April 2025 Newsletter
New Life in Christ: A Season of Baptism and Service
Spring is a season of renewal, a time when we can usually shake off any worries of bleak winter days and look forward to days that just burst with vibrant new life. It is so wonderful to be able to celebrate Easter in this season—the ultimate reminder that Jesus conquered death and offers us new life in Him. At Harvester Christian Church, we see this truth come alive in so many ways, but few are as powerful as witnessing baptisms during this time of year.
Baptism is a public declaration of faith, a moment when someone steps into the water to proclaim that they are leaving behind their old life and stepping into a new life with Christ. Romans 6:4 says, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” This new life is not just about our own salvation—it calls us into something greater: a life of service, generosity, and love for others.
At Harvester, we believe that spiritual formation is not just about personal growth but also about becoming the hands and feet of Jesus in our community. Serving others is an act of worship, a way to reflect the love of Christ to those who need hope. Whether it’s through packing food for families, caring for vulnerable children, or walking alongside neighbors in need, every act of service is an opportunity to live out our faith.
As Easter approaches, we are reminded that Jesus didn’t just rise from the grave for our own personal joy. He calls us into such an abundant life that we can’t keep that joy to ourselves. We are almost compelled out of gratitude to unleash hope. One of the most beautiful ways we can do this is by stepping into the lives of others, meeting needs, and showing them the love of a Savior who brings dead things back to life.
If you’ve been baptized, think back to that moment when you came up out of the water—cleansed, new, alive in Christ. How is He calling you to live out that new life? If you haven’t taken that step yet, I would love to have that conversation with you to consider what it means to follow Jesus fully, surrendering your old life and embracing the joy of a new beginning.
This Easter, let’s celebrate the resurrection of Jesus not just with our words but with our actions. Let’s serve boldly, love deeply, and walk in the new life He has given us.
Harvester Christian Church Local Outreach Serving Opportunities April-May 2025
No Sharing Shed in April because of Easter weekend.
Election Hospitality
Tuesday, April 8, 6 a.m.-7 p.m. various shifts HCC Worship Center
HCC hosts two polling sites for the 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. Email Jillian jhohensee@harvester.cc with your availability, and she will match you with a time.
EWR Leadership Meeting
Thursday, April 10 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
HCC Members interested in serving on the leadership team for the EWR (Emergency Weather Response Team) will meet Thursday, April 1,0 in the Annex Lobby. We will spend time praying, assigning roles, discussing improvements to the warming center, and discussing the possibility of a cooling center this summer. RSVP by emailing Carissa Figgins at cfiggins@harvester.cc
Kona Ice @Barnwell
Friday , April 11 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Barnwell.
Kona Ice is coming to Barnwell Middle School. They would appreciate volunteers to assist students in minimizing the mess and helping with the line. RSVP by emailing Jillian Hohensee jhohensee@harvester.cc
Pack A Pack Planning Meeting
Monday, April 14, 5 p.m.-6 p.m. at Annex Door 10. We will begin praying, brainstorming, and planning logistics for all 2025 Pack A Pack events, including the Boys and Girls Club events, as well as a new Back To School event/market at HCC. Please RSVP to this event on the LO – School Outreach calendar in the Harvester App. If you do not have access to the LO School Outreach group, please email Jillian at jhohensee@harvester.cc
School Outreach Monthly Pray & Prep
Monday, April 14, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Annex Door 10.
