CHURCH COMMUNITY NEWS
1. What We’re Doing This Month:
Happy New Year! During January we will welcome in the New Year and celebrate Epiphany together on Sunday, January 8. We then begin our Winter Discipleship Series called “Devotion to Jesus: An Exploration of the Letter to the Philippians”. This relatively brief letter written from the Apostle Paul to the newly formed church in Philippi (in Ancient Greece) is packed with practical material that challenges us to follow Christ with our whole being. We will spend six weeks exploring the letter beginning with an opportunity for us all to examine how we approach the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) in general. We’ll also consider Paul, the person himself and reflect on the social, political and historical context in which he wrote. But for most of the series we’ll be attempting to develop a deeper understanding of the Letter to the Philippians and how we can apply it to our lives.
2. Winter Discipleship Series: Devotion to Jesus: An Exploration of the Letter to the Philippians
This six week discipleship series is ideal for group study, and we are encouraging all discipleship groups to meet for discussion. Each Sunday message will address successive chapters of the Letter to the Philippians, and there will be accompanying discussion questions available each week which are ideal for groups. Our whole community will join together for this series as children, youth and adults explore similar themes. There will be a package of introductory material and guidelines for discussion available for pick-up at the info table in the commons on Sunday, January 8 after the 9 and 11AM services, or download from the website. Please contact Laura Moffitt for more details.
3. Join a Discipleship Group
With the Winter 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. Groups will meet beginning the week of January 15. Registration and materials will be available on January 8 as well as on our website. For more information contact Laura Moffitt.
GETTING CONNECTED: OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE, LEARN, AND GROW WITH CEDAR RIDGE
4. Christmas Un-decorating Party
Please join us after church on Sunday, January 8, for our first Christmas Un-decorating party! December may be over, but we'll be festive, with lunch, music, and friends as we pack away Christmas and enjoy a fresh new year. Jobs for all ages and levels of ability. Please RSVP to Betsy Mitchell Henning or sign up on our website if you plan to attend so we can plan for lunch and projects.
5. Prayer Practice
The third Thursday of each month is an opportunity to take time to ease life’s stress. We engage in different methods of prayer that help us to be more deeply aware of God in our lives. Everyone is invited to join us on Thursday, January 19, at 7-9PM in the barn.
GETTING INVOLVED: MEETING NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH, COMMUNITY, AND WORLD
6. Winter Quarterly Leaders Gathering
Cedar Ridge leaders from all ministry areas are warmly invited to our Winter Quarterly Leaders Gathering on Sunday, January 15, 12:45-3:00PM in the barn. We'll be looking back over the past quarter and sharing plans for the winter and beyond, with a special focus on the Winter Discipleship Series. Come and give feedback, share your input and connect with other leaders. We’ll enjoy a simple lunch of homemade soup and bread. Sign up if you’ll attend, and let us know if you can bring soup.
7. Discipleship Group Leaders Support Meeting
If you are currently leading a discipleship group or are interested in finding out more about beginning a new one, please come to the Winter Quarterly Leaders Gathering on Sunday, January 15, where we will be discussing the upcoming discipleship series on Philippians (as well as other leadership issues). For those unable to make that date there is an alternate group leader meeting on Thursday, January 12, at 7-9PM in Room 202. Please attend one of these meetings and RSVP to Laura Moffitt to indicate which one.
8. New Children’s Ministry Teammates Needed for the Winter
Our leaders and helpers are looking forward to having a few new partners join us as we serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary students at 9AM and 11AM. If you're interested in helping or leading on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or "as available" basis, please contact Bryan Peterson.
9. Weather Cancellations
As winter weather arises, we want to make sure you know the avenues we use to inform you of the building status. For Sunday morning, we will post closures by 7AM. For midweek evening activities, we post closures by 5PM. Youth activities follow Montgomery County schools for closures. You can find out about weather cancellations on our website, on our phone recording and through the Important Announcements email newsletter. If you know the church has been closed, please tell your friends.
10. Snow Team
Keeping the property safe and accessible in adverse weather means moving snow off parking lots and sidewalks and salting the surfaces. We have shovels, salt spreaders, snow blowers and a snow plow. If you’d like to join us in keeping Cedar Ridge open and functioning, contact Mark Hartley.
Property Workdays
11. Property Workdays
Come join us every other Saturday (January 14 and 28) from 8AM-noon as our community gathers to care for our buildings and land. Contact Mark Hartley for more information.
POSTSCRIPT
Contact Information
Cedar Ridge Community Church
2410 Spencerville Road, Spencerville, MD 20868
Phone: 301-384-7444
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