Congratulations to Dr. William Greathouse on the celebration of his ninetieth birthday this Wednesday, April 29, 2009. His long-time friend, Dr. Rob Staples, came to town to join the celebration last weekend and stayed for worship on Sunday morning. The theo-logical mega wattage of those two men in the same room should have blown the lights. Happy birthday to the churchman who has inspired laity and clergy for decades with a laser focus on the heart and life and work of John Wesley and the message of the book of Romans. Dr. Greathouse is a shepherd and encourager to his pastor.
A multitude of runners from HCN are shining stars this week. Ronnie Marsh ran the 113th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20, 2009. He finished the 26.2 miles course in 3 hours 18 minutes, finishing 4,238 out of 23,000 plus runners. Valerie ran the last 5K of the course on Sunday, April 19, 2009, an opportunity for the runners’ families. The Country Music Marathon was run on Saturday, April 25, 2009, in Nashville and included Carolyn Washing, Sarah Paddon, Mike Miranne, Dan Scott, Aaron Foster, and Barry Whitehead. Chandler Scott and Marileigh Mabry ran in the Children’s Marathon. I have attempted to secure information on CMM runners but no one, I repeat no one, is home.
The face or voices of Joy Bradley or Jody Scott provide the first impression to most people who visit HCN through the weekday. Both serve roles as administrative assistants to the pastoral staff team. Joy is the longest serving employee of the church. On behalf of the church, I took them to lunch last Thursday and presented them with a thank you card and small gift certificate. Afternoon secretaries, Billie Ragland and Betty Willis, were also given cards and certificates. Thank you to the people who greet us and admit us to the buildings and channel our phone calls to the right office. Thank you for your kindness and competence.
College and university graduates will be recognized during worship services this Sunday, May 3, 2009. If you have a family member who is graduating with an under-graduate or graduate degree, please call the church office at 847-3335 and tell us.
Annual Elections are scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2009, during the regular hours of morning worship services and Sunday School. Five of fifteen church board members will be elected to serve a three year term. Leaders of Sunday School, NMI (Missions), and NYI (youth) will also be elected and serve for a one year term. Delegates to District Assembly and District Conventions will be elected. Members of the local church who are fifteen years of age and older are eligible on all ballots. Members of the local church who are twelve to forty years of age will be eligible to vote for the NYI (youth) ballot. The five church board members who rotate off the board for one year effective June 1, 2009, are Jerry Keener, Barbara Parrish, Alan Elkins, Miriam McMillan, and Jea Agee.
Middle School Students began the tradition of a great fundraiser in their first Dinner Theatre four years ago. I remember watching them bow as a group at the end of the evening and thinking of how God had made them into a team that evening. Senior High Students join Middle School Students this year in a Dinner Theatre scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2009, at 5:00 PM in The Center. It is especially important that we support the youth as all funds subsidize their Camp trip to Gatlinburg in June. Would you place the date and time on your calendar? Please.
Pete Benson concludes the three Sunday evening sessions on “Facing the Economic Storm” this Sunday, May 3, 2009, at 5:30 PM in the Sanctuary. The final session focuses on retirement and investment plans. Thanks to Pete for taking his time to talk to us out of his heart and expertise.
I don’t know what your prayer list is like these days, probably long. If you have time to pray for one more person, I want to get someone on your list. Her name is Victoria. She is a young single woman in her early thirties. I have never met her. She is the friend of Robert and Barbara Parrish’s daughter, Rachel. Victoria lived in Colorado until she discovered a month ago that she had multiple brain aneurisms. Her doctors sent her to Stanford Medical Center in California where she went through multiple tests and was scheduled for multiple surgeries. She has now gone through all the surgeries; has suffered several strokes; and is awaiting a controlled awakening from a coma-like state. Despite the enormity of all that trauma, there have been periodic miraculous moments. The movement of a hand. The speaking of her name. In between surgeries, she woke up and put on some make-up. For reasons unknown to me, I feel great faith for Victoria’s healing, recovery. If you feel moved to prayer, would you take a moment as you read this letter and speak her name to the Lord? Would you ask for healing? I have read lots of biblical stories lately about Jesus doing powerful things and I think my believing has gotten lazy. Her name is Victoria. What if she was your daughter, your sister?
