Brian Helstrom flew into town on Saturday evening and I picked him up from the Nashville Airport. It dawned on me as I drove to Donelson Pike that I had heard Brian speak on three to four occasions but did not remember what he looked like. I stood at the bottom of the escalator on the baggage floor and waited for someone to come down who looked lost. I found him. I served as his chauffeur over the weekend, transporting him from the Hampton Inn in Mt. Juliet to church and back. He was as real and genuine one-on-one as he was in services yesterday. I drove him to the airport at 4:40 AM today.
I think most of you found a friend in Brian. He is fresh and inspirational and ethically challenged. He has never found a kingdom tool he could not hide or sneak across a border. The video of the African children responding to the Jesus Film was nearly overwhelming, was it not? We have heard and overheard the story of the crucifixion and resurrection so often that we almost do not hear it anymore. Those kids heard it. They made us hear it. People who do not weep were weeping. Someone told me they worked really hard not to cry loudly. Brian loved worship. He said it had been a long while since he had spoken in a church with a choir instead of a praise team. He loved the choir.
When we did evaluations in Pastoral Staff Meeting this morning, Ken Jewett mentioned that he had felt rushed at the conclusion of the service when people were asked to commit a pledge for missions and that he did not have a very good idea of exactly what he was committing to: missions or the Jesus Film ministries. I print this because I think Ken’s point was valid. While response to Brian was good, response to pledging was not. The goal for our church is $65,000 which pays for our local church’s responsibilities to world missions for the 2009-2010 church year. It supports 750+ missionaries in 175+ world areas. Spencer and April Baggott, members of HCN, are two of the 750+ missionaries assigned to the Horn of Africa Region in the Sudan, Congo. We give to missions on a weekly, monthly, annually, or one time basis. It is not too late to participate. Cards are available in the foyer and lobby.
Dr. Sam Green was back in the house, home from fifty-five days in Centennial Medical Center. It was great to see Sam and to have him lead congregational singing and the choir. We still have to keep our hands off due to germs. He is only half way through his treatment for acute leukemia and this is the interim.
The Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday evening provided some of the best food I have ever eaten. I was sad that I had gone at the end of the line and could not return for seconds since I was sitting at a table in front of the speaker. Turkey is not one of my favorite foods but I ate some turkey that made me want more. I also ate some of Keely Mullins potato casserole that was still hot and delicious. Thanks to the Early Christian Sunday School Class which set up tables and chairs, organized food, and with the exception of one other family, cooked all of the turkeys and hams.
Room-in-the-Inn came to HCN for the first night of the 2009-2010 season. Paul Stonecipher directs us in this ministry to the homeless assisted by his wife, Pam. Two Sunday School Classes provided food and hosting: New Horizons and the University Class. Thanks to Donna Shankle, Rick Person, Susan Pilgreen, Marsha Shultz, Beverly Mitchell, Erna Plaxco, Barbara Douthit, Diane Brimm for delicious food preparation. Thanks to Lisa Anderson for assistance with breakfast. Thanks to Jon Alderman for driving the van for transportation to and from downtown Nashville. Thanks to Daniel Smith, Jake Resor, Hayley Hill, Justin Smith, and Ken Jewett for chaperoning and cleaning up in time for Sunday School Classes.
Pastor Rondy Smith served on the leadership team for a national “Come to the Fire” women’s conference held at Nashville First Church last weekend. Speakers, singers, assistants from HCN included Yori Taylor, Dorinda Biggs, Beth Fox, Alex Whitehead, Jody Scott, Betty Willis, Beth and Maggie Hollingsworth, Carol Waller, Valerie Marsh, Teresa Vines. Forty-one HCN women attended including: Anna and Michelle Plummer, Charlayne Trotter, Jill Satterlee, Traci Haydel, Feli Tigabu, Lisa Kelley, Kristi Mabry, Beth Seaman, Becky Evans, Mary Alice Butler, Lisa Anderson, Beth Rouse, Angela Hisey, Jillian Forcum, Cathy Preston, JoAnn Jackson, Jo Apple, Joyce Clevenger, Tiffany Mathias, Kathy Orrick, Joy Bradley, Missy Mize, Sandra Hunt, Holly Steinmetz, Dawn Parker, Deborah Coppedge, Stacey Joyce, Amy Walvoord, Miriam McMillan, Amy Ruff, Dottie Brown, Doris Jordan, Shelli Russell. Great, great work occurred in the lives of these women. Watch and listen for what God is doing.
Pastor Ken Jewett led the fifth and sixth grade LiveWire Students in Climb Nashville and a Lock-in last Friday evening. He was assisted by Hayley Hill, Jake Resor, Daniel Smith, Alan Elkins, Mike Miranne, Jon Paddon, Tanner Webb, Jim Waters, Michael Follis. Climbers were Trevor Hunt, Josh Elkins, Mikaila Duck, Hannah Garrett, Ryan Mahoney, Alex Houser, Emily Paddon, Jared Mannen, Rachel Jones, Rachel Thimell, Corey Miranne, Callie Dilts, Ryann Amity, Mackie Daily, Matt Lucas, Allyson Huffman, Kellie Rose, Jessie Joyce, Avie Joyce, Kevin Helm, Landon Cable, Andrew Vines, Bryson Fox, Nathanael Jackson, Sara Drummond, Ronnie Moore.
Wendell Marlowe submitted his resignation as plant manager effective Sunday, November 15, 2009. When Wendell started the position, he lived around the corner and has moved twice since. He is a middle school principal and husband and father and grandfather and ready to do more of those things. At this moment, we are dividing the responsibilities for the job between several people and groups. Richard Hysell, Wendell’s assistant, is out of commission with pending surgery and recovery. Thanks to Wendell for the hard, thankless job of cleaning floors and setting up chairs, cutting off lights, locking and unlocking doors for the last four years.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
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