The Pastor's Pen - The Zelienople Church of the Nazarene

"Preparing for the Harvest"
September, 2003

Fall is my favorite time of the year. The nights are cooler, the mornings are brisk and the air is fresh. September always seems to take me back to my enjoyable childhood days on the farm. September was the beginning of preparing for the harvest. Golden grain ready to come in, straw to bale, corn near ready for picking and the leaves starting to change. I remember checking out that

pumpkin on the vine anticipating the day it could be picked.

Harvest preparation was not all easy for everyone. It meant a lot of help was going to be needed. So those of us who had the horses would all gather together and we helped each member of our saddle club. Many people coming together for this purpose got a lot done and the harvest would begin. A few weeks go by and the planning for next years crop would begin; by my father of course.

Since I have been with you these past five weeks or so it is very evident planning has gone on, seed has been sown and there now needs to be a preparation for a harvest. Where have you sown seed these months from April until now? Who will be part of the harvest. Your participation is especially needed now. Would you share with me where I can help you reach that friend or person you have been trying to reach? How can I help you in your harvest? Do you need to borrow my time or a skill or a tool I have? I have listened intently about your Bible School. I have read the strategic plan. I have heard about young adult Bible study. I am excited about your support of missions! There has been much preparation for a harvest. We should move into the fall with an expectation of reaching 5 families in this harvest. We should anticipate a stronger bond as we seek to bring in those on the fringes. God is the Lord of the HARVEST! He wants to participate with us also in reaching people.

In the planting of a field one does not mix all the seed and then sow it. So you do not have a field mixed of corn, oats, and wheat. They each have their own field. It is the same in the kingdom and the church. We have a young adult field, a VBS field and a missions field. So we want to prepare for the harvest in each of these areas and others you have prepared for. I am a volunteer. I'll help. By the way; we always enjoyed the extra volunteers. They made the burden light, the work easier, and the food and swimming at the end of the day came quicker. Enjoy and prepare for the harvest.

-Rev. Gene Hill, Pastor