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
April 20, 2009
Philip and Natalie Lutz presented their son, Keegan Thomas Lutz, in dedication to the Lord Jesus on Sunday, April 19, 2009, in the 10:15 AM service in The Center. Keegan was joined at the altar by his grandparents: Tom and Beverly Lutz, Mike and Cathy White; aunts: Carley Lutz and Brittany White; great-grandmothers: Mary Grace Greer and Jean Bandy; great-aunt: Becky Greer. Keegan screamed just before I got him and then traveled the distance of the blessing journey in complete peace. He received the official foot shake by numbers too numerous to tell. How do you keep your hands off those bare toes? We bless the Lord who has blessed Philip and Natalie with a child to love and raise for him.
Congratulations to HCN’s Youth on their successful venture into TNT Land at TNU last weekend. Anna-Laura Green won 3rd place in Ladies Middle Youth Table Tennis. Lauren Lavery won 1st place in Ladies Senior High Swimming; won 2nd place with the Ladies Basketball Team; chosen for the All-Star Ladies Basketball Team; awarded the Ladies Basketball Sportsmanship Award. Brian Brinkman won 1st place Men’s Senior High Tennis; won 3rd place with the Ultimate Frisbee Team; chosen for the Beach Volleyball All-Star Team; played on the Men’s Beach Volleyball Team. Ben Mabry won 3rd place with the Ultimate Frisbee Team and played on the Men’s Beach Volleyball Team. Sophie Green submitted art work. The HCN Mission Trip video won second place among Nazarene Churches in the Southeast Region and received a $1,000 check to support future ministry.
Tennessee District Senior High and Seventh and Eighth Grade Youth are normally registering for a week at Camp the first of June. This year, however, the camp was scheduled while Wilson County Schools are still in session. So, our youth leaders have worked extraordinarily hard to find a super alternative. This year’s camp for grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 and separately, grades 7 and 8, is scheduled for Friday through Tuesday, June 19-23, 2009, at Gatlinburg, TN. The camp is coordinated by Student Life Ministries with special speaker, Lou Giglio; special worship leader, Steve Fee; and a concert on Thursday evening with The David Crowder Band. Cost for the camp is $250. A deposit of $50 is required for each camper by Sunday, May 3, 2009. Housing and transportation is separate for Senior High and 7th and 8th Grade Students. Contact Pastor Shane at Shane.Tarter80@gmail.com for more information.
This Sunday, April 26, 2009, is designated as a Recognition Day for all volunteers of Nashville’s Room-in-the-Inn. Could I share a few stats with you regarding accomplish-ments of the mission in the 2008-2009 host year? Between November 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, more than 1,200 guests participated in RITI; more that 28,000 beds were provided; more than 60,000 meals were served; more than 20,000 showers were offered. More than 17,000 volunteers gave more than 92,000 hours of service. The connections made between volunteers and guests were born of mutual respect and recognition of a common humanity. Thanks to all who provided meals, conversations, chaperoning, transportation, set-up, clean-up, wash-ups in the name of Jesus Christ.
The Church Board met on Sunday, April 19, 2009, at 4:30 PM, and passed the following motions and affirmed the motions passed on the Sunday, April 1, 2009:
· Accepted Ronnie Thompson’s resignation as Middle School Pastor effective April 30, 2009. Ronnie’s last two weeks are vacation time. The church will pay Ronnie’s health insurance through June 30, 2009, and gift him with the laptop from his office.
· Changed Ken Jewett’s pastoral staff assignment to full-time Associate Pastor of Student Ministries with umbrella oversight of Middle School, Senior High, and College Ministries.
· Hired three part-time assistants to work in Middle School and Senior High Ministries: Hayley Hill, Jake Resor, Daniel Smith. All three are pastoral ministry majors at Trevecca.
· Approved Ken Elkins, Gay Elkins, Arch Dobson, Donna Shankle, and Amy Walvoord, as Task Force members to receive requests and distribute funds for compassionate needs at HCN and to approve Quarterly Poverty Dinner with funds to be halved between World Servants in Kenya and HCN.
· Recommended renewal of district license for Carol Waller, Bryce Fox, Tes Tigabu and issue of district license for Shane Tarter.
· Set Annual Meeting Elections for Sunday, May 17, 2009, during AM services.
