October 27, 2008

Okay, so was it possible for the weather to be more wonderful than it was for last
night’s Fall Fish Fry? It was dry. It was simultaneously cool and warm. There was little
to no wind. Some people wore shorts and sandals. Some people wore pants and jackets.
Added to the great weather was the new breading on the catfish. The team used cornmeal
versus flour and cooked the fish last instead of first. It was the best. The hushpuppies
and fries were their usual great. The slaw was fresh and barely sweet. How did I miss
the white beans? You stocked the drink and dessert tables and there was an abundance of
both. The firewood for the bonfire was slow-burning which kept the pyromaniac children
restrained. The Chigger Hill Boys and Teri never sang finer. I think there are still bluegrass
notes hanging in the trees. I heard sweet hymns sung that seemed ancient (my
childhood?). If you would like a CD, it is not too late to purchase for $12. Attendance
was four hundred plus. I wish someone could have taken an overhead photo. Last night
was a slice of wonderful Americana. We were privileged to be there…to eat and talk and
meet families and neighbors. Someone admitted to me this morning that their family
makes sure they visit on this Sunday every year. Thanks to the Special Cooking Team
recruited and directed by Wayne McNeese: Paul Stonecipher, Kenny McNeese, Ken
Koon, Sam Green, Tim Garrett, Dan Scott, Ken Willis, Frank Rice, John Jordan, Ricky
McNeese, Ken Elkins, Glen Detwiler, Jason Vines, Kevin Daugherty, Tom Stephens,
Mike Anderson, Rick Person, Dean Beach. Thanks to Kylee Koon, Kim Vann, Beth
Vines, Taylor Vines, Lisa Anderson, Pam McNeese, and Jody Scott for preparing the
fish; washing potatoes; stirring hushpuppies. Thanks to Marilyn Jordan for mixing the
delicious slaw. Thanks to the Early Christian Sunday School Class which came early
and stayed late for set-up and clean-up. What a wonderful, cooperative team!

Pastor Shane Tarter led HCN Senior High Students on their annual fall retreat to the
Barnes Farm in Livingston, TN, last weekend. Ron Barnes and his mother, Ruby, are the
gracious hosts who open their property, cabin, and house, and then cook breakfast each
morning. Retreaters were Brandon Shepard, Taylor Steinmetz, Hunter Steinmetz, Will
Miranne, Dalton Winfree, Brian Brinkman, Ben Mabry, Anna Laura Green, Toby
Haydel, Cali Crosslin, Jeff Blankenship, Daniel Jones, Lauren Lavery, Scott Primm,
Cassie Hunt, Ashley Colbert, Matt Sedgwick, Madeleine Mosier, Alex Hamer, Natasha
Ploetz, Palmer Maphet, and Jared Angle. Chaperones included Shane, Buddy Mabry,
Cara Harris, Logan Blomberg, Shaun Lewis, and Brady Plummer. Logan, Cara, and
Brady led devotion times. Master Chef Bobby Smith prepared the evening meals which
is a highlight of every Barnes Farm weekend.

Jim and Brenda Agee led the Senior Adult and Friends group on their fall trip to
Branson, Missouri, last week. They were accompanied by Sue Smith, Alene Gill, Dot
Waffird, Mary Alice Butler, Jeanette Flatt, Judy Henderson, and Joy Bradley. The group
attended three shows including the musical, “Noah.” They ate, shopped, and stayed up
late playing games. Rev. Fred Agee and his wife, Mildred, live in nearby Arkansas and
led devotions at Table Rock Lake one day. They returned home exhausted and satisfied
and safe for which we are thankful.

When the list was compiled for the donors of the Poverty Dinner Silent Auction weeks
ago, two names were missing: Charlotte Rose and Bonnie Swartz. While Charlotte and
Bonnie said nothing about the slight, someone who knew better passed me a note on
Sunday. Even though it is tardy, thanks to Charlotte and Bonnie.

HCN works hard to report and account for income on a weekly basis in the tip sheet
and the Sunday bulletin. Two areas are under-reported this week because counters did
not include the Sunday School Offering or Alabaster. It will be included next week.
Alene Gill and Carrie Knox counted and rolled the Alabaster Offering on Sunday afternoon.
It totals to date: $718.29. If you forgot your offering last Sunday, bring it with you
next week or the next and leave it on one of the communion tables. Also, the church was
notified this week that a HCN member had given $5,000 through the United Way to the
orphans at the Suvia Children’s Home. That means giving and associated HCN giving to
the orphans totals $15,106. We are close to sponsorship for 18 of the 50 orphans. And, I
think that giving continues. Glory be to God.

Someone asked to see me in the Lobby following second service yesterday. A fine
lady told me a story which I received permission to tell you. Several weeks ago, her
ninety-two year old mother was visiting and attended worship with the family. The
morning message included an admonition on forgiveness. The Holy Spirit used the Word
of God to penetrate the heart of that mother and she made the willful decision to forgive
an elder daughter with whom her relationship was broken. She confessed that decision to
her family. I praise God for His powerful work among us, no matter our age.

My daughter, Kelly, was having her hair cut in a salon in Green Hills on Saturday
when she noticed a man near her who was wearing a hat from the Java House in Nairobi,
Kenya. She asked him if he had ever been there and when he answered affirmatively, she
told him she was there last June. He asked her why she was there and she used the
opportunity to tell him about the mission trip to build an orphanage. He then told her he
was a doctor and was there as a part of a medical mission group. When the man left, the
hairdresser asked Kelly if she knew who the man was. She told him she did not. So, he
told her. The man was Bill Frist, former US Senator from Tennessee and Majority Leader
of the US Senate.

I testify to you today of my renewed belief in the grace and providence of God. He
intersected my life last Saturday morning through a phone call and email which should
have never reached me. God loves us more than we know. He works in mysterious ways.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard