There are so many people to recognize this week that it is hard to know the most appropriate place to begin. So, I think I will begin with Savannah Szyperski. I recorded her birth stats in last week’s letter but I had yet to make a pastoral visit to the hospital. Her mother, Debbie, asked me if I wanted to hold Savannah when I came to visit and I needed no more encouragement. She is beautiful, sleepy and smells wonderfully sweet.
John and Rachelle Reigard presented their son, Austin Perry Reigard, in dedication to the Lord on Sunday, March 29, 2009, in the 10:15 AM service. Austin was joined at the altar by his brother, Grant; his sisters, Camille and Abby; his grandparents, Kenneth and Virginia Reigard; his uncle and aunt, Rod and Emily DeVore; his cousins, Trey, Owen, and Lyla. Paul Vann sang the dedication song and Austin blew bubbles through his blessing journey. We bless the Lord who has blessed John and Rachelle with a son to teach and to lead to Him.
Children’s Bible Quizzing concluded last Saturday, March 28, 2009, on the district level. The meet was held at Clarksville Park Lane Church. Red level quizzers were Sara Waller, Daniel Silvernail, Brielle Fox, and Briley Ruff. Sara received a gold all-star trophy, perfect quiz, $100 scholarship to TNU. Daniel received a gold all-star trophy, perfect quiz, memory verse trophy, and $100 scholarship to TNU. Brielle received a gold all-star trophy, one perfect round, memory verse trophy, and $100 scholarship to TNU. Briley received a gold medal trophy and memory verse trophy. Blue level quizzers were Bethany Ruff, Bryson Fox, Jonathan Silvernail, Drew Silvernail. Bethany received a gold all-star trophy, perfect quiz, memory verse trophy, and $100 scholarship to TNU. Bryson received a gold all-star trophy, one perfect round, memory verse trophy, and $100 scholarship to TNU. Jonathan received a gold medal trophy and memory verse trophy. Drew received a silver medal trophy and memory verse trophy. Bethany and Bryson qualify to quiz at the Southeastern Regional Quiz and all quizzers qualified to quiz at the World Quiz Finals in Orlando, Florida, this summer. Congratulations on a super season!
Congratulations to Kurt Kile, who graduated from Navy Basic Training on Friday, March 20, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois. In a ceremony of 5,500+ people, including his parents, Kent and Kim, and sisters, Katie and Kelsey, Kurt officially became a sailor with 1,096 compatriots. He will be stationed in Pensacola, Florida, for advanced training in jet aircraft maintenance. The Kiles appreciate your continued prayers.
Will Miranne starred in a production of “Hello, Dolly” at DCA last weekend on Friday, Saturday, March 27-28, 2009. He filled the role of Cornelius Hackl, who partici-pates in two fine occupations: singing and kissing. I have reports that the acting and singing were great. We need to talk to the prom queen about the kissing. Kudos to Will.
The Mt. Juliet Men’s Baseball Team includes three significant players from HCN: Logan Dalton, Taylor Haydel, Matt Sedgewick. Matt pitched a no-hitter against McGavock in the first game of the season. Taylor pitched a one-hit shut-out on March 16, 2009, against Hendersonville in the 9-AAA opener. Taylor also had two hits in the game. Logan Dalton hit a RBI triple in the fourth inning and also doubled in the game. Taylor pitched again on March 23, 2009, against LaVergne, striking out twelve batters with no walks as coaches from Vanderbilt, MTSU, and Western KY watched. He hit a pair of singles in that game. Get a schedule and go cheer for the Golden Bears.
The six male college freshmen from HCN who room together at TNU’s Benson Hall are featured in an article entitled “Arriving at the Destination—Together,” in the Spring 2009 issue of The Treveccan. Find their photo and article in the glass bulletin board outside The Center. Great to see the smiling faces of Derek Brinkman, Michael Follis, Preston Hunt, Jake Resor, Daniel Smith, and Tanner Webb.