· Appointed Nominating Task Force for Annual Meeting Elections: Phil Jordan, Kendell Poole, Teresa Vines, Jea Agee, Rondy Smith
· Approved repeat of scheduled break for Sunday PM services for June and July 2009 with one class meeting in sanctuary at 6:00 PM for all ages; leadership for class is to be rotated among pastoral staff team.
K.C. Van Atta, also a pastoral ministries major at TNU, will serve a summer intern-ship at HCN with me. K.C. receives her assignment through the office of Dr. Wilbur Brannon, pastoral intern director at TNU. We meet for the first time this week.
Sometimes I am trusted to keep my two year old granddaughter, Kennedy, by myself. Last week, I got to keep her twice in the early evening. We walked in the backyard and discovered a rabbit and a squirrel and listened to birds and a train whistle. Then we went to the front yard and tailgated out of the back of my Expedition. I washed some grapes and had some rolls of Smarties left from the Easter Egg Hunt. Kennedy wanted to push the inside button to close the back lift gate and eventually I let her. I had no idea it did not open from the inside. I had to crawl over the back seats and out the side doors to let us escape. It was not pretty. I am glad that my life has serendipities and that I have a granddaughter who helps me play.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
Congratulations to HCN’s Youth on their successful venture into TNT Land at TNU last weekend. Anna-Laura Green won 3rd place in Ladies Middle Youth Table Tennis. Lauren Lavery won 1st place in Ladies Senior High Swimming; won 2nd place with the Ladies Basketball Team; chosen for the All-Star Ladies Basketball Team; awarded the Ladies Basketball Sportsmanship Award. Brian Brinkman won 1st place Men’s Senior High Tennis; won 3rd place with the Ultimate Frisbee Team; chosen for the Beach Volleyball All-Star Team; played on the Men’s Beach Volleyball Team. Ben Mabry won 3rd place with the Ultimate Frisbee Team and played on the Men’s Beach Volleyball Team. Sophie Green submitted art work. The HCN Mission Trip video won second place among Nazarene Churches in the Southeast Region and received a $1,000 check to support future ministry.
Tennessee District Senior High and Seventh and Eighth Grade Youth are normally registering for a week at Camp the first of June. This year, however, the camp was scheduled while Wilson County Schools are still in session. So, our youth leaders have worked extraordinarily hard to find a super alternative. This year’s camp for grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 and separately, grades 7 and 8, is scheduled for Friday through Tuesday, June 19-23, 2009, at Gatlinburg, TN. The camp is coordinated by Student Life Ministries with special speaker, Lou Giglio; special worship leader, Steve Fee; and a concert on Thursday evening with The David Crowder Band. Cost for the camp is $250. A deposit of $50 is required for each camper by Sunday, May 3, 2009. Housing and transportation is separate for Senior High and 7th and 8th Grade Students. Contact Pastor Shane at Shane.Tarter80@gmail.com for more information.
This Sunday, April 26, 2009, is designated as a Recognition Day for all volunteers of Nashville’s Room-in-the-Inn. Could I share a few stats with you regarding accomplish-ments of the mission in the 2008-2009 host year? Between November 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, more than 1,200 guests participated in RITI; more that 28,000 beds were provided; more than 60,000 meals were served; more than 20,000 showers were offered. More than 17,000 volunteers gave more than 92,000 hours of service. The connections made between volunteers and guests were born of mutual respect and recognition of a common humanity. Thanks to all who provided meals, conversations, chaperoning, transportation, set-up, clean-up, wash-ups in the name of Jesus Christ.
The Church Board met on Sunday, April 19, 2009, at 4:30 PM, and passed the following motions and affirmed the motions passed on the Sunday, April 1, 2009:
· Accepted Ronnie Thompson’s resignation as Middle School Pastor effective April 30, 2009. Ronnie’s last two weeks are vacation time. The church will pay Ronnie’s health insurance through June 30, 2009, and gift him with the laptop from his office.
· Changed Ken Jewett’s pastoral staff assignment to full-time Associate Pastor of Student Ministries with umbrella oversight of Middle School, Senior High, and College Ministries.
· Hired three part-time assistants to work in Middle School and Senior High Ministries: Hayley Hill, Jake Resor, Daniel Smith. All three are pastoral ministry majors at Trevecca.
