The Light

www.harborlightchristian.org

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Dear Harbor Light Christian School Family,

As I reflect on this past month, my heart is overflowing with gratitude. We have so much to be thankful for as a school community, and I can’t help but rejoice in God’s abundant love, visible presence, and provision.

One of the highlights of this season was hosting the MHSAA Volleyball District tournament at our very own Solid Rock Center earlier this month. It was an incredible sight to see students, parents, alumni, and friends gather together to celebrate and cheer on our athletes! It felt like a celebration as so many Harbor Light supporters filled the stands, united in encouragement and school spirit.

The teamwork required to host districts was nothing short of remarkable. From the dedicated volunteers who prepared the gym, worked concessions, and helped clean afterward, to the players who gave their all on the court, every effort showcased the beauty of unity in Christ. On the court, our athletes worked seamlessly together, demonstrating not only their skill but also their unwavering support for one another. Senior leaders Molly, Anna, Anne, Jayda, Maddie, and Michaela set the tone with their dedication, passion, and encouragement. Their leadership was evident in the way they communicated, lifted each other up, and played with purpose, embodying what it means to compete with grace and integrity. This event was a living example of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12:27: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” Each person—whether behind the scenes or on the court—played a vital role in making the district tournament a success, reminding us of the strength and beauty found in working together as one body.

And what a sweet victory it was! Winning our first volleyball district championship in 17 years—and doing so on our home court—was a moment I will always cherish. This achievement speaks not only to the hard work and determination of our athletes and coaches, but also to the faithful prayers and support of our entire school community. God is so good!

As we look ahead to Thanksgiving, I pray you’ll find moments to reflect on the many blessings God has given us as a school family. May your homes be filled with gratitude, joy, and the peace that comes from knowing Christ.

Thank you for being part of this incredible community. I am truly grateful for each of you and look forward to seeing how God will continue to work in and through Harbor Light Christian School in the months to come.

Wishing you a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving,

In His love,

Kelly Dutcher
Administrator, Harbor Light Christian School

November

27-29 - Thanksgiving Break

29 - Alumni Games (more details below)

December

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

23-January 3 - Christmas Break

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

Grandparents and Grandfriends, joins us on Tuesday, November 26th at 1:30 pm for a special time with your K-6th grade grandkid(s)! RSVP below!

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

Basketball

November

11/26 - (Boys JV/V) Brimley Away 5:30 PM

December

12/2 - (Girls JV/V) Brimley Home 5:30 PM

12/3 - (Girls JV/V) Engadine Home 5:30 PM

12/6 - (Girls V) Maplewood Away 5:30 PM

12/10- (Girls JV,V) DeTour/Cedarville Home 5:30 pm

12/12- (Girls V) TC Bulldogs Home 6:00 pm

12/13- (Girls JV,V) Ellsworth. Home 5:30 pm

12/19- (Girls V) Alba Home 7:00 pm

12/3 - (Boys JV/V) TC Christian Away 5:30 PM

12/6 - (Boys V) Maplewood Away 5:30 PM

12/9- (Boys JV/V) Ellsworth Home 5:30 PM

12/12- (Boys JV/V) TC Bulldogs Home 4:30 PM

Middle School Basketball

November

11/19 NMCA Away 5:30 PM

11/21 Mack City Home 5:30 PM

11/25 Vanderbilt Home 5:30 PM

December

12/3 Alanson Away 5:30 PM

12/5 St. Francis Away 5:30 PM

St. Michael's Cross Country team made it to the State Finals at MIS! HLCS student Jane Manthei placed 7th! Way to go Jane and the Guardian team! See the press release HERE.

Jane ran cross country for her whole high school career and just signed on with a college to continue her running career at the colligate level next fall.

Congratulations to our Girls Volleyball Team for winning District Championships- it was the first time in 17 years! Special thanks to Coach Hannah Urman, Maria Lucier and all the other coaches and helpers!!

Staff and Students showed the team support with Spirit Week during the week of districts!

We welcomed family of students who are Veterans for a small program. Students made cards for our visitors to thank them for their service.

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.

In first grade, we love Bible! Recently, we’ve been learning about the first kings of Israel, especially King David. We discovered how David was faithful even as a young shepherd, trusting God in all he did. When God gave him the entire kingdom, David continued to follow Him wholeheartedly. Even when David made mistakes, he asked God for forgiveness—a reminder for us to do the same in our own lives. We also know that Jesus is our King forever. He never makes mistakes! It’s been a wonderful time learning these important lessons together.

Purpose of the Unit

The goal of our hermeneutics unit was to enrich our study of Scripture by developing intentional, consistent Bible study practices. These practices aim to help us avoid misinterpretation and deepen our understanding of God’s word.

Key Questions We Explored
We began by asking foundational questions to guide our study:

1. What did the passage mean to the original audience?
2. What are the cultural, historical, and linguistic differences between us and the original audience?
3. What is the theological principle in the passage?
4. How can we apply this principle to our lives today?
   
   

Methods and Techniques
To further deepen our understanding, we explored various methods of interpreting Scripture. We focused on:

• Identifying literary techniques: repetition, cause and effect, comparison, figures of speech, and conditional clauses.
• Paying attention to details: For example, examining verb tenses and voice can reveal important insights into God's past, present, and future actions (see Romans 6:22).
  
  

Contextual Studies
We concluded the unit by conducting in-depth context studies. Through researching historical background information, we gained a clearer understanding of how historical context enhances our interpretation of the Bible.

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!

This year, HLCS has been focused on being the hands and feet of Jesus. Now, we have a powerful opportunity to come together as a community and support one of our own.

Our beloved 1st grade teacher, Ms. Spencer, who has dedicated 30 years of service to HLCS, has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Along with the emotional and physical challenges she faces, Ms. Spencer is also burdened by the heavy weight of mounting medical bills.

As a school family, we want to surround her with more than just our prayers—we want to help carry this financial burden as well. On Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, we will be taking up a special offering for Ms. Spencer to provide her with much-needed support during this difficult time.

Stay tuned for more details and thank you for joining us in showing love and compassion to one of our own.

Want more information? Please contact:

Jennie Cope

Director of Mission Advancement

231-347-7859

jcope@harborlight.org

In the Spring of 2025, HLCS will begin an exciting new project to enhance the safety and convenience of our playground. We’ll be building 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.

Thank you for being a part of making HLCS a safer, more convenient, and even more amazing place for our students to grow and thrive!

Join us as we serve the Lord by serving students. Interested in Volunteering? Contact Danielle Urman at: durman@harborlight.org

Next week is Thanksgiving and we're sure you'll have a little time on your hands with your kids! Mrs. Good thought it may be the perfect time to make some chocolate chip cookies with your kiddos! If you do, share some pictures with us!

The chocolate chip cookies that the HLCS kids rave about can be found HERE.

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.