December 24, 2008

Dear Family and Friends of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene,

It is Christmas Eve and I am just now writing this letter. Life at the church has normally slowed down by now and I have left the office for several days of shopping. That has not happened this year. My schedule through today is busier than normal. So, I am hoping to get out this morning and finish up what is not yet but shall be or I am dead. I am looking forward to our first Christmas Eve service tonight.

I begin this letter by apologizing for leaving out the Crosstrainers Sunday School Class as the primary set-up crew for the Advent social on Sunday, December 14, 2008. The reason I did not know is the class actually stayed after morning worship and set up tables and chairs and then four members of the class returned at 5:00 PM to make sure all was well. I saw Kenny McNeese patrolling the halls and The Center assisting everyone who needed a hand. Thanks, Crosstrainers.

I also forgot to mention last week that while Pastor Ronnie Thompson and Jenni took an out-of-town trip on Sunday, December 14,2008, the Middle School pulpit was filled by two of our Trevecca preacher boys, Jake Resor and Daniel Smith. I have heard rave reviews of the morning and the ease with which the guys handled the morning.

The instrumentalists at Hermitage Church are talented and numerous and capable of changing seats in the mix. With Willard Brinkman hi Florida following the death of his brother, Michael Waller hi bed sick, Donny Jackson and Ricky Gore out-of-town, there was a wholesale shift hi first and second services. Richard Knox (welcome home, brother) moved to the organ and David Flint played the piano hi first service. Paul Boiling shifted to another percussion set and Andy McCormick played keyboards hi second service. Thanks for moving to the place that was needed, men, and for doing it with great grace.

Wikipedia defines a diva as a celebrated female singer. Hermitage Church had the privilege to listen to three divas share the stage last Sunday evening hi The Center. They were Dorinda Biggs, Suzanne Herring, and Catherine Segars. Each sang songs straight from their distinctive personalities and styles, each very different. I sat hi a chair against the back wall and drank in every note. Thanks to Center Band members Randy Layne, David Flint, Paul Boiling, Michael Waller for accompanying each lady. It was another one of my new favorites at HCN.

Pastor Nicholas from Kali, Kenya, has informed the World Servants organization that the drought in then- area has brought almost famine conditions to then- people. The lack of natural water supplies and therefore of fruitful crops is devastating. Because we are sponsoring twenty of the twenty-five orphans now in the Suvia Children's Home, these children have food to eat. Some members of HCN are giving money to purchase basic supplies for the community.

Please remember that on Sunday, December 28,2008, there is ONE morning service at Hermitage Church. The service meets at 10:00 AM in The Center and is an ALL FAMILY service with babies, children, middle schools students, senior high students, university students, young adults, middle adults, mature adults, senior adults. I think we are age one week to 92 years old. There are no Sunday School Classes with one exception: Early Christians meet at 9:00 AM. The service includes congregational music, choir, preaching, and communion. Bring your out-of-town family and friends with you to worship.

I want to challenge you to think of the year 2009 as the year you either turned or returned to the Word of God. Get out your Bible or go purchase a translation you would read and commit yourself to reading 4-5 days per week, every week. Commit yourself to participation in at least one serious Bible study per week. There are multiple opportunities at HCN in Sunday morning Sunday School, Wednesday night or Sunday night small groups. Reading the Word will make us pray and prayer changes everything.

Pay attention to end-of-the-year giving. The needs of the world are great. I love you deeply and hope your Christmas is filled with Jesus.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard