CHURCH COMMUNITY NEWS
1. 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 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.
2. Middle School Overnight in the Barn: November 19 – November 20
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.
3. Sunday Morning Book Discussion Group
Sunday Morning Discussion of Eugene Peterson’s Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in Everyday Life begins Sunday, 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.
4. Looking Forward to Advent
- Christmas Decorating Party
Please plan to join us for the Christmas Decorating Party. We have so much fun, and there are jobs or every age and ability level. Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 27, at 12:30PM until 3. It’s a great way to kick off your Advent season. Please sign up on the web if you plan to participate so we know how many people to plan for.
- Advent Coffeehouse
On Friday, December 2, 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. Bring a special homemade creation to share with others. Please be sure to bring your dessert in its own dish (to reduce waste) and take it with you when you leave. Consider making a donation if you are unable to bring a dessert.
- 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 on December 18 and one service on December 24). 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. 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 Day 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: service for all ages together at 10AM on Sunday, January 1
GETTING CONNECTED: OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE, LEARN, AND GROW WITH CEDAR RIDGE
5. Prayer Practice
During November, Prayer Practice (usually the third Thursday of the month) will not be meeting on November 17, instead a workshop entitled “Anxiety and Materialism” will be held on Monday, November 28, in conjunction with the fall discipleship series. We will resume Prayer Practice on Thursday, December 15.
6. Christmas Anxiety and Materialism Workshop
Christmas is a magical and sweet time of year as we exchange gifts, enjoy memorable times with family and friends, and celebrate merrily in many ways. The season can also be a time of struggle for many of us as we try to find the right balance of giving and celebration while steeped in materialism and living in a consumer culture.
A workshop on Christmas Anxiety and Materialism will be held 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.
GETTING INVOLVED: MEETING NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH, COMMUNITY, AND WORLD
7. Give a Coat to Someone in Need 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 Sunday, November 20. Please direct any questions to Vernon Archer.
8. Property Workdays
Property Workdays: Every other Saturday (November 19 and December 3) from 8AM-noon. Contact Mark Hartley to join us.
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Contact Information
Cedar Ridge Community Church
2410 Spencerville Road, Spencerville, MD 20868
Phone: 301-384-7444