The Light
January 2024
Preparing Next-Generation Leaders for Christ
We pack a lot into these newsletters- be sure to hit "View Entire Message" so you don't miss a thing!
FROM OUR ADMINISTRATOR
Dear Harbor Light Christian School Community,
Happy January! As we turn the calendar to a new year, I have spent some time reflecting and praying about our students. I asked God and prayed about what makes a Swordsman different. God brought to mind King David. In the rich story of biblical history, King David stands out as a man after God's own heart. His journey, marked by victories and failures, is something I’ve been thinking on lately. David, though flawed, displayed an extraordinary humility that endeared him to God, inspiring us to consider on our own walks of faith.
As we navigate the halls of Harbor Light Christian School, I am continually encouraged by the spirit of humility that is evident throughout. Our students, like King David, strive to be men and women after God's own heart, recognizing their imperfections and shortcomings and seeking God's grace with genuine humility.
One of my (many) favorite Bible verses is Micah 6:8. It provides a guiding light for us all – "He has shown you… what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." These words echo through our school, shaping the character of our students and guiding their daily actions.
Our students are young disciples of Christ and are living out the principles of Micah 6:8 in remarkable ways. They seek mercy by extending kindness and compassion to their peers, embodying the love of Christ in the majority of their interactions. Our students actively pursue justice, standing up for righteousness and equity in a world that often falls short. Their commitment to walking humbly with God is evident in their prayerful reflections, acknowledging their dependence on Him and seeking His guidance in all they do.
I am proud of our students for embracing the heart of David and striving to live out the timeless principles of Micah 6:8. Together, as an authentic Christian community, we hope to continue to nurture disciples who not only seek personal growth but also work towards creating a more just and compassionate world.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ continue to abound in our school, fostering a spirit of humility, justice, and mercy among us all.
In Christ’s Service,
Kelly Dutcher
Mark Your Calendar!
January
19- Last Day of Second Marking Period
19- Student Council Movie Night after the last game
20- Mother/Son Night (pending)
February
2- Drama Production- The Wizard of Oz (7 pm)
3- Drama Production- The Wizard of Oz (2 pm)
10- Daddy/Daughter Dance
16-19- Mid-Winter Break
24- 7th-12th Grade Winter Formal
Our HLCS Calendar is updated continually and can be viewed here
HLCS Sports
January
1/18 JV Boys and Girls Basketball vs. Alba (5:30 pm)
1/19 Basketball vs. Pellston (JV Boys @ 4:30 pm, V Girls @ 6 pm V Boys @ 7:30pm)
1/22 Girls Basketball vs. Ellsworth (5:30 pm)
1/23 Boys Basketball vs. Ellsworth (5:30 pm)
1/25 Girls Basketball @ Wolverine (Varsity only 5:30 pm)
1/26 Boys Basketball @ Wolverine (5:30 pm)
1/20 JH Boys Basketball scrimmage at HLCS (9:00 am)
1/29 JH Basketball vs. Ellsworth (5:30 pm)
1/30 Boys Basketball @ Boyne Falls (Varsity Only 5:30 pm)
February
2/3: JH Basketball vs. Boyne Falls (9:00 am)
2/5: Basketball vs. NMCA (Varsity Girls and Boys) (5:30 pm)
2/6: Girls Basketball @ Maplewood (Varsity only 5:30 pm)
2/9: Boys Basketball vs. Gaylord St. Mary (5:30 pm)
2/10: JH Basketball @ Mack City vs MC and BF (9:00 am)
2/12: Boys Basketball vs. Harbor Springs (5:30 pm) // Girls Basketball @ Alanson (5:30 pm)
2/13: Girls Basketball vs. Mack City (5:30 pm)// Boys Basketball @ Alanson (5:30 pm)
2/15: Girls Basketball vs. St. Michael (Varsity only 5:30 pm)
2/17: JH Basketball @ Alanson vs Alanson and Wolverine (9:00 am)
2/20: Basketball @ NMCA(Varsity Girls and Boys B/G) (5:30 pm)
2/22: Boys Basketball vs. Mackinaw City (5:30 pm)
2/23: JV Boys and Girls Basketball @ Alba (5:30 pm)
2/24: JH Basketball @ Mack City (9:00 am)
2/27: Girls Basketball @ Brimley (5:45 pm)
March
3/2: JH Basketball vs. Ellsworth (9:00 am)
3/9: JH Basketball @ Boyne Falls (9:00 am)
*All HS games are JV/V unless otherwise noted, JH games are Girls and Boys unless noted
Our Month in Pictures
Senior David Chamberlin achieved his 1000th game point!
Featured Family- the Schiefers!
Josh and Melissa Schiefer grew up down state in a small town called New Lothrop. After completing college and many (many) moves, they were brought to Northern Michigan in 2019 for work. Melissa works as a chiropractor in Petoskey and Josh is the Production Manager at a local brewery. They joined the Harbor Light family when their daughter Nora (4) started the preschool program last year. Since then, they have jumped right in: You'll see Josh helping Mrs. Cole with Drama class, Melissa helping out in the preschool room, and they will both be running around at the upcoming Jubilee! In their spare time they love to camp, go for hikes, watch old movies, ride bikes, pick flowers and continue to work on their never-ending house projects. They look forward to many more years at Harbor Light and are excited to watch their daughter grow up around such a wonderfully attentive and caring community.
A Note from Ms. Graham
For many, January is a dreaded month. The days are short; the nights are long. And, in Michigan, we sometimes feel chained to a Narnia-like winter where Christmas is over and winter is just beginning.
