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acb4eaa3-8f24-4b27-8466-aa731ba75967 Follow me: a disciple knows and follows Jesus When we look at the life of Jesus, it is very clear that his mind and his worldview were deeply formed by the Scriptures. As we read the Gospels, we see that he was literate, conversant, and passionate about the Word of God. And he calls his followers to be the same. A disciple of Jesus needs to understand and embrace the essential teachings of the Bible. Each month we will explore an essential doctrine of God’s Word through video and print resources. We hope that you will find these helpful in your discipleship journey. The Doctrine of God the Father BOOKS Knowing God by J. I. Packer The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith ARTICLES God as Father by Gerald Bray What is the Doctrine of the Trinity? by Matt Perman VIDEOS The Doctrine of God by Village Church Resources 3 Minute Theology: What is the Trinity? NOTES COMMENTS head page

Assist Clarksburg Closet: Driver Assist Deliver bagged clothes to individuals. 1 hour as needed As needed 0

EMPOWER: Digital Ministry In October 2024, Pastor Jonathan invited the church family to participate in a survey to assess our spiritual and personal well-being. The results confirmed some existing trends and provided valuable insights to empower Cedarbrook to become more radical in following Jesus. Two key findings emerged: 66% of respondents felt the church hadn't helped them discover their life's calling 67% lacked clarity on their next steps for spiritual growth Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, we were witnessing a significant shift in communication, with fewer people attending traditional church services and more turning to the internet. This trend has accelerated, and our church cannot afford to ignore the digital landscape. How can Cedarbrook capitalize on these insights? To address these insights and adapt to the changing times, we must evolve our digital ministry strategy. We must move beyond merely sharing information and focus on building authentic connections with both church members and seekers. This involves using digital as a means to discipling individuals in digital spaces and reaching out to those outside the church who are searching for spiritual meaning. Discipling Our Church in Digital Spaces To effectively disciple our church in digital spaces, we need to leverage technology to connect, teach, and encourage believers. Goals Q2: Script, record, disseminate high quality discipleship content (podcasts, shorts, blogs, etc) Q4: Develop online courses on various spiritual topics, such as Bible study, prayer, and discipleship Reaching the Spiritually Curious Online To effectively reach the spiritually curious online, we must leverage digital platforms to engage, educate, and inspire. Goals Q1: Bolster our digital content budget to build teams to create engaging high-quality content online via blogs, social media, and video Q3: Establish a strong online presence that attracts new members and strengthens existing relationships GIVE

Week 1 KICK-OFF MESSAGE: What is Rooted? MEETING GUIDE SHARING YOUR STORY

LIFE GROUP LEADER RESOURCES Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 ESV Thank you for serving as a Life Group Leader here at Cedarbrook Community Church. Below you will find resources that will help you to make disciples...who will make disciples.

Find Clarksburg Community Assistance Network: Food Drive Organizer Find Lead food drives at churches, schools, and businesses. 2-3 hours quarterly Quarterly 1

EMPOWER: Ministry Leader Development In October 2024, Pastor Jonathan encouraged the church family to take a survey to get a sense of how the church and her people were doing spiritually and personally. For the most part, the survey confirmed what we were already hearing and experiencing, but it also unveiled some areas of actionable intelligence that would strengthen and empower Cedarbrook to become radical in following Jesus on mission in this next year. Three insights from the survey which God is now positioning Cedarbrook to capitalize on related to this Empower initiative is as follows: 65% of you responded that the church doesn’t empower young people to develop as leaders. 72% of you responded that there was no clear pathway for a person to become a leader at this church. 84% of the leaders in this church believe that there are not enough leaders in the church to operate effectively. The implications of each of these insights are as follows: Younger people feel undervalued and unseen in the church's leadership structure. A lack of clarity about leadership roles and progression can discourage potential leaders. The church will struggle to meet its mission and vision due to a shortage of leaders. How can Cedarbrook capitalize on these insights? At Cedarbrook, we evaluate potential leaders and develop leaders based on the four “C’s”: character, competency, compatibility, and capacity. To be a leader at Cedarbrook, whether that’s a leader in Promiseland or in Student Ministries, or in Life Groups, Alpha, ESOL, MomCo, our Board of Directors, or Elder Team, an individual must possess or develop these essential criteria. To accelerate the growth and development of our ministry leaders, we're focusing on three key areas: Implementing a Formal Leadership Development Program : Providing structured training and mentorship to equip leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge. Creating Clear Leadership Pipelines and Pathways : Establishing a clear progression for leadership roles, offering opportunities for growth and advancement. Funding Leadership Development Opportunities : Investing in our leaders by supporting their attendance at conferences, workshops, and other training events. A Formal Leadership Development Program This year, we will be developing a leadership development curriculum covering leadership skills, biblical knowledge, and church ministry for new Life Group leaders. As it currently stands, our existing groups cannot absorb the current demand for Life Groups and so developing Life Group leaders is paramount to discipling people in small groups at Cedarbrook. Goals Q1: Research other leadership development programs Q2: Develop a leadership development curriculum based on Cedarbrook mission, vision, and values Q3: Pilot the leadership development curriculum Q4: Tweak and revise the leadership development curriculum A Leadership Pipeline and Pathway Currently, the way people are identified for leadership roles is informal and training is often times trial by fire. This year, we will be focused on systematizing the training of those identified for leadership roles to transition leaders well and help them succeed from the get-go. Goals Q1: Identify key leadership roles that need a pipeline and pathway within the church Q2: Develop a clear pathway for progression within these roles Q3: Communicate these pathways to church members identified for potentially fulfilling those roles Q4: Implement a system for tracking individual leadership development and pipeline availability Funding Leadership Development Opportunities Investing in our leaders is an investment in the future of Cedarbrook and the kingdom of God. While our internal leadership development program is crucial, attending industry conferences and seminars offers unique benefits. These events provide opportunities for our leaders to: Learn cutting-edge leadership skills Network with other ministry professionals Gain exposure to best practices Bring back innovative ideas to enhance our leadership development programs By sending our leaders to these events, we’re empowering them to grow, learn, and lead more effectively. GIVE

Encourage Kids: Large Group Tech Encourage Assisting in the flow of large group with Propresenter, lighting, and sound. 2 hours monthly, bi-weekly, weekly Monthly, bi-weekly, weekly 4

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ANDREW ROLLO Student Ministry Pastor My Long Island roots have been hard to shake, but I am enjoying my home here in Maryland. I was blessed to join the Cedarbrook family in June 2013. My wife, Taylor, and I have been married since May 10th 2014. We met at Liberty University where I graduated with a degree in Biblical Studies and a minor in Youth Ministry. I have served as the Middle School Director and High School Director over the past 8 years and I am really excited for seeing those work together. When I'm not caught up in the chaos of student ministry, you can find me with my wife and beautiful kids; Ellie and Sammy, or playing basketball or enjoying a burger. (sounds like a perfect day to me). andrew@cedarbrook.org

Assist ESOL: Events - Setup and Tear Down Support Assist set up and tear down the classroom environments. 2.5 hours weekly Weekly 2

On January 21, we're kicking off 7 days of prayer and fasting. For this one week, we want to disconnect from the world through fasting and spend that time praying, connecting with God for three things. For personal revival and a vision of His promises in our lives. For specific opportunities to share the gospel with people in our lives. For our church family and the accomplishment of God’s mission here in the DMV area. On January 19, we're kicking off 7 days of prayer and fasting. For this one week, we want to disconnect from the world through fasting and spend that time praying, connecting with God. Prayer is a lifeline. I have tried so hard to make prayer first in every situation. However, I’ve discovered many times that I often act first then want God to rescue me out of a situation, but prayer should be our premier choice, not our last resort. You see, recognizing the value of prayer as a lifeline is not enough. For prayer to become a part of our life, it needs to become something we look forward to doing, something that doesn’t give us a headache or makes us feel bad doing, but something that rejuvenates us, giving us hope and tangible peace. That’s the purpose of this week, and my ultimate prayer and hope for each of us, is that by practicing praying will help us experience what Paul the Apostle spoke of in Ephesians 3:18-19, to know how wide, how long, how high, and how deep God’s love is for you – a lifeline for our daily lives. So whether it’s before the day begins or before you go to bed, whether before you send that text or before you walk into that meeting, whether when bad things happen or before bad things happen, make prayer your lifeline. If you’re a well seasoned Christ follower or need to supercharge your prayers, then add the spiritual discipline of fasting to this week. And as you do so, I’m sure you’ll experience God and his grace for you. I can’t wait to hear the testimonies of all that God is doing and accomplishing in you and through you as you pray and fast. The sections below will guide you through how you can pray or fast, and what we’re praying for each day of this week. I’m praying God moves mightily in your life this week as you take a step of faith in prayer and fasting! Pastor Jonathan P.S. If you want prayer this week, click this link and submit a prayer request so the staff, elders, and other church leaders can pray for you. How Should We Pray? How do we make prayer a part of our everyday life? We can learn from two things that Jesus did in Mark 1:35. And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35 ESV) We should pray at a CERTAIN TIME . Jesus got up very early in the morning to spend time with His Heavenly Father. For prayer to work, we should do the same. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the morning or evening, but make sure it is a time you can be consistent with praying. Make a daily appointment with God and keep it. We should pray at a CERTAIN PLACE . Jesus had a prayer place. The place Jesus went was desolate on purpose. Your prayer place needs to be an undistracted environment where you can pray aloud and hear from God. Consider finding somewhere distractions can’t find you, or where you can’t access distractions. Maybe have some worship music playing in the background to muffle out the distractions. What Should You Pray? To make the most of your CERTAIN TIME and CERTAIN PLACE , you should go into prayer with a CERTAIN PLAN . Go into your prayer time with a plan. If it changes, that’s fine. For example, when Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He gave His disciples a prayer outline. We call it the Lord’s Prayer. This is our plan this week. We are going to pray a little bit of the Lord’s prayer each day for 7 days. The Lord’s prayer can be found in Luke 11:2-4 and in Matthew 6:9-13. Below is the version from the Gospel of Matthew. 9 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for yours is the kingdom, the power, and glory forever. Amen.* (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV) What grade do I register my child for? VBS is designed for kids 4 years old (potty trained) through 5th grade in the Fall of 2025. What is your cancellation/refund policy? Refunds are available until May 26, 2025. After May 26, 2025 there are no refunds for cancellations. What about current 5th graders? If your child is a current 5th grader going into 6th grade, he or she should join our youth team to volunteer on site. We have special things planned just for them. Do you have volunteer discounts? Yes, we have volunteer discounts for kids whose parent(s) are serving at our VBS. We cannot run VBS without you. Once you are signed up to volunteer we will issue you a promo code. What should my kids wear? Please have your child wear comfortable clothes and closed toe shoes each day to VBS. On the first day, your child will be given a VBS t-shirt at check-in. Your child must wear the VBS t-shirt everyday afterward during VBS week. What does a typical day look like? This is just a sample, depending the grade, the order activities and events may change. 8:45–9am: Doors open 9–9:40am: Large Group Open 9:45–10:10am: Small group 10:15–10:40am: Crafts 10:45–11:10am: Snack 11:15–11:40am: Games 11:45am–12:00pm: Large Group Close Are there scholarships available? Yes! We do offer scholarships to ensure every child can attend VBS. If you need assistance, simply reach out to info@cedarbrook.org. We’re happy to help make this fun, faith-filled week accessible to all! When do I drop off and pick up my child each day? Doors open at 8:45am each day. An adult must check-in children and drop them off with their small group each day. Kids cannot check themselves in or out by themselves. VBS ends each day at 12pm. The adult picking up the child must bring their check-in slip when picking up their child. More information will be provided closer to the start of VBS. What if I made a mistake on my registration? If you made a mistake on your registration, please email us at info@cedarbrook.org with the details of your registration. Do you provide snacks? Yes, there will be snacks. A list of snacks provided each day will be emailed prior to the start of VBS. If your child has allergies, please provide an alternative snack for him/her. Can I stay at the church during VBS? For the safety of the children in VBS, every adult onsite at the start of VBS at 9am through 12pm each day needs to be background checked. We invite you to volunteer with us to experience VBS with your child. Can friends/siblings in different grades be in the same group? No. We group kids by the grade they are entering in the Fall of 2025. This helps kids make new friends with their peers and ensures an age-appropriate safe and learning environment. What support is available at VBS if my child has special needs? We will have limited special needs support through buddy programming. Upon registering your child, please select the special needs box and complete the form for special needs so we can best prepare for your child. If your child requires to bring their own care provider, please have that care provider register as a volunteer. He or she will have to attend one of our training meetings so they know what to anticipate. What is the After Party? Families and friends are invited to join us Friday evening, June 20, at 6pm for a special presentation of our VBS program. After the presentation, stay for food trucks, carnival games, bounce houses and music on our lawn. Can I make a donation for a scholarship or general VBS donation? Yes, mail or drop off a check in any offering box or at the church office. In the memo, please write “VBS Donation” or “VBS Scholarship.” Have a question we didn't cover? Email the church at info@cedarbrook.org. What is Fasting? Fasting is withholding from something we want so we can set our attention on God. Food is an important part of life, but Scripture is full of invitations to go without it for a period of time to connect with God and be more mindful of our reliance on him. Types of Fasts: Complete Food Fast In this type of fast, you drink only liquids. Drink a lot of water, and then add in juice and shakes as needed. Partial Food Fast This fast involves abstaining from eating any type of food for a certain period of time each day. For example, you can choose to skip a certain meal or abstain from eating until sunset. Selective Food Fast This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food. Soul Fast If you don’t have much experience fasting food, have health (or other) issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance, this is a great option for you. For example, you might choose to fast social media or television for the duration and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast. How to Journal: W rite down your thoughts in following areas using two sentences or more: Write specifically the things you are grateful to God for. Write specifically the action steps you are going to take today or the next day to address any insights you received from God while you were praying or clinging to God through fasting. Write specifically the things you want to see God do for your own personal revival, opportunities to share the gospel in word and deed to the people around you, or through the church in our area. At the end of the 7 days, you should review your journal entries. In reviewing your journal entries, ask yourself: Are there any patterns in your gratitude toward God? Are there specific action steps that should be incorporated into your everyday routines? Are there any opportunities to minister the gospel in word or in deed that you need to step into?