Previous Bulletins

December 29, 2024

Scripture:  Luke 2:21-35

We will wrap up our Christmas series with a couple of messages based on the words of an old man spoken to Mary and Joseph in the temple of Jerusalem. It was just a little over a week prior when the angels declared to the shepherds: “Peace on earth…!” The words of the old man in the temple speak anything but peace concerning the coming of Jesus. They speak of conflict, both between people and within people. What is the “sword” of Christmas?

December 22, 2024

Scripture:  Matthew 2:1-18

Today we look at the event of King Herod looking to kill King Jesus. Christmas is all about kingship. When the wisemen asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” Herod went into a rage. Why? Because there is room for only one king. Who or what is the actual king of your life?

December 15, 2024

Scripture:  Isaiah 9:1-6

This morning we take a second look at one of the most famous Old Testament prophecies of the coming of Jesus Christ to earth: Isaiah 9:1-6. Described as the dawning of a great light, the prophet goes on to bring the metaphor down to a specific event: the birth of a child, the giving of a son.

December 8, 2024

Scripture:  Isaiah 9:1-6

This morning we begin our look at the significance of God coming into the world in His son, Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah made the connection some 700 years before its occurrence by giving a child to be born and a son to be given the titles of Mighty God and Everlasting Father. In this dark world we live in today, what hope is found in the declaration: “A Light has dawned”?

December 1, 2024

Scripture:  I Corinthians 2:6-13

This morning we conclude our series on the Word of God. Having seen the sufficiency, the clarity, and the authority of Scripture, today we turn to the necessity of God’s Word. There is truth that humanity desperately needs to know and is found nowhere else but the Bible.

November 24, 2024

Scripture:  Acts 17:1-15

This morning as we continue in our series on the Bible, we turn to a third attribute of the Word of God. So far, we have seen the Bible as sufficient and clear. Today we look at the truth of the Bible as being authoritative, which simply means that whatever the Bible addresses is the final word on the subject.

November 17, 2024

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:11-14

Today we continue in our series on the Word of God, looking at what theologians have called the perspicuity of Scripture. That’s a fancy word simply meaning clarity. Is the Bible clear enough for some things to be known for sure, or is it all a manner of personal interpretation? We are in an age where a kind of humility that says we can know nothing for sure is being touted as a virtue. Can we not know anything for sure? Or as one author has stated, the mystery is the truth.

November 10, 2024

Scripture: Psalm 119:7-11

Today we take a second look at a portion of God’s Word which speaks clearly of the sufficiency of His Word. He has blessed us with what we need to know about Himself, the way of salvation, and how to navigate through life in a way that is pleasing to Him and beneficial to us.

November 3, 2024

Scripture: Psalm 119:7-11

Today we continue in our look at what God has to say about His own word: The Bible. This Sunday and next our attention will be drawn to one of the most comprehensive statements in the Bible about its sufficiency. In the Bible, the concept of sufficiency refers to the idea that the Bible contains everything that is necessary for salvation, godly living, and understanding God.

October 27, 2024

Scripture: Joshua 24:1-31

This morning we welcome again Pastor Roger Bultman to bring us a message from the Word of God. Roger is a retired Christian Reformed minister who continues in active ministry among God’s people at Lakeside Christian Reformed Church. Pastor Ben and Karilynn are in Virginia this weekend celebrating the marriage of their son, Benjamin to their new daughter, Michala.

October 20, 2024

Scripture: Psalm 119:129-139

As was mentioned last Sunday, we will be stepping back from our series in the book of Acts until after the first of the year. This morning, we begin a series on what the Bible says about the Bible; or better stated, what God says to us about His own Word.

October 13, 2024

Scripture: Acts 18:18-21

This morning we continue in our series on the book of Acts with a look at an interesting man who shows up, seemingly out of nowhere, and is used of God in a mighty way. He is a man of sharp intelligence, passionate in his convictions and fervent in his speaking. Above all else, he is a man of humility with a teachable spirit. Out of all those attributes, which one do you think best equipped him for use in the hands of God?