· Approved Ken Elkins, Gay Elkins, Arch Dobson, Donna Shankle, and Amy Walvoord, as Task Force members to receive requests and distribute funds for compassionate needs at HCN and to approve Quarterly Poverty Dinner with funds to be halved between World Servants in Kenya and HCN.
· Recommended renewal of district license for Carol Waller, Bryce Fox, Tes Tigabu and issue of district license for Shane Tarter.
· Set Annual Meeting Elections for Sunday, May 17, 2009, during AM services.
· Appointed Nominating Task Force for Annual Meeting Elections: Phil Jordan, Kendell Poole, Teresa Vines, Jea Agee, Rondy Smith
· Approved repeat of scheduled break for Sunday PM services for June and July 2009 with one class meeting in sanctuary at 6:00 PM for all ages; leadership for class is to be rotated among pastoral staff team.
K.C. Van Atta, also a pastoral ministries major at TNU, will serve a summer intern-ship at HCN with me. K.C. receives her assignment through the office of Dr. Wilbur Brannon, pastoral intern director at TNU. We meet for the first time this week.
Sometimes I am trusted to keep my two year old granddaughter, Kennedy, by myself. Last week, I got to keep her twice in the early evening. We walked in the backyard and discovered a rabbit and a squirrel and listened to birds and a train whistle. Then we went to the front yard and tailgated out of the back of my Expedition. I washed some grapes and had some rolls of Smarties left from the Easter Egg Hunt. Kennedy wanted to push the inside button to close the back lift gate and eventually I let her. I had no idea it did not open from the inside. I had to crawl over the back seats and out the side doors to let us escape. It was not pretty. I am glad that my life has serendipities and that I have a granddaughter who helps me play.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
Monday, April 13, 2009
April 13, 2009
Easter Sunday provides a wonderful opportunity to the church to tell the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ to all who will listen and in as many ways as you can tell it. Hermitage Church tries to tell it in music and media, by the band and the choir, in the songs and the instruments, via children and preachers. The messenger changes about every five minutes but the message is the same: Jesus Christ laid down his life in a sacrifice of love, but now he is risen and alive. These are some of the people who worked to make a difference on Sunday, April 12, 2009:
· Jennifer Neely, Kris Neely, Kim Vann who decorated The Center and lobby with lilies and dogwoods
· Betty Willis who draped The Sanctuary cross with cloth and light
· Glen Detwiler, Ken Elkins, Tommy Boner, and Ken Willis who extended the stage in The Center
· Billie Ragland and Shirley Maschinski who prepared all the elements for communion on both Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday
· Andy McCormick who played the saxophone solo at the opening of worship
· Andy McCormick, Graham Scott, Randy Layne, Dave Flint, Donny Jackson, Ricky Gore, Paul Bolling, and Michael Waller who provided live instrumenta-tion for congregational and choral music
· Dorinda Biggs who sang the solo to “Because of Love”
· Paul Vann who sang the solo to “Arise, My Love”
· HCN Choir Members who provided live vocals: Dorinda Biggs, Christi Fite, Beth Fox, Keli Green, Emily Sullivan, Miriam McMillan, Ole Blomberg, Will Chambers, Bryce Fox, Marvin Heath, Art Kurtz, Herb McMillan, Mike Orrick, Paul Vann, Mark Washing, Lisa Anderson, Sami Chambers, Joyce Clevenger, Ashley Crues, Jessica Dozier, Kristi Dozier, JoAnn Jackson, Pam McNeese, Sarah Vaden, Brenda Waffird, Dalene Barnett, Janeene Davis, Julie Foster, Anna-Laura Green, Julie Harrison, Marilyn Keener, Sandra Kurtz, Madeline Moser, Anna Plummer, Emily Sullivan, Betty Willis
· The Stick Team who dramatized “Arise, My Love”: Bethany Ruff, Brielle Fox, Annie Cater, Mikayla Wurth, Madeleine Rouse, Lydia Foster, Bryson Fox, Kristin Paddon, Mahaliah Davis, Sara Drummond, Jacob Paddon, Shelby Rose, Kellie Rose, Drew Silvernail, Jonathan Silvernail
· The Stick Team Directors who rehearsed the kids: Christy Barfield, Michelle Silvernail
· Sunday morning ushers who assisted the distribution of communion elements and received the offering (wish I knew everyone’s name)
· Charles Jewell and Robert Parrish for cutting the lawn, trimming the edges, blowing off the parking lots
· Andy Elkins for directing Easter traffic, Jake Pilarski for directing Palm Sunday traffic
· Brian Biggs, Robert Sullivan for operating sound, lights, videos
· Dr. Sam Green for coordinating and directing major pieces of all of the above
If you thought any of it was too much, blame me. For everyone who made the Lenten journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, I hope the “giving up” made you think of Jesus often. Thanks to everyone who made the transitions in time and location.
HCN’s Spring Bass Tournament fished out on Saturday, April 11, 2009, on Old Hickory Lake. Nineteen entrants entered Shutes Branch just after 5:00 AM and when weigh-in came at 12:00 Noon, the winners were Steve Kemp and Rob Lyles. Second place winners were David Drummond and Ross Drummond. Third place winners were Chris Taylor and Austin Taylor. Congratulations to everyone who tried.
Congratulations to all North Carolina Men’s Basketball fans on the successful completion of the only game in sports where you choose the top 65 teams in the nation and let them play until one team is standing. I picked Louisville to win it all. I am glad I was wrong.
Did anyone besides me pull for Kenny Perry in the Master’s on Sunday afternoon?
Barbara Douthit’s family is having a public sale of Jim’s tools, fishing gear, etc., on May 1 and 2, 2009. There is a pre-sale available to you on April 25, 2009, from 9 AM to 3 PM. The list is long and includes a boat, pick-up truck, saws, air compressor, hand tools. Call 874-9162 and talk to David or Amy Elmore for more information or email to DATAS@comcast.net.
I look forward to Sunday.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
· Jennifer Neely, Kris Neely, Kim Vann who decorated The Center and lobby with lilies and dogwoods
· Betty Willis who draped The Sanctuary cross with cloth and light
· Glen Detwiler, Ken Elkins, Tommy Boner, and Ken Willis who extended the stage in The Center
· Billie Ragland and Shirley Maschinski who prepared all the elements for communion on both Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday
· Andy McCormick who played the saxophone solo at the opening of worship
· Andy McCormick, Graham Scott, Randy Layne, Dave Flint, Donny Jackson, Ricky Gore, Paul Bolling, and Michael Waller who provided live instrumenta-tion for congregational and choral music
· Dorinda Biggs who sang the solo to “Because of Love”
· Paul Vann who sang the solo to “Arise, My Love”
· HCN Choir Members who provided live vocals: Dorinda Biggs, Christi Fite, Beth Fox, Keli Green, Emily Sullivan, Miriam McMillan, Ole Blomberg, Will Chambers, Bryce Fox, Marvin Heath, Art Kurtz, Herb McMillan, Mike Orrick, Paul Vann, Mark Washing, Lisa Anderson, Sami Chambers, Joyce Clevenger, Ashley Crues, Jessica Dozier, Kristi Dozier, JoAnn Jackson, Pam McNeese, Sarah Vaden, Brenda Waffird, Dalene Barnett, Janeene Davis, Julie Foster, Anna-Laura Green, Julie Harrison, Marilyn Keener, Sandra Kurtz, Madeline Moser, Anna Plummer, Emily Sullivan, Betty Willis
· The Stick Team who dramatized “Arise, My Love”: Bethany Ruff, Brielle Fox, Annie Cater, Mikayla Wurth, Madeleine Rouse, Lydia Foster, Bryson Fox, Kristin Paddon, Mahaliah Davis, Sara Drummond, Jacob Paddon, Shelby Rose, Kellie Rose, Drew Silvernail, Jonathan Silvernail
· The Stick Team Directors who rehearsed the kids: Christy Barfield, Michelle Silvernail
· Sunday morning ushers who assisted the distribution of communion elements and received the offering (wish I knew everyone’s name)
· Charles Jewell and Robert Parrish for cutting the lawn, trimming the edges, blowing off the parking lots
· Andy Elkins for directing Easter traffic, Jake Pilarski for directing Palm Sunday traffic
· Brian Biggs, Robert Sullivan for operating sound, lights, videos
· Dr. Sam Green for coordinating and directing major pieces of all of the above
If you thought any of it was too much, blame me. For everyone who made the Lenten journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, I hope the “giving up” made you think of Jesus often. Thanks to everyone who made the transitions in time and location.