The Early Christians Sunday School Class hosted Room-in-the-Inn on Saturday night, Sunday morning, March 28-29, 2009. Once again, the church provided warm food, warm and dry beds, opportunities to wash clothes or shower to ten men without homes. Thanks to Wayne McNeese for driving to and from the city. Thanks to the following people for providing leadership, food, and chaperoning: Paul and Pam Stonecipher, Robert and Barbara Parrish, Harry and Donna Wood, Bob and Wanda Bishop, Herb and Miriam McMillan, Dot Waffird, Bobby Meadows, Lucy Cline, Wendell Poole, Sandra Kurtz, and Linda Parkhurst. What a privilege to serve others in the name of Jesus. Thanks to the named and un-named, including those who gave to purchase the ham.
This Sunday, April 5, 2009, is Palm Sunday and the evening activities include:
· The Annual Easter Egg Hunt for children from infancy through grade 4. Children’s Pastor Carol Waller told me in staff meeting that we need lots of plastic eggs filled with non-chocolate candy to be brought to church this week through Sunday morning. Eggs will be hidden in late afternoon so it is too late to bring them past the morning.
· The Farewell Occasion for the Ronnie Thompson Family. Ronnie’s official last Sunday as Middle School Pastor is Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009. However, this is the most sensible social time to express our appreciation to Ronnie and Jenni, Ben and Shelby. You will probably see Jenni, Ben, and Shelby while school finishes. Bring a card and include some cash or a gift card as you feel directed.
I want to make a last appeal to you to take the risk with unchurched family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers and invite them to church with you this Sunday and next Sunday. People go to church on Easter Sunday. You have to ask. Take the risk and make a difference in a life, a marriage, a family, an eternity.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
March 23, 2009
Congratulations to Mark and Debbie Szyperski on the birth of their daughter, Savannah Joy Szyperski, on Monday, March 23, 2009, at 10:46 AM at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Savannah weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces and measured
20 ½ inches in length. We give thanks to the Lord for a healthy baby and a safe delivery.
We informed you in last week’s letter that Ronnie Thompson was leaving his ministry assignment as the HCN Middle School Pastor to accept a new assignment as Preaching Pastor of the Mountain Home Twin Lakes Church of the Nazarene in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Ronnie’s call to ministry has always included the call to pastor a church so we rejoice in this opportunity for him. His last Sunday with us will be Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009. We will officially say our goodbyes at the Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt and Cook-out at 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 5, 2009.
In an attempt to acknowledge the economic realities of this moment, the church will not hire a full-time person to replace Ronnie. This in no way diminishes our commitment to middle school students. Ken Jewett transitions into leadership of the Middle School LiveWire Service which meets on Sunday mornings at 10:15 AM in the Sanctuary. His first service will be Sunday, April 19, 2009. Ken will speak in each service and coordinate music and drama. He will also plan curriculum and recruit the Wednesday and Sunday night volunteer teams of facilitators. Shane Tarter will plan and direct activities, mission trips, and camps and recruit Sunday School teachers. These responsi-bilities are additions to Ken and Shane’s previous assignments.
A meeting for PARENTS of Middle School Students is scheduled for THIS SUNDAY, March 29, 2009, at 4:30 PM in the Sanctuary. I will lead the meeting with Ken and Shane present to assist me. This meeting is scheduled at the suggestion of several parents. The purpose of the meeting is to answer questions and give information.
A Called Church Meeting for the Church Board is announced for Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at 7:35 PM in the Parlor to officially receive Ronnie’s resignation and to process the changes in staff assignments. Please plan to attend this important meeting. The regular monthly meeting is on the calendar for Sunday, April 19, 2009, at 4:30 PM.
Rev. Nicholas Kusia and Ben Kikuvi from Kenya visited in both worship services yesterday morning and brought greetings from our brothers and sisters in Africa. Pastor Nicholas is the person through whom God has worked to build the orphanage in Kali where our MissionAfrica’08 team worked and where twenty-five orphan girls live who we sponsor. Thanks to Pastor Rondy Smith for coordinating their visit including sight-seeing on Saturday; to Kelly Plummer for hosting them in her home; to Bobby Smith for cooking Sunday dinner; to Dan Scott for assisting with transportation; to Rob Mathias for providing Monday morning breakfast and transportation to the airport.
