October 20, 2008

Jim Douthit began to attend Hermitage Church almost four years ago with his wife,
Barbara. He came first to participate in the Recovery Group on Wednesday nights and in
the last year found his way regularly to first worship and the Early Christians Sunday
School Class. Like many of us have experienced, Jim lived with an addiction which was
about to destroy his life, until he made a significant turn. Alcoholics Anonymous helped
him to find the discipline and support to get started and then pointed him back to the
church and a renewed relationship with Christ. Two months ago, he gave a significant
testimony in a Friday luncheon with Senior Adults and Friends. On Friday, October 10,
2008, Jim died suddenly and unexpectedly at sixty years of age of an apparent heart
attack. A Celebration of Life service was held in the sanctuary on Saturday, October 18,
2008, at 11:30 AM. We extend our love and prayers to Barbara and her children, Amy
and Sam, and their extended family. May Jim’s life encourage others to make turns that
are needed. May his death teach us that life is fragile and too brief. May his testimony
teach us that it is a good thing to say out loud what God is doing in your life.

One young woman and three young men were presented their local license for ministerial
service in second worship on Sunday, October 19, 2008. They were Jake Resor,
Daniel Smith, Shane Tarter, and Kelley Christian Van Atta. Jake, Daniel, and K.C. are
pastoral ministry majors at Trevecca Nazarene University. Jake and Daniel are freshmen.
K.C. is a sophomore. Shane serves as our Senior High Pastor. He is a graduate of
MTSU and a grad student in the School of Religion at Trevecca. This is a first license
which must be renewed every year as each individual processes through district licensing
lead-ing to ordination. Their calling speaks to the faithfulness of this community in
Christ.

Spencer and April Baggott, members of HCN, have received their missional assignment
to the French Equatorial Field covering Rwanda, Burundi, and portions of the
Congo. Their home and headquarters will be in Kigali, Rwanda. April will work in the
area of finance. Spencer will assist pastors in processing the course of ministerial study
and administratively assist the Field Strategy Coordinator. They have invested the last
year in language school in Senegal. Pray for a smooth and safe transition and for effective
and productive ministry.

Pastor Ronnie Thompson led LiveWire (middle school) Students on their Fall Charge
to the John Knox Center in east Tennessee last weekend. Chaperones included Ronnie,
Treila Garrett, Keli Green, and Hayley Hill. Chargers included Keegan Brown, Shelby
Combs, Clarissa Davis, Josh Elkins, Hannah Garrett, Isabella Green, Sophie Green,
Kevin Helm, Alex Houser, Isaac Houser, Hannah Jackson, Nathanael Jackson, Rachel
Jones, Avie Joyce, Jessie Joyce, Jonathan Mowry, Emily Paddon, Kristin Paddon, Taylor
Vines, and Bret Washing. Talk to some of the youth about the team building events with
the capacity to scare you to death.

One of the most promising options for altering Corey Marlowe’s life sentence in a
federal prison was dashed last week when the Supreme Court refused to hear his appeal.
The court had weeded through cases they would receive and Corey’s case kept making
the cut. Four justices needed to sign on to hear the appeal and only one signed. I received
a letter from Corey today expressing his great disappointment and weariness. Would you
take the time right now before you finish reading this letter and pray that God would give
Corey strength and peace that passes understanding and that the next step would become
crystal clear? Pray like you would pray if Corey was your son.

Alabaster Offerings for mission construction are supposed to be received in
September and February in the Church of the Nazarene. Jon Alderman tried to give his
offering to me several weeks ago. He thought we had received it and he had missed it. I
was embar-rassed and asked him to wait. Could we plan to receive the offering this
Sunday, October 26, 2008, at the beginning of each worship service? Alabaster Offerings
are largely composed of loose change collected over a period of time in boxes, jars, or
any other keeper. 100% of offerings are used to build churches, parsonages, schools, and
hospitals in world mission areas where funds are not available.

As a worshipping congregation, we intercede weekly for the safety of soldiers who
serve in dangerous global areas. As pastor, I depend on you to add names and to remove
names when the soldier returns home. Would you check this list for actively deployed
soldiers and if you find someone who has returned home, call the church office at
847-3335 or email me at hlplummer@aol.com. Thanks. Ben Walker, Marshall Tucker,
Michael Bobel, Veronica Maxwell, Tigh (Ti) Gustafson, Nathanael Badders, Linus
Byars, Shay Coats, Paul Jordan, Tom Ferguson, Josh Baker, Marshall Liddle, Mark
Morgan, Ryan Husted, Chad Adams, Billy Poe, Chris Middleton, Peter and Debra Lee,
Bret Calhoon, Zachary Hallum, Micah Smith, Frank Clark, Chris Manning, Cody Mang,
Matthew Bateman, Doran Ray Daugherty, Chuck Vaughn, Andrew Rist, Timothy and
Elizabeth Pool, Nicholas Culora, Cole Ebel, Luke Carroll.

You are invited to the Fall Fish Fry at HCN this Sunday, October 26, 2008, at 5:00
PM on the west end of the church campus. Wayne McNeese and an expanded cooking
team fry fish filets, home cut fries, and hushpuppies and Women’s Ministries prepares
the slaw, condiments, and paper products. The Early Christian Sunday School Class is
responsible for set-up, assisting service, and clean-up. Everyone is asked to bring a large
drink and dessert. All food will be consumed outdoors, so wear warm clothes and bring
your lawn chair. The Chigger Hill Boys and Terri provide the finest bluegrass music
around during the fellowship (including our own Ricky and Terri Gore). I have heard
through the grapevine that the group has just released a recording of hymns. This is the
BIG fellowship, folks. Join us.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard