HOME COMMUNICATOR
A Season of Hope
Amid our busy lives, the start of Advent invites us to pause and reflect on what we are waiting for. As so many waited for the birth of the Messiah, we also are waiting for His return. In this season, we remember that God has already entered into our lives, bringing hope to a hurting and broken world. Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection is the ultimate expression of God’s faithfulness, and it reminds us that our hope is not in vain. He is a God who keeps His promises.
As a Christian school, we have the privilege to nurture this hope in the hearts of our students. Every day, we teach them not just academics, but the truth of God’s Word, the hope we find in Christ. As they face the challenges of school, friendships, and growing up, we can remind them that their hope is anchored in something far greater than their circumstances. They can hold on to the hope that, in Christ, all things are made new and all things are possible.
On Monday night at our Christmas Celebration, our elementary students sang of the hope we have in Jesus.
Unto us a Child is born
Hope to all the world
Unto us the Son of God has come
We will sing Hallelujah
Shining in the darkness
Light to all the world
God is with us, sing Hallelujah!
CCLI Song #7029576
Aaron Shust / David Hamilton
©Bridge Building Music, Inc.; CP Shust Tunes,
Gratia Music CCLI 1597614
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of hope that we have in Christ. As we enter this Advent season, may we reflect on the hope that You have promised to us through the birth of Jesus. Help us to live in that hope each day, especially within our school community. May our students, teachers, and staff be reminded of Your faithfulness, and may we be a light to one another. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Jenny Gorter
Director of Educational Support Services
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
Well Done Good and Faithful Servant
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Mr. Mike Hoekstra’s passing. Mike, our beloved Nature-Based Education teacher at HCS, passed away on Saturday, November 30 after a three-year battle with cancer. He served our school and students in many capacities, including teaching, recess duty, and driving a school bus. His passion for nature and his enthusiasm for sharing God’s creation with children was a true blessing. His deep love for teaching and his desire to show who God is through nature will continue to inspire many. As we mourn alongside the Hoekstra family, we are grateful for Mike’s life and the lasting impact he made on the hearts and minds of our students. While we are comforted by the knowledge that Mike is now fully healed, we pray that all who are close to the Hoekstra family find peace and rest in that hope. Obituary: LINK
Early Release
Friday, December 13 is an early release day, with dismissal at 11:10 AM. 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.
Christmas Blessings – Share Yours!
Some of our HCS families are experiencing struggles due to employment issues, health concerns, etc. Please prayerfully consider how your family can bless another HCS family in need this Christmas season. If you know of a family in need, please contact Devon Brinks, Tricia Kiepert or Chris Achterhof. Gift card donations in any amount to Family Fare, Meijer, Target, Walmart, and Speedway, can be dropped off in the school offices until December 17.
Moms in Prayer
The Moms in Prayer group believes that through prayer God hears and answers our prayers. This week Friday the 6th we will be meeting in the Middle School conference room across from the office from 8:00-9:00 a.m. Please check in at the main office. We will be focused on praying for the office workers and janitorial staff this week. We look forward to partnering with you in prayer!
HCS Returnables Shed
You are invited to drop off your returnable cans and bottles to the recycling shed at any time! The shed is located in the elementary school north parking lot off of Hillcrest Ave. Thank you for supporting our school!
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Christmas Celebration | Recording
Last night, our 1st through 4th grade students led us in worship as we celebrated Christ’s Birth.
A big “THANK YOU!” to the Christmas Celebration Committee and all the teachers for their fantastic leadership! Click HERE to view the recording.
Elementary Hot Lunch
The menu and other information on the Elementary Hot Lunch program provided by JenHud Food Service can be found on the JenHud Food Service website.
Chapel
There will be no elementary chapel this week. Next week, December 13, our students in Young Fives and Kindergarten will lead us in a special Christmas Chapel. Parents are welcome to join us and may enter through the west gym lobby doors.
Love Bazaar
Here comes the Love Bazaar, here comes the Love Bazaar right down HCS lane! The week is finally here and we are ready to get our CHRISTmas on! You will find everything you need to know in the packet that went home with your child. Please make sure that your child’s shopping list is for immediate family only. The Love Bazaar Committee would like to invite teachers and students to get festive and wear Christmas colors to help celebrate this special day of spreading God’s love! HCS mom’s, buckle your seatbelts because the Love Bazaar Committee is making this the best day ever by topping the day off with the Mom Sale! That’s right! Parents and staff of current students can purchase the great items left over from the student shop! THANK YOU to all who have helped make this a great day for our school!