Thanks to the Early Christian Sunday School Class for providing the beans, potatoes, and cornbread for last evening’s Poverty Dinner. I thought the food was delicious. The donations totaled $3,071. $110 awaits deposits to be added next Sunday. The money will be divided between the daily/weekly needy requests of this community and the hungry needy of the Kali, Kenya, community.
The journey of Lent enters the fifth week this Sunday. I have greatly enjoyed the stories of pilgrims who are traveling this road for the first time in their lives, particularly Christians who have never celebrated Lent. Please keep telling me. Allow me to talk to you about the weeks ahead.
Palm Sunday is April 5, 2009. There are two services: 9:00 and 10:30 AM. Please notice the second service is 15 minutes later than usual. Both services will meet in The Center due to space and instrument needs. Both services feature music and narration which tells the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Hermitage Choir and Center Band provide the ministry of music directed by Dr. Sam Green, our Pastor of Worship. The program is entitled “He Chose The Nails.”
Palm Sunday at 5:00 PM features an Easter Egg Hunt of 10,000 Easter eggs on the west lawns of the church campus. We depend on you to bring plastic eggs with non-chocolate candy inside to hide. Leave your donated plastic eggs in the containers outside each worship area. After the hunt (which takes about 10 minutes), we enjoy a cook-out with hotdogs and hamburgers provided by the church. We need you to bring salads, desserts, and drinks.
Easter Sunday is April 12, 2009. There are two services: 9:00 and 10:30 AM. Please notice the second service is 15 minutes later than usual. Both services meet in The Center due to space and instrument needs. This service includes preaching, music, media, communion, and a special ministry with some of the church’s children.
Invite your unchurched friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family to attend church with you on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. You will be surprised how many will attend if you will take the risk and ask. I cannot count the number of people who tell me they began to attend church at HCN at Easter. Someone invited them. Be that someone. Do not find yourself at church on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday wishing you had invited others to come with you and the opportunity is passed. Take the opportunity NOW.
Back in November, many of us made commitments to give to world missions over the period of a year. I have kept up my commitment on a monthly basis. We told you then that our need to give to missions would snowball in the first half of 2009. The time is here. If you are able to give the bulk of your pledge at Easter or by the end of May 2009, please do so.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
20 ½ inches in length. We give thanks to the Lord for a healthy baby and a safe delivery.
We informed you in last week’s letter that Ronnie Thompson was leaving his ministry assignment as the HCN Middle School Pastor to accept a new assignment as Preaching Pastor of the Mountain Home Twin Lakes Church of the Nazarene in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Ronnie’s call to ministry has always included the call to pastor a church so we rejoice in this opportunity for him. His last Sunday with us will be Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009. We will officially say our goodbyes at the Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt and Cook-out at 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 5, 2009.
In an attempt to acknowledge the economic realities of this moment, the church will not hire a full-time person to replace Ronnie. This in no way diminishes our commitment to middle school students. Ken Jewett transitions into leadership of the Middle School LiveWire Service which meets on Sunday mornings at 10:15 AM in the Sanctuary. His first service will be Sunday, April 19, 2009. Ken will speak in each service and coordinate music and drama. He will also plan curriculum and recruit the Wednesday and Sunday night volunteer teams of facilitators. Shane Tarter will plan and direct activities, mission trips, and camps and recruit Sunday School teachers. These responsi-bilities are additions to Ken and Shane’s previous assignments.
A meeting for PARENTS of Middle School Students is scheduled for THIS SUNDAY, March 29, 2009, at 4:30 PM in the Sanctuary. I will lead the meeting with Ken and Shane present to assist me. This meeting is scheduled at the suggestion of several parents. The purpose of the meeting is to answer questions and give information.
A Called Church Meeting for the Church Board is announced for Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at 7:35 PM in the Parlor to officially receive Ronnie’s resignation and to process the changes in staff assignments. Please plan to attend this important meeting. The regular monthly meeting is on the calendar for Sunday, April 19, 2009, at 4:30 PM.
Rev. Nicholas Kusia and Ben Kikuvi from Kenya visited in both worship services yesterday morning and brought greetings from our brothers and sisters in Africa. Pastor Nicholas is the person through whom God has worked to build the orphanage in Kali where our MissionAfrica’08 team worked and where twenty-five orphan girls live who we sponsor. Thanks to Pastor Rondy Smith for coordinating their visit including sight-seeing on Saturday; to Kelly Plummer for hosting them in her home; to Bobby Smith for cooking Sunday dinner; to Dan Scott for assisting with transportation; to Rob Mathias for providing Monday morning breakfast and transportation to the airport.
Thanks to the Early Christian Sunday School Class for providing the beans, potatoes, and cornbread for last evening’s Poverty Dinner. I thought the food was delicious. The donations totaled $3,071. $110 awaits deposits to be added next Sunday. The money will be divided between the daily/weekly needy requests of this community and the hungry needy of the Kali, Kenya, community.
The journey of Lent enters the fifth week this Sunday. I have greatly enjoyed the stories of pilgrims who are traveling this road for the first time in their lives, particularly Christians who have never celebrated Lent. Please keep telling me. Allow me to talk to you about the weeks ahead.
Palm Sunday is April 5, 2009. There are two services: 9:00 and 10:30 AM. Please notice the second service is 15 minutes later than usual. Both services will meet in The Center due to space and instrument needs. Both services feature music and narration which tells the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Hermitage Choir and Center Band provide the ministry of music directed by Dr. Sam Green, our Pastor of Worship. The program is entitled “He Chose The Nails.”
Palm Sunday at 5:00 PM features an Easter Egg Hunt of 10,000 Easter eggs on the west lawns of the church campus. We depend on you to bring plastic eggs with non-chocolate candy inside to hide. Leave your donated plastic eggs in the containers outside each worship area. After the hunt (which takes about 10 minutes), we enjoy a cook-out with hotdogs and hamburgers provided by the church. We need you to bring salads, desserts, and drinks.
Easter Sunday is April 12, 2009. There are two services: 9:00 and 10:30 AM. Please notice the second service is 15 minutes later than usual. Both services meet in The Center due to space and instrument needs. This service includes preaching, music, media, communion, and a special ministry with some of the church’s children.
Invite your unchurched friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family to attend church with you on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. You will be surprised how many will attend if you will take the risk and ask. I cannot count the number of people who tell me they began to attend church at HCN at Easter. Someone invited them. Be that someone. Do not find yourself at church on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday wishing you had invited others to come with you and the opportunity is passed. Take the opportunity NOW.
Back in November, many of us made commitments to give to world missions over the period of a year. I have kept up my commitment on a monthly basis. We told you then that our need to give to missions would snowball in the first half of 2009. The time is here. If you are able to give the bulk of your pledge at Easter or by the end of May 2009, please do so.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
Monday, March 16, 2009
March 16, 2009
Congratulations to Peter and Betty Chang on the birth of their son, Brandon Zhang, on Thursday, March 12, 2009, at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, TN. Brandon weighed 8 pounds 14 ounces and measured 20 ½ inches in length. He is the brother of Stephanie and Julie; the nephew to Susan Wu and Zhouli Ni; cousin to Raymond and Cindy Ni. We give thanks to the Lord for a healthy baby and a safe delivery.
Congratulations to Matthew and Keely Mullins on the birth of their son, Malcolm Lee Mullins, on Friday, March 13, 2009, at 7:43 AM at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, TN. Malcolm weighed 8 pounds 11 ounces and measured 21 inches in length. He is the brother of Maxwell; the grandson of Dan and Janie Mullins, Bob and Carol Broadbooks. We give thanks to the Lord for a healthy baby and a safe delivery.
When I went to Summit on Friday evening to visit with parents and babies, I found both Brandon and Malcolm in the nursery window, side-by-side. I stood a long time and watched them sleep. If someone else had come to watch, I planned to tell them that I was the pastor of both babies. No one else came so there was no bragging.