October 06, 2024

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-11

This morning we welcome to bring us the Word from God, Pastor Roger Bultman. Pastor Bultman is a retired minister in the
Christian Reformed Church who remains active in service to his Lord.

September 29, 2024

Scripture: Luke 13:1-24

This morning we welcome to bring us God’s Word, Pastor Joshua. Joshua and his wife Emily are missionaries serving in South Korea. They are currently on what is called home leave, a time of rest and communicating with the churches that support their work overseas. Following the service Joshua will be speaking to the adult Sunday School class about their ministry, with time for questions.

September 22, 2024

Scripture: Acts 18:9-17

As we continue our look at the book of Acts, we see Paul again in the city of Corinth, the Las Vegas of its day, on steroids. He arrives weary and ill, a bit afraid and tempted to just quit. Last week we saw our God in His work of encouraging his own through friendships and tasting the fruit of our labor for him. This morning, we look at two more ways that God encourages His own who are discouraged and just kind of tired of it all.

September 15, 2024

Scripture: Acts 18:1-17

As we continue in the footsteps of Paul in his second missionary journey, this morning we find ourselves in the city of Corinth. In this period of history, Corinth was the Las Vegas of the Roman Empire, on steroids. It would have been the toughest location for Paul to minister in thus far, and he arrives there exhausted to boot. In the verses before us we find our wonderful God ministering to the weary, even as he continues to do so today.

September 8, 2024

Scripture: Acts 17:16-31

This morning we stand with Paul on Mars Hill and listen to his shifting from general revelation in his testimony as to who the Greeks had labeled “the Unknown God.” Creator God has made Himself known in many ways, obvious and subtle. He has made Himself most clearly known by the incarnation of Jesus-God made flesh. Recall the words of Jesus to Philip: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you for such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has see the Father” (John 14:9).

September 1, 2024

Scripture: Acts 17:16-31

This morning we turn to the account of the Apostle Paul in Athens, the "wisdom" capital of the world at that time.  Men from all over the world would come to debate and share their ideas, old and new.  Along comes Paul who gets characterized by some as but a babbler.  But by the time he is done with his "Babbling", he experiences the fruit of his labor as some come to believe in Jesus Christ.  His presentation of God gives us many principles to note and follow as we look to share the gospel with those who have no interest or idea of God.

August 25, 2024

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

Wherever the Apostle Paul stepped, the earth shook a bit. Wherever he went, he made a difference for God and His kingdom. We have the same possible impact in our little corners of the world where God has set us. What does it take to be a “world changer”? Last week we identified courage as a necessary element. This morning we will see another element as Paul reveals it in our passage: Truth.

August 18, 2024

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

As we continue in our series on the book of Acts, we find Paul and Silas receiving the characterization as men “who have turned the world upside down.” Even though they didn’t mean it to be, it was a high compliment. These two men wanted their lives to count greatly for the Kingdom of God. This morning we are going to think about our own little corners of the world, and how we can turn those little corners of the world “upside down” for our Lord.

August 11, 2024

Scripture: Acts 16:25-40

As we continue on in the book of Acts, we will be taking our final look at the episode of the conversion of the Philippian Jailor. In thinking about this episode, the best question we can ask is what it reveals about God. As we look to answer that  question, may God’s Spirit imprint our own hearts and minds with the truth that as God worked then, he continues to work now. 

August 4, 2024

Scripture: Acts 16:22-25

As we continue in our journey through the book of Acts, we find Paul and Silas in a difficult place, participating in a wonderful exercise. We find them in the inner cell of a Roman-style prison where the conditions were horrific, engaged in worshipping the one Lord God. How in the world can one honestly praise and worship the Triune God when the surrounding circumstances of their life is so miserable? That’s the question we will look to answer together this morning.

July 28, 2024

Scripture: Acts 16:19-40

In our series in the book of Acts, we come to one of the most beloved stories found in the book: The conversion of the Philippian jailer. The highlight of the account comes in his question: “What must I do to be saved?” and Paul’s classic answer: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved!” The question reveals a deep longing, and the answer the only truth that will fulfill it. We will get to that portion of the chapter next week, while discovering many wonderful principles to live by along the way.

