HOME COMMUNICATOR
If you found a treasure buried somewhere, what would you want to find inside of the treasure box? That is the question I posed to all of our 6th grade students a couple of weeks ago when I visited their homerooms. As I held a wooden treasure box in my hands, I heard answers such as “Gold coins!” and “Money!”, but I also heard about puppies, keys to sports cars and gaming devices.
I opened the lid of my treasure box and some (FAKE!) gold coins and jewels were revealed, but we also found a Bible. I showed the students my twenty year old Bible and all of the meaningful notes that I have written in the margins along with hundreds of underlined verses. We talked about how God’s word is a treasure, better than any piece of gold.
”Your promises are the source of my bubbling joy; the revelation of your Word thrills me like one who has discovered hidden treasure.
Psalm 119:162 TPT
It was then my joy to call each student up to the front of the classroom and present them with a beautiful leather Bible imprinted with their name on the front cover. I heard some exclamations of excitement and comments about how cool it was to get their very own Bible. I encouraged them to recognize that their Bible is one way they hear from God, and I reminded them that it is not a textbook to put on a shelf or jam into their locker. They will use this Bible for the remainder of their time at HCMS and then take it with them into the rest of their lives.
So what about you? Do you treasure God’s word, or do you leave it buried on a shelf? It is our privilege to partner with you as we uncover the truth of God’s word daily and find true treasure.
“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Col. 2: 2-3
Evamarie Eggebeen
Middle School Nurturing Faith Coordinator
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
Cookie Day – Friday, September 19
This week Friday morning all Y5s-8th grade students will have the opportunity to purchase freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for $.25 each (limit 4).
Early Release
Next week Friday, September 26 is an early release day, with dismissal at 11:10 AM (please note this date change from our previously published calendar last spring). Our staff will be engaged in valuable professional development during this afternoon. Hudsonville Public buses will run as normal but students riding Unity buses will need to arrange for transportation home.
Moms in Prayer
The Moms in Prayer group meets at HCS on Fridays, 8:00-9:00 a.m., and we alternate between the elementary and middle school buildings each week. Come pray with us when you can, both spoken and unspoken prayers are welcome! Friday, Sept. 19 we’ll meet in the conference room across from the office at the Middle School. We will be praying specifically for our Early Childhood staff, faculty, and students. Please check in at the office. We can’t wait to see you there!
Math Pentathlon
Does your child enjoy playing board games? Each year HCS students in grades 1-7 meet after school on Tuesdays to learn and play strategy games from the Math Pentathlon nationally recognized STEM program. This opportunity is appropriate for students of all abilities and learning styles. Click HERE for more information and to register! Registration and payment are due by Friday, September 26. Student discounts are available for parents volunteering as a coach.. Questions? Call/Text Laura Pontus, 616-890-8583.
Faith Campaign 2025
Our annual Faith Campaign is underway and we are deeply grateful for the faithful prayers and generous support you have shared with us year after year! Once again, we trust that God will lead and guide our school as we carry out our mission to challenge minds and lives for Christ. Our Faith Campaign raises money to assist families through our tuition assistance program as well as care for and maintain our school buildings. We invite you to prayerfully consider supporting us in this mission as we seek to make Christian Education accessible and sustainable to all families. You can find out more information or donate online at www.hudsonvillechristian/give.
HCS Septemberfest Arts & Crafts Show
Come out and support our school at our annual Septemberfest Arts & Crafts Show on September 20 from 9am to 2pm at the Hudsonville Fairgrounds. This will be your one stop shop! Come and get coffee and a donut, grab some lunch and shop our 150+ vendors. Tickets are $3; kids 12 and under free. Strollers are welcome. VIP tickets are available that will allow you early entry at 8:15am before the crowds. The VIP passes also include a shopping bag full of local business coupons. There are only 100 available so get yours soon! Please help us spread the word by finding us on Facebook, liking our page, and sharing us with your friends. We can not wait to see you all there!
Raise your paddle… to volunteer on the Auction Committee
We are so excited to start planning this year’s school auction—but here’s the truth: it can’t happen without volunteers.
The auction is one of our biggest fundraisers and a wonderful way to bring our community together. But in order to make it a success, we need helping hands on the Auction Committee.
✨ Do you love party planning?
✨ Have organizing skills?
✨ Enjoy connecting with local businesses?
✨ Or just want to be part of the fun?
There’s a spot for you! Big jobs, small jobs—every role matters. If we don’t have enough volunteers, we won’t be able to hold the auction. Please consider joining the team that makes this special night possible. Together, we can create something amazing for our students and our school! Click HERE to sign up! Questions? contact auction@4hcs.org.