We turn the calendar year and shallow resolutions and goals sometimes don’t make it through even the first two weeks. They crack under the pressure of our same busy days, our commitments, hurts, and hangups of the year before. We step into a new year, but the pain of the former follows in our wake.
Even still, when I turn the calendar year, it’s impossible not to acknowledge the energy and anticipation of a new year ahead. January is new life, a new year, a fresh beginning. And we’re reminded that time, days, and years were created (Genesis 1:14). In the very same breath that God created the sun and moon, giving light and dark a role and assigning both day and night their place, He created time and seasons and change.
This concept of time that God created, one that was never intended to bring dread or death, is the same concept of time that we see God restoring all throughout scripture. Even in the Old Testament, God asks His people to forgive all their debts and let their fields rest every 7 years. He interrupts the rhythm of our lives with rest and restoration.
In January we are reminded that some seasons are dark, but no season is hopeless. We are marked by a reality that God was, He is, and He always will be. He really is coming back for us. But until then, He renews and redeems us each day. The turning of the year should serve as a reminder to us that we love a God that creates new beginnings and second chances out of seemingly endless, hopeless days. We can live with hopeful excitement and anticipation for the year ahead–not because of any resolutions or promises we can make or because a new year extinguishes our problems–but because He is our hope. Every day, and every year, He still is and we are closer to the day He comes back for us.
Blessings and new life in your year ahead.
Kiley Graham
From the Director
Our drama students are excited to perform the Wizard of Oz in less than 3 weeks! The seniors asked to do this musical in memory of one of its biggest fans, Rachel Reno, the former Kids Ministry Director at Harbor Light Community Chapel, gone way too soon. The drama program will also be donating 50% of the proceeds from the show to one of her favorite charities, Threads of Hope, a non-profit organization helping to create a better future for families in the Philippines.
Make sure to look for their bracelets to purchase at the show.
Just to note… there will be flashing lights and smoke and bubbles (ok you didn’t need to know that, but I can’t keep it in). The show also includes witches and a sham wizard. It is not our intention to offend anyone with the portrayal of these evil characters. They are simply a package to help deliver a timeless message in a memorable way.
Dorothy, our main character, tries to run away from home to find something better over the rainbow, but encounters the strange, beautiful world of Oz, where dangerous and evil forces threaten her life. Spoiler alert....in the end, she finds there’s no place like home and she is reunited with her loving family and friends back in Kansas.
What a fitting parallel to life.
We, like sheep, have run away from God who loves us and offers us communion with Himself because we think there is something better (our own way). We encounter what looks beautiful (sin), but in reality, it threatens our life. Hopefully in the end, we find there’s no place like home in the presence of our loving Father, by His amazing grace.
"But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." (James 1:14-18)
-Michele Cole, Drama Mama
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
During Christmas break, HLCS had the honor and privilege of inducting Clark and Heidi Hewitt into the Swordsmen Hall of Fame. The Hewitts were the first inductees and will help the nominating committee choose future Hall of Fame athletes.
Heidi served as the volleyball coach from 1986 - 2009, leading her teams to many championships. Clark has served as the basketball coach, softball coach, athletic director and more from 1986-2024. They were joined at the ceremony by their close family and a crowd of cheering fans!
Jubilee
The HLCS Jubilee is coming up on Saturday, March 9th at 5 pm and we are so excited! This is Harbor Light's largest fundraiser of the year, and it helps support the Beacon Fund (unrestricted needs) and the Swordsmen Scholarship fund! The theme this year is ADVENTURE.
Attire: Date night casual (this is not a gala!)
Time: Doors open at 4:45 pm
Childcare is provided for $5/child ages 0-6th grade
Ticket Pricing: $40/ticket before March 1st ($50/ticket starting on 3/1), $300/table. Please call 231-347-7859 to purchase.
Aspects of the evening:
- We will begin with a silent auction in the Solid Rock Center. Picture walking around the gym, surveying some beautiful gift assortments and supporting the school with your bids... not to mention trying to outbid your friends, or winning beautifully crafted student artwork!
- We will then head to the sanctuary for a seated, catered dinner from Vernales, served by our current HLCS students.
- During dinner, there will be a short program of presentations and the highly anticipated live auction - this is one of the best parts of the night! We collaborate with award-winning auctioneer Wade Leist, who will dazzle us with his talents while helping us raise funds for HLCS. A flick of your paddle may win you a hunting blind, or a girls' day at Douglas Lake with fun activities... amongst other amazing live auction packages - stay tuned for more!
- In order to get dessert, make sure you fill out the dessert auction sheet on your table. Even a $5 donation will get you a gourmet dessert from the dessert dash. More will be explained the night of!
- KidZone - while you are having a great time at the Jubilee, your children will be well taken care of on the HLCS property. They will eat dinner, do crafts, play games, and have a fun night!
If you are interested in creating a dessert for the dessert auction, please contact Missy Tarvudd at mtarvudd@harborlight.org.
If you want to talk more about the Jubilee, don't hesitate to reach out to Jennie Cope at 231.347.7859 or jcope@harborlight.org
HLCS Walking Track Hours at the Solid Rock Center
Parents & Grandparents of HLCS students/Volunteers:
Monday- Friday 8-10 am
Community:
Sundays: 7- 9 pm
Tuesdays: 4- 6 pm
Wednesdays: 8-10 pm
Thursdays: 4-6 pm
Saturdays: 9-11 am
A donation of $2 is suggested for each visit.
DO YOU HAVE A TESTIMONY?
Has HLCS had a positive or life-changing impact on your life or that of someone you love? Please share these stories with us so we can keep letting others know what a wonderful difference we can make! Send your experience to jcope@harborlight.org.