What We’re Doing This Month
This month we continue our series exploring the Book of Micah. This eighth century (BCE) Hebrew prophet was challenging the nation of Judah to return to true, heart-felt spirituality at a time of great political and sociological upheaval. We’ve looked at some of the historical and cultural background to the book and explored the themes of justice and mercy. Now we turn our attention to Micah’s challenge to “walk humbly”. How could we “act justly” and “love mercy” in our world? How could we live out Micah’s dream of a world of peace and love?
Later in the month we’ll continue this theme with a new series examining Jesus’ vision for the world and his challenge to live in the kingdom of God. We’ll ask ourselves if we believe Jesus’ dream of heaven on earth (“life before death”) is possible and wrestle with the challenge to follow after him and partner with him in making this dream a reality.
Sunday Message Speaker
Series: The Book of Micah
Sept 4 All Ages Together Service Bryan Peterson
Sept 11 Walk Humbly Matthew Dyer
Series: Do You Believe in Life Before Death?
Sept 18 Are We Crazy to Have Hope? Matthew Dyer
Sept 25 Is Love Enough? Matthew Dyer
Oct 2 Is Change Possible? Matthew Dyer
Opportunities to Serve
Property Workdays: Every other Saturday (September 10 and September 24) from 8AM-noon. Contact Mark Hartley to join us.
Coffee Brewers: We need one or two more people who can brew our Sunday morning coffee once a month, from 8AM to 11AM. Please contact Kirk Hoffman if you can help with this service.
Greeters: Greet and meet people (one or more times a month) as they arrive for church on Sunday mornings. Contact Kirk Hoffman for more information.
Would you like to sing in the Cedar Ridge Choir? Our Choir is looking for new participants. If you are available to come to weekday rehearsals and sing on Sundays, please contact Tommy Tavenner for more information.
Help Children Grow This Year
If you enjoy being around kids, we would love to have you join our Children’s Ministry Sunday Morning teams. Those serving on a Nursery Team provide a safe, consistent and predictable environment for babies and toddlers. Leaders on our Preschool Teams guide young children through a series of hands-on activities that help them learn about God, the world he has created, and ways we can show kindness to others. Leaders on our Elementary Teams engage children grades K-5 through discussions and active experiences that help them understand more about the story of God and the ways of Jesus. If you are interested in joining one of these teams, please contact Bryan Peterson as soon as possible.
Promotion Dates for Kindergarten and Elementary Students
Sunday ∙ September 11 ∙ 9 and 11AM ∙ Room 202
“999” - Significance?
The “999” above the screens in the auditorium indicates a need for volunteers in the Children’s Ministry. Please consider volunteering at the Children’s Ministry Welcome Desk in the commons.
Cedar Ridge Farm
Fall is on the way! The farm is wrapping up its spring crops and prepping for our fall planting. Squash, cucumbers, beans, greens, and tomatoes are being delivered several times a week to the organizations we serve. Come join in as we plan for a strong finish in October! 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.
Important Dates
September 15: Prayer Practice
The third Thursday of each month we gather for a time of spiritual refreshment and growth as we explore methods of prayer that help us to be more deeply aware of God’s presence and love in our live. All are welcome.
Thursday ∙ September 15 ∙ 7-9PM ∙ Barn
September 17: 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. 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 ∙ September 17 ∙ 9:30AM-3:30PM ∙ Barn, first floor
Registration on Sundays ∙ September 4 & 11 ∙ Table in the Commons
September 24: Burtonsville Day
Come serve our local community on Burtonsville Day. We will be picking up trash and helping with cleanup. We will be providing two crews. Meet at Paint Branch High School parking lot at 9:30AM and follow the Cedar Ridge hay wagon at the back of procession to pick up trash. Or meet at the Marilyn J. Praisner Community Center at 3PM to help clean up after the event. Each crew will serve for about an hour. Please sign up on Sunday, September 11 or 18. For more info contact Matthew Dyer.
Saturday ∙ September 24 ∙ 9:30AM and 3PM ∙ Burtonsville
September 25: All Community Potluck
On this day we’ll all join together after second service to enjoy a potluck. This will be a great time for us all to reconnect with one another after the summer and the material for Fall Discipleship Series will be available for pickup in the commons (it can also be downloaded from our website.). Please bring a dish to share.
Sunday ∙ September 25 ∙ 12:30PM ∙outside ∙ weather permitting
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 beginning Sunday, September 25, for pickup in the commons after the 9 and 11AM services, or download from the website.
Group Leader Support Meetings
If you are currently leading a discipleship group or are interested in finding out more about beginning a new one, please come to one of the two group leader meetings when leaders will find important information on the upcoming series, pastoral support and helpful connection with other group leaders. Meetings are Monday, September 26, 7-9PM in room 104 and Sunday, October 2, from 8:30-10:30AM in room 105. Please attend one of these and RSVP to Laura Moffitt to indicate which one.
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.
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 in October on Tuesday evenings at 7PM 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.
Calendar
Sunday, Sept. 4 All Ages Together Service
Registration for Journey
Saturday, Sept. 10 Property Workday
Sunday, Sept. 11 New Kindergarten and Elementary School Student Promotions
Registration for Journey
Thursday, Sept. 15 Prayer Practice
Saturday, Sept. 17 Journey
Saturday, Sept. 24 Property Workday
Burtonsville Day
Sunday, Sept. 25 All Community Potluck
Monday, Sept. 26 Discipleship Group Leaders Meeting
Sunday, October 2 Discipleship Group Leaders Meeting