Congratulations to John and Rachelle Reigard on the birth of their son, Austin Perry Reigard, on Tuesday, December 30, 2008, at 2:32 PM at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Austin weighed 6 lbs 3 ozs and measured 19 inches in length.
He is the brother of Grant, Camille, and Abigail. I was the first visitor to see Austin after his birth. He was in the nursery getting cleaned up for company and his dad was busy taking photos and sending crazy emails to trusting, naïve friends. His mom was resting from a busy morning and getting ready for the rest of her babies to come and meet the new baby. We bless the Lord who has graced the lives of John and Rachelle with a son who is depending on their love and care and instruction.
Congratulations to Cara Harris and Nathan Brown who were married on Thursday, January 1, 2009, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chancellor Judge of Rutherford County, Robert Corlew, officiated the ceremony. Judge Corlew is Cara’s step-father. Cara is a child of the HCN family who has matured into a wonderful, gifted and giving young woman. We pray the Lord’s blessings on Cara and Nathan as they begin their life together. Cara is the granddaughter of Carrie Agee Knox.
The first worship opportunity for the Hermitage Church family in each new year is the Wesleyan Covenant Service. It is such a different service that I find myself defending it to those who ask about it. The service is full of music and the Word, confession and commitment, sacrament and prayer. Dot Waffird stopped me in the Lobby after second service to tell me how God takes one piece every year and makes it new and meaningful.
Shannon Stephens wrote on Facebook this morning that she calls it her “clean slate” service as it prepares her spiritually for another year. Carrie Ermshar stopped by the office on the way to work to say it was the most powerful service she has attended at HCN. Marilyn Jordan called on the phone to profess the good work God is continuing to do in her life including the covenant service. Tiffany Mathias emailed that it was a touch of heaven for her. Thanks to the vocalists who sang in each service: Beverly Sharpe, Beth Fox, Sam and Keli Green, Emily Sullivan, and Dorinda Biggs. Thanks to the instrumentalists who played the music that made you want to sing: Willard Brinkman, Michael Waller, Dave Flint, Donny Jackson, Graham Scott, Randy Layne, Ricky Gore, Paul Bolling. The Holy Spirit is so faithful to give distinctive life to each service. First service was sacred and reflective and liturgical. Second service was emotional and dynamic and demonstrative. I worshipped in both and stand amazed at the greatness of our God. Remember: Jesus is full of grace and truth. Tell it.
The first meeting for those interested in participating in a mission trip to Africa in 2010 was held on Sunday, January 4, 2009, at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary. Forty-eight people signed a register sheet with their name and email address. The relative secure date is June 11-26, 2010. Five specific projects are now in dream works stage. If you were not able to attend but would like to be added to the list, send a note to hlplummer@aol.com. For those people who have not dared to tell anyone that they would like to go but the Holy Spirit is stirring in your heart, put the date on your calendar. What do you have to lose?
Some years ago, the church purchased liturgical cloths for the sanctuary communion table and pulpit which direct us in the Christian year. The cloths are purple at Advent, white for Christmas, purple for Lent, white for Easter, red for Pentecost, green for the season after Pentecost. Each cloth is now amply stained with grape communion juice and/or candle wax. One family in the church talked to me for months about purchasing new cloths and offered to pay the entire bill of $556 to replace them. When I ordered the cloths, I suggested that they pay one-quarter of the bill and allow others to share the cost. Two families have now given $139 each with the need for two more sponsors remaining. I know the church well enough to know there are two other families who would like to share in this particular expense. Make your check to the church and mark it for pulpit/
communion cloths. We use the new cloths this Sunday, January 11, 2009.
When you think about all the issues in your life and wonder if you can make it, consider that people in your church have confronted the following events in their lives over the last month: sat with a sister who was disconnected from life support systems; awoke from surgery less one kidney; survived the last radiation treatment which had followed chemo treatment which had followed radical surgery; pulled from a car which rolled on the interstate and then caught on fire. Receive encouragement to know that whatever your troubles, whatever your suffering, God is present with you and will give you strength in times of trial if you will let Him.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
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