Upcoming Events!
Click here for the Joyful Harvest Calendar!
Mission Outing - to Feed My Starving ChildrenDecember 10, 6:00-7:30 p.m.Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s children who are hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and the meals are then shipped to FMSC distribution partners, on their way across the globe. FMSC meals have reached nearly 70 countries around the world in their history. We value FMSC and work with them on a monthly basis, helping feed those in our world who need our help. Join Joyful Harvest on December 10 as we serve those in need by packing simple meals to share. Meet at Joyful Harvest at 5:00 for the ride to Libertyville, or meet us at the FMSC facility! Come help us as we seek to feed our brothers and sisters in need! FMSC requires an accurate estimate of those attending, so please sign up on the Welcome Table or call the church office to reserve your spot! |
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 Carolling on the Corner! December 15, 7 pmSing out! Christmas is near! Join us for an evening of fellowship and cheer as we come together for Carolling on the Corner.
Saturday, Dec. 15 at 7:00pm following Saturday evening worship. We'll share a Potato Bake - just bring your favorite potato
toppings with enough to share. And we'll conclude the evening by dressing warmly and singing our "Joy to the World" (as
well as other favorite Christmas Carols.) |
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 Blue Christmas Worship, Sunday December 23, 7 pmBlue? Yes, blue as in the blues. As in "I am feeling blue." Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other dis-ease that puts a question mark over the future, and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people in our congregations and communities. Join us as we create a sacred space for people living through dark times, holding out healing and hope. Joyful Harvest hosts a service of worship at 7 p.m. on the longest night of the year, which falls on or about December 23rd, the Winter Solstice. |
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 Carols, Candlelight, and Communion! December 24, 7 & 10 pmJoin us Christmas Eve for a special service of Carols, scripture readings, Holy Communion, and candlelight. This has become
one of the most popular services of the entire year. Bring your family and friends to this wonderful time of worship on Christmas eve!
A perfect holiday tradition! |
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 Help Bernie's Book Bank Give Children Reading Opportunities! Book Drive December 17 - February 8! Reading is the single most important skill a child needs to learn. Yet studies show that 61% of low-income families don’t have any
books at all in their homes for their children. Bernie’s Book Bank aims to change that statistic by pouring quality children’s books into
“at-risk” homes, ensuring that children have access to books from birth, and arrive to school “reading ready.”
Bernie’s Book Bank is the logistical bridge between where books are today and are no longer being used, to where they are not but are
desperately needed. Bernie's does three things exceptionally well: collect hundreds of thousands of new and gently used books, process them into
collections of six age-appropriate and -leveled books, and deliver them directly into the hands of low-income children who have none of their own. Join Joyful Harvest as we hold our first book collection drive of the year! To date, Joyful Harvest has collected
over 25,000 books! Help us reach 30,000!Let's see what we can do this time!Drop off your children's books at the church office any time between now and February 8! Bernie's has distributed over 2 MILLION books since 2009 and are growing rapidly to serve every at-risk child in Chicagoland, and then to expand to other major cities in America. Thank you for helping us give BOOKS FOR A BETTER LIFE.
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 Tijuana Mission Trip Recap!Joyful Harvest is changing people's lives againby building houses for the homeless!Check out the pictures in the narthex of our last trip to Tijuana, Mexico! Ray Pratscher and Theresa Anconca lead our 2018 mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico this summer to build houses for the homeless from June 22-28. We built three houses for families who experienced total destruction of everything they owned in a fire in February. Thanks to the help of 11 volunteers on the trip and countless people who gave of their time, talents and treasure, those three families now have hope for the future. We're already in the planning stages for next year's trip, so come and let us know that you are interested in being part of a life-changing opportunity - for both you, and the families that receive the help! And if you can’t get away to be part of the trip, perhaps you might help out with prayers or financial support! Have questions? Want more information about how you can get involved? Contact the church office at (847) 497-4569 or email office@joyfulharvest.org and we'll help you help others! |
