Www.theharborfamily.com
Thanks Emily!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Winter Module!
Well, the winter module began this week. AWESOME! Check out these pics! Our enrollment is about twice what it was in the fall. WOW.
Snacking and studying together.
Snacking and studying together.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Christmas Season at The Harbor
WOW - what a Christmas season!
Our first Art Show was extremely successful! Lot's of people - grandma's and grandpa's and friends. And miles of smiles!
And then two family movie nights! Forty five people at our first, and 75 at our second! We showed "The Polar Express", and allowed every child to enter their name in a drawing for one of Glenn Bumgardners coveted "candy crankers". Each "ticket" was made official with a bunch of hole punches (see the movie for this reference). We gave out free popcorn and coffee and lemonade. We provided an intermission, where our helpers provided free hot cocoa (also, see the movie to make sense of this!). And afterwards, everyone received a free "Bell" ornament, with a note attached that said "Found this on the seat of my sleigh. Better fix that hole in your pocket. Santa Claus." If you haven't seen the movie, that won't make sense either. But anyway, what a fun night! And boy, you should have seen the piles of popcorn on the floor after everyone left - ha!
And then, 53 at Christmas Eve - where we enjoyed great worship, the gospel message, and even a surprise visit from Santa Claus! Everyone received a gift bag on their way out - but surprisingly, not many wanted to leave. God was lifted high and people were loved!
Praise God with me for all He's been doing at The Harbor.
This morning, I read a passage from John Ortberg's book "Who Is This Man?". He reminded me about Jesus' high compassion quotient, and his ministry to the poor and hurting. Here's an excerpt from my journal...
"Again, I am pumped to give my life to this endeavor. "Whatever you've done for the least of these..." I am thankful that Jesus changed the world with compassion. I am thankful that He has called me to this pursuit. Has He not called everyone to this? The Harbor should NEVER have financial concerns or worries. Somehow, The Harbor has become attractive to those without. This is not so much by design, though it is/has been my desire. I'm thankful for that."
In other words, God is using The Harbor in a big way for those who are left out and marginalized. Oh, how exciting it is to be along for the ride!
Thanks for reading, and giving, and praying! May God bless you in 2013!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
The Harbor Family dot Calm!
YAY - our website as just gone LIVE - thanks to our dear friends, Emily and Andrew Smith. Check it out at www.theharborfamily.com.
Over the next few weeks, there will probably be a few changes, so check it often! AND, you can donate online too - safe and secure - and you will be receipted for your gifts at the end of the year! So, WHO WILL BE THE FIRST TO MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION? Ha!
We are working with the online link to give - so if it looks a bit confusing, check back tomorrow or the next, and I think you'll see improvements.
Friday (November 30) we will host our first Family Movie: Disney/Pixar's UP. We'll provide popcorn, and get a chance to build bridges. This morning we handed out 1100 tickets that will go home to 1100 families (from two of our local elementary schools). We have room for about 150 - so we are excited to show off our THEATRE - in the process of being retooled into a worship center (and movie place!)
God has been so close to us. Bible Study at The Harbor is picking up pace as we all together learn of God's great love for us. We are studying the Gospel of John - which is a very fun look at Jesus' life.
December is FAMILY ART month - as we focus on bringing families together to do things like "Ceramics"; "Card making" and "Ginger Bread Homes". Fun!
And you ought to drop by and see our under construction CLAY room - wow. And did I tell you about the new paint job in the men's bathroom? Very cool. Probably pictures will suffice regarding that.
Keep praying - as we lean into the upcoming chance to worship together, our hearts beat extra fast with the anticipation and excitement!
Over the next few weeks, there will probably be a few changes, so check it often! AND, you can donate online too - safe and secure - and you will be receipted for your gifts at the end of the year! So, WHO WILL BE THE FIRST TO MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION? Ha!
We are working with the online link to give - so if it looks a bit confusing, check back tomorrow or the next, and I think you'll see improvements.
