t may seem like an unusual time to think about planting things for most people. There are some who keep their catalogues for seeds and plants handy all year. These are usually the folks with the great gardens and beautiful trees we all admire. Jesus teaches in Matthew chapter thirteen about sowing and harvesting in a perpetual cycle for the Lord. It is never out of season to plant the gospel. Jesus teaches His followers to plant regardless of the anticipated harvest. He wants us to plant knowing that not all the seed will produce a good result. The method of sowing He describes in the scripture may not be the method we use in our fields or backyards, but the laws of harvest still apply today.

The foremost law is that if nobody plants there will likely be no harvest. Our Savior began planting the "Good News" while on earth. He has left the sowing to us to carry on in His absence. In this partnership with God we can be part of His plan to bring the world into a saving relationship with Christ. We are to do this knowing that not everyone will respond as we or the Father would like. Not all ground produces a good crop even with the best of seed, but we are to be like Jesus and keep planting. God the Father will do the harvesting.

At Hillside Christian Church this Thursday evening we will have a harvest of good fun for children. Kids two years old through sixth grade are invited to bring a soap donation for the Webster County Food Pantry and come to the church for a great evening of fun and games. There will be several supervised activities and games that promise to be good safe fun for all ages. Plenty of candy will be handed out. The festivities will begin at 6:00 and run through 8:00pm. Everyone is invited.

This weekend Ozark Christian College in Joplin is hosting its annual Ambassadors for Christ youth event. Over twenty of our youth and their sponsors will make the trip to join other teens from across the country for relevant and challenging teaching and worship. Several hundred High School aged students will spend Friday evening and Saturday together growing in their walk with the Lord and encouraging each other. The teen years are critical ones in the spiritual lives of our children and we do all we can to teach and strengthen their vital relationships with the Lord, their peers, and their families.

A group of our retired folks took a one-day tour of the fall colors in the church van last week. They enjoyed the trip and the fellowship. This group is active in bi-monthly luncheons at church and helps with many activities and ministries in our congregation.