Christmas Collections
Our elementary students will be taking collections this Christmas season for the following organizations:
- 3 School — Closet of Hope
- 4 School — Toys for Tots
- Nature Based 4 School — Life Give/Life West Church & BLVD church
- Young 5s/Kindergarten — In the Image
- First Grade — Hand2Hand Ministries
- Second Grade — GRPS Winter Gear
- Third Grade — Family Promise
- Fourth Grade — Gateway Mission
Boots and Snow Pants
Please be reminded of our guidelines for boots and snow pants. Young 5s – 2nd grade students should have snow pants and boots at school for when the playground conditions warrant wearing them. If the playground is snowy and/or wet these students must wear these items. If they don’t have boots or snow pants, they will still go out but will need to stay on the blacktop. Students in grades 3 & 4 may use their own discretion regarding boots and snow pants, but if they choose to get wet, they will not be permitted to call home for dry clothing.
Lost and Found
Our elementary lost and found is bursting with discarded items. Please remind your child(ren) to check out these items in the hall by the lower elementary office to see if anything belongs to them. Parents – please check out the lost and found when you are at school.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Chapel
Students and staff will gather in the south gym for chapel from 7:55-8:25 AM 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.
- December 2-6 Spiritual Emphasis Week
- Tuesday, December 10 Spiritual Emphasis Wrap-Up
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch this week Wednesday will be DJ’s pizza $2.50/slice.
Donuts
Donuts will be sold for $1.50 during break this week Friday, December 6.
Ski Club
Anyone who signed up for ski club will be issued their ski club passes later this week. You will also be sent an email by Friday, December 6, with some details for the upcoming dates. We are still finalizing a few things and will be sharing details soon.
Spiritual Emphasis Week
Spiritual Emphasis Week is taking place in the middle school this week. Our theme this year is Be Real, which will be a week focused on the Biblical truths of Advent, and how the worldly perspective of hope, joy, peace, and love is often different from the Biblical view. Please be in prayer for the teachers as they lead the students through this special week and that the students may experience the Spirit working in their hearts during this time.
Middle School Orchestra Concert
Please come and join the 6th-8th Grade Orchestras in concert with the Unity Christian High School Orchestras on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7:30. This concert will be held at the JCA (Jenison Public Center for the Arts). Students will need to arrive at 7:00. Please note the doors for the hall will not be open before 7:00. Students will need to wear their orchestra uniforms: Black on the Bottom and white on top. No tennis shoes – please wear black shoes or black socks. This is going to be an exciting night for the orchestras – all are welcomed!
Middle School Band/Choir Concert
The 6th-8th Grade Bands and Choirs will be performing at our annual HCMS Winter Concert on Monday, December 9 at Fair Haven Church. The Concert begins at 7:00 and students’ call time is 6:40. Students should be in formal concert attire (white shirt with black bottoms and black shoes). However, students MAY add a splash of color (green, red, gold, silver, or blue) with a tasteful accessory. NO santa hats or elf ears, please. Choir students will be sitting with Parents/Guardians when they are not performing. Band students will be on the stage the entire concert. We’re looking forward to a fun evening of music filled with many Christmas favorites!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Holly Jolly Christmas Market
The Holly Jolly Christmas will take place at Zutphen CRC (3223 40th Ave. Hudsonville, MI) on Saturday, December 7 from 9:00am – 2:00pm. Shop over 50 vendors of local crafters and businesses. You will find live Christmas trees, winter porch pots, handmade poured soaps and candles, gourmet jerky, Christmas decor, boutique items and more! Grab a friend for a day of Christmas shopping fun complete with lunch, hot cocoa bar, raffle drawings, and a festive atmosphere! All proceeds benefit our Youth Missions Fund.
Middle School Wrestling Team for Boys and Girls
Unity Christian is pleased to offer a Middle School Wrestling team for boys and girls in grades 6 – 8. This program will run from January 6 to February 12 and will consist of practices and matches against other area middle schools. The practices and home wrestling matches will be held at the Hudsonville Christian Elementary West Gym. All experience levels are welcome, whether you have wrestled before or not! The cost to participate is $80, and the deadline to register is December 18. Please go to https://unitychristianathletics.org/main/campsclinics/ for more information/schedule and an on-line registration link.
Girls Basketball Camp
Unity Christian is pleased to offer a basketball camp for girls in 5th – 8th grades. This program will be held Saturday mornings on January 18, January 25, and February 1. Each session will teach fundamental basketball skills and provide team competition. Grades 5 & 6 will meet from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., and grades 7 & 8 will meet from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. The cost to participate is $35 for 5th/6th and $45 for 7th/8th, and the deadline to register is January 15. Please go to https://unitychristianathletics.org/main/campsclinics/ for more information and an on-line registration link.
Hudsonville Little League
Hudsonville Little League 2025 Spring Registrations are Open! Click HERE for more information.