Congratulations to HCN Bible Quizzers who competed in zone finals at Trevecca Community Church on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Red level quizzers included Sara Waller (gold medal), Brielle Fox (gold all-star medal, perfect quiz ribbon), Briley Ruff (gold all-star medal), Daniel Silvernail (gold all-star medal, perfect quiz ribbon). Blue level quizzers included Bethany Ruff (gold all-star medal, perfect quiz ribbon), Drew Silvernail (gold medal), Jonathan Silvernail (gold all-star medal), Bryson Fox (gold all-star medal). Blue level quizzers won the 2nd place team trophy and quoted all memory verses. What marvelous effort and work to study and remember the word of God.
Congratulations to Rebecca Sharpe who is transferring to Union University for fall semester 2009. Becca just completed her freshman year of basketball at Bryan College. Highlights include leading the nation for NAIA schools with 241 assists; making 85% of her free throws; rebounding 123 balls; making 83 steals. Not bad stats for the shortest player to come out of the Mt. Juliet basketball program.
Congratulations to Sarah Perry on her selection to the Goodpasture Lady Cougars Varsity Fast-Pitched Softball Team. The Lady Cougars have been Class AA State Champions for the six consecutive years. Sarah is a sophomore.
The Cross-Trainers and Young Professional Sunday School Classes hosted Room-in-the-Inn at HCN on Saturday night, Sunday morning, March 14-15, 2009. Hosting involves the preparation and service of three meals; providing fresh linen and clean cots for sleeping; providing clean towels for showers; making a washer and dryer available for clothes; chaperoning 24/7; treating people with respect and dignity. Those who helped with the various needs were Jea and Jessica Agee, Kenny and Tiffany McNeese, Kevin and Kim Davenport, Mike and Carol Waller, Jonathan and Sarah Paddon, Sam and Angela Eiseman, Evan and Cindy Spann, Billy and April Swoner, Paul and Glenda Bolling, Brian and Dorinda Biggs, Lynn and Carrie Lounsbury, Albert and Keri Rios, Wayne and Pam McNeese, Dot Waffird, Kris and Jennifer Neely, Richard and Beth Rouse, Ken and Kylee Koon, Jonathan and Michelle Gaertner, John and Rachelle Reigard, Paul and Kim Vann, Jeff and Diane Cater. Whatever you did, you did for Jesus.
Our Middle School Pastor, Ronnie Thompson, was elected as senior pastor of the Mountain Home Twin Lakes Church of the Nazarene in Mountain Home, Arkansas, on Sunday morning, March 15, 2009. Mountain Home is on the North Arkansas District where HCN’s former pastor, Barney Baggott, is the superintendent. It is also the district where HCN’s former associate/senior high pastor, Chuck Seay, pastors. Transition plans are already in process with leaders to be named within the next few weeks.
HCN received thank you notes from Missionaries Spencer, April, Lucas, and Abby Baggott (in Senegal heading to Rwanda) and Ruthie Cordova (in San Jose, Costa Rica). The gratitude comes in response to the Christmas packages sent to their families at the end of 2008. The Baggotts are members of HCN.
HCN students in grades 7-12 and who attend Wilson County Schools will still be in session when the Tennessee District Teen Camp convenes on June 1-5, 2009, on Trevecca’s campus. It appears that Wilson County is the only county in middle or west Tennessee that is so affected. District leadership is fully aware of the problem but not able to do anything which changes things for 2009. So, Ken Jewett, Shane Tarter, Brad Houser, Treila Garrett, Darlene Miranne, Scott Steinmetz, and I met on Sunday afternoon to consider alternative options for our youth. While details are still in process, please reserve June 19-23, 2009, as the most likely dates.
Pastor Nicholas Kisua, our Kenyan host in the 2008 MissionAfrica trip, visits HCN this Sunday. He will be introduced to the congregation in both services. He will also eat with those who come to the Poverty Dinner of Beans, Potatoes, and Bread at 5:00 PM on Sunday, March 22, 2009, in The Center. All donations for the supper will be divided to feed the hungry in Kenya and Tennessee. Fellowship times are scheduled for the 2008 group at 6:00 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2009, in the parlor, and for the 2010 group at 6:00 PM on Sunday, March 22, 2009, in The Center. The Early Christians Sunday School Class provides beans and cornbread for the evening. I have failed to ask for people to help with stewed potatoes. Please call the church office to volunteer.
