Church World Service Hygiene Kits: In the face of natural disasters, violence, or grinding poverty, CWS Hygiene Kits can mean the difference  between sickness and health for struggling families.
To assemble a Hygiene Kit you will need:
* One hand towel (not white) measuring approximately
16" x 28" (no fingertip or bath towels)
* One washcloth (not white)
* One wide-tooth comb
* One nail clipper
* One bar of soap (bath size in wrapper)
* One toothbrush (in original packaging)
* Six standard size Band-aids�
Place all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper
closure, remove excess air from bag, and seal.
Please do not add toothpaste/anything extra to the Kit.
On Monday, May 12th CHCPC will begin collecting supplies
(or completed kits) for the Day of Discipleship, Saturday, June 7th.
Community Meals are held every other month, including May 20. There are 3 ways to serve--Set up, Food preparation, and Serving the food. Each area of service has a different time--morning, mid-day and late afternoon into early evening. The sign up sheet is in the Commons Area.
Letters of Thanks:
Thank you so much for the generous donation given to the House of Hope program. As you know, needy families and individuals in our community go without proper food, shelter, and essential care every day due to a variety of factors including low wages, job loss, injuries, illness, age, domestic violence, or divorce. While all of us are susceptible to hard times, single mothers with children are at the most risk, and they make up the largest number of homeless clients in the community. With the generous support of people like you, we will be able to help many of these families and individuals not only meet essential daily needs, but to work toward a brighter future.
--House of Hope
Thank you for your generous gift to be used at our Women's and Children's shelter. How would you meet a challenge like this: Do I pay the rent for my house or do I buy food to feed my children? When people come to us for help, we don't want to turn anyone away!
--Salvation Army
 One Great Hour of Sharing: The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering totaled $899.10 of which $170.10 was from the children's fish banks. Thanks be to God!
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Children's Ministry Happenings
Sunday School: All children 6th grade and below are invited to attend Sunday school each week at 10:00 AM. We will offer four classes for various age groups: 2-3 year-olds will meet in the Nursery, Pre-K-Kindergarten will meet in Scripture Tent (upper level across from the Nursery), 1st-3rd graders will meet in Creation Station (lower level across from the Youth Room), & 4th-6th graders will meet in the Youth Room (lower level).
May 4th: No Sunday school (music Sunday)
May 11th: Mom & Me Activities (All Ages)
May 18th: No Sunday School (Third Sunday Breakfast)
May 25th: No Sunday School (Memorial Day)
June 1st: Sunday School Celebration (All Ages)
Children's Church: Many thanks to all the parents, volunteers, and Stephanie! We had another wonderful year of children's church. We will resume children's church in the fall.
Wednesday Nights @ Cedar Heights: Many thanks to all the families, Stephanie, and Janelle for another great year of Wednesday Nights @ Cedar Heights. We enjoyed being together and learning about God's love for us. Hope to see everyone back in the fall.
Water Games VBS Kickoff: All families are invited to join us May 28th from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM for Water Games. We'll have opportunities for young and old alike to get wet, have fun, and meet our friends from First Presbyterian and Unity Presbyterian who are joining us for VBS this June.
VBS & WEE Camp will be June 23rd-26th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Frist Presbyterian Church of Cedar Falls. Once more we will partner with other local congregations to provide a stellar week of vacation bible school and wee camp. This year we are combining both Wee Camp and VBS into the same time. So, please know we will have special programming tailored for our youngest friends. Check the bulletin for information about registering your children or signing up to volunteer. You may also register at www.cedarfallsvbs.webs.com.
Lakeshore Center at Okoboji- Summer Camp!
Don't forget to register your child(ren) for camp before May 15, while there is still a discount for early registration. You can register online at: www.lakeshorecenteratokoboji.org/SummerCamps.aspx
See Stephanie Ehlers, our College Intern for Children's Ministry, for more information. Participation from Cedar Heights has increased every summer for the last 3 years- let's continue the trend!
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Jr. High (6th-8th Graders)
Bowling Night: Join us at Maple Lanes in Waterloo for a fun evening of bowling on Wednesday, May 14th from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Bring $10 for shoe rental and games.
Sr. High(9th-12th Graders)
Sr. High Fellowship: We will meet from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM each Sunday in the youth room. Bring your friends and join us for a good time of fellowship, faith, and fun.