Friday (November 30) we will host our first Family Movie: Disney/Pixar's UP. We'll provide popcorn, and get a chance to build bridges. This morning we handed out 1100 tickets that will go home to 1100 families (from two of our local elementary schools). We have room for about 150 - so we are excited to show off our THEATRE - in the process of being retooled into a worship center (and movie place!)
God has been so close to us. Bible Study at The Harbor is picking up pace as we all together learn of God's great love for us. We are studying the Gospel of John - which is a very fun look at Jesus' life.
December is FAMILY ART month - as we focus on bringing families together to do things like "Ceramics"; "Card making" and "Ginger Bread Homes". Fun!
And you ought to drop by and see our under construction CLAY room - wow. And did I tell you about the new paint job in the men's bathroom? Very cool. Probably pictures will suffice regarding that.
Keep praying - as we lean into the upcoming chance to worship together, our hearts beat extra fast with the anticipation and excitement!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Administration is Important - and People are too!
Help.
I met with one of my basketball guys the other day, and realized he really needs more attention. As a young man in his 20’s, in a dangerous, mixed up world – he needs help with education, decision making, job skills and, well, life! He’s started asking some great questions – personal things that I believe will lead to awesome conversations about what God could do in his life.
I want to spend more time with him – other than just Thursday nights. But I can’t. Instead, I’m keeping accurate records, paying bills, balancing the checkbook, keeping meticulous records of all donations and organizing the calendar. And I am excruciatingly slow at this. And I’m not good. I’m pitiful. And I need help.
I’m thanking God over and over or all the secretaries that have served along side me over the years. Doris, MeaDora, Elsa, Marilyn, Sherry, Nettie, Kimba, Becky, Alison, Sue, Linda and Christa – you all rock, and made me way better than I am. And the amazing “bean counters” – you know, the finance people: Mark, Walter, Art, Rick, Steve, Bill, Don and Clarence – how you’ve remained sane all these years, I’ll never know! My respect for you was always high, but it has grown exponentially (math word!) over these last few months.
So pray that God will bring someone along that can help with our finances and general administration. O, how effective we could be, if we were a bit more organized. And O, what a blessing it would be, if I could spend more time with “people” and less with the books. Somewhere out there, is someone who loves to do that, and who is good at it. Pray with me that that person shows up!
And pray for my basketball buddy and his questions about work, decision making, life and God. Thanks.
I met with one of my basketball guys the other day, and realized he really needs more attention. As a young man in his 20’s, in a dangerous, mixed up world – he needs help with education, decision making, job skills and, well, life! He’s started asking some great questions – personal things that I believe will lead to awesome conversations about what God could do in his life.
I want to spend more time with him – other than just Thursday nights. But I can’t. Instead, I’m keeping accurate records, paying bills, balancing the checkbook, keeping meticulous records of all donations and organizing the calendar. And I am excruciatingly slow at this. And I’m not good. I’m pitiful. And I need help.
I’m thanking God over and over or all the secretaries that have served along side me over the years. Doris, MeaDora, Elsa, Marilyn, Sherry, Nettie, Kimba, Becky, Alison, Sue, Linda and Christa – you all rock, and made me way better than I am. And the amazing “bean counters” – you know, the finance people: Mark, Walter, Art, Rick, Steve, Bill, Don and Clarence – how you’ve remained sane all these years, I’ll never know! My respect for you was always high, but it has grown exponentially (math word!) over these last few months.
So pray that God will bring someone along that can help with our finances and general administration. O, how effective we could be, if we were a bit more organized. And O, what a blessing it would be, if I could spend more time with “people” and less with the books. Somewhere out there, is someone who loves to do that, and who is good at it. Pray with me that that person shows up!
