In-person worship has resumed
Keeping you safe with masks and social distancing
In order to keep each other safe during our in-person services, we are following procedures prescribed for Methodist Churches in the Florida Conference
- Harvester practices social distancing , which reduces our operating capacity. We have a reservation system in place, and ask you to help us by reserving a place for you and your family each Sunday.
- All congregants must wear face masks. If you don't have a mask, we will supply one for each of you.
- There will be only 1 service (at 9am) for the foreseeable future. This service is also live streamed on Facebook for those of you that are not yet comfortable with returning in person
Communion - 1st Sunday of Each Month (in-person & on-line)
Celebrate Communion In Person
Celebrate Communion In Person
Celebrate Communion In Person
To help us stay safe, our in-person communion utilizes pre-filled (prepackaged) communion cups which contain both the juice and communion wafer in a single two-part container.
Celebrants peel back one seal to remove the wafer and then a second seal for the juice.
Celebrate Communion On-Line
Celebrate Communion In Person
Celebrate Communion In Person
For those participating in our On-Line Service, we hope that you'll make an effort to have a piece of bread and some juice on hand to also participate in our Communion celebration
BTW, we hope you will have those specific items ready - it does matter what you use to celebrate this meal. Jesus was very specific about the bread being His body, and the fruit of the vine being His blood.
We're keeping each other safe with On-Line Sunday services
Find us on Facebook Live!
During these trying times, we all miss enjoying each other's beautiful faces - but we can still stay united with our church family.
Harvester's Sunday services are available via Facebook live-stream (which can be found on our Harvester Community Church Facebook page*).
We are live at 9:00 am. But if you prefer not to watch at 9:00, the service is recorded and can be found in the video tab of our Facebook page.
* note that you do not have to have a Facebook Account to view these services. Just click on the "Connect to the Harvester Facebook Page" button in this section and you will be able to view the videos.
Regarding Facebook accounts - the Harvester Facebook page will be the primary source for breaking news at Harvester. So, if you do not have a Facebook account, it may be worth setting one up just to stay connected during this trying time.
Reserve a Seat for Sunday Service
The New Normal @ Harvester
"What does Harvester look like in the time of COVID-19?"
Here are the differences that you will notice during the service:
- Coffee stations and gathering time will be eliminated
- There will be a number of hand sanitizer stations
- Ushers will help you find a seat
- Handouts will be limited
- Social distancing will be observed in the service
- Personal Contact (like hand shaking and hugging) is not allowed
- Phillip and a few others will continue to supply music for the services
* Choirs and other large ensembles singing in close proximity are prohibited by the UMC.
* Soloists and small vocal ensembles are only acceptable with more than 6 ft distance with other persons on the platform and more than 12 ft from the first row of occupied chairs. - There will be no congregational singing (This is direct from the UMC)
- Distribution of the communion elements will be changed
- Offering plates will not be passed. There will be stations at the door leaving the sanctuary
- Ushers will dismiss you to have an orderly exit
- Please do not gather in the hall. Once you leave the sanctuary, please continue out the front doors
- Gathering outside will be your choice, but we hope you will continue to observe precautions so that you may do so safely
COVID-19 webinar with Dr. Fred Southwick.
COVID19 webinar with infectous disease expert Dr. Fred Southwick.
On Thursday 6/11 I attended a webinar sponsored by the UMC with infectious diseases expert Dr. Fred Southwick. Dr. Southwick is a United Methodist member and attends a church in Jacksonville (if I remember correctly).
It lasts around an hour and 40 minutes, but I was not bored or disinterested. The best part is about the one hour mark where it turns into Q&A. You may want to watch in two halves if time is an issue for you, but I hope you will watch the entire thing.
Peace,
Pastor Gary
Links to resources
Worship Services
9:00 Traditional Worship - on hold due to COVID-19
5th Sunday Combined Worship - on hold due to COVID-19
11:00 Contemporary Worship - on hold due to COVID-19
9:00 am Traditional Worship
Church just like you remember it!