Summer Mission Trip Team Meeting: All students participating in the summer mission trip should plan to be at our second team meeting Sunday, May 18th at 6:00 PM in the Youth Room.
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Adult Forum: We will suspend our regular class for May as we take time to celebratethe many accomplishments of our congregation. We start the month with a wonderful service of worship at 10:00 AM featuring our gifted musicians. We follow this up with opportunities for fellowship and celebration as we give thanks for the young people who share their gifts with us.
Schedule:
May 4th: No Forum (Music Sunday)
May 11th: No Forum (Reception for college graduates)
May 18th: No Forum (3rd Sunday Breakfast & reception for high school graduates)
May 25th: No Forum
Oxygen: Join this group of adults for a lively, refreshing, and renewing conversation. It is a little time on Sunday morning to reconnect and recharge. We are currently watching and discussing short films by Christian leader and popular author, Rob Bell.
Men's Bible Study: Meets weekly, at the Cedar Falls Panera on Friday mornings at 7:00 AM for a time of bible study and fellowship led by Pastor Eric. This month we will continue studying lectionary passages. Please contact Eric with any questions.
Women's Circle Bible Study: Women's Circle Bible Study will meet Thursday, May 22 at 1:00 PM. This is open to all women. We are using the Horizon's Bible Study-An Abiding Hope: The Presence of God in Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Women's Book Club: Come join our Women's Book Club that meets at the church on the second Thursday of each month at 9:30 AM. On May 8, we will discuss Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo.
June 12, 2014 - Conklin, Tara - House Girl
No meeting in July and August
Where Moms Connect: Moms come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing's for sure- all moms need to connect with other moms! Where Moms Connect is a unique curriculum that brings women together and helps them connect naturally, through faith-based discussion, and fun. No matter where a mom is on her journey, she's welcome at Where Moms Connect. Each one-hour session includes insights on the day's topic, small-group discussion time, Bible insights, and practical ideas to apply what's learned. Any questions, contact Janelle Darst at 319-231-2435 or [email protected]. We will have our last meeting on May 17.
"When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours." (Romans 1:12)
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Join Us for These Summer Events...
Water Games
Preschool-6th Grades on May 28th
From 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at CHCPC.
A Get-to-Know-You Event for Our VBS Kids!
Day of Discipleship on June 7th.
Come Serve Jesus by Loving Your Neighbor!
WEE Camp & Vacation Bible School
Clean Water for All God's Children,
June 23rd-26th @ First Pres. Cedar Falls.
Faith & Fun for Children 6th Grade & Below!
Celebration Worship June 29th
Gather of a special service at CHPCP with our friends from UPC and FPC at 10:00 AM!
VBS Children Singing!
48th Annual Ice Cream Social July 16th.
Come Enjoy Fellowship & Tasty Treats While Supporting the ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program!
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Music Notes from Sue Feltman, Director of Music
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Music Sunday is May 4. We will have a combined 10:00 single service, with a time for fellowship following. Sanctuary choir, worship band, children's bells, soloists will all be leading the service. I am so very thankful for the participation and commitment of each person. Please do take a moment on Sunday and extend your appreciation to them.
Sanctuary Choir's last Sunday singing will be May 18. The
following Sundays, through Labor Day, will need individuals or groups to provide special music. If you would be willing to participate, or know of someone I should contact, please let me know. [email protected]
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Interim Pastor's Note ~ Dr. D. Jay Losher
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 Your Pastor Nominating Committee is making good progress. We are on a roll. We have momentum. We are thru the electing, organizing and training stage. Our Ministry Information Form (MIF) was approved last month by both our Session and Presbytery. The committee members are working diligently reading Pastors' dossiers and discerning the individuals with whom they will be wishing to have a deeper conversation through an interview.
While the Pastor Nominating Committee is proceeding well in CHCPC's search for a new pastor, other ministries of our congregation are not being neglected. Several members responded positively to Membership and Growth's encouragement to "Invite a Friend" on Easter ~ some invited family members, others invited neighbors.
