June 2026 HCC STC Local Outreach Newsletter
Devotional: “Is the point the thing?”
The people who have that laser focus to” get the thing done” and get things done quickly have always made me a bit nervous. I usually feel like I am in the way. I definitely don’t feel the sense of urgency, and I know in my own case, everything to try to do things too quickly, something bad typically happens, either I get hurt, or something gets broken. When our priority is to get the thing done, it leaves very little time for discussion and conversation.
My prayer for Good Neighbor Serve Week is for Harvester Christians to look past the description of “getting the thing done. “ Yes, there are meaningful tasks to complete to aid our neighbors, ministry partners, and community partners. Yes, the tasks in the serving opportunity help us build community and encourage one another. But in the larger picture, our obedience to serve and our sacrifice of time to God position us to have discussions with people we may never have had the chance to encounter before. The point isn’t “the thing” we are doing but the people we are reaching in the name of Jesus.
Join me in praying for God to create divine appointments for each person who commits to serve during Good Neighbor Serve Week, to unleash the hope of Jesus to passersby, to someone they are serving with, to a community or ministry partner staff person, or to a client of a program.
Read 1 Peter 3:15
Reflect:
- When people observe my life, do they see a hope in Christ that would make them curious enough to ask about it?
Reflect on whether your attitudes, words, and actions point others to Jesus and demonstrate the hope you have in Him. - How can I prepare to share why I trust Christ, and communicate that truth with gentleness and respect?
Pray
Hey God, as I prepare to serve my neighbors during Good Neighbor Serve Week, help me reflect Your love in all we do. Open my eyes to opportunities to encourage others and share the hope I have in Jesus.
Give me courage to speak when the time is right, wisdom to listen well, and a heart that is full of kindness and grace. Lord, it is my desire to lead people to find and follow you.
Use our entire church to be a blessing in our community, and prepare the hearts of those we meet to experience Your love.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
SELAH Silent Prayer Practice
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
6:00 – 9:00 pm
St. Charles Campus
This is a FREE Event
Click to Register: SELAH Prayer Retreat
Sometimes we just need a break from the constant noise of life—a chance to slow down, breathe, and simply be with God. This evening invites you to slow down, quiet your heart, and become more aware of God’s presence.
We’ll spend our time together practicing silence—not as something awkward, but as a way of listening. Through simple prayer prompts, guided moments of reflection, and unhurried time with God, you’ll be encouraged to release distractions, receive peace, and respond to the Spirit’s gentle leading. Whether you’re new to contemplative prayer or have practiced it for years, you’re invited to come and engage at your own pace.
Contact Maria Roth at mroth@harvester.cc with any questions.
Good Neighbor Serve Week July 13-18
There are so many places to serve during Good Neighbor Serve Week. You can read full descriptions of each serve opportunity by clicking here ==> https://harvesterccoutreach.org/ Registration is filling up, so now is the time to commit and sign up here ==> Good Neighbor Serve Week Registration. You can also sign up to serve in the Worship Lobby starting June 21, where you can grab a Good Neighbor t-shirt to wear while you serve. But if this week doesn’t work for your family, or you are out of town, it doesn’t mean you can’t serve where you are. Click here ==> to check out this list of ways to serve whomever and wherever for the opportunity to unleash hope wherever you might be.
Annual Pack A Pack Drive
Starts June 28th
HCC, you always show up big for our annual school supply drive! This year, HCC St Charles is collecting 200 backpacks for the Boys and Girls Club St Charles Unit Back to School Bash, as well as supplies for families who will come directly to our campus for the Good Neighbor Market. At the Good Neighbor Market, our neighbors will hear the gospel and an invitation to HCC Children and Student Ministry, then “shop” for free school supplies with personal shoppers. The children will experience a fun, uplifting event that helps preserve their dignity, featuring crafts, a photo booth, a visit with Officer Schue and Milly, the therapy dog, and a free Kona Ice. Please bring your Pack A Pack donations to the Mission Cafe between June 28 and July 12. You can also use our Amazon wish list and have your items shipped directly to our campus using this link ==> Pack A Pack Wishlist 2026
Upcoming Serving Events
We are super excited that you can now find all scheduled Local Outreach serving events on the Harvester website by clicking HERE. You can also find them through this monthly newsletter on the Local Outreach blog, the HCC St Charles Local Outreach Facebook group, and the Harvester app. Always feel free to schedule one on one time with me using this link to my calendar.
Good Neighbor Serve Week
July 13-18
Read full description of serving opportunities here ==> https://harvesterccoutreach.org/
Register to serve here==> https://harvestercc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/950/responses/new
The Sharing Shed
Saturday, July 18, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
*Wednesday, July 15, 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 15, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
*Wednesday, August 19, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
*Note the change from fourth Wednesday nights to third Wednesday nights
School Outreach
Backpack Delivery to Boys and Girls Club St Charles, Thursday, July 23, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Boys and Girls Club St Charles Back to School Bash Saturday, July 25, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Good Neighbor Market Thursday, July 30, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
EWR Cooling Center
On call August 2-8 and August 30- September 5, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Hospitality Volunteers Election Polling Place Tuesday, August 4, 6:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. Two-hour shifts suggested.
Hospitality Volunteers needed for the American Red Cross Blood Drive, Tuesday, August 18, 9:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. Two-hour shifts suggested.
Register or RSVP at the events at https://harvester.cc/outreach-events
Prayer List
- Pray for 8 Harvester families to commit to driving 4 women living at Rise Up Transitional to church on Sundays or Celebrate Recovery on Monday nights
- Pray for the children receiving backpacks, that God would use those tangible items to spark curiosity about who He is.
- Pray for doors to open at our local schools so we can build relationships with children and families.
- Pray for God to provide affordable, attainable, safe housing for our neighbors in need in St. Charles County.
- Pray Harvester will walk together as ONE with diverse others in a manner worthy of the calling with which He has called us (Ephesians 4:1)