HCS Stories

written by HCS parents, Daniel Cheng and Angela Wang

The Saturday Serve has been a special experience for our family—an opportunity not only to contribute to our community but to grow as one, make priceless connections, and live out our faith through action. As we look back, here are some heartfelt reflections on what this time has meant to us.

1. A Precious Time for Family Bonding

Serving together as a family has been an incredible way to strengthen our relationships. Whether we’re raking leaves, picking up trash, or crafting gifts… these shared experiences have brought us closer. It’s so beautiful encouraging each other, learning patience, and building fantastic memories—even when things don’t go well as planned. In every moment, whether smooth or challenging, we are reminded that God works all things for good (Romans 8:28).

By working side-by-side, we’ve discovered new things about one another—hidden hobbies, unique personalities, and shared interests we may not have noticed in our busy daily routines. These moments foster deeper understanding and connection within the family.

2. Connecting with Other Families

One of the unexpected joys of Saturday Serve has been the chance to meet and get to know other families in our school and church communities. With everyone juggling packed weekday schedules and engaging in different churches on Sundays, opportunities for deeper conversation are rare. The Saturday Serve gives us that space—a few unhurried hours to work together, share stories, and build new friendships.

It’s heartwarming to see kids light up when they recognize a familiar face from Saturday Serve in the school hallway. It makes the school feel more like a home, a place where they truly belong and are known.

3. Living Out God’s Word

“Faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26) These Saturday mornings are a reminder that our actions often speak louder than words. It’s always easy to talk about love, kindness, and service in the comfort of our homes or sanctuaries, but it’s challenging to step outside—to serve in the wind, in the cold, under the hot sun—and let our actions silently testify to what we believe.

These moments of selfless service may not come with fanfare, but they carry deep meaning. They demonstrate that we don’t just talk about Christ’s teachings—we strive to live them.

4. Christ’s love compels us

As a newly joined Asian family who moved from another city since the Pandemic, we have been deeply touched by the hospitality and warmth extended by our school community. From staff and teachers to classmates and fellow parents—everyone has shown us genuine kindness that made us feel immediately at home. This love we’ve received has been a powerful reminder of the truth found in 1 John 4:19: “We love because He first loved us.” When we are filled with love, it is irresistible to love others.

And the servings on Saturdays are purest ways to show Christ’s love. Each small, unnoticed act echoes Jesus’ example of sacrificial love. We serve not out of obligation, but out of joy, gratitude, and a desire to bless others because we have been blessed (1 Peter 5:2).

As summer break approaches, I’m sure that we’ll miss those Saturday mornings—the laughter, the teamwork, the joy of giving. Look forward to its return with hopeful hearts, ready once again to serve, to grow, and to love as Christ calls us to.

Let us all be BLESSINGS!

Saturday Serve Projects are organized by our Director of Faith Formation, Mrs. Vicki Huizenga, as a means of elevating outreach and service in our school community.