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. Please RSVP to this event on the LO – School Outreach calendar in the Harvester App. If you do not have access to the LO School Outreach group, please email Jillian at jhohensee@harvester.cc
Teacher Appreciation Assemble Night
Wednesday, April 23, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
To ensure we have everything prepped and ready to go for Teacher Appreciation Week in May we have an extra night in April planned. Come to the Annex Lobby to help with card writing and gift packing for our local school teachers. Please RSVP to this event on the LO – School Outreach calendar in the Harvester App. If you do not have access to the LO School Outreach group, please email Jillian at jhohensee@harvester.cc
Multicultural Night at Barnwell Middle School
Thursday, April 24, 4:45 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Join us at Barnwell Middle School as we share the hope of Jesus during this fantastic school event. If you are unavailable to stay the entire time, please email Rachel V so she can coordinate volunteers. Rachel.e.vandermuelen@gmail.com
HCC Back to School Market Planning Meeting
Wednesday, April 30, 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Annex Lobby Door 10
This is our first meeting to pray and brainstorm what a back-to-school event could look like to serve families who come directly to HCC for school supplies each year. Please RSVP to Carissa if you would like to be a part of this planning process cfiggins@harvester.cc
LO/GS Training #2
Thursday, May 1, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
This training is for all Local Outreach, School Outreach, Food Pantry, and Guest Services volunteers. We will be discussing how all Local Outreach volunteers and leaders disciple their teams and the people they serve. We will also be sharing tips and techniques for practical leadership and ministry and how to build relationships in those teams to better unleash hope inside and outside the walls of the church. Please RSVP to this event on the LO – Outreach calendar in the Harvester App. If you do not have access to the LO Outreach group, please email Jillian at jhohensee@harvester.cc
Becky David Elementary Spring Fling
Saturday May 3
Becky David PTO is hosting its Spring Fling carnival on May 3. There are lots of opportunities to help with set up, registration, monitoring carnival games, assisting with crafts
and more. Sign up on Becky David’s volunteer site here, and be sure to type “Harvester Christian Church” in the Notes section of the sign up. https://beckydavid.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=736be9a8-af32-4469-8fd6-52e88c875c5c~s.9223370294238834124
School Outreach Monthly Pray & Prep
Monday May 5 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Annex Lobby Door 10
We will pray for our local schools, administrators, teachers, and students. Any tasks that need to be completed to get ready for upcoming school outreach events will be completed during this time as well. Please RSVP to this event on the LO – School Outreach calendar in the Harvester App. If you do not have access to the LO School Outreach group, please email Jillian at jhohensee@harvester.cc
Barnwell Staff Appreciation Gifts & Treats
Thursday, May 8, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. HCC and Barnwell Middle School
Teacher Staff/Appreciation Week is May 5th-9th. Please support the Barnwell staff by praying specifically over them this week. In addition to prayer, we will deliver a small gift and treats on May 8th. If you are available to serve during this time, please RSVP to Jillian Hohensee at jhohensee@harvester.cc
Additional ideas for small groups
The HCC Food Backpack Ministry serves about 100-120 local students every week. Your small group can help these children who experience food insecurity by hosting a food drive. This is an easy way to get neighbors involved near your host home as well. Collect canned ravioli, individual mac n cheese, nut-free snacks such as granola bars, beef jerky, and healthy fruit snacks. Plan a special time to pray over these students and families hit with hard times.
In the same vein, on average, the HCC Food Pantry provides groceries for 130 clients. Could your small group consider hosting a canned food drive to help keep the pantry shelves stocked?
Does your small group enjoy being outdoors? Could they consider weeding and mulching at one of our local schools on a weeknight? Would the
y enjoy helping to keep the Journey Trails free of weeds and trash?
Does your small group have the gift of hospitality? Could they consider hosting one of our teacher appreciation breakfasts or lunches? Could they stock and deliver our WOOT WOOT cart, a snack and drink cart, to one of our local school partners?
Does your small group love shopping? Could they consider collecting 24 packed backpacks this summer for Pack A Pack? Could they purchase children’s socks and underwear for HCC Back To School events?
Is your small group packed with Prayer Warriors? Could they consider joining our monthly School Outreach Pray and Prep , where we pray over local schools, administrators, teachers, and students?
Does your small group like to plan and host parties and fun events? Could they consider helping to organize community breakfasts or dinners for our community and ministry partners to come to HCC to be encouraged? Or help plan a teacher appreciation dinner?
Does your small group love children? Could they consider becoming a Family Friend or a Host Family with Safe Families for Children?
Does your small group have a heart for individuals living with disabilities? Could they consider connecting with our ministry partner Joni & Friends and serving at summer camps or family retreats this summer?
Does your small group’s heartbreak for our unhoused neighbors? Could they consider serving at a cooling center this summer or a warming center in the winter?
Resources to Help You Grow In Your Faith
Jesus, Our Savior and Messiah by Tony Evans https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/395616
Preparing for Easter: Fifty Devotional Readings from C.S. Lewis By: C.S. Lewis