Monday, February 23, 2009

February 23, 2009

Jonathan Beach presented his son, Mason Christopher Beach, in dedication to the Lord on Sunday, February 15, 2009, in the 10:15 AM service in The Center. Mason was joined at the altar by his grandparents Dean and Melody Beach, his great-grandparents Arthur and Opal Beach, Ralph and Marion Ulmer; his aunt Amber Beach; his great-aunts and great-uncle Joy Bradley, Brenda Christy, Lamar Bradley; his cousins Kevin and Kim Davenport, Carmen Campbell. Mason acted a perfect gentleman as I carried him around for you to see as his grandfather Dean sang the song of dedication. Jonathan is in the unusual position of being a young, single dad raising an infant son. He works difficult hours so he is assisted by his mom and dad. We bless the Lord who has entrusted Jonathan with a child to raise for Him.

Two Adult Sunday School Classes combined to host Room-in-the-Inn at HCN on Saturday night, Sunday morning, February 21-22, 2009. The classes were the Faith Builders and The Journey. Workers included Caleb Foster, Brent West, Kathy Drummond, Ted and Karen Tillman, Drew Tillman, Savannah Tillman, Christian Tilllman, Allie Rickets, Kelli Rose, Shelby Rose, Sara Drummond, Marley Gibson, Jessica Perkins, Glenda Perkins, Charlotte Rose, Dan Mullins, Bernita Gately, Katie Stonecipher, Paul and Pam Stonecipher, Ricky and Terri Gore, Ed Mahoney, Jon Alderman, Beth Rice, Callie Rice, and Lisa Anderson. Ten homeless men were fed dinner; housed in a safe, dry, warm environment; given opportunity to shower and wash clothes; treated with dignity and respect; and sent into the new day from a hot breakfast and a packed lunch in the name of Christ because of your church family.

Pastor Ronnie Thompson led Middle School students on a winter charge to Maggie Valley, NC, last weekend which included snow tubing, hiking, fellowship, and devotional worship. Students were Hannah Garrett, Rachel Thimell, Bethany Ruff, Shelby Combs, Ryan Amity, Kaina Habibeche, Ashley Brown, Mikalia Duck, Corey Miranne, Steve Pine, Trevor Hunt, Evan Hollingsworth, Bret Washing, Thomas Sharpe, Clarrisa Davis, Sophia Green, Bella Green, Kenzie Eiseman, Rachel Jones, Abbie Winfree, Andrew Vines, Kevin Helm, Grey Garrett, Alex Houser, Isaac Houser, Josh Elkins, Justin Angle, Keegan Brown, Jonathan Mowry, Ryan Mahoney, Josh Cater. Chaperones were Treila Garrett, Alexandra Whitehead, Mike Miranne, Tom Christensen, Janeene Davis, Steve Vines, Brad Houser, Robert Angle, Ronnie Thompson. The speaker for the weekend was Daniel Meadow, youth pastor at Erin Church of the Nazarene.

Twenty-four people were baptized in the icy cold waters of the HCN baptistery on Sunday, February 22, 2009, at 6:00 PM. Those baptized included Ruth Pilkinton, Carrie Rios, John Boyter, Beth Seaman, Becca Waller, Reid Swoner, Abby Elkins, Annie Cater, Kailey Perkins, Noah Joselyn, Isabella Agee, Lydia Foster, Jackson Barfield, Shelby Jackson, Cole Jackson, Ian Rouse, Seth Price, Heath Price, Gabby Satterlee, Nick Satterlee, Eddie Mahoney, Carson Davenport, Cameron Davenport, Kevin Davenport. Those baptizing included Carol Waller, Rondy Smith, and Howard Plummer. The sanctuary was packed as it should be and the congregation was alive with the celebration of wives, husbands, children, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins witnessing the immersion of their family members.