Congratulations to Matthew and Keely Mullins on the birth of their son, Malcolm Lee Mullins, on Friday, March 13, 2009, at 7:43 AM at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, TN. Malcolm weighed 8 pounds 11 ounces and measured 21 inches in length. He is the brother of Maxwell; the grandson of Dan and Janie Mullins, Bob and Carol Broadbooks. We give thanks to the Lord for a healthy baby and a safe delivery.
When I went to Summit on Friday evening to visit with parents and babies, I found both Brandon and Malcolm in the nursery window, side-by-side. I stood a long time and watched them sleep. If someone else had come to watch, I planned to tell them that I was the pastor of both babies. No one else came so there was no bragging.
Congratulations to HCN Bible Quizzers who competed in zone finals at Trevecca Community Church on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Red level quizzers included Sara Waller (gold medal), Brielle Fox (gold all-star medal, perfect quiz ribbon), Briley Ruff (gold all-star medal), Daniel Silvernail (gold all-star medal, perfect quiz ribbon). Blue level quizzers included Bethany Ruff (gold all-star medal, perfect quiz ribbon), Drew Silvernail (gold medal), Jonathan Silvernail (gold all-star medal), Bryson Fox (gold all-star medal). Blue level quizzers won the 2nd place team trophy and quoted all memory verses. What marvelous effort and work to study and remember the word of God.
Congratulations to Rebecca Sharpe who is transferring to Union University for fall semester 2009. Becca just completed her freshman year of basketball at Bryan College. Highlights include leading the nation for NAIA schools with 241 assists; making 85% of her free throws; rebounding 123 balls; making 83 steals. Not bad stats for the shortest player to come out of the Mt. Juliet basketball program.
Congratulations to Sarah Perry on her selection to the Goodpasture Lady Cougars Varsity Fast-Pitched Softball Team. The Lady Cougars have been Class AA State Champions for the six consecutive years. Sarah is a sophomore.
The Cross-Trainers and Young Professional Sunday School Classes hosted Room-in-the-Inn at HCN on Saturday night, Sunday morning, March 14-15, 2009. Hosting involves the preparation and service of three meals; providing fresh linen and clean cots for sleeping; providing clean towels for showers; making a washer and dryer available for clothes; chaperoning 24/7; treating people with respect and dignity. Those who helped with the various needs were Jea and Jessica Agee, Kenny and Tiffany McNeese, Kevin and Kim Davenport, Mike and Carol Waller, Jonathan and Sarah Paddon, Sam and Angela Eiseman, Evan and Cindy Spann, Billy and April Swoner, Paul and Glenda Bolling, Brian and Dorinda Biggs, Lynn and Carrie Lounsbury, Albert and Keri Rios, Wayne and Pam McNeese, Dot Waffird, Kris and Jennifer Neely, Richard and Beth Rouse, Ken and Kylee Koon, Jonathan and Michelle Gaertner, John and Rachelle Reigard, Paul and Kim Vann, Jeff and Diane Cater. Whatever you did, you did for Jesus.
Our Middle School Pastor, Ronnie Thompson, was elected as senior pastor of the Mountain Home Twin Lakes Church of the Nazarene in Mountain Home, Arkansas, on Sunday morning, March 15, 2009. Mountain Home is on the North Arkansas District where HCN’s former pastor, Barney Baggott, is the superintendent. It is also the district where HCN’s former associate/senior high pastor, Chuck Seay, pastors. Transition plans are already in process with leaders to be named within the next few weeks.
HCN received thank you notes from Missionaries Spencer, April, Lucas, and Abby Baggott (in Senegal heading to Rwanda) and Ruthie Cordova (in San Jose, Costa Rica). The gratitude comes in response to the Christmas packages sent to their families at the end of 2008. The Baggotts are members of HCN.
