March 2025 Edition: What’s Coming in HCC Local Outreach & Beyond
March 2025 Edition: What’s Coming in HCC Local Outreach & Beyond
Thank You Father
On Sunday Nikomas preached on Gratitude. I had the vantage point of sitting up top during the third service. As I looked down I saw two of our warming center guests praising God with all of their might during a sermon on gratitude I saw one of our members who I know is battling harsh health issues praising with all their might during a sermon on gratitude. I saw one of our Local Outreach volunteers who I know is going through a rough family season praising with all of their might during a sermon on gratitude. That was one of the “Thank You Fathers” I wrote down in my phone. Thank you Father for examples of spiritual giants who praise you and thank you and keep a laser focus on you no matter what life throws their way.” I would love for you to share one of your “Thank You Fathers” in the comments of the blog!
Local Outreach Updates:
In order to focus on the For The One Campaign we had very few events in February. But if you attended one of the vision nights I know you got a piece of the momentum and excitement. I personally loved when we turned to our neighbors and prayed with 3-4 people seated around us for courage and for our One. Be sure to sign up for a time slot for the 24 Hours of Prayer. Commitment Sunday is coming up on March 9th. Continue praying about how God wants you to share his gifts to go above and beyond your normal giving.
I have been working hard to build out this blog with useful information. You can now find an overview of all current serving opportunities as well as many specific volunteer descriptions. Make it a goal to share those links with people in your small group this month.
Upcoming Service Opportunities
School Outreach Monthly Pray & Prep
Monday 3/10/25 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Annex Door 10. This month we will pray for our local schools, administrators, teachers, and students. We will also spend focused time asking God to continue to guide us in our School Outreach efforts and how we can stay on mission to lead people to find and follow Jesus. RSVP here
Joni & Friends St. Charles County/West St. Louis Church Network Meeting 3/11/25 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Mission Cafe Door 6.
Disability Ministry Leaders and Volunteers who serve individuals living with a disability are invited to the Joni & Friends area-wide networking meeting. This month we are discussing practical ways the church can support the families of those living with a disability. If you are interested in this topic you can register here.
The Sharing Shed
Saturday 3/15/25 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. 923 East Terra Ln. O’Fallon, MO 63366
Our HCC Sharing Shed crew serves every 3rd Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Volunteers are needed to receive donations, clean them. and occasionally help deliver the items or serve as personal shoppers to Sharing Shed Clients. Volunteers are especially needed who can lift and deliver heavy household items. Sign up Here
LO/GS Spring Training
NOTE DATE CHANGE: Thursday 3/20/25 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Mission Cafe
This training is for anyone serving in Local Outreach, Food Pantry, or Guest Services. We will be focusing on safety. SCAAD will be here to demonstrate basic lifesaver CPR. We will have a brief training from our Security Team on what to do in the event of an emergency. We will also have tips and tricks on how to de-escalate and manage difficult conversations. RSVP here
Safe Families Training #1 & #2
Safe Families Core Training #1 Monday 3/24/25 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Mission Cafe
Bethany Christian- Safe Families is hosting two in-person trainings at HCC on March 24th and March 31st from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Mission Cafe.
For anyone wanting to serve as a Family Friend either for Safe Families or to support HCC families, you need to complete Safe Families Core Training on March 24th.
Host Family Training #2 Monday 3/31/25 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Mission Cafe
For anyone wanting to serve as a Host Family for Safe Families, you will need to complete the Core Training on March 24th and the Host Family training on March 31st. Click the previous link to sign up for Core Training. In addition, click this link to sign up for Host Family Training.
The Sexual Abuse Prevention Training for Family Friends and Host Families will need to be completed online. Email Madison Witte to enroll in the Sexual Abuse Prevention Training. Feel free to email Madison Witte from Safe Families, mwitte@bethany.org, for any additional information about what Safe Families is, what a Host Family does, or the critical importance of a Family Friend.
Election Hospitality Tuesday, April 8, 6 a.m.-7 p.m. various shifts HCC Worship Center
HCC hosts two polling sites for St Charles County Election Authority. We aim to be the most welcoming church to our neighbors that we can be. Election Hospitality Volunteers are needed to greet voters, offer simple snacks and drinks, and direct voters to election judges with any questions. Be on the lookout for a sign-up in the coming weeks to sign up for a two-hour shift.
Prayers
Start and end each day with “Thank You Father” prayers.
Pray for your One.
Pray that HCC will respond with such generosity to the “For The One” campaign that Pastor Nikomas will have to get up on stage and ask people to stop giving.
Pray for God to raise up a HCC member to serve as the Hackmann Rd Early Childhood Crew Leader.
Pray for HCC members to form a consister serving crew at Hackmann Rd Early Childhood.
Pray for God to raise up a HCC member to serve as the Becky David Crew Leader.
Pray Local Outreach volunteers will not slip into humanitarian tasks but will boldly unleash the hope of Jesus through justice and generosity.
Resources for you to grow in your faith and Become more and more like Jesus through service
- A video from Lisa Harper on The Anatomy of Gratitude
- Free study guide from Right Now Media the Path to Discovering a Grateful Heart
- 10-day Bible Reading Plan to take a closer look at what God says about how the spiritual practice of gratitude is often the missing key to unlock the hope, joy, and beauty around us.
More Ways to Stay in the Loop
- Like and Share posts from HCC Outreach- St Charles Campus Facebook Page
- Like and Share posts from HCC Food Pantry
- Subscribe and follow HarvesterCC Outreach Blog
- In the Harvester app: Log into the app. At the bottom right hand corner click “More.” On the next screen click “Groups.” Click on any group you are assigned to see the calendar, and messaging about needs, events, or serving opportunities. If you would like to be added to any group such as Food Pantry, School Outreach, EWR Warming Center, Safe Families/Foster/Adopt, Natural Disaster Food Backpack Ministry, Elections, or Sharing Shed, please email our Ministry Coordinator Jillian Hohensee at jhohensee@harvester.cc