HCN’s Spring Bass Tournament fished out on Saturday, April 11, 2009, on Old Hickory Lake. Nineteen entrants entered Shutes Branch just after 5:00 AM and when weigh-in came at 12:00 Noon, the winners were Steve Kemp and Rob Lyles. Second place winners were David Drummond and Ross Drummond. Third place winners were Chris Taylor and Austin Taylor. Congratulations to everyone who tried.
Congratulations to all North Carolina Men’s Basketball fans on the successful completion of the only game in sports where you choose the top 65 teams in the nation and let them play until one team is standing. I picked Louisville to win it all. I am glad I was wrong.
Did anyone besides me pull for Kenny Perry in the Master’s on Sunday afternoon?
Barbara Douthit’s family is having a public sale of Jim’s tools, fishing gear, etc., on May 1 and 2, 2009. There is a pre-sale available to you on April 25, 2009, from 9 AM to 3 PM. The list is long and includes a boat, pick-up truck, saws, air compressor, hand tools. Call 874-9162 and talk to David or Amy Elmore for more information or email to DATAS@comcast.net.
I look forward to Sunday.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
Monday, April 6, 2009
April 6, 2009
Dr. Sam Green led the HCN Choir and Worship Band in a morning of music and narration on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2009. “He Chose the Nails” resulted in an opportunity to tell the story of the Cross one more time to people who know it best. Thanks to the excellent instrumentalists: Paul Bolling, Dave Flint, Ricky Gore, Donny Jackson, Randy Layne, Andy McCormick, Graham Scott, and Michael Waller. Thanks to the inspired soloists: Dorinda Biggs, Christi Fite, Beth Fox, Keli Green, John Jordan, Emily Sullivan, and Miriam McMillan. Thanks to the magnificent choir: Ole Blomberg, Will Chambers, Bryce Fox, Marvin Heath, John Jordan, Art Kurtz, Herb McMillan, Ryan Means, Mike Orrick, Ken Stegall, Mark Washing, Renita Amity, Lisa Anderson, Dorinda Biggs, Sami Chambers, Ashley Crues, Jessica Dozier, Christi Fite, Keli Green, JoAnn Jackson, Pam McNeese, Miriam McMillan, Kate O’Connell, Sarah Vaden, Brenda Waffird, Dalene Barnett, Janeene Davis, Julie Foster, Beth Fox, Anna-Laura Green, Sandra Kurtz, Madeline Moser, Anna Plummer, Emily Sullivan, and Betty Willis. There were 880 cups served in communion.
The Easter Egg Hunt at 5:00 PM brought out a great crowd. Because the west end parking lots were blocked for reasons of safety for children, cars were parked all over the east end lawn. The storm which rained all over Nashville never touched us. Every child I interviewed carried away more eggs than they could carry. Six hundred plates were put out for the cook-out, eat-in and one hundred more were added when those were used. For the first time, we ran out of hamburgers, hotdogs, and chicken. Even the bowls were bare when I walked past the tables at the end. Thanks to our faithful cooking crew of Wayne McNeese, Kenny McNeese, Ricky McNeese, Ken Koon, Darrell Moody, Dan Scott, and Paul Stonecipher. Thanks to the kitchen crew of Lisa Anderson, Pam McNeese, Kylee Koon, Dianne McNeese, and Dot Waffird for doing all the slicing and dicing. Thanks to the Bread Breakers and Journey Sunday School Classes for set-up and service and clean-up before and after the meal.
This Sunday, April 12, 2009, is Middle School Pastor Ronnie Thompson’s last Sunday on staff. He takes the remaining two weeks in April for vacation and then on to a senior pastor assignment in Arkansas. Jenni, Ben, and Shelby remain with us until school is out and then follow Ronnie. Tom Christensen and Sophia Green presented a card, file, and cupcakes to Ronnie at the Sunday evening cook-out and the Church Board voted to gift Ronnie with his laptop computer. If you did not have an opportunity to give Ronnie a card last Sunday night, take the time to do so this week.
