St. John's UCC - Harrisville

06/22/2026

Week 5 — Meaning Under the Sun ☀️
Ecclesiastes 4:1–12

This week we looked at some of the darkest corners of life “under the sun” as the Teacher observes oppression, envy, and the crushing weight of loneliness. He notices that when people live only for themselves, their hard work becomes hollow and friendless.

But right in the middle of the isolation, he shines a light on a better way forward.

He shares this timeless wisdom on the power of connection:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
— Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

In a culture that fiercely praises self-reliance, independence, and "going it alone," Ecclesiastes gives us a stark warning: isolation leaves us incredibly vulnerable to the brokenness of this world.

We think independence keeps us safe…
but it actually leaves us exposed when trouble hits.
We try to carry the heavy loads by ourselves…
but we were never wired to bear them alone.

This is a beautiful truth of life “under the sun” — God did not create us for isolation, He created us for community. He designs our paths to cross so that we can lift each other up, share our warmth, and stand firm together against life's storms.

Ecclesiastes is reminding us that true strength isn't about being untouchable; it's about being connected.

Only when we walk together can we truly reflect the heart of the God who binds us together.

This week, let this be our prayer:
⭐️ “Lord, deliver me from the trap of isolation. Give me the humility to ask for help when I fall, and eyes to see those around me who need to be lifted up today. Thank You for the gift of community.” ⭐️

Because a single thread is easily broken…
but a cord of three strands is not quickly torn.

06/15/2026

Week 4 — Meaning Under the Sun ☀️
Ecclesiastes 3:1–15

This week we stepped into one of the most famous passages in all of Scripture, where the Teacher turns his gaze to the rhythm of time. He lists the heavy contrasts of human experience—birth and death, weeping and laughing, scattering and gathering—reminding us that life is a tapestry of changing seasons.

He anchors this beautiful reflection right at the start:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
— Ecclesiastes 3:1

In a world that demands we always be productive, always be happy, or always be in control, Ecclesiastes offers a grounding reality: we do not dictate the seasons of our lives.

We try to hold onto seasons of joy…
but we cannot force them to stay forever.
We fight desperately against seasons of grief…
but they are often where our hearts are deeply shaped.

This is the great tension of life “under the sun” — we live in time, but God has planted eternity in our hearts. We want to see the whole picture right now, but we are called instead to trust the One who holds the calendar.

Ecclesiastes isn't telling us to passively give up, but it is reminding us that peace doesn't come from controlling our timing. It comes from trusting God's.

Only the Eternal God can make all things beautiful in its time.

This week, let this be our prayer:
⭐️ “Lord, help me to accept the season I am currently in. Give me the grace to surrender my timeline to Yours, trusting that You are good in the waiting, the weeping, and the rejoicing.” ⭐️

Because our control over time is just an illusion…
but God’s timing is always perfectly secure.

06/08/2026

Week 3 — Meaning Under the Sun ☀️
Ecclesiastes 2:1–11

This week we moved into chapter 2, where the Teacher shifts his experiment from intellectual wisdom to practical pleasure. He tests his heart with everything the world says will satisfy: laughter, wine, massive building projects, wealth, and grand achievements.

But when he stops to look at the empire of comfort he built, the reality hits him.

He concludes with a sobering reflection:

“Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
— Ecclesiastes 2:11

In a culture that constantly whispers, “If you just achieve more, buy more, or experience more, you’ll finally be fulfilled,” Ecclesiastes holds up a mirror to our pursuits.

Pleasure can distract us for a moment…
but it cannot fill the empty spaces of the soul.
Achievement can build an impressive life…
but it cannot give that life ultimate purpose.

This is the deeper tension of life “under the sun” — we can acquire everything we’ve ever wanted and still find ourselves completely empty if we are chasing the gifts instead of the Giver.

Ecclesiastes isn't saying hard work or joy are bad, but it is reminding us that creation makes a terrible creator. The things of this world were never designed to bear the weight of our identity.

Only God can satisfy the soul that achievements leave dry.