After Easter thru Pentecost, the texts in Scripture highlight evangelism a
 little more than at other times of the year. The word 'Presbyterian' and 'evangelism' are not commonly paired. Indeed, the sermon of April 27 was on our Presbyterian "Allergy to Evangelism." Nevertheless we will be exploring what is evangelism true to our Reformed heritage. As we did on Easter, we encourage everyone to "Bring a Friend" to Sunday worship on May 18. We pray you may be able to do precisely that. In Jesus' service,
Pastor Jay
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Associate Pastor's Note ~ Rev. Eric Sunderland
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"Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God;
for God is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting."
~Psalm 147:1
Dear Friends,
A prayer book I use regularly begins with these words: "Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise." Each morning as the sun crests the eastern horizon I hold these words in my heart and look for reasons to give praise to the One who calls forth such beauty and splendor.
It is the month of May and a song of praise is surely fitting. School will wind down and wrap up. There will be graduations to celebrate. We have a PNC now diligently and prayerfully at work (do remember them constantly in your prayers). We will remember the gift of motherhood and mothering, giving thanks for all the women who have nurtured, encouraged, and shaped our lives. There is so much to celebrate in this full and busy month.
So, let us join together and praise the Lord! What if we made the discipline of praise our spiritual practice for the month of May? How much fuller and livelier would life be?
Take time to praise God each day this month. Maybe you will be inclined to lift up a prayer of thanks or simply offer God a smile as you marvel at the growing beauty all around you. You could just keep humming a one of Sunday's hymns or worship songs all week. Let the rhythm and lyrics bring you back to God each morning. You might choose to toss an encouraging word along to family members or friends. Maybe it will appear in a thoughtful note or a compliment shared in passing.
However you engage the practice of praise, take time this month to notice the good things God has placed in your path. Reflect on them and then offer back to our loving Creator a word, song, or act of praise.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Eric
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Pastor Nominating Committee Update
Your Pastor Nominating Committee wants to keep you informed. Our Ministry Information Form and position description for being matched with pastors has been approved mid-April by both Session and Presbytery. We are gratified by how quickly this process is moving. Matching with pastors seeking calls commenced almost immediately. As of the 1st of May, we have already received referrals from 45 ministers with more coming in regularly. The work is intense and we are working diligently to sort through these to discern which ministers from among these are qualified and well-matched with the needs of CHCPC. We will be continuing this process as more referrals come in, and soon we will be moving to setting up Skype interviews with those pastors who look most promising.
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Prayers, Letters & Thank You's 
PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY: Joyce & Henry Hermanstorfer, Norma Caquelin and her cousin; for Jacki Stalberger's son, for Kathy Orr's sister; for Linda Walther's brother; and The Rev Desire' Rutaganda is asking us to keep Rwanda in our prayers as they commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide.
SYMPATHY TO:
- Jay & Susan Losher; Susan's mother died on April 1 in Florida.
- Judy Pfalzgraf and George & Elaine Pfalzgraf on the death of husband and brother, Charlie, on April 4.
- The family and friends of Maxine Ethington, who died on April 17.
Thank you:
- ...to CHCPC for the lovely pink Easter tulip delivered to me by Fran Beal. Your thoughtfulness is so appreciated. Lu Yearling
- ... for the lovely pot of Easter tulips. They are a beautiful soft shade of pink, a color I had not seen before and a welcome sign of spring. Pat Taylor
- ... for the pretty tulips. They are still pretty. Thanks to the church and also to Barb Dowd for delivering them. Betty Meewes
- ...for the tulips and to Barb Dowd, who brought them to me. I enjoyed them very much. Grace Berends
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Head Ushers
9:00 - Mardelle Koch
11:00 - Randy Darst
Coffee
May 4 Wendy Henderson
May 11 Judy Benson
May 18 3rd Sunday Breakfast
May 25 Willard Jenkins
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Staff
Dr. D. Jay Losher, Interim Pastor
Rev. Eric Sunderland, Associate Pastor of Christian Education
Rev. Christine Kaplunas, Outreach & Web Design
Rev. Robert Roof, Pastor Emeritus
Sue Feltman, Director of Music
Janelle Darst, Early Childhood Christian Education
Stephanie Ehlers, College Intern of Children's Ministry
Kim Latch, Office Administrator
Shelly Mallin, Accounting
Marleta Matheson, Sanctuary Choir Accompanist
Morgan Horning, Soprano Section Leader
Leia Lensing, Alto Section Leader
Brent Smith, Bass Section Leader
Cindy & Tim Klatt, Custodians
Jessica McEvoy, Nursery Attendant
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