This Sunday, April 12, 2009, is Easter Sunday with services at HCN at 9:00 and 10:30 AM in The Center. We plan with intention to create a time when we thoughtfully and thankfully look back on the crucifixion and with celebration and joy look around at the resurrection. Pieces of the service include media, congregational singing, the HCN choir and Worship Band, preaching, and vocals to close by Paul Vann and a dramatic demonstration by a band of children. Reach out to your unchurched neighbors, family, friends, and co-workers and invite them to attend a service with you. You will not regret the risk you take.
The Prayer Path Labyrinth in Building One has open slots for reservations this week. If you would like to walk, call the church at 847-3335. It is one of the Lenten ingredients which make the forty days and night rich.
Gail and Rick Foster are members of HCN completing a three year tour of duty for the USA in Rome, Italy. Last night, an area north of Rome was hit by a 6.3 earthquake on the Richter Scale which killed 150 people and displaced 10,000 people from their homes.
Gail and Rick are safe and we are thankful.
Watch for the beautiful pink and white dogwood trees which grow in a corner nook outside the east sanctuary windows. They are full of blooms and ready to explode. The harsh weather, however, may undo their season before it comes. Watch anyway.
I am thankful to serve as your pastor with such a gifted and committed pastoral staff team. We invested six hours this morning concentrating on our spiritual formation and asking the questions which will help the formation of others.
I look forward to Sunday.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
The Easter Egg Hunt at 5:00 PM brought out a great crowd. Because the west end parking lots were blocked for reasons of safety for children, cars were parked all over the east end lawn. The storm which rained all over Nashville never touched us. Every child I interviewed carried away more eggs than they could carry. Six hundred plates were put out for the cook-out, eat-in and one hundred more were added when those were used. For the first time, we ran out of hamburgers, hotdogs, and chicken. Even the bowls were bare when I walked past the tables at the end. Thanks to our faithful cooking crew of Wayne McNeese, Kenny McNeese, Ricky McNeese, Ken Koon, Darrell Moody, Dan Scott, and Paul Stonecipher. Thanks to the kitchen crew of Lisa Anderson, Pam McNeese, Kylee Koon, Dianne McNeese, and Dot Waffird for doing all the slicing and dicing. Thanks to the Bread Breakers and Journey Sunday School Classes for set-up and service and clean-up before and after the meal.
This Sunday, April 12, 2009, is Middle School Pastor Ronnie Thompson’s last Sunday on staff. He takes the remaining two weeks in April for vacation and then on to a senior pastor assignment in Arkansas. Jenni, Ben, and Shelby remain with us until school is out and then follow Ronnie. Tom Christensen and Sophia Green presented a card, file, and cupcakes to Ronnie at the Sunday evening cook-out and the Church Board voted to gift Ronnie with his laptop computer. If you did not have an opportunity to give Ronnie a card last Sunday night, take the time to do so this week.
This Sunday, April 12, 2009, is Easter Sunday with services at HCN at 9:00 and 10:30 AM in The Center. We plan with intention to create a time when we thoughtfully and thankfully look back on the crucifixion and with celebration and joy look around at the resurrection. Pieces of the service include media, congregational singing, the HCN choir and Worship Band, preaching, and vocals to close by Paul Vann and a dramatic demonstration by a band of children. Reach out to your unchurched neighbors, family, friends, and co-workers and invite them to attend a service with you. You will not regret the risk you take.
The Prayer Path Labyrinth in Building One has open slots for reservations this week. If you would like to walk, call the church at 847-3335. It is one of the Lenten ingredients which make the forty days and night rich.
Gail and Rick Foster are members of HCN completing a three year tour of duty for the USA in Rome, Italy. Last night, an area north of Rome was hit by a 6.3 earthquake on the Richter Scale which killed 150 people and displaced 10,000 people from their homes.
Gail and Rick are safe and we are thankful.
Watch for the beautiful pink and white dogwood trees which grow in a corner nook outside the east sanctuary windows. They are full of blooms and ready to explode. The harsh weather, however, may undo their season before it comes. Watch anyway.
I am thankful to serve as your pastor with such a gifted and committed pastoral staff team. We invested six hours this morning concentrating on our spiritual formation and asking the questions which will help the formation of others.
I look forward to Sunday.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
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