July 21, 2024

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-26

We welcome to bring us God’s Word Pastor Jim Busscher. Pastor Jim is a retired Christian Reformed minister as well as a seminary classmate and personal friend of Pastor Ben. Pastor Ben will be at Gun Lake Chapel today preaching the morning and evening sermons there.

July 14, 2024

Scripture: Acts 16:16-21

Today we continue in our series through the book of Acts. Having seen a woman of the Light last week in the personhood of Lydia, this morning we see a woman of darkness in the person of the demon-possessed servant girl. This demon-possessed girl is following Paul, declaring the truth of the Christian gospel. Why would a demon do that, and why would that trouble Paul so? For the same reasons demons still do it and why it should trouble us as well.

July 7, 2024

Scripture: Acts 16:11-15

Today we continue in our look at the book of Acts and the second missionary journey of the Apostle Paul. This morning we find him and his traveling companions in what is now modern Greece, as he begins his ministry in a brand new continent-faithful to the commissioning of Jesus to take the gospel “to the ends of the earth.” Just outside the Roman colony of Philippi, he meets a special lady named Lydia, whose conversion experience lays out some truth that is true of every conversion to Christianity since it’s birth. Find yourself in her story this morning.

June 30, 2024

Scripture: Acts 16:11-15

As we continue our journey through the book of Acts, we come to a monumental point in the ministry of Paul and preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth. God gets His servant where he wanted him, without any help from Paul. The path was a crooked one, as the path God has us on often is as well. Question: can we trust God when the directions and destinations we have planned for ourselves is overrun by the directions and destinations God has for us? Sometimes the only two options before us are frustration and trust. Choose one.

June 23, 2024

Scripture: Psalm 118:1

This morning Mr. Grant Russell will be sharing with us a message from God’s Word. A few years ago, there was a popular call to worship where the leader would say “God is Good!” and the congregation would say in response “All the Time!” And the leader would continue, “All the Time,” with the congregation responding “God is Good!” Whereas the utterances are true, where do we land when it doesn’t feel true? When God doesn’t seem to be good?

June 16, 2024

Scripture: Acts 15:36-16:5

As Paul is about to leave on his second missionary journey, two surprising things take place that at first glance don’t seem related at all: Paul and Barnabas part ways and Paul circumcises his young protégé, Timothy. This second action is especially strange in the  context of the previous chapter, where the Jerusalem Council decided that circumcision was not necessary for a child of God. What are you up to Paul? 

June 9, 2024

Scripture: Acts 15:12-29

As we continue in our series on the book of Acts, we are reminded of the wonderful inclusion of Gentile believers into the Christian church. But what we see as wonderful today, wasn’t so for many of the Jewish believers. As the Jewish Christians are reminded again that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, the Gentile Christians are told to be gracious, as they have been graced.

June 2, 2024

Scripture: Acts 15:1-11

Paul and Barnabas are back from their missionary trip, excitingly sharing how they saw God at work. Imagine the celebration of the Antioch church, when Jewish Christians from Jerusalem show up with the claim that God’s grace is not enough to bring salvation. It is the oldest heresy still found in the church today, some 2000 years later. This morning, we will take our first of two looks at the Jerusalem Council, formed to address this conflict.

May 26, 2024

Scripture: Acts 14:21-28

This morning as we continue with Paul and Barnabas on Paul’s first missionary journey, we travel with them back to the home base of the church of Antioch, Syria. They would have gotten home sooner but they take the long way home for specific reasons. Those reasons were key to the development of the early church and are still key to the development and life of the church today.

May 19, 2024

Scripture: Acts 14:1-21

As we continue in our series in the book of Acts, we find Paul and Barnabas having to assure the people around them that they were not gods, “only men, human like you.” Yet these “only men”, human like you and me, were empowered by the one true God to represent Him on earth to those who do not yet know Him. On this Pentecost Sunday we are reminded of the presence of God in us by virtue of the Holy Spirit. The “God With Us’ of Christmas has also become the “God In Us” of Pentecost.

