1st/2nd Grade Classroom Teacher

What is this serving role all about?

In our 1st/2nd grade classroom, volunteers show up 15 minutes before service begins to look over the lesson plan we've prepared and greet the kids as they arrive. A smile at the door is the best part of the day for some kids. Volunteers spend the hour fostering positive relationships with the kids, playing, and helping them grow in their love of Jesus

What's something interesting or unique about this serving role?

Kids are really beginning to grasp the Bible and the meaning of prayer at this age. Volunteers have a great opportunity to be an integral part of the growth process.

How often do volunteers serve in this role?

We ask volunteers to serve at least two Sundays a month, for one hour each time. This provides consistency for the kids. We also know life happens and we can be flexible.

Who's one of the superstar volunteers currently fulfilling this role?

Larry Houlihan is currently serves in our 1st/2nd grade classroom, and he's a rockstar!

We live in exciting times!

Each week since March of 2020, we’ve been bombarded with bad news of human suffering. I don’t have to list it, you know and have lived it too. Many of us have also suffered. Years ago I ran into an acquaintance out in public. I told her I would be leaving the following week to lead a team to Ethiopia. She proceeded to tell me how I was failing at my greatest ministry to my own children and husband. What she couldn’t have known was that I was already wracked with fear, guilt and what-if’s. Like Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water toward Jesus when he noticed the waves crashing around him, the days before a trip I always ask myself, “What kind of a mother leaves her children…?” Her words left me feeling like garbage. What would have happened had she asked questions rather than assumed the worst about me? I think she would’ve found that I’m not such a negligent mom and wife after all. (Btw, that trip across the ocean led to 500 more children having the opportunity to become enrolled in Compassion and being rescued from a life of futile cyclical poverty. My kids didn’t mind sacrificing 2 weeks with Mom for that.) But don’t we assume the worst about God too? We languish, "Where is God in the midst of short staffed Covid wards, the war in Ukraine, the increased persecution of Christians in India and China and the overtaking of Afghanistan by the Taliban?" In John 14:12, Jesus told his disciples, “ Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” Think of all the miracles Jesus performed in front of his disciples--healings, feeding thousands with tiny amounts of food, walking on water and raising people from the dead. How could his disciples do even greater things than those? I’ll tell you how! When Jesus left, he sent his Spirit to live IN US. Not in one man, but in EVERY man, woman and child who commits their lives to Him. Multiplication that has spanned across the globe. From Israel 2000 years ago, what Christ alone was doing, now God’s children and His sweet Spirit in them is now active daily—light in dark places, in every single time zone around the world. From Covid units to underground churches in literally every country worldwide, God is actively on the move, right now, today. Week after week, I am literally blown away by the miraculous stories I hear from frontline churches around the world. God often uses tragedy and suffering to awaken souls to what is most real and important. My Pastor friend in Poland recently exclaimed, “This is an exciting time in our country! Everyone is open to the Gospel!” We can either look at suffering with human eyes or with the eyes of God’s Spirit within us. We are living in a time of immense opportunity. Psychologists are calling the current mental health crisis a languishing crisis. I submit to you one way out of languishing is to take up your God given right and responsibility to DO something! Each one of us has gifts, abilities, and ideas. Take some time right now and think about the thing that bothers you most these days. If your heart feels hard or weary, ask Him to break your heart for what breaks His. Then ask Him to show you what He wants you to do about it. Ask Him to show you how to start. And if you need some ideas, I always know of plenty of opportunities to get involved and I’d be happy to have a conversation with you. We live in exciting times! Don’t believe for a second that God isn’t good. He does His best work through His people. People just like YOU.

❤️

Spring 2022 Celebrations

All of the above are actual comments from recent first-time guests. Harvest Church, you should be proud of the way you are welcoming people. We celebrate your love!

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. – Jesus

Here are a few other items to cheer about.

Pastor Adam Barton

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Harvest Kids

On Easter, many kids attended and heard about the gospel. Harvest Kids has recently been incorporating a large-group worship setting on Sundays, followed by smaller age-appropriate groups. - Darian Armer, Director of Kids Ministry - Elementary

Orange Conference

The Harvest Kids team went to the Orange Conference in Atlanta to learn new strategies for customizing curriculums for our kids based on group size. One speaker reminded us that each volunteer gets to reflect the love of Jesus on kids and that they are changing lives and families one Sunday at a time." - Alan Skogan, Kids Ministry Coordinator

Serve Spotlight

Anna Mertes was baptized on Easter. She started attending Harvest, joined a small group and began serving in Harvest Kids. She is a beautiful person with a beautiful story. – Claire Herbert, Director of Kids Ministry – PreK

Anna Mertes says volunteering for kids brightens her day. "Serving in Kids Ministry has been very fulfilling. I have learned many Bible stories and lessons with the children. I've seen children's confidence grow not only from when they first arrive and depart that day, but throughout the year. And, I also get to be a kid again by singing, playing, and dancing with them." she said.

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Senior Luncheon

The seniors of the church are near and dear to my heart. After such a long time of not connecting due to COVID, it was important to create a time for them to get together. Everyone brought a favorite dish to share and had a warm time of reconnection. It was a special time we had together. – Joe Windham, Connections Pastor

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Harvest Students

The student worship band recently added three new musicians — Elijah Barton on guitar, Grace Scott on drums, and Keenan Morris on drums. The student worship band members are so good, they led Sunday worship on May 22! – Adam Barton, Associate Pastor

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Global Outreach

Perspectives, the spiritually-rich 15-week study, wrapped up May 17 and was highly attended. During the course, participants learned from numerous guest speakers about God's heart for the world, how he's moved throughout history, and how we can be part of what he's doing today. Attendees participate in immersive experiences such as "Muslim Night," in the photo above. – Lacey Maloney, Global Outreach Project Coordinator

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Dwell Women's Worship

We had more than 200 women worship together at each of our two Dwell events in April. It was so powerful to be reminded that He's dwelling with us and that we can dwell with Him. – Katrina Hickle, Small Groups Coordinator

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Oasis Spruce Up Day

Oasis had a fantastic spruce up day. Despite a windy and chilly day, several families and individuals from Harvest Church showed up and put in volunteer labor to get the aquatic center and surrounding neighborhood looking great and ready to open to the community on June 4. – Chuck Barthuly, Connections Director

👍 161 children were sponsored by Harvest families on Compassion Weekend. 

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👍 5th and 6th graders put together 75 care packages for the homeless.

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👍 Pastor Joe and his wife, Robin, hosted 14 people at the New Guest dinner in April.

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👍 44 Harvest Preschool students shared their memorized Bible verse, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.'"