Congratulations to Nick Lewis who graduated from Middle Tennessee State University on Saturday, December 19, 2009, with a history major, business education minor. Nick is employed at Segal Middle School in the Murfreesboro City Schools. He is the son of Lisa Anderson and the grandson of Dot Waffird.
The Christmas Eve Service at HCN now seems weeks ago but remains a wonderful memory. I stood in the Sanctuary foyer and watched people come through the doors in groups of tens and twenties and wondered if we could ever seat everyone. I love events which pack us into the Sanctuary and stir our memories. Preston Hunt expressed his nostalgia to me and made me love him more. Is it possible to have sung “Joy to the World” with more authority than when we opened the series of carol hymns? Thanks to Willard Brinkman, Michael Waller, and David Flint for providing expert instrumentation. Thanks to Sam Green for leading the congregational singing. Thanks to Catherine Segars for the “Breath of Heaven.” Thanks to Billie Ragland and Shirley Maschinski for preparing the communion elements and then cleaning up afterwards. Thanks to Shane Tarter, Daniel Smith, and Jake Resor for transporting chairs for extra seating to the foyer. Thanks to Aaron and Caleb Foster who remained after service to pick-up, straighten up what the rest of us had left. Rondy Smith made it her personal responsibility to see that the candles were assembled with drip guards before distribution. Lifting our candles to heaven may be one of the most dangerous and wonderful things we do at Christmas.
The One morning worship service in The Center on Sunday at 10:00 AM escorted us to the other end of the campus. I so appreciate all of the first service people who made the transition. Dr. Greathouse and Judy Greathouse were two of the first to arrive. It is the only service of the year when there are no nurseries, no arranged childcare, no other activities functioning in any area of the facilities. I commend the children and the families who made it work. Thanks to Rondy Smith, Ken Jewett, Shane Tarter, and Carol Waller for sharing the preaching role with me yesterday. Bill Stricklin has already sent an email to brag on all of them. I liked standing in the lobby of The Center after service and getting to talk with people like Jerry and Mae Beavers. First service people normally watch me hurry off to second service. We got to talk about the joy of being grandparents.
The Genesis Sunday School Class hosted Room-in-the-Inn at HCN on Saturday night. Ten homeless men from downtown Nashville were provided a safe, dry place to sleep; delicious food to eat; a safe place to shower and wash clothes; a place to sit and talk with people who cared. Hosts and hostesses included Tiffany Mathias; John, Erika, Jared, Anthony, and Alyssa Mannen; Stephan, Susan, Jameson, and Isabella Scappaticci; Bob and Rhonda Ward; Kathy Orrick; Paul Stonecipher; J.D. and Angela Hisey; Dianne and Ricky McNeese; David and Yori Taylor; Yori's son and his fiancé', Khena Kara and Kelli Beecher; Carol Clem; Bobby, Rondy, Daniel and Kyle Smith; David, Shelley, Emily and Evan Flint; Bill and Melva Strickland; Dan and Cathy Preston; Tes and Feli Tigabu; Barry, Alex and Kaina Whitehead; Alex's father, Philippe Gehin; Dan Scott; John Alderman; Jill Satterlee; Webb Trojan; Marvin Heath; Lawana Jones. Thanks for representing all of the rest of us as you cared for others in the name of Jesus.
These are the last days of 2009. A new year arrives this week. Allow me to mention three things buzzing in my head regarding completing and beginning:
- If you need to catch up end of the year giving to the church, it is not too late to do so. You can either bring a check by the church or mail it to the church with a December 31, 2009, date written on the check. Several months ago, I wrote a note in one of these letters expressing my confidence in an investment in this local body. I want to reaffirm that confidence. This church is effectively reaching a generation of young people for Christ. We do not just talk about it. We put our money where our mouth is. Giving or not giving dictates a lot of what happens around the church. Pay attention.
- I am convinced that six young people need to go on the trip to Africa in 2010. The cost is high. I need six sponsors who would commit to giving $2,500 so that a teen could raise the remainder of the funds for their trip. It is a life-changing opportunity. If you feel the slightest bit interested, please call me at 847-3335 and let me talk with you.
- The Wesleyan Covenant Service is an annual service of confession, worship, and commitment that we observe at HCN in the first Sunday of the new year. The service contains preaching, congregational singing, significant vocal offerings. People leave the service asking if we can meet again before a year is up to account for what was just started. We return to regular schedules this Sunday, January 3, 2010, at 9:00 AM in the Sanctuary and at 10:15 AM in The Center. All Sunday School Classes also return to the schedule.
Somewhere in the midst of all of your good intentions for 2010, I hope God is speaking and I hope you are listening. He greatly desires to live and operate at the center of your life. What needs to change in you? What priorities need to shift? What relationships need attention? I am praying for you, my brothers and my sisters. And I am depending on your prayers for me. It is the only way to survive.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
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