HCN students in grades 7-12 and who attend Wilson County Schools will still be in session when the Tennessee District Teen Camp convenes on June 1-5, 2009, on Trevecca’s campus. It appears that Wilson County is the only county in middle or west Tennessee that is so affected. District leadership is fully aware of the problem but not able to do anything which changes things for 2009. So, Ken Jewett, Shane Tarter, Brad Houser, Treila Garrett, Darlene Miranne, Scott Steinmetz, and I met on Sunday afternoon to consider alternative options for our youth. While details are still in process, please reserve June 19-23, 2009, as the most likely dates.
Pastor Nicholas Kisua, our Kenyan host in the 2008 MissionAfrica trip, visits HCN this Sunday. He will be introduced to the congregation in both services. He will also eat with those who come to the Poverty Dinner of Beans, Potatoes, and Bread at 5:00 PM on Sunday, March 22, 2009, in The Center. All donations for the supper will be divided to feed the hungry in Kenya and Tennessee. Fellowship times are scheduled for the 2008 group at 6:00 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2009, in the parlor, and for the 2010 group at 6:00 PM on Sunday, March 22, 2009, in The Center. The Early Christians Sunday School Class provides beans and cornbread for the evening. I have failed to ask for people to help with stewed potatoes. Please call the church office to volunteer.
Monday, March 9, 2009
March 9, 2009
Congratulations to Steve and Leisha Stride on the birth of their son, Jake Saunders Stride, on March 6, 2009, at 5:01 AM at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, TN.
Jake weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 19 ¾ inches in length. He is the brother of Will and Seth. Anna and I visited with Jake and his mom and dad a little later on his birth day and he was warm and resting. We give thanks to the Lord for a healthy baby and a safe delivery.
John and Kristin Jordan presented their son, Cooper Davis
Congratulations to Jonna Taylor and Victor Taylor on the birth of their daughter, Abigail Grace Taylor, born on March 9, 2009, at 10:14 AM at Centennial Women’s Hospital in
Senior Adults and Friends visited Second Harvest Food Bank on Friday, February 27, 2009, to sort food and pack boxes and to deliver the 350 pounds of food collected at HCN. They also delivered $420 which will purchase an additional 2,100 pounds of food. Workers included Jim and Brenda Agee, Doug and Dalene Barnett, Tommy and Mary Ann Boner, Joy Bradley, Glen and Pat Detwiler, Rebecca Dickens, Jeanette Flatt, Alene Gill, Pauline Harbin, Carrie Knox, Shirley Maschinski, and Ken Willis.
Trevecca Nazarene University Lady Trojan’s Basketball Team plays the women of
Upwards Basketball concluded its 2009 season last week with a total of 140 children participating. As is always true, 65% of the children were from outside of our church. Basketball players from within the church were Isabella Agee, Mia Agee, Gavon Baker, Jackson Barfield, Holly Baughman, Logan Baskin, Emma Brown, Jacob Brown, Joel Daugherty, Preston Davis, Abby Elkins, Logan Evans, Emily Flint, Evan Flint, Ethan Foster, Jared Gardenour, James (J.D.) Hall, T.J. Hysell, Joel Jones, Luke Joselyn, Noah Joselyn, Teddy Joyce, Marileigh Mabry, Anthony Mannen, Michael Mathias, Trey McNeese, Maxwell Mullins, David Paddon, Jacob Paddon, Bryce Poole, Carter Poole, Erica Render, Grant Render, Kelli Rose, Shelby Rose, Bethany Ruff, Briley Ruff, Daniel Silvernail, Drew Silvernail, Jonathan Silvernail, Elizabeth Sweeten, Jordan Sweeten, Reid Swoner, Ben Thompson, Shelby Thompson, Austin Waller, Braxton Waller, and Travis Walter. Cheerleaders from within the church were Brooke Bradley, Morgan Evans, Lydia Foster, Alyssa Mannen, and Annalee Poole. Coaches within the church included Chip Jackson, Rob Matthias, Kenny McNeese, Ashley Mize, Buddy Mabry, Kendell Poole, Ray Render, Jody Sweeten, David Russell, and Rick Brown. Senior High Students who coached were Ben Mabry, Hunter Steinmetz, Lauren Lavery, and Whitney Gonyea. Referees included Marvin Heath, Kris Neely, and Mark Washing. Congratulations to everyone on a successful season! Thanks to Pastor Ronnie Thompson for coordinating each piece and date.
