What We’re Doing This Month
During November we continue our Fall Discipleship Series “Is There Another Way?” in which we’re exploring themes from Jesus’ teaching known as “The Sermon on the Mount”. This passage of just three chapters from the gospel of Matthew is packed with profound wisdom for living like Jesus and deals with the everyday practical issues with which we all struggle such as loving people we find difficult, anxiety and materialism. Throughout the series we are seeking to grow in the internal freedom and wholeness that Jesus offers as we practice letting go of the way of human fear and attachment while releasing ourselves more into the abundant love of God. All ages within our community are exploring these themes until Thanksgiving.
On the final Sunday of November, which is also the first Sunday of Advent, we begin our Advent series “Peace on Earth” with services at 9AM and 11AM. All ages, except middle and high schoolers who will meet at 11AM, will be together in the services for this day as we celebrate the Christmas story together and then decorate the auditorium after the second service.
Fall Discipleship Series: Is There Another Way?
Sunday Message Speaker
Nov. 6 Difficult People Bryan Peterson
Nov. 13 Anxiety Patsy Fratanduono
Nov. 20 Materialism Matthew Dyer
Advent Series: Peace on Earth
Nov. 27 The Christmas Story Pastoral Team
Important Dates
November 27: Christmas Decorating Party
Please plan to join us for the Christmas Decorating Party. We have so much fun, and there are jobs for every age and ability level. Mark your calendars. It’s a great way to kick off your Advent season.
Sunday ∙ November 27 ∙ 12:30-?PM ∙ Commons, Auditorium, Barn and Outside
November 28: Anxiety and Materialism Workshop
If you would like to discuss or seek strategies on how to prepare for a good balance of gift giving and celebration in a consumer culture, plan to join us for this workshop on Monday, November 28, from 7-9PM in the barn. There will be a presentation about how materialism can impact anxiety, especially at this time of year. We'll share group discussion, Q&A and have a chance to consider how the issues impact us personally. Register at the table in the Cedar RIdge commons or online to let us know you plan to attend.
Monday ∙ November 28 ∙ 7-9PM ∙ Barn, 1st floor
December 2: Advent Coffeehouse in the Barn
We will be celebrating the beginning of the holiday season with music, coffee, and food. The whole evening will have a special focus on Guatemala.
Friday ∙ December 2 ∙ 7-10PM ∙ Barn
November Children and Youth Events
November 13: Wings and Things for Children’s Ministry
Kids, come see real birds (like a mysterious owl or a majestic hawk) up close. We'll "consider the birds of the air" during the 11AM hour only via this presentation by Maryland state park personnel.
Sunday ∙ November 13 ∙ 11PM Service Only
November 18-20: High School Fall Weekend
From Friday, November 18, through Sunday, November 20, our high school students and leaders will be traveling to Camp Merryelande which overlooks the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay in Piney Point, Maryland. They’ll enjoy time together with various activities, discussions and plenty of laughs. $145 covers costs for food, lodging and transport. Sign ups close November 13. To sign up, email Steve Mather.
Friday ∙ November 18 ∙ 5PM ∙ Meet at the Barn
November 19-20: Middle School Overnight in the Barn
Enjoy activities indoors and outdoors with fellow middle school students and leaders. Sunday morning will feature a leaf-raking service project. For more information, contact the middle school leadership team.
Saturday ∙ November 19 ∙ 7PM ∙ Meet at the Barn
Prayer Practice
During the month of November, Prayer Practice will not be meeting; we will resume the third Thursday Prayer Practice on Thursday, December 15.
Give a Coat to the Needy This Winter
We are partnering with the Town of Riverdale Park and the Christian Life Center of Riverdale to collect new and lightly used, clean coats for persons in need. Distribution to new immigrants and needy residents of Riverdale and the surrounding area takes place at Thanksgiving. We ask that you share any unneeded coats with those who will otherwise face the winter without a coat. We will be collecting them at Cedar Ridge on Sundays, November 6, 13 and 20. Please direct any questions to Vernon Archer.
Sunday Morning Book Discussion Group
Sunday Morning Discussion of Eugene Peterson’s Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in Everyday Life begins December 4 in the Barn from 9 – 10:30AM. We will explore how Jesus’ friends were utterly transformed by his resurrection. Their friendship, their work, and even their meals together took on a new meaning and purpose. The same can happen to us today. Questions? Contact Fred Morse or Jim Paraboschi.
Looking Forward to Advent
Sing in the Cedar Ridge Choir This Christmas
We are calling for volunteers to join in with the Music Team this year as members of Cedar Ridge's developmental choir. We plan to have three rehearsals (December 1, 8 and 15) and to sing December 18 (two services) and December 24 (one service). All are welcome to join!! This is a great opportunity to do something with your children, family and other Cedar Ridgers and get into the Christmas Spirit. In addition, this Christmas group will continue to meet after the holidays - for those interested - as a developing addition to Cedar Ridge's Music team. Please contact Tommy Tavenner and/or Alfia Robinson for more information or to simply sign up.
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 27, December 4, and December 11, you can drop off donations for these boxes at the table in the commons; our children will pack these boxes on Sunday, December 18, ready for Christmas Eve distribution. Please check our website or get a list of required items from the table in the commons.
Sunday, December 11: Advent Day of Service
One single service at 10AM for all ages. We will gather to sing and pray and then go out together in groups to serve our local community on various projects. This year we will not be returning for lunch so as to give more flexibility and time for the service projects (we’ll share stories together the following Sunday). If you are in a discipleship group, think about how you could serve in your own neighborhood. There will be projects for individuals, groups and all ages. Don’t miss this wonderful Advent experience. Contact Matthew Dyer if you would like to help lead or coordinate a service project.
Holiday Services at Cedar Ridge
Christmas and New Year’s fall on a weekend this year so our traditional holiday schedule for services will be slightly different:
-Christmas Eve: one candlelit service for everyone at 5PM on Saturday, December 24. We’ll sing carols, light candles and give away our Christmas boxes on our way home as we celebrate the birth of Christ.
-Christmas Day: no services on Sunday, December 25, in light of the service the previous day
-New Year's Day: one service for all ages together at 10AM on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Property Workdays:
Contact Mark Hartley to join us - Saturdays, November 19 and December 3, from 8AM –noon.
Calendar
Tuesdays in November Yes, My Kid Meetings
Sunday, November 6 Give a Coat to the Needy This Winter
Saturday, November 12 Middle School/High School Event
Sunday, November 13 Wings and Things—11AM Service Only
Give a Coat to the Needy this Winter
Friday, November 18 -Sunday, November 20 High School Fall Weekend at Camp Merryelande, Piney Point, Maryland
Give a Coat to the Needy This Winter
Saturday, November 19 -Sunday, November 20 Middle School Overnight in the Barn
Give a Coat to the Needy This Winter
Saturday, November 19 Property Workday
Sunday, November 27 Christmas Decorating Party
All Ages Together Except Middle and High School Students Who
Will Meet at 11AM
Monday, November 28 Anxiety and Materialism Workshop
Friday, December 2 Advent Coffeehouse
Saturday, December 3 Property Workday
Sunday, December 4 Book Discussion Group to Begin
Pick Up Christmas Trees
Sunday, December 11 Advent Day of Service
Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve Service at 5PM
Sunday, December 25 No Services
Sunday, January 1, 2012 New Year's Service for All Ages at 10AM