Congratulations to Ricky and Terri Gore who were nominated for a Dove Award this morning in ceremony announcements. Their category is Bluegrass Album of the Year and their entry is “Hymns from Chigger Hill” by The Chigger Hill Boys and Terri. The Fortieth Annual Dove Award Ceremony is scheduled for April 23, 2009, in Nashville. Ricky is the “one, two, three” percussionist in the second service band. He has a great testimony.

When the MissionAfrica’08 Team traveled to Kenya last June, we worked in a Kali market community presided over by a Pastor Nicholas Kisua of Africa Inland Mission. Pastor Kisua is a charismatic, energetic man of God. The first unit of the orphanage we assisted in constructing was the product of his vision. The twenty-five orphans our church members sponsor are there because of his vision. Our group ate nearly every meal in the front yard of his compound and our safety was a product of his protective arrangements. He is the person who sent our group in three directions on Sunday morning to preach the gospel. World Servants is bringing Pastor Kisua and a board member, Ben, to the USA in March and they are scheduled to visit with our congregation on Sunday, March 22, 2009. We would like the MissionAfrica’08 group to reunite on Saturday, March 21, 2009, for a meal at 6:00 PM in the Parlor and for the MissionAfrica
’10 group to meet and eat with us to meet Pastor Kisua. More details to come. Please put this date on your calendar.

Jan Greathouse, at the request of staff, has agreed to lead a literary group for two Sunday evenings at 6:00 PM on the book, Jayber Crow, written by Wendell Berry. The group will meet in Room 223 in The Center. I wanted you to know that I will be there as an eager participant. I am hoping many of my literary friends will find the time to join us. Take the time to google Wendell Berry and see if he piques your interest.

Yesterday was the last Sunday of the month and therefore the Sunday we serve communion in both morning worship services. Second service attendance was especially large and concern enough for me that when the trays of juice began to be passed, I sug-gested that husbands and wives may need to share a cup. Almost before the words could escape from my mouth, Rondy Smith looked up at me and held up three trays filled with empty cups. The cups were tinted purple and looked very much like they were filled from the side. By the time everyone was served and trays were back to the front, there were extras. God is good. We are only human.

In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard

Monday, February 16, 2009

February 16, 2009

Middle School Students and their parents sponsored a Breakfast for Dinner fundraiser last night with a simple request for donations. All monies support the Winter Retreat this weekend. Alexandra Whitehead served as head chef, assisted by Darlene Miranne, Carolyn Washing, Mark Washing, Amy Ruff, Marla Houser, and Sarah Paddon. I can personally testify that the delicious bacon was a topic of conversation in staff meeting. Thanks for supporting this good cause.

Children’s Ministries sponsored a Daddy/Daughter Date Night last Friday for girls from infancy through grade four. The Lobby of The Center was filled with round tables decorated in pink with music and indirect lighting. All of the girls were dressed beautifully. There were thirty-five dads who escorted their daughters. I like to think it was a marker in our culture for what we value.

Senator Mae Beavers had the Tennessee Senate to issue a proclamation of congratulations to the Church of the Nazarene on her 100th Anniversary on October 29, 2008. Mae has recently sent copies of the proclamation to every Nazarene Church in her district, including Hermitage. The letter and folder are regal and are posted in the glass bulletin board in The Center with a personal letter to us from Mae. Take a few minutes to read and to admire. Thanks to Senator Beavers.

Dr. Bryce Fox invited me to speak this afternoon to his Christian Education Class at Trevecca on the topic of administrating the local church. Bryce said he considered it one of my gifts. I found that comment generous and amusing because the truth is administra-tion is an acquired skill for me. Talented, gifted laymen in churches I have pastored have taught me how to administrate. I did not learn it in a class. I learned it in church council meetings and board meetings. The class was gracious and attentive. The students want to come and visit. Watch for new, young faces.