Senior Night Live ’09 happened at
We have told you for several weeks that Pastor Nicholas Kisua, our host pastor from MissionAfrica’08, will visit the
I want to ask the Early Christian Sunday School Class to prepare beans and bread again and have all donations be divided between the needs of our African brothers and sisters and the needs of our local community seeking assistance at our doors.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
Monday, March 2, 2009
March 2, 2009
Congratulations to Whitney Gonyea on winning the Bear Idol title at
I know it sounds crazy but did you know that Daylight Savings Time starts this Sunday, March 8, 2009, at 2:00 AM? That means that when you retire to bed this Saturday evening, you need to set your clocks FORWARD one hour. Yes, it is time to lose an hour so that we can be awake in more daylight. Yes, this Sunday!
Room-in-the-Inn returned to HCN on Saturday evening with the New Life Sunday School Class serving as host/hostess. Ten men without a place to sleep or eat were transported to your church facilities where they were fed a hot meal for dinner; given opportunity to shower and wash their clothes; provided a place to sleep that was warm and dry; fed breakfast and given a sack lunch to take with them back to the city. Servants were Kendell, Tammy, Bryce Poole; Scott and Janet Moore; Mike, Darlene, Corey Miranne; Suzanne Karr; Valerie Marsh; Aaron, Julie, Caleb, Lydia, Ethan, Elizabeth Foster; Mark, Carolyn, Bret Washing; Alan and Angie Elkins; Troy Haydel; Greg Trotter; Howard Barrett; Sheri Render; Judy, Brent, Christi Fite; Paige Abernathy; Wayne McNeese; Jody Sweeten; Rob Mathias; Tony Dozier; Ed Gonyea; Scott Perkins.
Pastor Ken Jewett and University Students have served the Monday evening meal and the Tuesday lunch meal for several months at the Nashville Rescue Mission. When mission leaders found out most of the group included ministerial students, they asked if they would be willing to lead an evening service. So, on Sunday, March 1, 2009, the following students and Ken led the service with sixty to seventy men present: Hayley Hill, Elissa Olds, Mandy Goon, Tyler Greene, Daniel Smith, Derek Brinkman, Jake Resor, J.T. Blue, David Tigabu.
Joel Thimell is the owner/operator of City Wraps Café in the Arcade in downtown
Thanks to the team which filled the gap in Pastor Ronnie Thompson’s absence last Sunday from Livewire Worship: Rodney Neighbors, Ginger Pilarski, K.C. Van Atta, Brad Thompson.
Thanks to Daniel Smith, Jake Resor, and Hunter Steinmetz for reading lectionary scriptures on the first Sunday of Lent in first service.
Two heads are always better than one and especially if Rondy Smith’s head is the one you add. Rondy suggested some changes to the meetings I wrote about last week with Kenyan Pastor Nicholas Kisua. I agree that her suggestions are better. Therefore,
- MissionAfrica’08 Team meets with Pastor Kisua and Ben on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at 5:00 PM in the Parlor with a potluck meal and a time of reunion.
- MissionAfrica’10 Team meets with Pastor Kisua and Ben on Sunday, March 22, 2009, at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary. If you are thinking about participating in the June 2010 trip to
I looked at your faces last Wednesday night as we gathered in the Sanctuary and I think I recognized the look of people who were excited to begin a trip, to take a journey. The season of Lent is exactly that: a purposeful, thoughtful journey to Easter Sunday. In the process, we mark our foreheads with ashes and decide the something we will deny ourselves and the something we will do for forty days as we identify ourselves with Christ. The stories I told in services on Sunday have provoked more of you to tell me of your experience on Wednesday night. You make me weep. I am so glad to be traveling with you.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
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