May 2025 Newsletter
First Things First
In the busyness of outreach—packing groceries, loving teachers and schools, caring for our unhoused neighbors, mentoring kids—it’s easy to pour ourselves out until we’re running on empty. But God never meant for our service to come from exhaustion. He calls us to serve from a place of rest.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
—Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
God established the Sabbath not as a burden, but as a gift—a rhythm of rest and renewal that reminds us: our worth is not in what we do, but in Whose we are.
As HCC Outreach volunteers, we love well when we live well—rested, rooted, and responsive to the Spirit. When we put God first in our weeks, our days, and our decisions, everything else falls into place—not always easily, but in order. The Sabbath helps reorient our hearts so we can give our best, not just what’s left.
This month, let’s choose to rest with God before we work for God. Saving the best of ourselves—our time, our attention, our affection—for Him first is the most powerful way to love our neighbors well.
May Serving Opportunities Looking for serving opportunities? Check out our new link on the “big” church website! https://harvester.cc/outreach-events
FHSD: God is opening doors for us left and right in the Francis Howell School District. However, it does require us to have many more volunteers complete the volunteer background check through FHSD. Even if you are cleared to serve at HCC you must complete the FHSD process. We will need at least 8 clear volunteers to serve at an immunization clinic in August and 15 cleared volunteers to participate in a pilot math tutoring program later this fall. Processing can take up to six weeks. Let’s get this done by June please!
Good Neighbor Serve Group: Did you know we have a group of Harvester folk who answer the call when our members or neighbors need lawns mowed, simple repairs, or heavy items fixed? Let me know if you would like to be added to this group to be notified of needs.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9. We have a ton of ways to show our local school teachers and staff how much we appreciate all they do in our neighborhoods!
- School Outreach Monthly Pray & Prep
- Monday, May 5, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Join us as we pray for our local schools and then prep items for events at the schools. Meet in the Annex by entering through Door 10.
- Hackmann Rd EC Teacher Appreciation
- Tuesday, May 6, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
- Harvest Ridge Staff Appreciation Gifts & Treats
- Wednesday, May 7, 7:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m.
- Barnwell Staff Appreciation Gifts & Treats
- Thursday, May 8, 10:15-11:30 a.m.
- Becky David Staff Appreciation Gifts & Lunch
- Friday, May 9, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Sharing Shed: We have had such a response to serving at The Sharing Shed. They have provided a few more opportunities, but we need your input on how we are going to best divide this serve group. Be sure to complete this survey so we know the best way to communicate with you. It’s very important to RSVP to the event as a limited number of people can serve effectively at The Sharing Shed.
Saturday, May 17 9:00 –11:00
Pack A Pack
We have a goal to collect enough school supplies for 800 local children in need this year! Are you a small business owner or have access to a doctor, dentist, insurance agent, or small shop? Could you consider serving as a Pack A Pack Collection site June 1-30? Email Carissa to learn more about how you can have an impact on the community using your gifts, talents, and blessings. Huge shoutout to those HCC businesses who have already said yes! We have a goal to have ten businesses in total. 
- CC3 Solutions
- Dailey Chiropractic
- Edward Jones
- Midwest Scuba
- Tequila Restaurant
Prayers:
Pray the most audacious prayers this month for our neighborhoods. Pray for those seemingly impossibilities! Is it Satan’s release on someone’s mental health or freedom from addiction? Is it curing someone of cancer? Is it for safe, affordable housing for our unhoused neighbors? Is it for child abuse and neglect to be non-existent in St Charles County? Is it for 300 foster children in St Charles County to return to safe homes or find safe havens in adoptive families?
Comment below what you are praying for!
Resources:
In these present times, our mental fitness requires us now more than ever to renew our minds with the Lord. Check out this new study from Kyle Idleman in Right Now Media. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/920259
“Jesus said, ‘Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest.’ This You Version plan is an invitation to partake in God’s abiding rest with many practical ways to make rest a lifestyle. This one discipline could deepen your intimacy with God and change the fruitfulness of your life.” Check out this Bible Study by yourself or with a friend! https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/25341-sabbath-living-from-rest
Here is an interesting podcast from the Think Biblically Podcast How does a Christian view of mental health compare and contrast with a secular perspective? Are we in a mental health crisis today? And how do we best love our family and friends who are suffering from mental illness. In this video and podcast, Sean and Scott talk with Rosemead Professor Chris Adams about these questions and more. Dr. Adams shares about the new Flourishing in Ministry resource that helps pastors and churches address mental health. See www.flourishinginministry.org. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd0DoddNSCs
Recommended Reading:
The Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst
Troubled Minds by Amy Simpson