Bill Stricklin is a retired lawyer from west Tennessee who walks around loving on a lot of us on Sunday morning. His granddaughter, Reese, was in church with him on Sunday and for the first time, dared to go to Kid’s Church by herself. Bill wrote these things to me via email this morning. “I asked her what they did and her reply was, ‘Oh, we sang lots of good songs and had a Bible lesson.’ I asked what the songs were---her reply ‘I didn’t know them but they were good and there was one about ‘Power in the Blood.’’ I sang a bit of the old hymn. She said that was not it, that theirs was better. I have no doubt it was. When quizzed about the Bible lesson she said it was about Daniel. I asked if he was in a lion’s den. She said ‘no.’ Was he in a fiery furnace? ‘No.’ It was about a ‘hand’ not an arm or anything else ‘just a hand writing on the wall.’ What did it write? Her reply, ‘it is just too long to tell.’ Sounds like someone is doing their job. What a good church.” I asked Carol Waller and she said Reese was spot-on.

I have learned recently that our prayers take one of four forms: talking at God, talking to God, listening to God, being with God. If God reported on me, he would say I do the first two more often than the last two. I think the list relates to almost all of our com-munication. Could I take a few paragraphs to talk at you about serious turns just ahead of us?

We observe the sacrament of baptism this Sunday, February 22, 2009, in a 6:00 PM gathering in the sanctuary. The candidate list to date includes children, teens, and adults. Hermitage Church considers baptism as a time to announce the choice of faith, marked by water, identifying with Jesus. If you are a believer and have never been baptized, the time is now. Call the church office at 847-3335 so that we might prepare for you.

The Wednesday, February 25, 2009, Ash Wednesday Service meets in the sanctuary at 6:30 PM. Nurseries and pre-school classes will meet as usual but from elementary children through adults, we will meet as one. Ash Wednesday is the first day in the season of Lent. Count from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday and subtract all the Sundays as Sabbath rests, and you have forty days. The service will include thoughtful, reflective worship; marking ourselves with the sign of the cross with ashes from last Palm Sunday’s palm branches; beginning a journey of self-denial of something significant in our lives (giving up liver and brussel sprouts does not count). This is not a Catholic service. This is a Christian service. I want to participate in any service which brings me closer to Christ and helps to identify my life with his life. Be prayerful about what you give up this year.

Sunday, March 1, 2009, is the first Sunday in the season of Lent. Sundays are days of rest from the fast/self-denial. Some people choose to keep a strict fast and that is completely up to you. I like the rest because it makes me happier that it is Sunday and I already like Sundays. It makes you especially joyful when Easter Sunday comes and the fast is over. Easter Sunday is April 12, 2009.

Consider each of these events as opportunities to listen to and to be with God.


I look forward to worship with you this Sunday.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, February 9, 2009

February 9, 2009

Pastor Rondy Smith coordinated the Newcomer’s Luncheon on Sunday, February 8, 2009, after second service. The luncheon provides a wonderful opportunity for the pastoral staff team to meet new people in the church. Jill Satterlee caters the delicious box lunches and the rest of us float through and eat. Word on the street says the church is friendly; experiences Spirit-filled worship; provides good fellowship/study groups for men; offers great children’s programs (especially Upwards), great music, decent preaching. Families who joined the staff for lunch included the Mahoneys, the Eisemans, the Spanns, the Clines, the Gardenours, the Rapps, the Cutrights, and the Walvoords.

Ken Stegall, Ole Blomberg, Gary Helm, and Bobby Smith sang the offertory in first service and the opening in second service on Sunday. Someone in the Newcomer’s Luncheon requested more soon.

Congratulations to Morgan Follis who participated in a Gymnastic League Champion-ship last Saturday, February 7, 2009, and won first place in the All-Around Competition. Exercises included balance beam, parallel bars, vault, and floor.

Congratulations to Will Miranne and the Donelson Christian Academy Drama Depart-ment on their successful competition at the National Performing Arts Festival at Disney World the last week in January, 2009. The DCA group won Best Overall Performance for a scene from their upcoming musical, “Hello, Dolly,” in which Will is one of the main characters. Will also received the Best Supporting Actor award for a musical role and a Superior Rating for a dramatic duet comical role.