This week, let this be our prayer:
⭐️ “Lord, thank you for the good gifts in my life, but keep my heart from chasing them. Remind me today that my fullness is found in You, not in what I accomplish.” ⭐️

Because the wind will always slip through our fingers…
but true fulfillment is anchored securely in the Lord.

”

06/07/2026

06/01/2026

Week 2 — Meaning Under the Sun ☀️
Ecclesiastes 1:12–18

This week we continued in Ecclesiastes as the Teacher turns his attention to wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. What he discovers is both impressive and unsettling — wisdom can reveal much, but it cannot fix everything.

He concludes with a sobering reflection:

“For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.”
— Ecclesiastes 1:18

In a world that tells us “the more you know, the more secure you’ll feel,” Ecclesiastes offers a different reality: knowledge alone cannot heal the deepest struggles of the human heart.

Wisdom can help us see clearly…
but it can also make us more aware of brokenness.
It can expose problems…
but it cannot ultimately save us.

This is the tension of life “under the sun” — even the best human gifts are limited when they are separated from God.

Ecclesiastes isn’t discouraging wisdom itself, but it is reminding us that wisdom was never meant to be our savior.

Only God can carry the weight that knowledge exposes.

This week, let this be our prayer:
⭐️ “Lord, give me wisdom to see clearly, but keep my heart anchored in You alone for hope and peace.” ⭐️

Because knowledge may grow…
but true peace is found only in the God who knows all things.

05/30/2026

Come join us next Sunday, June 7th at 5:30PM for our annual Spring Worship Concert!

We are blessed to have The Rinards & The Hawkins Kids as special guests to lead our worship that evening!

All are welcome to join! Please bring a chair as we intend to hold this event outside!

ALL DONATIONS GO TO SUPPORT LUKE’S BACKPACK! God Bless 🙌🏼

05/25/2026

Week 1 — Meaning Under the Sun ☀️
Ecclesiastes 1:1–11

This week we began our journey through Ecclesiastes — a book that wrestles honestly with life, meaning, purpose, and the endless cycles of this world. The Teacher opens with a sobering observation about life “under the sun”:

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”
— Ecclesiastes 1:9

Generation after generation, people chase the same things:
Success. Pleasure. Wealth. Recognition. Control.

And yet the human heart still asks the same questions:
“Is this all there is?”
“Where do I find lasting meaning?”
“Why does everything feel so temporary?”

Ecclesiastes reminds us that if we search for ultimate purpose only in the things of this world, we will always come up empty. Life “under the sun” can feel repetitive and fleeting — unless we lift our eyes beyond the sun to the One who gives eternal meaning.

The cycles of life may repeat…
But God remains constant.

This week, let this be our prayer:
⭐️ “Lord, help me stop chasing temporary things for lasting fulfillment, and teach me to find true meaning in You.” ⭐️

Because lasting purpose is not found in what is new…
but in the eternal God who never changes.

05/15/2026

Come join us this Sunday for our Homecoming Celebration at 11AM!!!

Potluck-style meal following the service (chicken & ham provided).

All are welcome as we celebrate another year of worshipping Jesus together here at St. John’s UCC — Harrisville! 🙌🏼

05/11/2026

✨Week 5 — From Doubt to Trust ✨
Habakkuk 3:16–19

This week we came to the powerful conclusion of Habakkuk’s journey — a movement from fear and questioning to confidence and worship. Even with uncertainty still ahead, Habakkuk chooses trust.

He declares:

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.”
— Habakkuk 3:19

Habakkuk’s circumstances had not changed yet…
But his perspective had.

Fields could fail.
Flocks could disappear.
The future could still feel uncertain.

And yet — God remained faithful.

True faith is not trusting God only when life is easy.
It is finding strength in Him even when the road is steep and difficult.

The same God who carried Habakkuk will carry us.
He gives strength for weary feet and stability for uncertain paths.

This week, let this be our prayer:
⭐️ “Lord, be my strength in every season. Help me trust You not because life is easy, but because You are faithful.” ⭐️

Because even in hardship…
we can still rejoice in the God of our salvation.

05/08/2026

When you feel fear, where do you go??? 🙏🏻