December 15, 2008

Dear Family and Friends of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene,

Congratulations to Wendell DeVries and Terri Sanders who were joined in marriage on Sunday, December 14, 2008, at 5:00 PM in the Hermitage Church sanctuary. I had the privilege to lead Wendell and Terri in premarital counseling and to preside at their ceremony. They not only attended second service yesterday but brought all of their out-of-town family from Iowa and prayed together as a couple during open altars. Good beginning. We pray for wonderful years to come.

Middle school, Senior high, and College/University Students provided a wonderful opportunity of worship and entertainment in The Center at 6:00 PM last evening. Preston Hunt coordinated and led the music provided by Preston himself, and instrumentalists Graham Scott, Andy McCormick, Jim Waters and vocalist, guitarist Chelsea Crawford.
Diane Cater wrote the script and then directed Middle School and Senior High students in dramatic action. Thanks to Diane and Building One students Daniel Jones, Anna-Laura Green, Will Miranne, Christi Fite, Ross Drummond, Lauren Lavery, Brandon Shepard, Hunter Steinmetz, Jonathan Tigabu and Livewire students Josh Cater, Hannah Garrett, Emily Mowry, Jonathan Mowry, Rachel Jones, Kelsey Kile, Avie Joyce, Jessi Joyce, Kevin Helm, Josh Elkins, Kellie Rose, Sara Drummond, Jessica Perkins, Bethany Ruff, Chandler Scott, Ryann Amity, Bryson Fox, Nathaniel Jackson, Hannah Jackson, Shelby Combs, Trevor Hunt, Anna Waller, Emily Paddon, Mikalia Duck, Sophia Green, and Isabella Green. Thanks to assistants: Hayley Hill, Jake Resor, Kathy Drummond, Jeff Cater, Charlotte Rose, Christine Helm.

The Pizza and Pasta Social which followed the evening was set-up, serviced, and cleaned up by the Young Professionals Sunday School Class and I was impressed with their attention to their responsibilities. The food was delicious and the fellowship that followed was slow and easy and wonderful. Thanks to all the people who week-after-week cooperate with providing food for themselves and others.

Teresa Vines coordinated and led the Service of Remembrance at HCN last Thursday evening. You will remember it was the night of the very quick snow and ice storm. Despite the weather, thirty plus people gathered in a service to remember the lives of those who have moved forward to be with the Lord. Glen Detwiler built a beautiful tiered candle box which allowed each person to light a candle in memory of their loved one. What a thoughtful opportunity to express sorrow and loss in our lives.


Let me account to you for the gift cards you have given through the offering plates, dropping them by the church office, or giving at the New Life Sunday School party. Gift cards to Kroger total $250. Gift cards to Walmart and Target total $1,041. Gifts in cash and checks total $2,895. Pastoral staff has distributed/is distributing the cards or money to families in need. All of the families have children. Three young girls came to my office this afternoon with a gift card for $31. They had combined their financial resources so that they could provide help for someone who needed it.

There are four significant services remaining for Hermitage Church in 2008.
The first includes morning worship services at 9:00 AM and 10:15 PM this Sunday, December 21, 2008. It is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Be ready for preaching, congregational singing, the choir, and the Spirit of the Lord speaking louder than them all.
The second includes the evening gathering at 6:00 PM this Sunday. We meet in The Center for a Christmas concert by three outstanding female vocalists who are a part of our church family: Dorinda Biggs, Suzanne Herring, and Catherine Segars. Each of the ladies sing their own distinct style of music and each belongs to the Lord. We repeat my favorite menu: soups and salads, desserts, and drinks. This is the last official social of the year. Bring a pot of soup OR a large salad, a dessert, and a large drink. We eat following the music.
The third includes the Christmas Eve Service on Wednesday, December 24, 2008, at 7:00 PM. It is a much requested service and one which has made many of you rejoice. This service meets in the Sanctuary. It will include scripture, carols, communion, and the lighting of candles from the Christ candle.
The fourth includes the last Sunday of the year, December 28, 2008. There is ONE morning worship service on this day at 10:00 AM in The Center. We will gather as multiple generations with babies, children, teenagers, young adults, mature adults, and senior adults. We will work hard to have the temperature right, the mix of music right, and a message with life and challenge. No Sunday School meets on this day nor will there be an evening service. Enjoy the Sabbath rest.

Kevin Downs is the son of a retired co-worker of Sandra Kurtz. Sandra watched Kevin grow up and join the military and ship off to Iraq. Three and one-half years ago, Kevin was the victim of a bomb explosion that took the lives of everyone else in Kevin’s tank except Kevin. It left him without legs, great damage to his arms, and massive burns to his face and chest. For a long time, Kevin has endured surgery followed by surgery followed by another surgery to reconstruct his arms and make them useful and to live through skin grafts to his face. His Middle Tennessee hometown community has built Kevin a house to meet all the special needs of his new disabilities. Last week, Kevin visited the plant where Sandra works and a picture was taken. She left it with me and I have posted it on The Center glass-enclosed board. Kevin is special for a lot of reasons but one of them is that his injuries began our praying for the safety of soldiers by name during worship. Out of Kevin’s sufferings, comes care for others. It is the redeeming way of God.

In Christ Jesus with open hands and life,

Pastor Howard