And pray for my basketball buddy and his questions about work, decision making, life and God. Thanks.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
God Speaks, People Give, Others are Served
The Portage Team was here a few weeks ago - and Tim, the Electrician came along. We knew that someday, we'd like to transform the chem lab into the Clay Room, complete with Kiln, pottery wheel, etc. Only all we had was the "etc." which in this case meant "basically nothing". Still, while Tim was here, we wired the Chem Lab with 220 - knowing that if we ever got a kiln, it would require a 220 volt outlet.
A week after Portage left, a lady from the East Michigan conference (who just happens to be my Mother in Law) called and said "We bought you a kiln at a garage sale - can we deliver it tomorrow?"
So, that Friday morning, we got up and started cleaning out the Chemistry Lab - making room for the Kiln!
When Mom and Dad Dodds showed up, they not only had a kiln, but lot's of greenware and molds for ceramics. Now, we had not planned on ceramics - but now, we have some neat ideas for Gramma's and Grandkids coming together this fall to make Christmas presents for the "Mom's". It's cool how God directs this ministry!
Now, we still had the problem of the chemicals. When the school closed, they left behind 9 boxes of chemicals in the Chemistry lab. Things like Mercury and HCL and names that are too long to write here. And no one wanted them. I had made more phone calls than you can count - and I was perplexed. But Dave Powless, our pastor at Warren Road Light and Life church, heard about our plight. The very next week, we were able to deliver the chemicals to a Christian school in the Canton area - who really wanted and needed them! We felt FREE!
But still - we have no clay, no motorized potters wheel - we are still a long way from being "legit" when it comes to being a place where people would want to come and create.
That next weekend - we are in Spring Arbor and Mary bumps into our Artist friend Aaron. She tells about the kiln and he says - "I have a wheel for you". So, we met him at his house, and he loaded a motorized potters wheel into our truck, along with about 60 pounds of clay! He also donated a chalice he had made (which we will use for communion!)
Before we left Spring Arbor, my brother Billy and his son Aaron, presented us with a drum set.
So now, we can start doing some "band" stuff - to teach worship music and Jesus to some of my Basketball Guys!
There is no income at The Harbor - aside from people like you who hear God speak, and then respond. Thanks! God is being lifted High at the Harbor - as people are served through your gifts!
A week after Portage left, a lady from the East Michigan conference (who just happens to be my Mother in Law) called and said "We bought you a kiln at a garage sale - can we deliver it tomorrow?"
So, that Friday morning, we got up and started cleaning out the Chemistry Lab - making room for the Kiln!
When Mom and Dad Dodds showed up, they not only had a kiln, but lot's of greenware and molds for ceramics. Now, we had not planned on ceramics - but now, we have some neat ideas for Gramma's and Grandkids coming together this fall to make Christmas presents for the "Mom's". It's cool how God directs this ministry!
Now, we still had the problem of the chemicals. When the school closed, they left behind 9 boxes of chemicals in the Chemistry lab. Things like Mercury and HCL and names that are too long to write here. And no one wanted them. I had made more phone calls than you can count - and I was perplexed. But Dave Powless, our pastor at Warren Road Light and Life church, heard about our plight. The very next week, we were able to deliver the chemicals to a Christian school in the Canton area - who really wanted and needed them! We felt FREE!
But still - we have no clay, no motorized potters wheel - we are still a long way from being "legit" when it comes to being a place where people would want to come and create.
That next weekend - we are in Spring Arbor and Mary bumps into our Artist friend Aaron. She tells about the kiln and he says - "I have a wheel for you". So, we met him at his house, and he loaded a motorized potters wheel into our truck, along with about 60 pounds of clay! He also donated a chalice he had made (which we will use for communion!)
Before we left Spring Arbor, my brother Billy and his son Aaron, presented us with a drum set.
So now, we can start doing some "band" stuff - to teach worship music and Jesus to some of my Basketball Guys!
There is no income at The Harbor - aside from people like you who hear God speak, and then respond. Thanks! God is being lifted High at the Harbor - as people are served through your gifts!
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