Congratulations to Adrie Brown, freshman at Mt. Juliet High School, who was one of two students from MJHS to have their art displayed in the Superintendents Exhibit at the Frist Center through February 15, 2009. Adrie’s piece is an ink and watercolor of a bridge/landscape.

Congratulations to Collin Earnhardt, senior at Mt. Juliet High School. When National Signing Day came for college football scholarships last Wednesday, February 4, 2009, Collin was signed by the Carson-Newman Eagles of Jefferson City, Tennessee. Carson-Newman has twenty of the last thirty South Atlantic Conference Championships in the NCAA Division II football program. Collin’s speed also inked him a track scholarship.

Congratulations to the Children’s Quiz Team and their great success at the Zone Quiz at Nashville First Church on Saturday, February 7, 2009. Red level quizzers were Brielle Fox, Sara Waller, Briley Ruff, and Drew Silvernail. Brielle and Sara received Gold All-Star ribbons. Briley and Drew received Gold ribbons. Drew, Briley and Brielle recited all memory verses. Blue level quizzers were Bryson Fox, Bethany Ruff, Jonathan Silvernail, and Drew Silvernail. Bryson, Bethany, and Jonathan received Gold All-Star ribbons. Drew received a Gold ribbon. Each of the blue level quizzers completed all memory verses and earned third place overall in the quiz.

Congratulations to Ronnie Marsh who ran in the Phoenix, Arizona, P.F. Chang’s Marathon on Sunday, January 18, 2009, in the company of 47,000 plus other runners. Ronnie finished 11th in his age group and 1,013th in the whole marathon. The Phoenix event is the largest combined running event in the USA and a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Hermitage Middle School and Senior High Students competed in the Tennessee District Extravaganza last weekend on the campus of Trevecca Nazarene University. All first place winners progress to the Southeastern Regional Top Nazarene Talent at TNU in April. The following young people participated in a variety of events: Daniel Jones, Brian Brinkman, Bryson Fox, Josh Cater, Jonathan Mowry, Lauren Lavery, Ben Mabry, Toby Haydel, Anna-Laura Green, Sophia Green, Cassie Hunt, and Cali Crosslin. The following students qualified to represent the Tennessee District in these events at TNT: Lauren Lavery (women’s basketball), Brian Brinkman (beach volleyball, men’s tennis, men’s table tennis), Ben Mabry (beach volleyball, ultimate frisbee), Toby Haydel (ultimate frisbee, art), Anna-Laura Green (women’s table tennis, art), Sophia Green (art), Cassie Hunt (art), and Cali Crosslin (art).

Middle School Ministries sponsors a Breakfast for Dinner in The Center this Sunday, February 15, 2009, in a 45 minute window just before the Evening Gatherings. The time is 5:00 to 5:45 PM. The cost is donations with all proceeds helping to reduce the cost of the 2009 Winter Charge to Maggie Valley, NC. All age-level programming must cover their own expenses due to the spending freeze at church so this is an important event. Alexandra Whitehead serves as French chef for the evening.

In thirty-two years of pastoral ministry, I have baptized all but three people I have ever baptized by immersion. Those waters have included church baptisteries, swimming pools, North Carolina’s Albemarle Sound, and Northern California’s Pacific Ocean. Both the coldest and the hottest water have been at HCN. Two of the three people were not physically able to be immersed. They were adults who were sick with an over-whelming desire to complete what they had postponed throughout their lives. Last Thursday, Ruthanne Terrell brought her friend, Bill Garrett, to the Hermitage Church sanctuary and together, we listened to scripture and affirmed the truths we believe about water baptism. Then gathering as much water as I could in one hand and placing it on Bill’s forehead, I baptized him in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Bill wept almost from beginning to end. I charged him with the responsibility to go and tell everyone he could about his baptism, including his 90 year old mother in an extended care facility. Ruthanne testifies that he has done just that. We rejoice.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, February 2, 2009

