September 2025 Newsletter
Who Is My Neighbor?
In Luke 10, a man asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” hoping to justify himself. Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan—a story that reminds us that our “neighbor” is not limited by proximity, similarity, or convenience. Instead, our neighbor is anyone in need, and love is demonstrated not just with words but through presence, compassion, and action.
As followers of Jesus, we don’t get to choose our neighbors. God places people in our path daily—at schools, workplaces, our community, and even across our social media feeds. The question is: will we stop, notice, and serve? Will we choose to see each and every person we encounter in person or online as someone made in the image of God? This fall, let’s open our eyes to see our neighbors as Jesus sees them, and be ready to respond with His love.
October Opportunities to Serve
Do you know someone who is looking to get plugged in at Harvester through serving? Send them this link to get the conversation started! ==> https://harvestercc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/265/responses/new
Black Cat Coffee Cafe Pop Up 
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Date: Saturday, October 11 | 9:00–12:00 a.m.
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Location: Mission Cafe- enter through the South Entrance
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Although there is no serving opportunity with this event, it is a great chance for you to bring a friend to the Mission Cafe and be served by teens and young adults living with disabilities as they gain vocational skills with hands-on experience in a welcoming, supportive environment. All treats and drinks are complimentary. Cash-only tips are welcome to support the Coffee Crew.
The Sharing Shed Saturday Crew 
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Date: Saturday, October 19 | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
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Location: 923 E Terra Ln, O’Fallon, MO
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Serve by receiving donations, shopping with clients, delivering furniture, and offering encouragement.
Monthly Pray & Prep 
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*Dates: October 13 & 20 *Note change from October 6
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Location: Annex Lobby enter through Door 10
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Serve by praying over our local schools, students, teachers, and administrators. Make and write cards of encouragement. Prep for holiday gifts to teachers.
- RSVP through the School Outreach Calendar in the Harvester app
Multiply: Living Out The Great Commission 
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Dates: Sundays, October 19- November 9 | 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
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Location: TBD on HCC St Charles Campus
- In this four-week group, we will dive into a different topic each week. We will learn about God’s heart for the lost and what He has asked us, his people, to do! We will spend time identifying the lost, what our role is in praying, how we make disciples, and what our next steps are. There will also be optional times of sharing/FISHing together in the community to live out what we have learned each week. If you have questions regarding this group, please reach out to Grace Gischer, ggischer@harvester.cc
- Sign up here==> https://harvestercc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/722/responses/new
Unhoused Solutions Book Discussion- Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Call To End Homelessness 
- Date: Monday, October 20 | 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
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Location: Carissa’s home
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Whether you have read the book or not, join us as we discuss how to demystify homelessness and how we reimagine our theological approach to these matters.
The Sharing Shed YAM Crew 
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Date: Wednesday, October 22 | 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
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Location: 923 E Terra Ln, O’Fallon, MO
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Serve by receiving donations, shopping with clients, delivering furniture, and offering encouragement.
Did you know?
Good Neighbor Serve Crew receives requests from HCC members and our neighbors to help with things like moving, mowing, simple repairs, and landscaping. Needs are posted in this group and grabbed as schedules and skills allow. Want to be added to the group? Email Jillian at jhohensee@harvester.cc
We are actively recruiting volunteers to serve at Faith Haven House in the afternoons and evenings, 3rd-grade math tutors at Central Elementary, regular monthly serve team volunteers for Becky David and Hackmann Rd EC, and chaplains at the Child Advocacy Center. Email Carissa at cfiggins@harvester.cc if you are interested in any of these options.
Our Foster/Adoptive Parent Group is growing! If you are a foster parent or adoptive parent at HCC, let us know so we can add you to that group for support, prayers, and LOVE!
Food Pantry and Food Backpack Ministry recipient numbers are growing almost weekly! Please keep those recipients in your prayers, as many of them are navigating the need for programs and services for the first time.
We may be ready for cooler weather, but perhaps not the dangerously cold weather coming in a few months. We are getting ready for the week our EWR volunteers host the Warming Center in January for our unhoused neighbors. If you have never served in this capacity and you’re wondering where you fit in, let’s chat! Schedule time with me by clicking on this link! ==>Book time with Carissa Figgins
Whenever you serve and wherever you serve, PLEASE CHECK IN ON THE HARVESTER app. We need this information for safety and security reasons. We also need to track the number of volunteers that serve in Local Outreach, whether it is the food pantry, school outreach, EWR, Sharing Shed, or any other ministry at HCC. If you are unsure how to do this, just ask!
Mark your calendars for our final LO/GS Gathering on November 13. Everyone who serves with Local Outreach, Food Pantry, and Guest Services is coming together for a fellowship meal, brief training, and to hear the vision for 2026. RSVP today using this link! ==> https://harvestercc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/584/responses/new
Discipleship Reflection
When Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan, He ended with this command: “Go and do likewise.” As you think about the weeks ahead, consider this question:
What might it look like for me to “go and do likewise” for the neighbor God places in front of me today?
Pray for eyes to see, a heart that responds, and hands that serve.
Stay Connected
Visit harvesterccoutreach.org for updates, information, and devotionals. serving opportunities. Follow our Facebook page for serving opportunities too!
Together, let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus—answering the question, “Who is my neighbor?” with action, compassion, and love.
Kim
Good morning, Darren and I are fostering parents sometimes looking for respite and support. Please add us to your list. Thank you, Kim deane