May 12, 2024

Scripture: Acts 13: 42-52

As we continue in our study of the book of Acts, we see in action what Jesus had said while on earth: “Do not suppose I have come
to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a  sword.” The gospel message divides as readily as it unites. We
see both responses in the section of Acts we are looking at this  morning.

May 5, 2024

Scripture: Acts 13: 13-52

As we continue in our series on the book of Acts, we come to the first sermon of the Apostle Paul recorded in scripture. It is masterful in both content and outline, giving us insight into his ongoing outreach to his Jewish countrymen. In a day and age when so much “preaching” is nothing more than someone’s own opinion or a reflection on cultural mores, it is good to be reminded as to what preaching is meant to look like

April 28, 2024

Scripture: Acts 13: 4-12

As Saul and Barnabas are called and sent out by God into the world with the good news of Jesus Christ, several things happen which, as it turns out will be repeated time and time again. One of these occurrences is the instant opposition Saul experiences as an ambassador of Christ, from a man who is ambassador of Satan on earth. Be assured, any time you are active in serving as an ambassador of our Lord, and an emissary of the enemy isn’t far away.

April 21, 2024

Scripture: Acts 13: 1-4

As we continue in our series on the book of Acts, we come to the place where the “official” ministry of the apostle Paul begins. It marks a major shift in both the book and the history of the early  church, as the gospel is going out to the ends of the earth. This morning we are focusing on Paul and Barnabas being both called and sent by God, and the necessity of the church recognizing both the calling and the sending.

April 14, 2024

Scripture: Acts 12:11-18

As we continue in the book of Acts, we find Peter, newly escaped prisoner, knocking on the door of prayer warriors who are surprised their prayer has been answered in such a wonderful way. That’s not the only surprise in the story. Perhaps the bigger surprise is why Peter takes the time to search these folks out before going into hiding to let things cool off a bit. In the midst of all the “humanness” found in this story we discover timeless principles of church body life. 

April 7, 2024

Scripture: Acts 12:5–17

This morning we go back to our series in the book of Acts. Before us is that remarkable story of God’s delivering of Peter from certain death, while the church is involved in continual and earnest prayer. The question for us today is what is our spiritual reflex? When something wonderful or troubling is present, what is our automatic go-to response?

March 31, 2024 (Easter)

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20-27, 42-54

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Welcome to Harvest Community Church. This morning we remember and celebrate what lies at the center of the Christian faith: the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the apostle Paul stated it so clearly: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. And if Christ has not been raised from the dead, you are still in your sins.



If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (I Corinthians 15: 14,17, 19).

March 24, 2024

Scripture: Galatians 3:10–14

This morning we take a break from our series in the book of Acts to focus on one element of the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. This morning, and then again at the Good Friday Service we will be looking at how Jesus frees us from the curse of God by becoming a curse for us. What does it mean to be under God’s curse and how did the work of Jesus free us from that curse and bring upon us instead the blessing of God?

March 17, 2024

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:36–46

This morning, we welcome to bring us the Word of God, Pastor Duane Nieuwsma. Pastor Nieuwsma is a retired Christian Reformed Pastor who stays active in the church through various means. He recently finished a stint at Restoration Christian Reformed Church in Middleville while their pastor was on sabbatical.

March 10, 2024

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1–50

This morning, we welcome to bring God’s message to us Mr. Caleb Horjus. Caleb is currently studying at Calvin Theological Seminary and serving as the Director of Youth at Caledonia Christian Reformed Church. Pastor Ben and Karilynn are spending some time with daughter Sara and family in Cairo, Egypt.

March 3, 2024

Scripture: Acts 13:18-25

This morning, we continue our look at the history of the early church as it is found in the book of Acts. Today we will finish our look at a particular King Herod and his attempt to put an end to the Christian Church. He serves as an example of the folly of fighting against God, whose might cannot be contested, whose punishment cannot be avoided, and whose purposes cannot be foiled. We serve a wonderful and mighty God!