First Church of Christ Scientist, Cedar Rapids

11/30/2021

Our doors are open as we observe state and local COVID-19 protocols for gatherings.

03/19/2020

In light of concerns surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Cedar Rapids, and the Christian Science Reading Room has made the decision to close our doors until further notice.

05/29/2017

Excerpts from this week's Bible Lesson, God the Only Cause and Creator: Golden Text: "...be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create:" (Isa 65:18) And from the Responsive Reading: "Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised:" (I Chron 16:23-25)
From Section 1: "Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works." (Ps 104:30-31) And from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: "There is but one creator and one creation. This creation consists of the unfolding of spiritual ideas and their identities, which are embraced in the infinite Mind and forever reflected. These ideas range from the infinitesimal to infinity, and the highest ideas are the sons and daughters of God." (SH 502:29)
From Section 3: "let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it." (Ps 90:17) And from Science and Health: "Infinite Mind creates and governs all, from the mental molecule to infinity. This divine Principle of all expresses Science and art throughout His creation, and the immortality of man and the universe. Creation is ever appearing, and must ever continue to appear from the nature of its inexhaustible source." (SH 507:24-29)
From Section 5: "Church. The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle. The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick." (SH 583:12-19)
From Section 6: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Rev 4:11)

04/10/2017

Excerpts from this week's Bible lesson: Doctrine of Atonement

Golden Text: "Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me....I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." (John 12: 44,46) And from the Responsive Reading: "...call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." (Matt. 23:9)

From Section 1: "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent...For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." (John 6:28-29, 38) And from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: "Jesus aided in reconciling man to God by giving man a truer sense of Love, the divine Principle of Jesus’ teachings, and this truer sense of Love redeems man from the law of matter, sin, and death by the law of Spirit, — the law of divine Love." (SH 19:6)

From Section 3: "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me...Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:...If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. (Ps 139:1, 7, 8 (to :), 11)

From Section 5: "...ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal 3:28 ye)

04/03/2017

Selected reading from the Bible lesson for this week: Are Sin, Disease, and Death Real?

Golden Text: “…I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord;” (Jer 30:17)

And from the Responsive Reading: “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:” (Hab 1:13) and “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.” (Ps 103:2-6)

From Section 1: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) And from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: ” Instead of God sending sickness and death, He destroys them, and brings to light immortality…God does not cause man to sin, to be sick, or to die.”

From Section 2: “There is but one primal cause. Therefore there can be no effect from any other cause, and there can be no reality in aught which does not proceed from this great and only cause.”

From Section 3: “And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee.” (Matthew 9:2)

03/13/2017

Selected citations from the Weekly Bible Lesson
March 13-19: Matter

Golden Text: “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Luke 3:6) And the Responsive Reading: “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.” (Isaiah 43:21) and “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh;” (Joel 2:28)

In Section 1: “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together:” (Isaiah 40:5) And from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: “Only by understanding that there is but one power,–not two powers, mater and Mind,–are scientific and logical conclusions reached.”

In Section 3: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing;” (John 6:63) And from Science and Health: “There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all.”

In Section 6: “…all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Luke 3:6 all) And from Science and Health: “When we learn the way in Christian Science and recognize man’s spiritual being, we shall behold and understand God’s creation,—all the glories of earth and heaven and man.”

02/20/2017

The Bible lesson for this week is Christ Jesus. Here are some excerpts:
Golden Text: "ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26) And from the Responsive Reading: "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:2)

In Section 1: "Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." (II Timothy1:2) and from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: "Father-Mother is the name for Deity, which indicates His tender relationship to His spiritual creation." (332:4-5) and "Man is the family name for all ideas,--the sons and daughters of God." (515:21-22)

In Section 3: "let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17) and
from Science and Health: "Millions of unprejudiced minds--simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert--are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name and never fear the consequences. Those ready for the blessing you impart will give thanks," (570:14-18, 23-24)

02/13/2017

The lesson for this week is Mind. Here are some excerpts!
Golden Text: "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:21) And the Responsive Reading: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5,6)

In Section 2: "Step by step will those who trust Him find that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy (444:10)

In Section 5: "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it. and is safe." (Proverbs 18:10) and from Science and Health: "Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you." (571:18-19)

In Section 6: "Let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus:" (Philippians 2:5) and from Science and Health: "Working and praying with true motives, your Father will open the way." (326:20-21)

02/06/2017

The lesson for the week is Soul. Here are some excerpts!
Golden Text: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:" (Psalms 103:2) and the Responsive Reading: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, O Lord my God, Thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty." (Psalms 104:1)

In Section 1: "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me." (Proverbs 8:17) and Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy: "Soul is the substance, Life, and intelligence of man, which is individualized, but not in matter. Soul can never reflect anything inferior to Spirit." (477:22)

In Section 4 in "I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee,Fear not; I will help thee." (Isaiah 41:13) and from Science and Heath: " Because the so-called material body is a mental concept and governed by mortal mind, it manifests only what that so-called mind expresses. Destroy fear, and you end fever." (376:18-21, 26-27)

In Section 5: "stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God" (Job 37:14) and "what his soul desireth, even that he doeth." (Job 23:13) And from Science and Health: "Question.--What are the demands of the Science of Soul? Answer.---The first demand of this Science is, 'Thou shalt have no other gods before .'" (467:1-4)

01/22/2017

The lesson for today is on Truth. Join us at 10:30!

Christian Science church in Cedar Rapids

12/18/2016

Due to the weather, the church will be closed December 18th.