February 2, 2009

Welcome to the twenty-one new members who joined the church on Sunday, February 1, 2009, at the close of the 9:00 and 10:15 AM services: Randall and Janis Barrett, Dean and Melody Beach, John and Josie Boyter, Charles and Lucy Cline, Barbara Douthit, Joel Jones, Philip and Natalie Lutz, Rodney Neighbors, Donald and Gail Rollins, Evan and Cindy Spann, Webb and Maile Trojan, Paul and Patty West. They were born in Texas, Alabama, California, Wisconsin, and Tennessee. Their church backgrounds are Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, Church of Christ, and Nazarene. The most important thing to know about them is they all confess Christ as their Savior and the Bible as the authoritative word of God. I met with them on Tuesday evening and Saturday morning and enjoyed the time. The bulk of the Saturday morning crew stayed an extra hour to ask questions. One person has attended the church for five years. One couple has attended the church for less than two months. I have known Rodney Neighbors since he was in junior high school. I met some of the people for the first time on Saturday. I look forward to the days ahead as we share our gifts, talents, abilities and discover what this local body of Christ looks like with a new class.

Welcome home to Sam and Keli Green who have invested the last two weeks of their lives in the Caribbean Nazarene College in Trinidad. It was nice to hear their voices in church yesterday.

Congratulations to Holly Baughman, who won 1st place in her 4-H Fourth Grade Class at Andrew Jackson Elementary. The win qualified Holly to go to the Davidson County 4-H Finals on January 31, 2009, where she won second place. Her speech was on the three branches of government.

Congratulations to Brandon Shepard on his selection as the Mt. Juliet Athlete of the Week last week. As a ninth grade student, Brandon plays on the Varsity Men’s Basket-ball Team at Mt. Juliet High School.

Congratulations to Palmer Maphet and Graham Scott who were elected two of four members of the 2009 Senior Class Coming Home Court at Mt. Juliet High School. The coronation of the king happened last Friday night. Their best friend was crowned.

Congratulations to Daniel Smith, Duke University fan extraordinaire, who jumped with the Crazzies at Cameron Indoor last Sunday afternoon. Duke’s men’s basketball program is ranked first in the nation. They beat Virginia.

You may not have had a dog in the hunt, however, the Super Bowl did have an exciting ending. Wonderful as Kurt Warner may be, Ben Roethlisberger threw the last touchdown and won. My favorite moment came as the first half expired. Steeler James Harrison returned an interception for a record 100 yards. He had to lay on the ground for several minutes before he could breathe again and then take oxygen when he returned to the bench. I can relate from the last time I tried to run.

Dr. Bob and Carol Broadbooks worshipped with us in second service yesterday. Bob is our former district superintendent, now director of the USA/Canada Mission for the denomination. Although their new home is in Kansas City, their hearts are in Tennessee with their grandson, Maxwell Mullins, and a new grandson about six weeks from delivery. Bob spoke appreciation for the service and confessed that he remains the worst member of Hermitage Church. He is absent most Sundays doing the work of the Lord in some other location.

Pneumonia weather has arrived in Tennessee. Last week’s weather included snow and ice which closed schools and mid-week church and then rebounded with balmy sunny days. I gripe but I like the variety.

Thanks to the choir for doing an encore of “God Is In This Place” at the close of second service. It was the perfect song. I hope you continue to hear the words of Jesus from Mark 1 speaking “be quiet, be gone” to any thing, any circumstance, any disease which may have consumed your personality lately. You are much more than that. Remember that our God is creative and caring, reconciling and redemptive. The powers of evil are crippling, alienating, distorting, destructive. Measure, discern the powers at work in your life and make sure the voice speaking is the voice of God.

I consider myself fortunate to know you and serve with you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard