It Sounds Nice, But…

There’s always a “but,” an objection, a reason why we can’t do something, an excuse, especially when it’s something new or challenging. And that’s a problem because Jesus is always inviting us to go to some new place new. What we will discover in this series is the great adventure on the other side of that “but”. 

October 4                    let’s go deep     (Luke 5: 1 – 11)

October 11                  Don’t worry about your life.     (Matthew 6: 25 – 34 )

October 18                  Walking on the water.     (Matthew 14: 28 – 33)

October 25                  The healing of the Leper.     (Mark 1: 40 – 45)

CROP Hunger Walk events raise funds to support the global mission of Church World Service, a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. Through CROP Hunger Walk we continue to fight against the new challenges of disease and disaster that leave people hungry.

With COVID protections in place, this year, each participating church is plotting its own course.

Harvard Avenue Lead Pastor David Emery is inviting runners to join him on Saturday October 3 at 6:30 am for a 10-12 mile run in support of CROP Hunger Walk.

*** Not up to that distance? Run any distance at any pace you prefer.

*** Not an early riser? Rather walk? Treadmill more your speed? Participate however you’d like! Team Harvard Ave will be one for the record books!

*** And every team needs fans and cheerleaders! Please consider participating through a donation to the Harvard Avenue CROP Hunger Walk Team. (You can use David’s name, or any other team member. We’ll list them for you below.)

Your support will help our neighbors near and far get the meals they need this year.

For more information and to sign up as a runner (jogger, walker, treader, or stroller), contact David Emery.

Team Harvard Ave:

David Emery
Stephen Clary
Sarah Dent
Teresa Emery
Mary Huckabee
Shawn Lovejoy
Cody Johnson
Amy McKenzie
Terrance Revis
? who else ?

We all hit dense patches of fog at some point in our life. Whether it is personal, spiritual, or professional, the fog creeps in quick and we cannot seem to get clarity on what to do, what the next move is, or even what direction to go in. What do you do when the fog rolls in?

In Romans Chapter 12 Paul talks about living a transformed life. In response to the mercies of God live differently. True worship is how we live out the love of Jesus.

In Romans 12:9-21 Paul gives us a list of traits that demonstrate a transformed life. There are as many as 30 traits in that list. These are timeless and eternal principles that are beacons when the fog rolls in. When the way is not clear and everything has changed these beacons give us confidence and direction. Everything has changed but in a sense nothing has changed too. No matter what is happening in the world we are called to become more like Christ.

I want to drill down and dig into this text rather than just pass it over. With each message I will pull something from the life of Jesus that demonstrates this particular trait. Each week we will read the whole text: Romans 12:9-21.

Be part of this deep dive with me!
Rev. David Emery, Lead Pastor

September 6.  The beacon of love. (Romans 12:9-11)
Paul says don’t fake it.  Don’t be a hypocrite. Love must be sincere. Love must be genuine. It’s not some gushy feeling, or something that we fall into. It is an intentional choice that we make. He talks about devotion, honor, zeal in serving.

September 13  Don’t run from hard. (Romans 12:12-13)
When things get hard we want to run from it. We want to avoid things. But Paul says don’t run from hard. Instead Rejoice in Hope. Be patient with affliction. Be steadfast in prayer.

September 20 Grow your empathy. (Romans 12:14-16)
Paul says mourn with those who mourn. People do not need our advice. They need our empathy. Going to talk about the power of empathy and how we grow it.

September 27  Do the right thing. (Roman 12:17-21)
Paul says do the right thing in the eyes of everyone. In other words do what is right no matter what. Don’t add to the misery that already exists. Don’t sink to that level. Live by the principles that you have in Christ. Don’t repay evil with evil. Live as best you can in peace with others. How do we do that when people are so divided at this time. This is about loving and forgiving our enemies and those who hurt us.

HARVARD IN THE BACKYARD

Harvard in the Backyard is a chance for you to invite someone to church without coming to the building. It’s a chance to say ‘This is something that matters to me. I think you might like it too.’ This is your opportunity to grow the church and expand our reach without needing to add a brick or break a sweat. Invite someone to church – by inviting them to your backyard!

The story begins in Philippi where Paul introduces three individuals that were all enslaved by the kind of things that we often choose over the gospel: Lydia, the business executive; the slave girl; and the hard-working jailer. Their lives portray dysfunction and emptiness, but are totally transformed by the Gospel. True joy and Christ’s love begin to live within them, giving them a life of purpose.

‘Philippians is a meantime epistle,’ David Emery said. ‘It’s Paul saying there is joy to be found, always, where we are.’

Joy, No Matter What : a study of Philippians
6-session video & study guide

If you plan to host a group LET US KNOW.
Tell us who’s joining you! (And send us a picture of your group together!)
And if you plan to study on your own, let us know that too!

DISCUSSION GUIDE (complete)
intro, background, getting started, plus six individual session guides

Session 1 : LOVE No Matter What
discussion guide

Held every 6 – 8 weeks, the Be Here! event is a great evening of casual conversation, questions and answers, time with pastors, and meeting others who are also sort-of-new to the Harvard Ave community. If you’ve wondered about connecting to Harvard Avenue, what it means to be a member, why that kind of thing even matters, then BE HERE events are for you.

Ordinarily,

our Harvard Avenue families created a ministry to host casual gatherings in their homes, providing a relaxed atmosphere and great time together. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore connections in church life; learn about our programs, practices, and ministries; and consider what it might means to become a member of Harvard Avenue Christian Church.

But IN THE MEANTIME, 

even though we can’t gather in someone’s living room like we usually would, we can each ‘gather’ in our own! Our first Be (Virtually) Here! event will be Tuesday June 2 @ 6pm. If you’re new-ish to Harvard Ave and ready to find our more, this is for you!

To RSVP (you’ll receive the link for an online meeting room) – or with other questions about the people and ministries at Harvard Avenue Christian Church – contact Connections Pastor Courtney Richards.

Outreach Ministry Team Lead Diana Booren, along with Community Pastor Kevin Howe, have created this quarterly update (click image below) to keep us posted on the ministries we are part of – and how to do more!

Fully committed to our ‘Become.’ core value, discover community engagement at Harvard Avenue as part of the ‘big picture’ of who we are.

Summer ’19: Support Grimes Elementary  // A Letter from Francis // Coming Events : Family Promise, Bridges Out of Poverty, JustHope’s Wine to Water

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