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
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