Story Archive
The stories to the right are archived from the past year. These stories will give you a glimpse of what's been going on at Cedarcreek over the past months.
Enjoy.
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Easter Services at Cedarcreek
March 28, 2009
April 5 | Palm Sunday | 10 am
Palm Sunday is the day we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem where the crowds hailed him as King with shouts of “Hosanna!” just a week before those cries turned into “Crucify Him!” This is the day that begins what the church calls Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter. Join Cedarcreek at our regularly scheduled time for this special worship service.
April 9 | Maundy Thursday | 7 pm
The word "maundy" comes from the Latin phrase mandatum novum, meaning "new commandment." It refers to the Jesus’ words to His disciples at the Last Supper as recorded in John 13:34: A new command I give you: love one another. At this service we hear the next part of the story: Jesus and his disciples sharing Passover together which turns into the first communion service including Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus crying out to God in the Garden, His arrest, trial, and eventual death on the cross. We join Jesus on this journey to His death, so we can also join in what happens after His death. During this special service we will participate in the story, receive communion, and even have an opportunity to wash each other’s feet. This service will end with a traditional “stripping of the altar” where the worship space will be stripped of all adornment as a powerful reenactment of the humiliation Jesus experienced at the hands of the Roman soldiers. All will leave in silence to contemplate our role in putting Jesus on the cross.
April 10 | Good Friday
Cedarcreek is not holding a service, but many churches do have a service on Good Friday in remembrance of the day Jesus died on the cross. Some hold services where they specifically focus on the last seven things Jesus said while he was on the cross. Others hold services focused on light and darkness: scripture readings and songs focused on repentance are accompanied by extinguishing candle light throughout the service until only the candle representing Jesus remains and is carried out of the service. If you are interested in attending, it should not be hard to find a church that is holding a Good Friday service.
April 12 | Easter | 10 am (9 am for Breakfast!)
Easter is the day we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and victory over death. We will join together in loud songs of joyful praise, proclaiming “Jesus is risen!” Our church will also be holding an Easter Breakfast at 9 am, where you will be able to view art by various members of the church. Invite your friends, family and neighborhood to join us on this special day.
Entering into HIStory
February 20, 2009
Lent: Preparing for Easter at Cedarcreek
Ever hear about people giving stuff up for Lent and wondered what it’s all about? Is it just a Catholic thing? What’s it all for anyway?? We hope to begin to answer your questions here.
This year Cedarcreek will be joining churches all over the world in a special preparation time leading up to  Easter called Lent. Lent has been celebrated since the earliest days of the Christian church. In the early church the weeks leading up to Easter were a preparation time of fasting, prayer and refocusing on God. Cedarcreek is inviting you to join us on a journey through Lent, first by entering into Jesus’ journey to the cross, and second by entering into a time set aside for spiritual practices that will help you engage with God, one another, and our world. Starting next Wednesday (known as “Ash Wednesday”) for the following 6 weeks, we will go on this journey together. Stay tuned to the e-news, programs and the website for more information to follow!
Read more and get information about the Ash Wednesday Service on the Cedarcreek Blog.
Use the blog to share or comment on your Lent experiences this year.
Christmas at Cedarcreek
There are lots of things going on at Cedarcreek to help your family prepare for Christmas. And the “lots” of  things are not simply more additions for your already full check list. Christmas is a time of preparation and anticipation in our hearts as much as our homes. We celebrate God’s presence with us and his love for us. Take a few minutes to ask him to reveal himself to you. He is the God of truth. When we seek him, we find him.
Advent Reflections
Join us online by clicking on the link through our home page for a daily thought about a passage of Scripture and what that means during the Christmas season. Each day's reflection is written by a different person who worships God at Cedarcreek. The stories are both informational about the part of Scripture they come from and they’re a personal glimpse into what that Scripture means in the experience of each individual. Read a new one each day from December 1st – 25th. Miss a day or two? That's okay. Join us at the link when you can.
Sunday Morning Worship
Everyone is always welcome to worship God at Cedarcreek. In addition to songs, prayers and candle lighting, our Pastor Kenton Johnson will be speaking on something we all maybe experience at one time or another during the Christmas Season. This time of year is billed as “the most wonderful time of the year.” The reality is that it is often a time when we can struggle with family relationships and emotional pain. What does the Christmas message even mean for us living two millennia after the birth of Christ and experiencing things that often aren’t so wonderful? We’ll learn how to ask for forgiveness; forgive others; and what it means to be forgiven. If you’ve never worshipped God before, you are welcome. If you’re already a follower of Jesus and need a place to worship, you are welcome. There is a place for each person seeking to understand Jesus at Cedarcreek. We meet at 10:00AM at Glacier Park Elementary School in Maple Valley. Check out the first time visit info also here on our website and experience that warm welcome yourself.
Christmas Eve Service
We will celebrate Christmas Eve at Cedarcreek this year with a candle light service. This one hour celebration with songs, prayer and Scripture reading begins at 5:00pm at Glacier Park Elementary school in the gym and everyone is always welcome.
Cedarcreek Will Make a Difference
October 17, 2008
Cedarcreek Covenant Church will once again be involved in "Make a Difference Day" on October 25th. Cedarcreek will be partnering with Glacier Park Elementary this year. We will be working on garden projects around the school to make a difference at the school and in our community. Please join us on the 25th!
Just what is Make a Difference Day?
Here is information from the Maple Valley Community Center Website.
Make A Difference Day" is the largest national day of helping others. Everyone can participate - young and old, individual or groups. Anyone can carry out a volunteer project. It might be as ambitious as collecting truckloads of food for our local food bank or participating in beautification projects for our local trails and parks. Or it might be as personal as spending an afternoon helping an elderly neighbor or relative.
Saturday, October 25, 2008 will mark Maple Valley's eighth year participating in "Make A Difference Day." Co-sponsored by the Maple Valley Rotary and the City of Maple Valley, the event will kick-off at 8 a.m. with a free breakfast at our Greater Maple Valley Community Center.
Big Turnout for Family Night
September 9, 2008
On Friday night, September 5th, Cedarcreek hosted the second annual “Free Family Night” at Glacier Park Elementary. We had great weather, good food, fun activities, entertainment from The Reptile Man and lots of people. Over 400 hot dogs were served up and we still ran out. It was great to meet some of our neighbors! Scott Peterson, The Reptile Man, was a hit and the kids were able to hold snakes, crocodiles, and turtles after the show. We are already starting to think about next year and how we will grow the event to host the great turnout from the community.
Farmer’s & Cedarcreek: Helping Glacier Park Elementary School
October 6, 2008
On Tuesday, September 30th, Cedarcreek friends & Farmer’s Insurance employees, Gregg Reynolds and Gerald Carrell presented a $250 check to Glacier Park Elementary School principal, Emily Hard. The money comes from the Farmer’s Insurance School Grant Program. Directing the grant to Glacier Park Elementary was a no-brainer for Gregg and Gerald. Both have a strong connection to the school where their church gathers for worship on Sunday mornings. Way to go guys!
Forts, Frogs and Fishing
June 5, 2008
On a Sunday afternoon in May, one of our small groups hosted an event called Forts, Frogs and Fishing. This was a great time for families to spend an afternoon together. Here is a quote from a Cedarcreek family that had a great time!
Our family is so appreciative to Rob and Diane, along with their small group, for hosting Forts, Frogs and  Fishing. What a fantastic day. We arrived to find a delicious (and nutritious) lunch waiting for us. Families could sit and picnic while taking in nature and watching the spitting llama and the goats. After lunch we headed down to the lake where we could try our hand at fishing. It was a great sight to look around the lake and watch families enjoying this experience together. The kids had so much fun. When we had had enough of the lake we headed up to hang with the goats. Our son enjoyed being able to run with the goats, and play in their field. He still talks about the goats…especially the friendly one, Abraham. Thanks so much Rob, Diane & small group. We were wowed by all the activities. It was great day for our family…we hope you do it again next year J
- Jon, Meg & Jack
Click Here for more pictures from the event.
Second Annual "Free Family Night"
Augusy 14, 2008
What do you get when you bring a reptile man to a polar bear home; mix in the smell of freshly baking cookies and then have the police and fire departments show up? It happens September 5th and it's a free community event sponsored by Cedarcreek. The whole community is invited. So, put it on your calendar now. Click on the picture below to watch a movie of last year's event and to get more details.
Some pictures from last years event.
Cedarcreek Steps up to a Need
 Glacier Park Elementary, the school we meet at on Sundays, has a mentoring program that pairs adults with students. Pastor Kenton became aware of the program and the need for more mentors while talking with the school counselor. The need was shared on a Sunday morning and the response has been great. These are children that need a "big" person friend to eat lunch with them once a week and encourage them that they are special.
New mentors are always needed. Contact Pastor Kenton if you are interested.
Palm Sunday - Come On In, the Water is Fine
 On Sunday March 16th Pastor Kenton's message was about Baptism. He shared about Jesus' baptism, the meaning of baptism and why it is still important in the Christian life today. After his message, we got to experience the real thing. Steve and Van were baptized in a portable hot tub we had right in the Glacier Park gym. Thanks Steve and Van for sharing stories of your faith journeys and allowing us to be a part of your baptisms.
More Pictures
You can listen to the sermon on baptism by using the "Listen Online" link to the left.
Good Health for Your Family in 2008
We have a health ministry team at Cedarcreek and they know their stuff. Not only do they provide blood pressure testing, flu shots, and other helpful things during the year, they also share some great information in bite size nuggets to help us build healthy lifestyles. Click Here to read the top 10 list for healthy family resolutions you can all do together.
Everything you know about AIDS is about to change.
Every year come spring the students of Cedarcreek take time to focus on a social crisis or issue of our time. This spring we invite all of Cedarcreek to join us on our journey to understand the pandemic that is AIDS and how we can respond.
The story of AIDS is one of great devastation and profound loss, yet in the midst there are glimmers of hope that rise up.
WORLD VISION presents STEP INTO AFRICA
at local churches and venues over the next month. STEP INTO AFRICA allows you to explore the realities of this epidemic as well as how individuals can provide hope and resources that radically changes the lives of children.
We encourage families and individuals to make the time and effort to visit and take part this unique, exciting and thought provoking event. This hands on experience will transport you into the heart of Africa and ...the life of a child.
LOCAL TOUR DATES
April 18-21 Life Center Church, Tacoma
April 25-30 Puyallup Church of the Nazarene
May 8-12 Westminster Chapel of Bellevue
For more information about AIDS and directions to the events visit
www.worldvisionexperience.org
A Valentine for Glacier Park Elementary
For the second year in a row, Cedarcreek collected valentine gifts for the teachers and staff at Glacier Park Elementary. Pastor Kenton along with a few volunteers brought baskets of gifts over to the school on Valentines Day. Thanks to all that brought gifts and helped with the project!
Serving our Community at Thanksgiving & Christmas
Cedarcreek collected food and money donations for Thanksgiving and the response was fantastic. Baskets of food along with grocery certificates were gven to families at Glacier Park Elementary. We also donated money to the Maple Valley Food Bank.
For Christmas our small groups are buying presents for a few families at Glaicer Park that are in need this Christmastime. Gifts will be given to the school social worker for distribution.
The Maple Valley Food Bank is creating a Christmas Gift store for families who are having  trouble making ends meet. This great store will enable them to "shop" for gifts for their children. The parents will be given vouchers by the Food Bank and then will be able to come in and shop for their children with that voucher on Wed, Dec. 19th from 9:30am - 2:00pm. The Food Bank needs volunteers to work in the store during that time to assist parents with their shopping. And, it all happens in the same building as our old office (the Annex). Contact Jan at Maple Valley Food Bank http://www.skcfc.org/mvvolunteers/ if you'd like to help.
Suzanne delivering baskets
to Glacier Park Elementary
Free Family Movie Night A Blockbuster
On Friday, September 7th, Cedarcreek Covenant Church hosted a free family movie night for the community at Glacier Park Elementary School. There isn't a lot for families to do that's free anymore. We decided it was time! We wanted it to be fun. We wanted it to be safe. We wanted families to enjoy time together without spending money. And we wanted to give families an opportunity to meet some of the men and women who provide other valuable community services in our area. Click Here for the whole story and a movie of the event.
Family Movie Night - A Community Event For Everyone!
On Friday, September 7th, Cedarcreek will be hosting an event for the whole community. Bring the whole family and have fun and get to know others in your community. Free food, large inflatable games, prizes and a great movie will make this event fun for all ages.
Come learn what kids at Glacier Park elementary are doing to become more 'Green'. We will have a visit from our firemen with a real fire truck. Bring your kids to meet the firemen and check out the fire truck. At around 8pm we will feature the movie "Night at The Museum" in the Glacier Park Gym.
At Cedarcreek we want to help you build relationships in your families and with your neighbors. That is what this event is all about. We promise we will not harass you with "church stuff". There will be information available about our church if you want to know more, but that's all. It's all about fun, family and community.
Please come and be our guests.
(Click on the picture to get the full poster)
Local Artist Paints During Worship
 Scott Erickson, a local Seattle artist , joined us for worship on March 18th. Scott was invited to come and paint during our regular Sunday morning worship service. The idea was to add another demension to our worship experience with another art form.
Read a story about using art in worship on the Covenant website. Click Here
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