celebrate the mystery and sacredness of Jesus’ suffering and death with a service comprised of dramatic readings of scripture, music, meditation and periods of silence.
Friday ∙ April 22 ∙ 7-8PM ∙ Auditorium
April 24: Easter Sunday
We will gather together as a whole community to commemorate Jesus’ resurrection and celebrate his goodness and power bringing life to all the world. We will also have two identical services at 9 and 11AM that will be enjoyable for the whole family and appropriate for children of all ages.
Sunday ∙ April 24 ∙ 9 & 11AM ∙ Auditorium
May 1: Commitment Sunday & Farm Celebration
While we look forward to what God will do this year on our farm and how we can contribute to being God's kingdom on earth, we will celebrate New Members (from The Journey), Child Dedications, and Baptisms. If you are interested in participating, please contact Betsy Mitchell Henning by April 27.
Sunday ∙ May 1 ∙ 9 & 11AM ∙ Auditorium
Join a Group
Many people in our church community are meeting as groups in a variety of areas to discuss topics around the Sunday messages and to share life together. If you would like to join a group, please contact Laura Moffitt.
Guatemala Partnership Trip
As part of our emerging partnership with the people of Ipala, Guatemala, we are sending a team of up to 12 middle and high school students (along with four adult leaders) to serve alongside Guatemalan youth in schools at a volcano lake national park and in various work projects. The trip is scheduled for July 16-25, 2011; the estimated cost is $800-$1000 per person. A series of fundraisers are being planned for the upcoming months. Applications for interested students will be available at an informational meeting on Sunday, April 3, at 12:45PM in the barn. Interested students and parents are encouraged to attend. Applications are due to Bryan Peterson by April 17.
Fundraisers:
- Friday, April 8 ∙ 6-11PM: Parents Night Out
Enjoy a Friday night out while supporting the Guatemala Partnership Trip for Middle and High School Students. Our teens and adult leaders will entertain your kids in the barn while you get a break.
- Sunday, April 10: Youth Car Wash During Church Services
While you are in service, your car can be washed by middle and high school students.
- Sunday, May 8: Youth Bake Sale
Support the middle and high schoolers with a hearty appetite and an open wallet. Take some goodies home to your family and friends!
Parent-Child Wiggle Room
At Cedar Ridge we look forward to the worship services when we bring all ages together in one room (April 17 and 24). We know that may mean a bit more noise and movement, and we are okay with that. However, if you are 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—unstaffed, so please plan to stay with your child.
Weekend Cleaning
We are looking for people who can clean the main Cedar Ridge building two to three weekends a month in the evenings. A small stipend is available. Please contact Mark Hartley for more information.
“A New Way to Love” Couples Retreat
The first weekend in June (Saturday, June 4, 9AM-4PM & Sunday, June 5, 2-5PM) will be an opportunity for eight couples to grow in love through concepts and practices of Imago therapy - a radically different approach to nurturing relationships. Retreat will be held in the Cedar Ridge barn led by an Imago therapist at greatly reduced cost. Registration on Sunday, May 1, 8 and 15. Contact Patsy Fratanduono for more information.
Opportunities to Serve
- Bees: We have five hives at Cedar Ridge and are gathering people who are interested in beekeeping. Email Kirk Hoffman, Director of Facilities, to learn more.
- Property Workdays: Every other Saturday (April 9 and 23) from 8AM-noon is a times when our community gathers to care for our buildings and land (mowing, weeding, cleaning and occasionally construction). Contact Mark Harley, Facilities Caretaker, to join us.
- Farm: Even though our Farm Celebration is on May 1, we are already at work planning and planting and could use more hands. To join us on the farm in April, email Kirk Hoffman, Director of Facilities.
- Help Needed To Run Sound & Screen Projection on Sunday Mornings: We need more sound operators and screen projectionists for our Sunday morning services. Please consider serving just once a month. Previous experience is helpful (especially for sound), and we will provide training. You will get to be part of a very fun team. Contact Gary Young or stop by the sound booth for more info.
Calendar
Sunday, April 3 Journey Signups
Signup for a service project & potluck lunch
Informational meeting on Student Guatemala Trip slated for July 16-25, 2011
Friday, April 8 Youth Childcare Event, Barn, 6-11PM
Saturday, April 9 Property Workday
Sunday, April 10 Deadline for Journey Signups
Signup for service project & potluck lunch
Spring Quarterly Leaders Gathering
Youth Car Wash
Saturday, April 16 Journey
Sunday, April 17 Palm Sunday Day of Service & Potluck Lunch - 10AM - all ages together
Discipleship Group Signups
Thursday, April 21 Prayer Practice: Maundy Thursday
Friday, April 22 Good Friday Service - 7PM
Saturday, April 23 Property Workday
Sunday, April 24 Easter Services - all ages together - 9 & 11AM
Discipleship Group Signups
Last day for St. Camillus Food Drive
Sunday, May 1 Commitment Sunday & Farm Celebration
Discipleship Group Signups