Every week the Pastor has a stirring message, we sing hymns, we recite the Apostle's Creed and the Lord's Prayer, and the choir has an anthem.
- Nursery available
11:00 Contemporary Worship - on hold due to COVID-19
5th Sunday Combined Worship - on hold due to COVID-19
11:00 Contemporary Worship - on hold due to COVID-19
11:00 am Contemporary Worship
Church with modern twist!
The Praise band opens the service with an exciting Worship and Praise set of music, followed by a stirring message from the Pastor.
- Nursery available for children 2 and under
- Children's Worship Hour offered for children age 3 through 5th grade
5th Sunday Combined Worship - on hold due to COVID-19
5th Sunday Combined Worship - on hold due to COVID-19
5th Sunday Combined Worship - on hold due to COVID-19
On months with 5 Sundays, the entire congregation gathers for a single worship service together at 10am on the 5th Sunday. Gathering together helps us build bonds of friendship and fellowship.
Cookout or Potluck Celebration after the service!
What is Harvester Like?
The idea of going to "Church" can be a bit scary if you've never been before, or haven't been there for awhile. Or even if you're just coming to a new place with new people.
We know, because we've all felt it too.
Harvester is full of all kinds of folks, from many backgrounds, with lots of different life experiences. Together we worship, pray, share life's ups and downs, serve and celebrate God's grace in Jesus Christ. We know we aren't perfect, but we also know that God loves us anyway - and in return we try to be faithful.
Coming to Join us for Worship?
Wear what feels comfortable for you - you'll see sport coats and ties, blue jeans and shorts. (It's hot down here in Florida!)
We have comfy padded chairs, a variety of music, and a wonderful blend of traditional and modern.
Children are welcomed and encouraged to join in worship - they are "the church" as much as the adults are! Children and youth are welcome in the sanctuary during service, but we have some pretty cool Worship and education sessions tailored especially for their ages that they may want to try instead.
Christian Education (Sunday School) on hold due to COVID-19
Children's Worship Hour
Sunday School for 6, 7 & 8th graders
Children's Worship Hour
Held during 11:00 am Contemporary Worship
Open to all Children ages 6 through 5th Grade
Children's Pre-K
Sunday School for 6, 7 & 8th graders
Children's Worship Hour
Held during 11:00 am Contemporary Worship
Open to all Children through age 5
Sunday School for 6, 7 & 8th graders
Sunday School for 6, 7 & 8th graders
Sunday School for 6, 7 & 8th graders
Held during 11:00 am Contemporary Worship
Youth start in the sanctuary with their parents and enjoy the fellowship and music. During the offertory, they go to the Youth Room with Mrs. Linda Smith and use the sermon notes to discuss the sermon.
Nursery
Adult Sunday School
Sunday School for 6, 7 & 8th graders
Nursery available for children 2 and under
Adult Sunday School
Adult Sunday School
Adult Sunday School
10:00 am Adult Sunday School
Can't be there on Sunday? - Watch a Live Stream on Facebook!
Harvester Live Streams our Sunday services!
Just because you can't physically attend service doesn't mean you have to miss it!
Harvester Live Streams our Sunday services on Facebook.
You can watch them live, or if you prefer to watch them later - they are archived in the video section of the Harvester Facebook page
Learn More
Each Sunday's services are Live Streamed on our Facebook page. Click here to go to our page
5th Sunday Celebrations - (on hold due to COVID-19)
10:00 Combined Service
10:00 Combined Service
10:00 Combined Service
On 5th Sundays (Approx.4 times a year) Harvester holds a combined service at 10:00
This service celebrates the unity of our congregation and allows all of the Harvester family to join together in a single hour of Worship.
Potluck / Cookout
10:00 Combined Service
10:00 Combined Service
5th Sundays at Harvester are also a treat because we get to do one of our favorite things: Eat!
Depending on the expected weather, 5th Sundays will either be a potluck or a cookout. Sign up sheets will be posted in the hallway starting 1 month before each celebration.
Even if you haven't signed up to bring food, please come on... We always have enough to spare!!