Harvest Family Fun Day – October 4
We are getting so excited for this fun-filled afternoon, and we would love to see all the HCS preschool through 8th graders, and families come out for an afternoon of food, fun and community! Plan on attending rain or shine. Outside it is held on the tar behind the early education wing. (Inside would be in the West Gym) Fantastic prizes and fun games like the pumpkin walk, basketball free throw, cereal walk, bounce house. NEW If weather permits there is even a possibility of a dunk tank! Come watch HCS teachers take a plunge! Donuts, cider, popcorn, cotton candy. Even if you cannot come the entire time please stop by anytime between 3 and 5. There will be a small cost of $5 per child (adults are free but donation boxes will be available). Questions or concerns? Please email jenniwalters@sbcglobal.net
We could still use more volunteers to help run a game! It’s tons of fun, you can earn volunteer points and we cannot do it without you!! SIGN UP HERE Thank you to those of you that have signed up. You should have received a few emails already from the committee. Please continue to watch your inbox (or check your spam folder) for incoming email communications over the next few weeks regarding the event!
Donations – We are asking families with a preschooler-3rd grader to donate a box of cereal. Families with a 4th through 8th grader, we are asking for a 12 pk of pop. These are used as prizes for 2 of our games. If you want to look for them on sale and hang onto them. There will be a spot for these donations to go, watch the home communicator for details.
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
This week Friday, September 19, Ms. Brinks’ 4th grade class will lead chapel from 10:00-10:25. Parents are welcome to join us and may enter through the west gym lobby doors.
Elementary Hot Lunch
Information on the Elementary Hot Lunch program provided by JenHud Food Service can be found on the JenHud Food Service website. Make deposits and monitor your account through the Family Portal. If you have questions please contact the food service at foodservice@hpseagles.net.
Love Bazaar Volunteer Opportunity
The Love Bazaar is seeking committee members to join our amazing team. Come be a part of the best day ever, and get involved by celebrating Christmas all year long! Committee members have the JOY of planning, shopping and sharing the LOVE of CHRIST with our elementary students on this amazing day. If you would like more information, or have any questions, please contact Kristin Power at kpower@4hcs.org or click HERE to sign up!
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Chapel
Students and staff will gather for chapel from 7:55-8:25 AM in the south gym on Tuesday and Friday. Parents are welcome to join us! If you would like to view the middle school chapels at a later time, you can also find recordings on our Vimeo channel- Chapel.
- Tuesday, September 16 – Family D-groups
- Friday, September 19 – Drew Vos – Chapel Pointe leading chapel
- Tuesday, September 23 -8th grade students leading chapel
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch will begin this week Wednesday, September 17. DJs Pizza will be sold for $2.50/slice – pepperoni and ham will be the options. Pop will be sold for $1.00/can (limit one) and chips for $.50/bag. Please send money with your child that day – smaller bills are better. Here is the Link to the Middle school Hot lunch schedule. Please Note: The pop refrigerator is currently out of order so it might result in no pop being sold this week until it can be repaired.
6th Grade Dunes Day
Tuesday September 23 and Thursday September 25 the sixth graders will be visiting the Saugatuck State Park to learn more about the Sand Dunes Ecosystem. Students have been and will be learning about dune formation, dune ecology, and dune preservation in class, and this field trip will allow students to get a first hand look at what they have been studying. The West Michigan sand dunes are the largest collection of freshwater sand dunes in the world and they are right in our backyard. These dunes are a gift from God and a beautiful part of His creation. This trip is a highlight for a lot of 6th grade students as they interact with their classmates, teachers, and the beautiful creation that the Lord has blessed us with.
- Helms & Huisman’s homerooms going on Tuesday, September 23
- Schaap & Sietsema’s homerooms going on Thursday, September 25
5th Grade Girls & Mothers (DATE CHANGE!)
Mothers/Other trusted females, please plan to attend the 5th Grade Girls Sex Ed. night with your daughter on Monday, October 6 (NOTE DATE CHANGE). An email was previously sent out with an invitation and additional information. This informative evening will be taking place at 7:00 pm in the Middle School Orchestra room. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out.
Robotics
5th-6th Grade IQ – NEW – Intro to Robotics for students who have no experience with competitive robotics Sept 22-25, 3:00-4:30 in the Robotics room (in the elementary building- students may take the transfer bus over). Returning students may be able to attend, if space is available. Sign up HERE! Competitive Robotics season will start at the end of October.
5th-8th Aerial Drones – season will start in October. We will focus on the principles of drone flight as well as learning this year’s game and completing it later this year. Watch for information regarding sign ups coming out soon.
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer at robotics@4hcs.org.
COMMUNITY NEWS
revive
Employment Opportunity! Revive is seeking to expand its weekly shopping hours to include early evenings Monday –Friday and later afternoons on Saturdays. This means we are looking to hire additional help to manage the store during those new hours. This is a paid position for 10-20 hours per week, including Saturdays, as well as covering occasional staff vacations or sick days. If you are interested, please contact Jenny at revive at 616-662-3375 or jwalters@unitychristian.org. Reach out with any questions or to express your interest! It’s a great place to work with a great team!
Volunteers! Revive is also welcoming new volunteers anytime for a variety of tasks! If you would like to do something fun and meaningful, revive is the place! Volunteering here means you are supporting your kids and grandkids in their commitment to Christian education while working in areas that interest you and are rewarding. Plus, you’ll love getting to know the revive volunteer family! Stop by to see what we’re all about and to pick up a volunteer form! Or check us out online: www.reviveresale.org as well as Facebook and Instagram. Let us know if you have any questions: 616-662-3375 or email us at: revive@unitychristian.org.
