What We’re Doing This Month:
Through October we are exploring Jesus’ vision for the world and his challenge to live in the kingdom of God. On October 2 we wrap "Is Life Before Death Possible?” exploring Jesus’ dream of heaven on earth (“life before death”) and asking if it's possible for us, and wrestling with the challenge to follow after him and partner in making this dream a reality. Then on October 9 we begin our new discipleship series for all ages focused on the Sermon on the Mount, called "Is There Another Way?" during which we will examine how living in the reality of Jesus' Kingdom impacts our daily lives. (See complete information on opposite page.) We will take a mid-series break for our Annual Harvest Festival on October 23.
Sunday Message Speaker
Series: Do You Believe in Life Before Death?
Oct. 2 Is Change Possible? Matthew Dyer
Series: Is There Another Way? Experiencing the Kingdom of God in Everyday Life
Oct. 9 Anger Bryan Peterson
Oct. 16 Forgiveness Matthew Dyer
Oct. 23 Harvest Festival—one service at 10AM Farm Team
Oct. 30 Lust Patsy Fratanduono
Harvest Festival and Potluck: October 23
Come celebrate God’s abundant goodness with the whole community on Sunday, October 23! We'll look back with gratitude for all the blessings we have received and look to the future with hope for being a blessing to others. We'll have one all ages together service at 10AM (Wiggle Room will be available in Room 202), and an all community picnic celebration will follow the service with activities and games for all ages. Please bring a dish to share; lunch will be outside weather permitting.
Cedar Ridge Farm
Much of our summer harvest is done, but there is still plenty to do and lots of life flourishing out on the farm. Please come out and join us; we plan for a strong finish in October preparing the land for winter. You can check the Calendar tab to find nights that our leaders are on the farm (usually Monday – Thursday nights and some Saturday mornings) to help you, or you can come on out, check the task list in the shed and have a good time.
New Nursery and Preschool Team Members Needed
If you would like to join our preschoolers at 9 or 11AM, or our infants and/or toddlers at 11AM, they would love to see you! Serving as a helper once or twice a month would be a big help. If you prefer older kids, we also have periodic openings with our elementary groups. Please contact Bryan Peterson for more information.
Prayer Practice
During the months of October and November, Prayer Practice (usually third Thursdays of the month) will not be meeting on Thursdays but expanded into workshops to accompany the fall discipleship series. These will happen on two Monday evenings. We will resume third Thursday Prayer Practice in December.
Yes, My Kid
A support group for parents of children, or anyone whose loved one is caught in the grip of drug or alcohol abuse will begin meeting weekly on Tuesday, October 11, 7—9PM, in room 202 at Cedar Ridge. Yes, My Kid uses a combination of faith-based principles and twelve steps to help young people and families heal from the effects of addiction. Contact Lisa L for more information.
Looking Forward to Advent
Buy Your Christmas Tree and Help Guatemala
This Christmas buy your Christmas tree at Cedar Ridge and all proceeds will go towards the purchase of educational supplies for schools in Ipala, Guatemala. These high quality trees can be ordered in the commons on Sundays, October 16, 23,30 and November 6 and pick up will be at Cedar Ridge on Sunday, December 4.
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 (Dec 1, 8 and 15) and sing December 18 and 24 (two services each day). All are welcome to join in!! 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. For more information or to simply sign up please contact Tommy Tavenner and/or Alfia Robinson.
Property Workdays
Every other Saturday (October 8, 22 and November 5) from 8AM-noon. Contact Mark Hartley to join us.
Fall 2011 Discipleship Series: Is There Another Way? Experiencing the Kingdom of God in Everyday Life
On October 9 we will begin our Fall Discipleship Series in which we’ll explore 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: anger, anxiety, loving people we find difficult, lust (to name just a few!). Throughout the series we will seek 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. Our whole community will join together for this six week series as children, youth and adults explore similar themes on Sundays beginning October 9 through November 20.
Material for Discipleship Groups will be available for pickup in the commons after the 9 and 11AM services, or download from the Cedar Ridge website.
Is There Another Way? Supporting Workshops
In light of the issues raised through this series, two workshops will take place covering important themes around our daily lives. Workshops will include a presentation about the theme, group dialogue, Q&A, pastoral, lay and professional resources for personal struggles. Ministers trained in specialized healing prayer and “spiritual listening” will be present, as well as pastors, coaches and mental health professionals. The themes, dates and locations for these workshops are:
- Expectations, Anger and Forgiveness—Monday, October 24, 7-9PM in the barn
- Anxiety and Materialism - Monday, November 28, from 7-9PM in the barn
Join a Discipleship Group
With the Fall Discipleship Series coming up, now is a great time to join a Discipleship Group. As well as having companions with whom you can work through this discipleship series, Discipleship Groups are an important part of how we live out our vision to follow Jesus. By gathering in small communities near where we live, we can support and care for each other, help one another grow spiritually and reach out to serve others together. It is our belief that we all need this kind of support and companionship and a closer connection to others than is possible in larger groups alone. For more information contact Laura Moffitt.
Help Clothe 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 of them. Distribution to new immigrants (many from Guatemala) and needy residents of Riverdale and the surrounding area takes place at Thanksgiving, and we ask that you search your closets and attics for unneeded coats to share with those who will otherwise face the winter without a coat. While we usually think of women and children first, the greatest need usually is for men's coats, followed by children and then women. We will be collecting them at Cedar Ridge on Sundays, November 6 and 13. Please direct any questions to Vernon Archer.
Calendar
Sunday, October 2 Discipleship Group Leaders Meeting
Saturday, October 8 Property Workday
Tuesday, October 11 Beginning Yes, My Kid Meetings on Tuesday Nights
Saturday, October 22 Property Workday
Sunday, October 23 Harvest Festival
One Service for All Ages at 10AM
All Community Picnic Celebration
Monday, October 24 Expectations, Anger and Forgiveness Workshop
Saturday, October 29 Middle School Corn Maze Outing
Saturday, November 5 Property Workday
Sunday, November 6 Collect Coats for the Needy
Sunday, November 13 Collect Coats for the Needy
Sunday, November 27 Christmas Decorating Party
Monday, November 28 Anxiety and Materialism Workshop