The Light

www.harborlightchristian.org

We pack a lot into these newsletters- be sure to hit "View Entire Message" so you don't miss a thing!

December

20 - Christmas Program (Pre-k - 6th grade) SRC 6pm

23-January 3 - Christmas Break

January

10 - Quiz Bowl Competition 8:30am

17 - No School

18 - Mother-Son Glow Night (At HLCS this year!)

31 - Beauty and the Beast Production

February

1 - Beauty and the Beast Production

Our HLCS Calendar is updated continually and can be viewed at http://www.harborlightchristian.org/calendar

Join us on Friday, December 20th at 6 PM in the Solid Rock Center for our Christmas Concert!

** Please check the athletic calendar before traveling to a game, the calendar is updated continually. Click HERE

Basketball

December

12/19 - (Boys JV) Onaway Home 5:30pm
12/19- (Girls V) Alba Home 7:00 pm

January

Basketball

3 - (Boys JV/V) Pickford Away 5:30

6 - (Boys JV/V) Pellston Away 5:30

7 - (Girls V) Boyne Falls Home 5:30

7 - (Boys V) Boyne Falls Home 7:00

10 - (Boys JV) NMCA Home 4:30
10 - (Girls V) NMCA Home 5:30

10 - (Girls JV) Mackinaw City Away 5:30

10 - (Boys V) NMCA Home 7:00

13 - (Boys JV/V) Mackinaw Home 5:30 (Athletic Sponsor Reception)

14 - (Girls JV/V) Mackinaw Home 5:30

16 - (Girls V) Alanson Home 5:30

17 - (Boys JV/V) Alanson Home 5:30 (2nd Annual Fall of Fame Induction Ceremony)

Students were busy across the school working on gratitude projects and making turkeys!

We welcomed grandparents of students to visit for the afternoon. Students had a short program to share what they have been working on in class

Field trips to extracurriculars, this is a busy time of year!

Classrooms decorated their door to celebrate Christmas. Staff picked the winners!

In the Spring of 2025, HLCS will begin an exciting new project to enhance the safety and convenience of our playground. We’re planning to build a restroom facility at the south end of the property, near the playground, to better serve our students. The new building will feature two single-stall restrooms and a storage room.

This project serves two important purposes:

1. Improved Safety & Convenience: Right now, our youngest Swordsmen sometimes need to walk across the parking lot to the main school building during recess if they need the restroom. This new facility will provide a safe, nearby option for them to relieve themselves without having to leave the playground area—keeping our students safe and ensuring they can spend more time doing what they do best: playing!
   
   

2. Emergency Safety Shelter: The restroom building will also serve as an emergency shelter in the event of extreme weather or other unforeseen situations. Its size allows it to accommodate all of our students during the busiest recess times, giving peace of mind that they’ll have a safe place to go if needed.
   
   

While the plans for this much-needed addition are already in motion, we’re still raising funds to bring this vision to life. If you would like to support this project and make a lasting impact on our school, please reach out to Jennie Cope at jcope@harborlight.org.

This project will cost $145,000 to prepare the site and build. As of right now we have raised $105,000, can you help us fill this gap?

Who is in our family: Mark, Ashley, Parker, Jack, Harlow. Kodi(our American Bully Pittbull) & Ozzy(our cat).

When did we start at HLCS: Parker & Jack started at HLCS in 2021. Ashley(mom) is a 2006 alumni starting in 1991. Mark also attended HLCS in 1996. We felt called to enroll our sons in 2021 because we wanted them to have a Christ centered education. The classes are smaller than other schools which means students get more time and help from teachers and staff.

What advice do we have for younger families raising kids in the Lord and or plugging into the HLCS community: Get involved however you can. Volunteer, help in the lunchroom, ask if and how their teachers or staff need help, do serve days together as a family, help with local missions and do these things with a cheerful heart enjoying each others company and the memories you’re making in those times. Keep Jesus the center of your home. Always ask does what I’m doing or saying honor God.

This year we would like to make a special place in our newsletters to focus on what our students are learning in Bible class and how they may be applying their knowledge. Each month we will take 2 classes and share a brief update with you.

This month, 2nd grade is learning all about the true meaning of Christmas. We started this unit with the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah. While Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, was going to have a baby, Mary visited her while she was also pregnant. During this visit, Elizabeth’s baby recognized Jesus in Mary when she spoke. Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist, which was part of God’s plan, to go before Him, and make the way.

Mary gave birth to baby Jesus, God’s own Son. He came from heaven to be born that first Christmas Day over 2,000 years ago. God’s love showed through the gift of his Son, as the Bible says: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his own Son” (John 3:16).

This was all part of God’s plan—that Jesus would come to earth as the only perfect one, to eventually be part of the biggest plan of all-- to take the punishment of our sins. Christmas is about God filling the longing of our hearts with the reality of his own Son; that babe of Bethlehem who gave his life on the cross of Calvary for us.

2nd will be doing many crafts and activities based on these events. Our first was the decoration of our classroom door

This week in 10th grade Bible class, we introduced the Book of Acts through an activity titled 'Acts Adventure Quest." After a quick discussion of the importance of the book as a whole, students were tasked with reading different chapters in Acts (The Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, the Conversion of Saul, Paul's Missionary Journeys, etc.) and creating a visual timeline on a poster detailing main events/themes that they read about. Students then had a 'Gallery Walk' in which each group presented their poster and discussed questions brought up by the chapters that were read.

Along with our diving into the New Testament Word of God, we have had weekly 'prayer meetings' where students have space intentionally created for them to pray, worship, journal, and lead devotions. We have been blessed by the space provided by the Prayer Room in the sanctuary. God meets with His people when they take time to seek Him. That truth has been evident as we as a class have sought Him out."

Are you passionate about a career or hobby you’d love to share with students? This is your chance to make a real impact!

Every Thursday, HLCS students dive into hands-on learning experiences, discovering new talents and exploring their passions. Our current offerings include Performing Arts, Cosmetology, Cooking/Baking, Building Trades, Fitness, and Art. But we want to do MORE—and we need your help!

We're looking to expand our classes, and we’d love to hear from YOU! Some exciting additions we’re eager to offer include:

• Automotive Care
• Photography
• Robotics
• Bible Exploration
• Digital Media & Design
• Computer Coding

If you or someone you know has a passion for any of these (or another exciting field), we’d be thrilled to have you join us! We’re seeking enthusiastic volunteers to spend Thursdays from 1:30 to 3:00 PM with our students from January to May, inspiring and teaching them new skills.

Your time and expertise could spark a lifelong interest in these amazing students. Ready to get involved? Reach out to Kelly Dutcher at kdutcher@harborlight.org for more info!

Let’s make Thursdays unforgettable for HLCS students—and YOU!

Your love, support and kindness for Ms. Spencer on Giving Tuesday has been amazing to witness. We exceeded our goal this past Giving Tuesday through your tremendous generosity. Thank You for joining us in showing love and compassion to one of our own!

Please bring us your Oleson's receipts, we can cash them in for money to help cover the 6th grade's Mother's Day brunch. Bring any of your receipts to the front office any time this school year! If you have many, please put them in an envelope.

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.