R U signed up?

Sign up deadlines are fast approaching. Please be reminded:
Camp Lebanon - Sunday March 29th
Youthworks summer trip to St. Louis - Sunday March 29th
Men's Kayak Kaper - April 15th

Don't miss out because you missed the deadline!

Boarding for Berlin

Please be in prayer for four from our midst who will be leaving for Germany March 31st and returning April 9th. Our partnership with the church plant in Berlin has a five year history which dates back to the time before any 'on the ground' activity was taking place in Pankow, Berlin. Now this time we are further strengthening those bonds by being an encouragement and by bolstering our prayer partnership them.
Please be sure to prayer for all those things we take for granted: safe travel, good health, health and well being for those left at home...but also be praying for times of encouragement both for those going and those being met, pray for the deepening of relationships, pray for the expansion of the church, pray for a revealing of God's will and way as we seek to see our partnership be meaningful and helpful, both to us and to them. Of course we can't all go, at least not at once, but we can do our part by being faithful in our prayers for this group of four. Pray!

Member, what's a member?

Membership implies reward and responsibility. Church membership is an interesting thing because you can attend all your life without joining in any formal way and for the most part I guess nobody cares. It certainly doesn't impact your eternal standing before God. Yet, there is something to be said about signing on with any group in such a way that you are in effect saying, "I stand with this group of people and I believe in the direction we are going". That is the kind of opportunity we want to provide: an identification with Harvest Community Church as one of the expressions of what God is doing in this community.

This Sunday, March 22nd, right after the morning worship time at the Little Theater, we will meet over at the Ministry Centre to talk more about why we do what we do. It is a relaxed time to ask and understand what goes into making HCC what it is. There is responsibility involved mainly in the form of committment to a vision of what God would do. There is also reward in partnering with a group of people to be used of God in ways we may not even imagine today. There is a more immediate reward too: lunch! Hope to see you Sunday!

I Can't Wait for Summer!!!

I just saw the forecast and it promises above freezing temps for more than one day in a row! Party!!! Warmer weather, the promise of summer...God is good!

We have at least four things on the summer calendar that are special events that you may want to be aware of.

• Men's Kayak Kaper - Jim Umhoefer is heading up a guys only trip to Wisconsin. June 12-14th
• Summer Camp at Camp Lebanon - we are a member church at one the truly great camps around. Our sign up deadline is March 29th, so get (on the information table) and fill out a registration for your favorite camper. You can either pay in full or set up a payment plan. This is one investment that won't lose value!
• Youthworks trip to St. Louis - those going in to 9th grade through those graduating seniors are eligible for the trip to the Gateway Arch! Youthworks staff do an amazing job of providing a great experience which makes the teaching come to life. It is life changing and eye opening...I think every kid needs to get themselves on this kind of trip, only one problem...we only have openings for eight youth. So, $100 deposit by March 29th gets you on the list
• Burning Man experience - a week of instant community in the Nevada desert. This one isn't for those looking for a nice vacation. This will be a test of ones faith, and living that faith out, with 50,000 others from all over the world. It is artsy and fresh, and not for everyone. Curious? Check out www.burningman.com

Also on the calendar is our annual baptism and picnic at Fairy Lake. Thinking of getting baptised? Talk to Pastor Carlyn!

Calling all Campers

We are currently in the middle of sign up for summer camp out at Camp Lebanon. Our deadline for sign up us Sunday, March 29th so that we can send them in all together and get the sign up bonus from Camp. So, here is what you need to get done: fill out a camper form (if you didn't get one in the mail we have a TON of them on the info table), and include full payment, or talk to Brenda Morton or myself to put a payment plan in place. That's it, but do so by the 29th. And if what you really need is some financial help to make it happen, talk to me. I want your kid going to Camp as it is one of the life changing activities that you can send your kid to.

Spring ahead

Don't forget to set the clock ahead Saturday night! If you don't I fear that you may arrive at worship on Sunday morning only to find out that the donuts are gone and all that you will be left with is the sermon...well, we could try to reserve some coffee for you! Seriously, set your clock ahead so you can hear from Pete, the youth guy out at Camp Lebanon. Pete will light a flame for summer camps and you won't want to miss it!